bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Work like any other but like no other: Labour rights for working prisoners in Sweden
Authors: Olsson Petra Herzfeld
Published: September 2024

In Sweden there is no minimum wage legislation. Wages for 88% of workers are governed by collective agreement, and for the remainder, they are set by individual employment contracts. The lowest wage levels in collective agreements for adults were about SEK 19,000 in 2022, and the median wage was about SEK 34,200, which corresponds to SEK 119 and SEK 214 per hour, respectively. Wages not set by collective agreement or employment contract are supposed to be ‘reasonable’. A reasonable wage is a wage in line with the level laid down in the sectoral collective agreement. Incarcerated workers earn SEK 13 an hour in Sweden. They are not categorised as workers, however, and therefore are not covered by labour law or collective agreements. But the products of their work – goods and services – are either sold on the open market or used for the benefit of the Swedish Agency for Prisons and the Probation Service, as the services or goods do not have to be bought on the open market. Such low pay would be considered unreasonable for any other work. However, work has been a central aspect of serving time in Swedish prisons for a very long time. Over time, such work has been motivated and governed by different principles and aims, such as the work-first principle, meaning, i.e., that work is both a societal duty and a right, and the aim of disciplining the incarcerated workers for internal and external purposes (resocialisation). The rehabilitative aspect of work has been emphasised. Proposals to raise the pay level have been rejected as being too expensive and counteracting the rehabilitative function of serving time in prison. This article seeks to explain the perceived rationale behind this state of affairs and to bring a human rights perspective into the picture and reflect on its implications.
Underage girls’ pregnancy during schooling in Niger: Socio-demographic aspect, causes, effect and control. A prospective cohort study
Authors: Hamidou Soumana Diaouga , Maimouna Chaibou Yacouba , Mahamane Mobarak Salifou Abdou , Madeleine Garba Rahamatou , Nafiou Idi , Mayama Nayama
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, the socio-demographic aspect, the consequences on the schooling of girls and the control measures of underage pregnancy in schooling in Niger.

Methods:

This was a prospective cohort study over a 12-month period. The study concerned pregnant and parturient girls who were minors and in the process of attending school in the city of Niamey in the Republic of Niger. The socio-demographic, obstetric and school data of 184 underage girls admitted to the Issaka Gazobi Maternity Hospital in Niamey during the study period were collected and analysed. At the same time, we conducted interviews in 30 schools and educational inspection services in the city of Niamey, in order to gather qualitative data on the phenomenon of pregnancy and childbirth among minors in schools.

Results:

The frequency of childbirth among under-age students was 3.06% in our maternity. The average age was 15.7 years. Nine out of 10 minors (90.7%) had become mothers by the end of the study. School drop-out rates were high (53.8%). According to our interviews with school leaders, the factors at the root of pregnancy in Niamey schools are socio-cultural and religious (factors linked to the vulnerability of young girls, the lack of sex education within families and schools, and peer pressure, cultural and religious considerations which encourages early marriage and pregnancy, and the low contraceptive prevalence rate in Niger).

Conclusion:

Pregnancy in the school environment is common in Niger and has repercussions on the normal progress of schooling. This study recommended adequate parental implication, eradication of street hawking and inculcation of moral values through religious bodies as ways of reducing underage girls’ pregnancy in schooling in Niger.
Pilot study of musculoskeletal discomfort in Indonesian pregnant workers during COVID-19 pandemic era
Authors: Hasiholan Bonardo Prayogo , Susilowati Indri Hapsari , Withers Mellissa
Published: September 2024

Objective:

This pilot study aims to analyze the factors influencing musculoskeletal discomfort in pregnant workers in Indonesia from occupational aspects, especially during the pandemic, to recommend further interventions and policies for a safer and healthier workplace.

Methods:

This study was a cross-sectional study. It used an online questionnaire to collect data on individual, occupational, and work environmental factors and musculoskeletal discomfort. We used Chi-square and logistic regression analysis to determine associations between the risk factors and the musculoskeletal discomfort.

Results:

A total of 126 women from multiple employment sectors participated. About 59% of respondents reported discomfort, with the majority having pain in the lower back (62.2%). Chi-square analysis revealed that age, history of injury, subjective agility and speed, length of working days in a week, and subjective temperature conformity were associated with the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort. Logistic regression revealed that age ( p = 0.018 and OR = 2.218) and temperature conformity ( p = 0.049 and OR = 2.157) were the most significant independent predictors of musculoskeletal discomfort.

Conclusion:

This study shows that temperature conformity is a predictor of musculoskeletal discomfort. Employers should consider this when determining whether their workplace is suitable for pregnant women. The treatment of younger workers needs attention, especially during pregnancy, they may need extra accommodation during pregnancy.
AR–AI assisted ophthalmic nursing: Preliminary usability study in clinical settings
Authors: Huang Changke , Sheng Yaying , Lian Hengli , Zhang Wenjie , Lin Hui , Huang Xiaofang , Tang Ning , Zhao Lvjun , Guo Yingxuan
Published: September 2024

Objective

Ophthalmic ward nursing work is onerous and busy, and many researchers have tried to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) technology to assist nurses in performing nursing tasks. This study aims to use augmented reality (AR) and AI technology to develop an intelligent assistant system for ophthalmic ward nurses and evaluate the usability and acceptability of the system in assisting clinical work for nurses.

Methods

Based on AR technology, under the framework of deep learning, the system management, functions, and interfaces were completed using acoustic recognition, voice interaction, and image recognition technologies. Finally, an intelligent assistance system with functions such as patient face recognition, automatic information matching, and nursing work management was developed. Ophthalmic day ward nurses were invited to participate in filling out the System Usability Scale (SUS). Using the AR-based intelligent assistance system (AR-IAS) as the experimental group and the existing personal digital assistant (PDA) system as the control group. The experimental results of the three subscales of learnability, efficiency, and satisfaction of the usability scale were compared, and the clinical usability score of the AR-IAS system was calculated.

Results

This study showed that the AR-IAS and the PDA systems had learnability subscale scores of 22.50/30.00 and 21.00/30.00, respectively; efficiency subscale scores of 29.67/40.00 and 28.67/40.00, respectively; and satisfaction subscale scores of 23.67/30.00 and 23.17/30.00, respectively. The overall usability score of the AR-IAS system was 75.83/100.00.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis results of the System Usability Scale, the AR-IAS system developed using AR and AI technology has good overall usability and can be accepted by clinical nurses. It is suitable for use in ophthalmic nursing tasks and has clinical promotion and further research value.
Using online wellness assessment to screen for risk of lowered work ability, burnout, depression and anxiety in occupational health: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Kauppi Krista , Korpela Katri , Borg Patrik , Roos Eira , Torkki Paulus
Published: September 2024

Objectives

An increasing prevalence of disability and sickness absences related to mental health highlights the need to find scalable measures to identify common occupational health challenges early on. This study (1) investigates how well current work ability measures capture psychosocial occupational health challenges, (2) examines how online wellness questionnaire data are linked to these challenges and (3) suggests a limited set of questions for screening employees.

Methods

A total 709 employees filled out a wellness survey, the Work Ability Index, the Bergen Burnout Indicator and screening questions for generalized anxiety disorder and depression. The survey question clusters and previously identified domains of wellness were used to examine the correlations between the domains and occupational health indicators. Linear models and stepwise Akaike information criterion model reduction were used to identify questions that most explained variation in each challenge. The strongest questions were combined into a set, and recursive partitioning was used to form a screening tool for occupational health.

Results

Despite over 80% of participants having good perceived work ability, we found a simultaneous anxiety risk in 22%, depression risk in 30%, some burnout symptoms in 7% and presenteeism in 36% of the participants. Correlations between several wellness domains and occupational health indicators were found. We identified eight questions that could be used to screen for a combined risk of lowered work ability, burnout, anxiety or depression.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate current measures not being sufficient to capture employees’ mental health and suggest a brief set of questions to identify employees at risk.
Digital health literacy and its determinants among community dwelling elderly people in Taiwan
Authors: Tran Tu T. , Chang Peter WS , Yang Jenn-Ming , Chen Tso-Hsiao , Su Chien-Tien , Levin-Zamir Diane , Baron-Epel Orna , Neter Efrat , Tsai Shih Feng , Lo Bryan , Duong Tuyen V , Yang Shwu-Huey
Published: September 2024

Background

Digital Health Literacy (DHL) is crucial in navigating digital health environments, yet few studies focus on older adults.

Objective

Explore the associations of digital health information and resource utilization, IT-related social support, and barriers/enhancers to digital health service usage with DHL among older adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2022 to April 2023, involving 417 individuals over the age of 60 who were interviewed using an instrument for collecting data on DHL, social support, barriers/enhancers influencing use of digital health resources and personal/demographic data. Multi-regression models were used to examine the associations.

Results

Higher DHL scores were associated with daily use of digital interaction with healthcare ( B = 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.07, 0.49; p = .01), daily use of other digital health resources ( B = 0.22; 95% CI = 0.05, 0.40; p = .01), ease in finding assistance for online navigation ( B = 0.27; 95% CI = 0.08, 0.45; p = .01), self-perceived digital proficiency (“usually very good at surfing the internet,” B = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.18, 0.52; p = .01), assistance from relatives/others in internet browsing ( B = 0.20; 95% CI = 0.02, 0.37; p = .02), and having access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone ( B = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.11, 0.47, p = .01). Conversely, barriers like “no access to a computer, tablet, or phone at all times” ( B = −0.19; 95% CI = −0.34, −0.04; p = .01), “difficulty understanding online content” ( B = −0.22; 95% CI = −0.36, −0.07; p = .01), and “believing to be too old for online services” ( B = −0.18; 95% CI = −0.32, −0.03; p = .02) were associated with lower DHL scores.

Conclusions

Engagement with digital health platforms, including making online appointments and accessing personal health records, is associated with higher DHL levels. Support from relatives or others, a modifiable attribute, is also associated with elevated DHL among older adults.
Assessment of an interactive television that supports social connectedness among older adults living at home and in geriatric institutions: Usability and task performance analysis
Authors: Naudé Bérangère , Rigaud Anne-Sophie , Dacunha Sébastien , Pino Maribel
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Increasingly, geriatric institutions are adopting video calling services to promote social interactions between residents and their loved ones. However, a gap persists between the technologies used and the needs and abilities of older users. Interactive Televisions (iTVs) could be part of the solution as they provide a familiar and accessible way to strengthen the relationship between residents and their environment (family, friends, professionals).

Methods

User tests were conducted to evaluate the ability of older adults (OAs) from different place of living to use iTV. A total of 32 user tests were carried out with OAs living at home, in residential facilities (RFs), and in nursing homes (NHs) between November 2022 and June 2023.

Results

The quantitative analysis revealed mixed opinions on the iTV’s usability. OAs living at home tended to produce less errors and needed less help to successfully use video calling and messaging functionalities of the iTV than others. However, participants in NHs required more repetitions to benefit from a learning effect, unlike participants in RFs and at home.

Conclusions

This study proposed another approach to user testing, based on cognitive psychology methods. Based on the analysis of the critical stages, ergonomic recommendations were identified.
Comparative Analysis of Representations of Feminism Across Chinese Social Media: A Corpus-Based Study of Weibo and Zhihu
Authors: Bao Kai
Published: September 2024

Studies on representations of feminism have seldom addressed the variance across social media platforms, leaving the underlying dynamics that shape feminist portrayals within this important digital context unexamined. This research contrasts representations of feminism on Weibo and Zhihu, China’s leading microblogging and question-and-answer platforms, using a corpus-based method. Employing Sketch Engine, I extracted and analyzed noun bigrams containing feminism from self-compiled corpora to explore the similarities and distinctions in representation. The results indicate that both platforms predominantly portray feminism as seeking female privilege via radical and aggressive approaches, despite Weibo’s emphasis on methods and Zhihu’s on purposes. In addition, the Weibo discourse more frequently presents feminism as an emerging social movement and employs a greater variety of distinguishing attributes to describe the movement. The findings reveal a shared public perception of feminism, while also highlighting the influence of distinct user demographics and platform architectures. This research augments the current literature by identifying the varied representations of feminism on different social media platforms and providing novel insights into its perception within the Chinese context.
The Role of Family Medicine in Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis in the United States
Authors: Spiess Saskia , Owens Robert , Charron Elizabeth , DeMarco Mario , Feurdean Mirela , Gold Karen , Murray Kathryn , Schenk Nicholas , Stoesser Kirsten , Thomas Pauline , Adediran Emmanuel , Gardner Elena , Fortenberry Katherine , Whittaker Thomas Carl , Ose Dominik
Published: September 2024

The United States (US) is experiencing a maternal health crisis, with high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. The US has the highest rates of pregnancy-related mortality among industrialized nations. Maternal mortality has more than quadrupled over the last decades. Rural areas and minoritized populations are disproportionately affected. Increased pregnancy-care workforce with greater participation from family medicine, greater collaborative care, and adequate postpartum care could prevent many maternal deaths. However, more than 40% of birthing people in the US receive no postpartum care. No singular solutions can address the complex contributors to the current situation, and efforts to address the crisis must address workforce shortages and improve care during and after pregnancy. This essay explores the role family medicine (FM) can play in addressing the crisis. We discuss pregnancy care training in FM residencies as well as the threats posed by financial and medico-legal climates to the maternal health workforce. We explore how collaborative care models and comprehensive postpartum care may impact the maternal health workforce. Efforts and resources devoted to high impact solutions for which FM has considerable autonomy, including collaborative and postpartum care, are likely to have greatest impact.
Life Satisfaction Among Diverse Participants
Authors: Milo Razel Bacuetes , Ramira Maria Luisa B. , Martinez Nicole
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

Mental health (MH) conditions are among the most common chronic health conditions in the United States. Previous studies suggested decreased in life satisfaction post-COVID-19 in other populations outside the United States. This study explored the correlations between life satisfaction and MH among diverse community post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

A cross-sectional, non-experimental, retrospective study. The primary outcome was the Satisfaction with Life Scale total score (SWLS_TS) and the characteristics of the cases from self-reported information. Statistical software SPSS was used for descriptive and inferential analyses.

Results:

About 218 cases were included for analysis. Many of the cases were Asian Americans (n = 185, 84.1%). The multiple linear regression model significantly predicted 5.2% of the variance in SWLS_TS. Three out of 6 predictors significantly contributed to the model (age β = .172, t = 2.42, P = .017, ethnicity β = .148, t = 2.07, P = .039, and no history of MH β = .248, t = 3.31, P = .001).

Conclusion:

A diverse population was examined post-COVID-19 pandemic, and the findings suggest a positive correlation with age, ethnicity, and no history of MH with SWLS_TS.
Birth in the Operating Room for Immediate Cardiac Surgery: A Rare but Effective Strategy
Authors: Hogue Spencer J. , Mehdizadeh-Shrifi Amir , Kulshrestha Kevin , Cnota James F. , Divanovic Allison , Ricci Marco , Ashfaq Awais , Lehenbauer David G. , Cooper David S. , Morales David L. S.
Published: September 2024

Background: With significant advancements in fetal cardiac imaging, patients with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) carrying a high risk for postnatal demise are now being diagnosed earlier. We sought to assess an interdisciplinary strategy for delivering these children in an operating room (OR) adjacent to a cardiac OR for immediate surgery or stabilization. Methods: All children prenatally diagnosed with CHD at risk for immediate postnatal hemodynamic instability and cardiogenic shock who were delivered in the operating room (OR) between 2012 and 2023 in which the senior author was consulted were included. Results: Eight patients were identified. Six (75%) patients were operated on day-of-life zero, all requiring obstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) repair. Of these six patients, 2 (33%) required a simultaneous Norwood procedure, 2 (33%) required pulmonary artery unifocalization and modified Blalock-Taussig-Thomas shunt, and 2 (33%) patients had repair of obstructed mixed TAPVR. The remaining 2 patients potentially planned for immediate surgery had nonimmune hydrops fetalis and went into cardiogenic shock at 12 and 72 hours postnatally, requiring a novel Norwood procedure with left-ventricular exclusion for severe aortic/mitral valve insufficiency. The median ventilation and inpatient durations were 19 [IQR: 11-26] days and 41 [IQR: 32-128] days, respectively. Three(38%) patients required one or more in-hospital reoperations. Subsequent staged procedures included Glenn (n = 5), Fontan (n = 3), biventricular repair (n = 2), ventricular assist device placement (n = 1), and heart transplant (n = 1). Median follow-up was 5.7 [IQR:1.3-7.8] years. The five-year postoperative survival was 88% (n = 7/8). Conclusion: While children with these diagnoses have historically had poor survival, the strategy of birth in the OR adjacent to a cardiac OR where emergent surgery is planned is a potentially promising strategy with excellent clinical outcomes. However, this is a high-resource strategy whose feasibility in any program requires thoughtful assessment.
A Study of Legal Judgment Prediction Based on Deep Learning Multi-Fusion Models—Data from China
Authors: Wen Yu , Ti Ping
Published: September 2024

Legal judgment prediction implies predicting judgment results based on the case description suitable for judgment predictions in legal terms, crimes, fines, and punishment. This study examines Chinese legal cases, focusing on legal predictions based on deep learning multiple fusion models. It aims to analyze case descriptions and predict legal terms and fines. The use of artificial intelligence models to predict the law can solve the problem of increasing workload of legal institutions and personnel because of the increasing number of cases; and simultaneously, reduce the differences in judgment. This will improve the efficiency and fairness of legal judgments. This study used the BDCI2017 dataset for experiments and applied deep learning algorithms to improve the prediction accuracy. Various models, such as TextCNN, TextRNN, Wide & TextCNN, and TextDenseNet classify cases and fines. Results revealed that TextDenseNet is better than the other model structures in terms of predictive accuracy.
The influence of Corporate Governance Structure on the Enterprise Performance of University Spin-Offs: Evidence from Universities in Hubei Province, China
Authors: Wu Xia , He Weijun , Li Huan , Yuan Liang , Ramsey Thomas Stephen , Kong Yang
Published: September 2024

Much of the university spin-offs (USOs) literature either focuses on the influence of parent universities or the external environments on enterprise performance in economies with one aspect almost always neglected, that is, the role of USOs’ corporate governance. In this study, we examine the effects of USOs’ corporate governance structure which includes equity structure, board size and organizational form, on enterprise performance in a Chinese context, as well as the moderating effect of human capital on the relationship between board size and enterprise performance. This study takes 150 enterprises in 42 universities in Hubei Province as samples in 2017 using the weighted least square (WLS) method. The research finds evidence of positive relationships between equity structure and enterprise performance, as well as between board size and enterprise performance. However, a positive effect is not found between organizational form and enterprise performance, which shows a prominent negative effect. Moreover, human capital which is partially positive, influences the relationship between board size and enterprise performance. Therefore, these findings add some potentially noteworthy dimensions to the USOs literature that are especially important to USOs’ policy makers and other stakeholders.
Data Envelopment Analysis and Higher Education: A Systematic Review of the 2018–2022 Literature and Bibliometric Analysis of the Past 30 Years of Literature
Authors: Ahmad Anis Mardiana , Nana Khurizan Noor Saifurina
Published: September 2024

The interest in Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) has grown since its first put forward in 1978. In response to the overwhelming interest, systematic literature reviews, as well as bibliometric studies, have been performed in describing the state-of-the-art and offering quantitative outlines with regard to the high-impact papers on global applications of DEA and the higher education system (DEA-HE). This study examines 75 systematic literature review (SLR) studies published between 2018 and 2022 and 508 bibliometric studies published between 1992and 2022. Four performance-focused areas are identified through SLR analysis: institutional performance, departmental performance, performance of study program, and performance of other higher education (HE) activities. This study highlights issues, methods, and resolutions in selected SLR literature. Bibliometric analysis revealed an increasing trend in DEA-HE since 2003, with the highest number of publications in 2021. Tommaso Agasisti was the most productive author, and Jill Johnes was the most influential. The journal Scientometric had the most publications in the area. This study lays the groundwork for future research. Future reviewers may find the common practises, constraints, and underlying assumptions presented in this study useful for the selection and analysis of relevant studies.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Perspectives of Caring for Patients with Disorders of Autism
Authors: Alyousef Seham Mansour , Alhamidi Sami Abdulrahman
Published: September 2024

Autism was initially identified as a discrete entity in 1943. This now recognized group of disorders is often identified in children, but is a lifelong disorder requiring specialized assessment, planning, and care for patients. Nurses practicing in the Saudi Arabian healthcare system are often the first healthcare providers to encounter autism in the clinical setting. To highlight the perspective of practicing mental health nurses in Saudi Arabia regarding their experiences in caring for clients who have this disorder. A qualitative inquiry, made up of two focus groups of five members each, composed of mental health graduate students with experience in the field, facilitated a detailed investigation of nurses’ experiences in providing care for clients with these aspects of autism in clinical settings. Four principal themes and subthemes emerged from the data, which informed researchers about mental health nurses’ experiences with autism: (1) knowledge of autism; (2) previous experience in caring for those with autism; (3) practical applications used; and (4) challenges felt by mental health nurses. The Saudi nursing community appears to be looking for better training in identifying and caring for autistic patients. There also appears to be a desire to open channels of communication between primary and tertiary care facilities to improve client access.
Advancing the Knowledge of Spaniards’ Attitudes Towards Immigration
Authors: Caro-Carretero Raquel , Fernández Mercedes , Valbuena Consuelo
Published: September 2024

This study aims to assist Spanish authorities in enhancing the prevention of negative attitudes towards immigrants by addressing two key questions derived from prior research by the authors: (1) Which variables consistently influence attitudes towards migration over time? (2) What are the distinct attitudinal differences among various groups? Thus, the study delves into the evolution of attitudes towards migration in Spain from 2015 to 2017. It employs a dynamic perspective and advanced machine learning (ML) techniques recognized for their superior predictive capacity in social sciences. It identifies key variables influencing attitudes within diverse groups, including Multicultural and Non-Multicultural, and traces their changes over time. The research addresses the persistence of specific variables tied to subtle biases and distinctions among attitudinal segments. Despite an overall positive trend towards welcoming differences, the study unveils enduring ambivalence, elements of aversive racism, and subtle prejudice, highlighting the intricate factors contributing to the non-acceptance of immigration. Notably, self-perception emerges as a determinant, with optimism and professional attributes correlating with heightened tolerance. In conclusion, the study provides nuanced insights into the multifaceted nature of attitudes towards migration, offering valuable perspectives for more informed policy development.
How Government Actions Influence People’s Intentions to Share on Social Media During Shanghai’s Lockdown for COVID-19: A Third-Person Effect Perspective
Authors: Tian Xiang
Published: September 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic, China’s “Zero-COVID” policy and strong government actions led to significant disruptions in daily life. Using Shanghai’s 2022 lockdown as an example, this study investigated how the government’s actions influenced people’s intentions to share information about risks and content with positive emotions. By employing the Third-Person Effect theory, this study further explores the underlying socio-psychological mechanism. A survey was conducted with 7,962 participants, and multiple linear regressions and structural equation models were applied to analyze the data. We found that (1) the policies that led to inconvenience whetted the dissemination of risk information and restricted the sharing of positive-emotion content; (2) “status-led” motivation was the critical reason why people shared both types of messages; and (3) Third-Person Perception mediated both of these influences. These findings expand our understanding of social communication during public health crises, particularly how the Third-Person Effect works.
Human Capital Structure and Innovation Efficiency Under Technological Progress: Evidence from China
Authors: Li Wei , Peng Yuanxiang , Yang Jingjing , Sazzad Hossain Md
Published: September 2024

This paper innovatively defines the structure of human capital based on existing theories and use the heterogeneous stochastic frontier model to test the relationship between various types of human capital and innovation. It is found that with the progress of technology, the structure of human capital and the mechanism of promoting innovation have undergone profound changes. Together with commercial leasing human capital, financial human capital, and entrepreneurs, information human capital and transportation human capital participate in innovation activities and create a new collaborative space, which in turn helps to spread the value of innovation and influence the effectiveness of the entire innovation system. This study enriches the theoretical research on the mechanism of human capital promoting innovation in the information age and provides new insight to explain the imbalance between human capital input and innovation output. Based on the theory of innovation chain value and flow space, this study redefines the connotation of innovative human capital structure by distinguishing the nature of innovation activities. This study also reveals the difference in the influence of human capital structure on different types of innovation activities. This study partly explains the problem of increasing human capital input but decreasing innovation efficiency in developing countries. Therefore, from a macro perspective, our research provides guidance for understanding the transformation of innovation under the background of technological progress and formulating effective urban innovation strategies for managers.
In what environment can female college students excel? An analysis of gender differences in learning of Chinese college students
Authors: Guo Fei , Zhang Lanwen , Xie Wanyi
Published: September 2024

With the expansion of higher education in China, gender equity has been largely improved at the entrance to undergraduate education. Yet, whether male and female students developed equally during college is still under debate. Using data from a Chinese national college student survey in 2021, this study explores gender differences in learning behaviors and outcomes of college students and examines whether they are influenced differently by educational environmental factors. Employing multiple regression models, we find that though female students outperformed males on active learning behaviors and academic scores, they were less active in higher-order learning behaviors, resource-intensive high-impact educational practice, and student-faculty interactions and reported lower educational gains than their male counterparts. Environmental and educational factors, including institute type, gender composition, academic challenges, and student support, influence the gender gaps in different ways. Overall, most female college students behave under the gender expectations of society and are less responsive to educational factors than their male counterparts. Collectively, these findings underscore the need for heightened awareness of gender gaps in the learning process in different learning environments and advocate for a more tailored collegiate environment that optimally supports female students’ educational pursuits.
Exploring the Landscape of  Diversity Climate Research as a  Means of Promoting Diversity,  Equity, Inclusion, and Belongingness  for Academic and Organizational Progress
Authors: Pillai Nitin Sankar , Arora Poonam
Published: September 2024

Diversity climate, due to its impending impact on inclusion efforts, has been researched to understand its varied dimensions. Both from an academic standpoint, as well as an organizational perspective, researchers must coalesce to understand diversity in the Indian context, considering the social and economic angles that present themselves both as a challenge and an opportunity. The present research attempts to collate various investigative endeavors where key variables such as task conflict, relationship conflict, organizational commitment, innovation culture, psychological empowerment, identity freedom, diversity perception, demographic insights, leadership, fairness and discrimination, cultural intelligence, team performance, workplace attachment, employee performance, business unit financial performance, affective organizational commitment, job satisfaction, role ambiguity, and linguistic parameters, with the common dependent variable being diversity climate. The present research attempts to demonstrate various aspects related to diversity climate that can be advanced further within the Indian context for customized results.
‘You Can Get That Person on ART but You Can’t Give Them Back Their Social System’: A Qualitative Analysis of Voluntary Assisted Partner Notification for HIV for Marginalised and Vulnerable Populations
Authors: Bärnighausen Kate , Berner-Rodoreda Astrid , McGowan Maureen , Reñosa Mark Donald , Mtaita Caroline , Neuhann Florian
Published: September 2024

Little is known about Voluntary Assisted Partner Notification (VAPN) in groups in sub-Saharan Africa that experience marginalisation, and whether its use is suitable for referral to HIV care pathways. We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with purposively selected medical and health professionals ( N = 15) regarding their perspectives and experiences with VAPN policy and its implementation. Data were analysed following a Reflexive Thematic Analysis approach. Respondents highlighted the flexibility in VAPN policy implementation and described adjustments made by health workers. Women were seen as vulnerable and lacked access to support against gender-based violence. Men who have sex with men could face exclusion from important social networks. Age-appropriate VAPN assistance was also considered unavailable for sexually active children. Embedding understandings of identity, belonging, and safety into VAPN could address individual priorities and needs. Community support networks, tailored care for children, and family-orientated approaches to HIV notification may overcome issues relating to vulnerability and marginalisation.
Adaptation to Reverberation for Speech Perception: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tsironis Avgeris , Vlahou Eleni , Kontou Panagiota , Bagos Pantelis , Kopčo Norbert
Published: September 2024

In everyday acoustic environments, reverberation alters the speech signal received at the ears. Normal-hearing listeners are robust to these distortions, quickly recalibrating to achieve accurate speech perception. Over the past two decades, multiple studies have investigated the various adaptation mechanisms that listeners use to mitigate the negative impacts of reverberation and improve speech intelligibility. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic review of these studies, with the aim to summarize existing research, identify open questions, and propose future directions. Two researchers independently assessed a total of 661 studies, ultimately including 23 in the review. Our results showed that adaptation to reverberant speech is robust across diverse environments, experimental setups, speech units, and tasks, in noise-masked or unmasked conditions. The time course of adaptation is rapid, sometimes occurring in less than 1 s, but this can vary depending on the reverberation and noise levels of the acoustic environment. Adaptation is stronger in moderately reverberant rooms and minimal in rooms with very intense reverberation. While the mechanisms underlying the recalibration are largely unknown, adaptation to the direct-to-reverberant ratio-related changes in amplitude modulation appears to be the predominant candidate. However, additional factors need to be explored to provide a unified theory for the effect and its applications.
Nursing Undergraduate Students’ Experiences and Perceptions of Blended Learning in Pediatric Nursing: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Yang Yuanyuan , Chen Hua , Sun Hongyu
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Blended learning is a teaching approach that integrates online self-learning and classroom teaching. It emphasizes students’ self-directed learning, actively engaging, as well as communication and collaboration. Blended learning develops the qualities in nursing undergraduate students with problem-solving ability, clinical thinking, and communication skills as nurses have. Currently, learners’ experience has become an important factor in determining the success of blended learning.

Aim

To learn about the experiences and perceptions of undergraduate nursing students regarding blending learning in pediatric nursing.

Methods

A mixed methods design beginning with a quantitative data collection and analysis phase to inform the subsequent qualitative phase was utilized. This study was conducted among undergraduate nursing students at one university in China. In the quantitative study phase, a convenience sample of 59 students completed the online survey while the qualitative study phase included nine students recruited by purposive sampling. The qualitative data were collected using individual semistructured in-depth interviews. Audio data were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis. The findings from those two phases were integrated into the final analysis.

Results

The majority (89.8%) of students reported satisfaction with blended learning. Among various teaching methods, case-based learning (CBL) was the most preferred (98.3%). Regarding the qualitative data, students reported positive experiences with blended learning including well-organized course structure, resourceful course content, and high teacher quality. They stated that blended learning improved the learning outcomes such as improving problem-solving ability and developing clinical thinking. They also provided suggestions for achieving better learning outcomes, including providing stressful learning activities, optimizing online course design, and improving the quality of group learning.

Conclusions

The blended learning model of pediatric nursing based on the Community of Inquiry framework provides a positive learning experience for nursing undergraduate students. However, ongoing assessment and improvement of the blended learning process are also needed.
Evaluation of Non-Technical Skills in Students Throughout the Medical Course in Ecuador
Authors: Palacios Olga Cecilia Ortiz , Pramatárova Mila Inés Moreno , Pazin-Filho Antonio
Published: September 2024

OBJECTIVES

This research focuses on assessing non-technical skills (NTS), comprising behavioral aspects that support an individual's expertise in personal and professional performance. Due to varied terminology, including “soft skills” and other terms, NTS is less understood, leading to a potential gap in the literature and limited attention to their development. This study establishes the need for a comprehensive evaluation of NTS to obtain an objective and complete profile of NTS in students pursuing medicine at the Universidad Central del Ecuador (UCE) during 2023, using a standardized and benchmarked psychometric instrument.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study assessed 1035 students from the first to the 12th semester using the CompeTEA® Test, which evaluates 5 factors encompassing 20 competencies and includes sincerity as a reliability condition. Scores were corrected, analyzed, and standardized using TEAcorrige.

RESULTS

The study group comprised 1035 undergraduate medical students (36.8% of students at UCE in 2023), with a mean age of 22.1 years (2.7 standard deviation), and 687 (66.4%) were female. We obtained an average score of 77.7 in sincerity. Factors such as intrapersonal, interpersonal, task development, and managerial skills showed variations throughout the course, with some competencies developing positively in intermediate clinical stages. At the same time, most exhibited a decrease toward the end of the program. Comparisons with population levels revealed 19 competencies at Level 2 and 1 competency predominantly at Level 1.

CONCLUSION

The moderate to low development, with no significant differences based on demographic variables, suggests the need for specific interventions in NTS within comprehensive medical education.
Unleashing the Potential of the Indian Fintech for Financial Inclusion: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Ghosh Anandita , Kulkarni Lalitagauri
Published: September 2024

The fintech revolution has many ramifications for the financial market microstructure, regulatory framework and entire society. Policymakers across the world have begun to pin their hopes on digital initiatives and the fintech for financial inclusion. They believe that the fintech can lead to better access to finance. This study provides a thematic analysis of the qualitative data leading to four major themes in the newly evolving Indian fintech landscape. The themes that emerged from the in-depth interviews with the key informants, are evolution, potential, market strategy and regulatory. The findings suggest that fostering training and awareness amongst the customers is imperative to build up their trust. Regulatory interventions should also be based on proper engagement and learning with other stakeholders of the ecosystem.
Early statin use is associated with improved survival and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation and recent ischaemic stroke: A propensity-matched analysis of a global federated health database
Authors: Choi Sylvia E , Bucci Tommaso , Huang Jia-yi , Yiu Kai-Hang , Tsang Christopher TW , Lau Kui Kai , Hill Andrew , Irving Greg , Lip Gregory YH , Abdul-Rahim Azmil H
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

Statins reduce recurrent stroke and cardiovascular events in patients with non-cardioembolic stroke. The benefits of statins in patients with AF and recent IS remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the benefits of statins in patients with AF and recent IS.

Patients and methods:

This retrospective, cohort study was conducted using deidentified electronic medical records within TriNetX platform. Patients with AF and recent IS, who received statins within 28 days of their index stroke were propensity score-matched with those who did not. Patients were followed up for up to 2 years. Primary outcomes were the 2-year risk of recurrent IS, all-cause mortality and the composite outcome of all-cause mortality, recurrent IS, transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and acute myocardial infarction (MI). Secondary outcomes were the 2-year risk of TIA, intracranial haemorrhage (ICH), acute MI, and hospital readmission. Cox regression analyses were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

Results:

Of 20,902 patients with AF and recent IS, 7500 (35.9%) received statins within 28 days of their stroke and 13,402 (64.1%) did not. 11,182 patients (mean age 73.7 ± 11.5; 5277 (47.2%) female) remained after propensity score matching. Patients who received early statins had significantly lower risk of recurrent IS (HR: 0.45, 95%CI: 0.41–0.48, p < 0.001), mortality (HR: 0.75, 95%CI: 0.66–0.84, p < 0.001), the composite outcome (HR: 0.48, 95%CI: 0.45–0.52, p < 0.001), TIA (HR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.30–0.44, p < 0.001), ICH (HR: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.47–0.72, p < 0.001 ), acute MI (HR: 0.35, 95%CI: 0.30–0.42, p < 0.001) and hospital readmission (HR: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.42–0.50, <0.001). Beneficial effects of early statins were evident in the elderly, different ethnic groups, statin dose intensity, and AF subtypes, large vessel occlusion and embolic strokes and within the context of statin lipophilicity, optimal LDL-cholesterol levels, various cardiovascular comorbidities, treatment with intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular thrombectomy, and NIHSS 0–5 and NIHSS > 5 subgroups.

Discussion and conclusion:

Patients with AF and recent IS, who received early statins, had a lower risk of recurrent stroke, death, and other cardiovascular outcomes including ICH, compared to those who did not.
Racial Stress and Black Women’s Health in the United States: A Culturally Responsive Prevention and Health Promotion Intervention
Authors: Simmons Amina , Louder Ceewin N. , Franklin Alexis , del Rey Gabrielle M. , Nicolas Guerda
Published: September 2024

Black babies and their mothers are dying at disproportionately high rates. Also, Black women are experiencing higher rates of racial discrimination than other racial-ethnic groups are facing in the United States. An intervention promoting the health of Black women and their unborn babies requires addressing the disproportionate level of racial stress that Black women experience. In this article, the creation of such a program is discussed. To consider individual, community, and systemic factors, three theoretical models were utilized: (a) Race-based traumatic stress injury, (b) stress-health model, and (c) racial identity model. This intervention was co-developed with community stakeholders by using community-based participatory research principles. This process resulted in the development of the Afya Black Women Wellness program, a multidimensional and strength-based intervention grounded in the experiences of Black women. Afya focuses on promoting holistic health through psychoeducation, skills building, and social support. The program is constructed to be implemented twice-a-week for 12 weeks. This will allow pregnant Black women to receive the maximum benefit from the program, improving the quality of life for themselves and their unborn children. Ameliorating health disparities in Black maternal health requires addressing the disproportionate amount of racial stress that Black women experience. Afya is a model intervention that provides practical strategies for addressing racial health inequities in Black maternal health. It does so by promoting the health of Black women at the individual and community levels.