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Global estimates of vaccine-associated narcolepsy from 1967 to 2023
No full textRegional evidence on the signal detection between narcolepsy and vaccines is scarcely available and insufficiently understood, thus impeding a comprehensive understanding of this relationship on a global scale. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the global estimates of vaccine-associated narcolepsy, discern its association with specific vaccines, and thereby contribute to the advancement of more efficient vaccination protocols. This study utilized data from the international pharmacovigilance database concerning vaccine-associated narcolepsy from 1967 to 2023. Global reporting counts, reported odds ratios (ROR), and information components (IC) were analyzed to identify the signal detection between the 16 vaccines and the occurrence of vaccine-associated narcolepsy across 140 countries. We identified 2,183 reports (male, n = 870 [39.85%]) of vaccine-associated narcolepsy from 5,291 reports of narcolepsy. Vaccine-associated narcolepsy has been reported since 2009. The highest disproportionality signals for narcolepsy were observed with influenza vaccines (ROR, 156.53 [95% CI, 147.62-165.97]; IC, 6.72 [IC0.25, 6.63]), followed by papillomavirus and encephalitis vaccines. Concerning age and sex-specific signals, reports of vaccine-associated narcolepsy were associated with age groups between 12 and 17 years and males. Most of these adverse events had a long time to onset (mean: 115 days). Although our findings do not permit any inference of causality, influenza vaccines showed highest signal detection between vaccines and narcolepsy followed by papillomavirus and encephalitis vaccines. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, despite large number of reports, showed no evidence of signal detection with narcolepsy.</p
Role of homesickness among expatriates in creativity at work: mediating role of online leisure crafting moderated by technology self-efficacy
No full textThis study explores the role of homesickness in shaping the creativity of expatriates by focusing on the mediating effect of online leisure crafting (OLC) and the moderating role of technology self-efficacy (TSE). Based on conservation of resources theory, we hypothesize that homesickness enhances creativity through performing OLC. We further propose that expatriates with high TSE are more likely to use OLC to mitigate homesickness and increase work creativity. Data were collected in three waves from 485 Taiwanese expatriates via self-reported measures of homesickness and TSE (Time 1), OLC (Time 2), and manager-rated creativity (Time 3). We find that homesickness positively impacts OLC and subsequent creativity at work. In other words, expatriates who actively engage in OLC can turn homesickness into a source of creative energy in the work domain, with TSE amplifying this positive indirect effect. This study contributes to the literature on expatriate adjustment by offering a nuanced view of homesickness as a potential resource for creativity and highlighting the critical role of digital engagement in cross-domain resource recovery.</p
‘A ticket to a very different show’: Poetic Ethnodrama Through the Eyes of Young Elite Gymnasts
No full textDear reader, if you are reading this, it means you have received my invitation for tonight’s poetic ethnodrama performed in the theater of your mind. But before we start the play, I want you to reflect on what comes to mind when you think about ‘Women’s Artistic Gymnastics.’ Please keep these thoughts in mind as you experience tonight’s performance, which will start in 10 minutes.This play, which stems from longitudinal ethnographic research, is intended to take you, the Reader, into a youth elite gymnastics club, where you will be situated alongside the cast and exposed to a poetic representation of psychological maltreatment. In this environment, the cast and I [the Primary Researcher], while wearing (happy) theatrical masks, will perform poetry to you in the form of a prologue, eight acts, one interlude, and an epilogue. The prologue provides contextual framing for the poetry acts to follow. During the interlude, the cast speaks to the audience without their theatrical masks. The epilogue includes the behind-the-scenes of psychological maltreatment, the backstage work put into this playscript, and a monologue of a gymnast asking, “What are you going to do about it?”I want to encourage you to construct your own understanding of this ethnodrama and really try to feel what the cast is going through, as if you were one of them. In this art-based work, I will share information with you in a way that combines descriptions, interpretations, and methods, like pieces of a mosaic, giving you a complete picture over the time of the play. Through this play, I hope to create an atmosphere that touches your senses and emotions, prompt dialogue, and advance the current discourse on maltreatment in youth elite sports.Now, please, come in and meet the co-authors, they will help you find your seat.</p
Towards sustainable agriculture: modelling carbon emission prediction in crop production
No full textThe challenge of mitigating carbon emissions in the Food Supply Chain (FSC) is critical, particularly within the agriculture sector, where emissions significantly impact the environment. This study identifies the gap in understanding Carbon Factor (CF) across diverse locations and crop types and aims to develop a comprehensive framework for standardising carbon factor estimation through Machine Learning (ML) techniques. The study identifies key features in agricultural activities that contribute to carbon emissions and further develops a methodology to transform agricultural datasets to represent these key standardised features. A major contribution of the thesis is this feature standardisation technique for training universal agricultural carbon factor estimation models. A robust methodology has been proposed that integrates various regression models, employing advanced feature engineering to process agricultural data from farms in Iran, Morocco, and Peru. The experiments are performed using models such as Random Forest (RF), Multiple Linear Regression, Lasso Regression, Neural Network Regression (NNR), K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN) Regression, and a hybrid model, with a focus on empirical validation of a universal carbon factor estimation model applicable across different regions and crops. Results demonstrate that the developed models achieve high estimation accuracy, with the Random Forest model yielding a R2 score of 0.9887 in single-crop scenarios and 0.9733 in multi-crop applications. Additionally, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-based Cool Farm Tool (CFT) is used as a baseline to compare the outcomes of the machine learning models against traditional techniques. The findings confirm that machine learning models work better, and while feature significance may vary, a core set of features consistently influences model predictions. This research addresses the gaps in accurate carbon factor estimation using machine learning in agriculture, particularly focusing on effective methods and regional agricultural challenges. The implications of this research are substantial for sustainable agricultural practices, providing regional decision-makers with actionable insights to balance productivity and environmental responsibility while significantly informing carbon emission reduction strategies within food production.</p
The role of good governance and cultural competence in addressing workplace conflicts: a case study of ENOC
No full textThis research critically analyses the relationship between good governance practices and cultural competence in managing conflict in the UAE workplace considering Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) as a case study. Since a large number of employees in the UAE are expatriates from different countries, cultural differences lead to conflicts in the workplace, including in organisations like ENOC. Managing these conflicts culturally sensibly is important to sustain organisational harmony and productivity. Aided by Hofstede's cultural dimensions model, the study focuses on organisational interactions in a culturally diverse environment when it is crucial to address interpersonal conflicts and consider the cultural factors of employees. Of the six cultural dimensions identified by Hofstede, this research focuses on power distance (PD), individualism/collectivism (I/C), uncertainty avoidance (UA), and motivation towards achievement and success (AM). The research uses a qualitative case study methodology and semi-structured interviews to examine the causes of workplace conflict, the effectiveness of organisational governance systems and the difficulties employees experience in implementing governance solutions. The results show that cultural differences exacerbate communication breakdown and conflict in the workplace, particularly in high (PD) organisations such as ENOC. Conflicts can be managed through good governance practices such as transparency, accountability and responsiveness. However, these are limited by a lack of resources, organisational resistance and low levels of cultural competence among managers. The research also emphasises the need to develop culturally appropriate governance structures, cross-cultural training for staff, and the inclusion of culturally appropriate policies and decision-making processes in addressing these challenges.This research is theoretically and practically useful as it draws upon Hofstede’s cultural dimensions framework to examine governance and conflict resolution within multicultural organisational contexts. It provides a framework for how governance sensitivity can be implemented in a culturally competent manner and offers concrete strategies for achieving this, including leadership training, standardisation of multilingual communication and ongoing assessment of governance practices. The concluding discussion emphasises the importance of embedding governance reform within organisational cultures, the need to promote inclusiveness, and the need to strengthen the organisational capacity to manage conflict in the long term. The current study has several implications for scholars, practitioners and policymakers who wish to improve the effectiveness of governance in different organisations. For instance, the findings can be used to strengthen the existing links between governance and cultural sensitivity in various workplace settings. HR managers and senior leaders can adopt the identified governance framework to enhance conflict management practices by incorporating the integration of diverse cultures into the governance system. These findings can help policymakers to shape national diversity policies and bring Emiratisation into line with the principles of good governance and cultural sensitivity to create a better organisational climate. In this way, the study extends the discussion on governance and cultural competence to improve the strategic development of conflict management practices in globalised organisational contexts.The main findings highlighted the fact that cultural diversity at ENOC leads to interpersonal conflict in the organisation because of communication barriers, perceived cultural differences and different work and organisational culture. Although transparency and accountability in the governance processes are somewhat useful, their impact is not very significant due to the lack of cultural sensitivity among managers, irregularity in implementing conflict-solving measures, and a lack of cross-cultural training. The study also shows that employees of different cultures have different perceptions towards the governance processes which affects the level of trust in conflict management mechanism. It is therefore important for ENOC and similar organisations to adopt models and structures that address cultural competence to make conflict resolution in multicultural organisations more effective, fair, and transparent.</p
Identifying barriers and drivers that affect company actions on biodiversity
No full textTackling the growing biodiversity crisis requires a clear understanding of why, or why not, companies act on their interactions with biodiversity. By using thematic analysis across an expert practitioner workshop, documentary analysis and interviews with leading companies, this paper identifies and then systematically classifies different barriers and drivers. We find that the key forces are external to a company and go beyond simply a lack of data or tools to include more fundamental barriers such as the prevailing economic and political structures. The key barriers and drivers affecting the way companies interact with biodiversity include undervaluing biodiversity, data challenges, and education. There is a clear need for legislative change to drive forward business action, and this can only happen with bold political leadership backed by business leadership. Where greater action has happened, the research suggests this has been driven by economic, legal and political catalysts.</p
Rise of the king: Gondwanan origins and evolution of megaraptoran dinosaurs
No full textLate Cretaceous Earth was dominated by theropods such as tyrannosauroids and megaraptorans; however, it is unclear how these clades diversified and grew to massive proportions. This study aimed to conduct a biogeographical analysis and test climate as a potential mechanism for the increase in size. We used published phylogenetic matrices with the R package BioGeoBears to test different biogeographical hypotheses for both clades. We mapped body mass (BM) and body length against known climate data to test this potential hypothesis. Continental-scale variance did not drive tyrannosauroid biogeography and instead widespread ancestral populations, sympatric speciation and localized extinctions throughout these clades constricted geographic range. Both patterns were supported by statistical analyses. This biogeographical model also indicates the ancestor of the clade
Tarbosaurus
and
Tyrannosaurus
was present in both Asia and Laramidia, and therefore the ancestor of
Tyrannosaurus
came from Asia. Statistical data illustrated no correlation between Mean Annual Temperature (MAT) and BM but potential climatic shifts may be associated with gigantism in derived megaraptorids and eutyrannosaurians. This biogeographical model implies megaraptorans may have had a cosmopolitan distribution prior to the splitting of Laurasia and Gondwana. Also, gigantism in these clades may be associated with climatic shifts in the Late Cretaceous.</p
Intimacy Coordination and Consent Culture in Sex Education
No full textThis collection maps the origins of the Netflix series Sex Education in relation to the genre of teenage high school dramas and comedies, exploring the four-season narrative arc and analysing the principal themes and characters.The Netflix series Sex Education has been a standout critical and popular success and has featured among Netflix's most watched content in 190 countries throughout its 4 seasons. Its fresh and exciting portrayals of teenagers and their friendships, relationships, identities and sexualities demand new frameworks for understanding gender and genre, as well as the dynamics of streaming and interaction with the audience.This collection considers the aesthetics of the series and its main philosophical, ethical and political aspects. It investigates the creative process behind the ground-and-taboo-breaking series, examining it as a cultural product that is both old and new in that it relies on tried and tested generic formulae while also being responsive to new identity formations.</p
National trends in dyslipidemia prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in South Korea from 2005 to 2022
No full textDyslipidemia has steadily increased in South Korea over the past two decades, emerging as a major public health concern and key risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Thus, our study aimed to investigate long-term trends in the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of dyslipidemia in South Korea, including the COVID-19 pandemic. This study utilized data from nationally representative cross-sectional surveys conducted as part of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2022, analyzing long-term trends of dyslipidemia among 98,396 individuals aged over 30. Weighted linear and binary logistic regression were performed to calculate the β coefficients, βdiff, and weighted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Weighted odds ratios were computed for various socioeconomic groups using aggregated data from 2005 to 2022. The prevalence of dyslipidemia increased from 41.30% (95% CI 40.40–42.21) in 2005–2009 to 48.41% (47.36–49.47) in 2020–2022. Awareness increased from 17.87% (16.75–18.99) to 48.90% (47.34–50.47), treatment from 7.10% (6.39–7.80) to 38.19% (36.61–39.76), and control among prevalence from 6.49% (5.79–7.19) to 31.82% (30.33–33.32). Treatment (βdiff, 3.94 [1.97–5.92]) and control among prevalence (βdiff, 3.52 [1.67–5.38]) increased more rapidly during the pandemic. Higher odds of dyslipidemia were associated with male sex, older population, rural residence, high BMI, central adiposity, low education and income levels, smoking, and high-risk alcohol consumption. Lower odds of awareness, treatment, and control among individuals with dyslipidemia were associated with male sex, younger population, rural residence, higher education and income levels, smoking, and high-risk alcohol consumption. Over the past 18 years, the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of dyslipidemia have steadily increased, with persistent disparities among socioeconomic groups.</p
A critique of writing moderation policy and implementation in England
No full textWriting moderation, used to ensure reliable teacher judgements of pupil writing in primary schools, is an overlooked aspect of assessment in England. Despite its key role in national accountability and school comparisons, it has received little attention. Since its 2016 inception, various policy documents have guided teachers, schools and local authorities in standardised moderation practices. This article examines writing moderation through policy analysis and literature review, highlighting key issues in its fairness, validity and equity. Using discourse analysis, the authors explore whether writing moderation functions as a just and reliable process within the current assessment framework.</p
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