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Social Norms, Referent Group Specificity, and College Students’ COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions: Risk and Efficacy Perceptions as Boundary Conditions of Normative Influence
No full textHow social norms affect people’s decisions to enact protective behaviors when they encounter danger is both theoretically and practically meaningful. This research investigated how social norms varying in referent group specificity, perceived risk, and perceived efficacy affect college students’ COVID-19 vaccination intention. We collected data from 640 undergraduate students during March and April 2021. The results showed that social norms in different referent groups are associated uniquely with vaccination intention. We also observed two 3-way interaction effects. Personal- and community-level norms interacted with perceived risk of COVID-19 and perceived efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines to influence participants’ vaccination intention. Specifically, perceived risk attenuated the effect of personal- and community-levels of norms on vaccination intention among participants who perceived higher levels of vaccine efficacy. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed
Religious paternalism and racial prejudice in obstetric surgery in Mexico
No full textWith this book, O’Brien offers compelling answers to some of the most pressing questions confronting the field of reproductive history and opens new avenues of investigation about the relationship between theology and secular society. She rightfully re-centers Latin America, and Mexico, as a vanguard in the application and radicalization of theological ideas about fetal personhood, reproductive surgery, and gendered racialization. Surgery and salvation is absolutely essential reading for students of the Americas and for all those interested in women, reproduction, race, religion, and medicine – past and present
The Curious Persistence of Site-Dependent Payments.
No full textThis Viewpoint considers supply- instead of buy-side pressure to address the inflated cost of basic health services provided by hospitals
Experiences of African American families whose children attend predominantly white school districts
No full textWith this dissertation, I examined the lived experiences of African American families whose children attend predominantly White school districts, with a focus on the challenges faced by Black boys in predominantly White elementary schools. Through qualitative analysis, the study explores how families perceive these school environments' social, emotional, and academic impacts on their children. Three families shared their experiences through in-depth interviews, offering insights into the challenges and benefits of navigating predominantly White educational settings. Key themes that emerged from the research include the lack of representation among staff, parents’ desire for a more inclusive environment, and the effects of social isolation on students’ sense of belonging.
Findings suggest that while families strive to balance their children’s academic and social well-being, the absence of culturally responsive practices often creates barriers to success. Recommendations for educators and school leaders include the development of counter-spaces that affirm African American children’s racial identities, targeted professional development on racial identity and race consciousness, and implementing mentor support programs. Additionally, intentionally recruiting and retaining diverse teaching staff can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for African American students.
The study contributes to the growing body of research advocating for equity in education by highlighting the importance of cultural competence in shaping the educational experiences of minority students. These findings underscore the need for systemic changes in predominantly White school districts to serve African American families better and promote positive racial identity development in African American children
Embracing methodological evolution and diversity in logistics and supply chain management research
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this research is to highlight the significance of advancing research methodologies in logistics, operations and supply chain management. It seeks to expand the scope of research questions and explore areas previously constrained by traditional methodological approaches, thereby enhancing the exploration of complex, real-world business issues.Design/methodology/approachThis commentary introduces and discusses the special issue on “Advances in Research Methodologies for Logistics and Supply Chain Management,†exploring methodological innovations, diversity and their potential to address complex business and disciplinary challenges. The commentary assesses a broad spectrum of methodologies, ranging from traditional qualitative and quantitative approaches to overlooked methods such as qualitative comparative analysis, netnography, design science, Bayesian networks, machine learning and repertory grid technique. This diverse methodological approach enables a comprehensive examination of emerging and ongoing challenges in the supply chain. In the final summary section, we highlight additional areas of research method innovation not covered in this special issue, offering a broader perspective on future directions for methodological advancements in SCM research.FindingsThe findings suggest that integrating less explored methodologies from various disciplines encourages a richer, multi-level analysis of the supply chain management landscape. This integration facilitates a deeper understanding of emerging challenges, such as geopolitical issues, global supply chain disruptions and the integration of new technologies. Additionally, the exploration of ‘white space' in research methodologies indicates significant potential for discovering new insights that bridge practical problems with theoretical contributions.Originality/valueThe value of this methodological diversity extends beyond academic enrichment. It catalyzes the generation of innovative insights crucial for business practitioners, policymakers, consultants and academics. By adopting varied research designs and methodologies, the research note can offer a broader spectrum of analytical perspectives, crucial for uncovering nuanced insights into complex, cross-cultural and relationship-based dynamics in supply chain research
Protection from interference by a retro-cue in a visual working memory task
No full textIntroduction: Working memory for one property (e.g., colour) of a recently viewed object is enhanced by repeated presentation of a cue (e.g., an arrow) to remember that property before (pre-cueing) or after (retro-cueing) viewing the object. While an added cue can enhance memory, selective interference of memory can occur when an added stimulus competes for working memory processing of one property (e.g., colour) of an object more than another (e.g., location of the object). The current experiment investigated whether adding a cue, trained as a pre-cue, after the target but before a distractor stimulus will improve or interfere with memory of the target in a visuo-spatial change detection task. Method: Test trials followed the structure: coloured background (CB1), target stimulus, coloured background (CB2), distractor, and probe stimulus. Young adults (n = 22) were instructed that the colour of CB1 would signal whether to respond “same†or “different†based on the match of the identity (e.g., green) or the location (e.g., yellow) of the probe stimulus to the target stimulus. During the test, the property signalled by the colour of CB2 could be either the same as CB1, neutral, or incongruent. Control trials included the same novel colour (e.g., blue) as CB1 and CB2. Results: An analysis of d’ revealed significantly better performance during trials with CBs that signalled the need to remember the same property before the target and distractor. Conclusions: Results support the hypothesis of protection from interference by a retro-cue
High school social studies teachers and their tactics for justice
No full textWhat tactics are high school educators using to teach about socio-political changes in the past and present? Five educators in the province of Alberta (two female, three male; four urban, one rural; four white, one Arab; four without visible religious garb, one Muslim in hijab) explored content they considered to be “radical†and how they teach about (and for) significant socio-political changes toward making society hurt less. Coming from a perspective of symbolic evil, radical love, and radical imagination as inherent to beneficial social movements, the researchers used process and dramaturgical coding to analyze participant insights about decolonial and antiracist education as well as teaching for gender and sexual justice. Participants shared insights about the role of school context and teacher positionality, what might shape an educator to teach for radical change, as well as several tactics: operationalizing positionality, supplementing curriculum, challenging assumptions, subverting school rules, and addressing emotionality
Theranostics Using MCM-41-Based Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: Integrating Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Novel Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment
No full textAdvanced breast cancer remains a significant oncological challenge, requiring new approaches to improve clinical outcomes. This study investigated an innovative theranostic agent using the MCM-41-NH2-DTPA-Gd3?-MIH nanomaterial, which combined MRI imaging for detection and a novel chemotherapy agent (MIH 2.4Bl) for treatment. The nanomaterial was based on the mesoporous silica type, MCM-41, and was optimized for drug delivery via functionalization with amine groups and conjugation with DTPA and complexation with Gd3+. MRI sensitivity was enhanced by using gadolinium-based contrast agents, which are crucial in identifying early neoplastic lesions. MIH 2.4Bl, with its unique mesoionic structure, allows effective interactions with biomolecules that facilitate its intracellular antitumoral activity. Physicochemical characterization confirmed the nanomaterial synthesis and effective drug incorporation, with 15% of MIH 2.4Bl being adsorbed. Drug release assays indicated that approximately 50% was released within 8 h. MRI phantom studies demonstrated the superior imaging capability of the nanomaterial, with a relaxivity significantly higher than that of the commercial agent Magnevist. In vitro cellular cytotoxicity assays, the effectiveness of the nanomaterial in killing MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was demonstrated at an EC50 concentration of 12.6 mg/mL compared to an EC50 concentration of 68.9 mg/mL in normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs). In vivo, MRI evaluation in a 4T1 syngeneic mouse model confirmed its efficacy as a contrast agent. This study highlighted the theranostic capabilities of MCM-41-NH2-DTPA-Gd3?-MIH and its potential to enhance breast cancer management
Longitudinal changes in sexual desire and attraction among women who started using the Natural Cycles app
No full textMany women experience sexual side effects, such as decreased libido, when taking hormonal contraceptives (HCs). However, little is known about the extent to which libido recovers after discontinuing HCs, nor about the timeframe in which recovery is expected to occur. Given that HCs suppress the activities of multiple endogenous hormones that regulate both the ovulatory cycle and women's sexual function, resumption of cycles should predict libido recovery. Here, using a combination of repeated and retrospective measures, we examined changes in sexual desire and partner attraction (among partnered women) across a three-month period in a sample of Natural Cycles users (Survey 1: n = 1596; Survey 2: n = 550) who recently discontinued HCs. We also tested whether changes in these outcomes coincided with resumption of the ovulatory cycle and whether they were associated with additional factors related to HC use (e.g., duration of HC use) or relationship characteristics (e.g., relationship length). Results revealed that both sexual desire and partner attraction, on average, increased across three months after beginning to use Natural Cycles. While the prediction that changes in sexual desire would co-occur with cycle resumption was supported, there was also evidence that libido continued to increase even after cycles resumed. Together, these results offer new insights into relationships between HC discontinuation and women's sexual psychology and lay the groundwork for future research exploring the mechanisms underlying these effects
Sisterhood of the traveling West Indians: Exploring the sense of belonging for Black Caribbean-born women at predominantly white institutions in the United States
No full textThis study explores the factors contributing to a sense of belonging for Black Caribbean-born women pursuing higher education at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) in the United States. Drawing on Black feminist thought and endarkened narrative inquiry, this study centers the voices and experiences of four Caribbean-born women who formed a supportive community (sista whisper) while navigating their undergraduate studies at a PWIs in Texas. Through in-depth interviews and a sista whisper gathering, the study explores the challenges of cultural adaptation, identity negotiation, and the importance of culturally sustaining practices in the academic journey for Caribbean-born women in higher education. Findings highlight the significance of community support, faculty mentorship, and culturally relevant spaces in fostering a sense of belonging for Black Caribbean-born women in higher education. The study challenges dominant discourses by centering their narratives and offers insights for creating more inclusive and equitable educational environments