Search Results (1,317)

Background and Aims: Changes in hepatitis delta virus (HDV) epidemiology have been highlighted recently in the context of increasing worldwide migrations. The lack of comprehensive real-world data on HDV in the Valencia region highlights the need for a structured registry to accurately estimate disease prevalence and burden and to generate robust real-world evidence on clinical outcomes and therapeutic effectiveness. We aimed to better understand the barriers for successful HDV patient care in our region by establishing a registry as well as linking previously under-recognized or lost to follow-up (FU)cases to care. Methods: After a search of all possible HDV cases in a Spanish region, attempts were made (through letters and phone calls) to relink to care those lost to FU. Two approaches were undertaken: (i) search of the Microbiology Labs Database, and (ii) clinical chart review from adult patients attending the Hepatology or Infectious Disease (ID) Units outpatient clinics of the three participant hospitals between January 2011 and June 2021. Results: Only one third of anti-HDV positive patients without adequate clinical management could be successfully linked or re-linked to care, highlighting a substantial gap in follow-up. Among 243 HDV cases detected (7.5% of HBsAg-positive patients), 111 belonged to the hospitals’ health department, and after excluding deceased or transplanted individuals, the final study cohort consisted of 84 patients. Of these, 27.4% were adequately followed in Hepatology or Infectious Disease Clinics, 11.9% had been inadequately followed recently, 45.2% had been lost to follow-up for several years, and 15.5% had never been evaluated in outpatient clinics. Overall, only a third of the patients without adequate clinical management could be successfully linked/relinked to care. Conclusions: In our setting, only a minority of anti-HDV positive patients are adequately managed in specialized outpatient clinics, with unsuccessful attempts to link many patients to care, particularly among young migrant men. These findings underscore the need for alternative strategies, such as decentralized testing, reflex testing, and the involvement of patient navigators or social workers, to strengthen linkage to care and improve retention. Full article

Francophone populations outside Quebec were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Despite French being one of Canada’s official languages, access to information and services in French remains limited. This study examined Francophone families’ (FF) post-pandemic health and well-being needs (PPHW) in the Canadian Prairie provinces. An online survey assessed PPHW needs among 319 FF in Alberta (AB), Saskatchewan (SK), and Manitoba (MB). Respondents ranked PPHW needs from a predefined list; logistic regression analyzed socio-demographic influences. Divided into AB/SK and MB cohorts, sociodemographic profiles were statistically distinct for many variables, but with similarities found in gender of respondents (women: 73% in AB/SK, 79% in MB), marital status (married: 81% in AB/SK, 88% in MB), area of residence (urban: 86% in AB/SK, 81% in MB), and number of children (2 children: 49% in AB/SK, 41% in MB). Three high-priority needs were shared across provinces: (1) access to recreational, athletic, and artistic activities in French for children (variations by child gender); (2) access to French healthcare professionals (variations by education level and language difference); and (3) social activities in French for families. AB/SK respondents prioritized mental health services in French for adults and youth. MB families prioritized belonging to a Francophone community (variations by gender of children) and education services in French (variations by age of children). Understanding these common and province-specific priorities can inform policy and service planning. Full article

Feeling a low sense of belonging is a key reason for women leaving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors. Calculus is a common dropout point at which women leave their STEM major. In order to support women’s sense of belonging in this critical course, we need a deeper understanding of what contributes to women’s sense of belonging. In this report, I present a preliminary theoretical framework linking sense of belonging and factors described in the literature as contributors to sense of belonging: social connectedness, perceived competence, and features of the learning environment. I then report on a study in which women were asked to rank order these contributors from most to least impactful on their sense of belonging, and explain their rankings. Based on their rankings and explanations, initial hypothesized links were confirmed and new links emerged, which are summarized in a revised theoretical framework. Results showcase ways the contributors work together rather than separately to support women’s sense of belonging. Further, explanations of rankings highlight the notable and dynamic impact that social connectedness has on sense of belonging and suggest ways instructors can support women’s sense of belonging in Calculus by incorporating opportunities to interact into their pedagogies. Full article

Hybrid work not only redistributes where employees work; it also reshapes how they stay connected to their colleagues. Drawing on Communicate–Bond–Belong (CBB) theory, we examine how daily work location shapes employees’ team commitment in hybrid work environments through informal communication and knowledge sharing, and how these daily links depend on task interdependence. Using a daily diary study with 219 employees who work at least one day a week from home and one day a week in the office (1655 day-level observations), we applied multilevel structural equation modeling in Mplus 8.8 to capture within-person day-to-day fluctuations. Our findings show that on days when employees worked from home rather than in the office, they reported less informal communication and less knowledge sharing with colleagues, which in turn related to lower team commitment. These indirect effects suggest that it is not physical distance per se, but the loss of cue-rich, relationship-building and task-related exchanges that erodes commitment on remote days. We further show that task interdependence differentially qualifies these daily relationships: for informal communication, the positive association with commitment is stronger when task interdependence is low and weaker when interdependence is high. In contrast, the positive association between knowledge sharing and commitment becomes stronger at higher levels of task interdependence. Together, the results advance understanding of social dynamics in hybrid work environments and offer actionable guidance for leaders and organizations. Full article

Apis mellifera L. is an important pollinator of both wild and domesticated crop plants, thus greatly contributing to plant biodiversity and commercial agriculture. However, in field conditions, honey bees remain exposed to different pesticides which ultimately affect colony health parameters and their associated ecological services. In the current study, the individual toxicities of sub-lethal doses of two distinct insecticides (bifenthrin and acetamiprid) belonging to different groups (pyrethroid and neonicotinoid) were assessed against the foraging activity, social interactions, and longevity of A. mellifera. The bees were exposed to individual doses of both insecticides via the dietary trophic route through contaminated pollen and nectar under natural field conditions. Sunflower crop (Hysun-33) was sown at nine different sites with an isolation distance of 3 km, and was treated with different doses (1/2, 1/4, 1/10, and 1/20 of the recommended field doses) of both insecticides. However, the untreated control crop plots were not subjected to any chemical treatments (bee colonies received no insecticide, and served as the baseline for making comparison). Twenty-seven bee colonies were introduced in these sites after seven days of treatment applications. Significant differences were observed in the foraging activity of A. mellifera (including bees going out from the hive, returning foragers, and those carrying pollens). The fecundity, adult longevity, and social behaviors like trophallaxis and antennation were significantly lower in bees exposed to higher individual insecticidal concentrations. However, the hatching duration, larval duration, and pupal duration were not affected by the tested insecticidal treatments. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the dietary trophic exposure of sub-lethal doses of insecticides compromised colony activities, which is indeed a matter of concern regarding the existing pesticide application methods in different agro-ecosystems. Such impacts may ultimately impair the survival of colonies, particularly when bees remain exposed to these chemicals over an extended period of time. Therefore, future studies must consider the pesticide application techniques and their application timing to mitigate the direct and indirect negative impacts of pesticides on pollinators. Full article

This paper investigates how Toronto’s Portuguese-Azorean community has shaped the city’s multicultural and psychological landscape, focusing particularly on intergenerational experiences of trauma among immigrant youth. Framed within North America’s broader migration dynamics, the study explores the creation and transformation of the ethnic enclave “Little Portugal” as both a space of cultural resilience and chronic urban stress. It introduces the concept of chronic urban trauma to describe the persistent psychosocial impact of displacement, assimilation pressures, and gentrification on young Portuguese-Azorean Canadians. While first-generation immigrants constructed cohesive ethnic infrastructures grounded in work, faith, and language, younger generations face cultural dissonance, linguistic loss, and identity fragmentation that manifest as emotional distress and social alienation. These experiences illustrate how structural urban change can perpetuate transgenerational trauma within immigrant families. By integrating perspectives from urban geography, trauma studies, and migration theory, this theoretical work underscores the need for trauma-informed educational and social policies that promote inclusion, belonging, and mental well-being among immigrant youth. Ultimately, the study positions “Little Portugal” as a microcosm of how multicultural cities negotiate the intersections of ethnicity, urban transformation, and psychological resilience. Full article

Background: International policy increasingly recognises the importance of inclusive, community-based support for people living with dementia. Football, as a culturally significant sport, has the potential to reach older adults and communities disproportionately affected by health inequalities. The objectives of this review were to collate evidence on football-based dementia initiatives, including intervention format, delivery approaches, and reported outcomes. Methods: Seven databases (Sportdiscus, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science) were searched for relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature from their inception to June 2025. The PICO framework was used to define eligibility criteria. Eligible studies described community-based football-themed or football-based programmes involving people living with dementia. Data were extracted on participant sample, intervention characteristics, and reported outcomes, and iteratively charted. Results: In total, 11 of the 1059 identified articles were included within this review. Initiatives were often delivered through professional football clubs and charitable foundations, with formats ranging from reminiscence therapy sessions to walking football. Common outcomes for participants included increased sociability, improved mood, enhanced communication, and a strengthened sense of identity and belonging. Some interventions also reported physical benefits, such as improved mobility. Carers highlighted respite opportunities, peer support, and enjoyment from seeing relatives more engaged. Despite positive reports, outcome measurement was inconsistent, and most studies were small-scale or descriptive pilot projects. Conclusions: Football-based dementia initiatives provide meaningful, culturally grounded opportunities for social inclusion and support. Their delivery through community clubs/organisations positions them well to address inequities in dementia care, particularly in areas of disadvantage. However, stronger evaluation methods are required to build a robust evidence base and guide sustainable implementation at scale. Full article

This article examines how the early Pentecostal movement in Kerala created a liminal space for Dalits and women—groups historically marginalized by caste and patriarchy—to exercise spiritual agency and contest social hierarchies. Grounded in a Spirit-centered theology that emphasized charismatic openness and the democratization of spiritual gifts, early Pentecostalism disrupted conventional modes of authority and belonging. Drawing on Victor Turner’s theory of liminality, this study interprets this early period as a threshold moment wherein new forms of identity and communal life briefly emerged. While Pentecostalism offered a radically inclusive grammar of participation, its emancipatory potential was ultimately constrained by institutionalization and the reassertion of social norms. Nonetheless, within this fragile and contested space, Dalits and women found opportunities for voice, leadership, and embodied transformation rarely available in other ecclesial traditions. By recovering the theological and historical significance of this liminal journey, this article contributes to broader conversations on decolonial ecclesiology, Spirit-led resistance, and the ongoing tension between charisma and structure in Pentecostal movements. Full article

Background: Parental loss in childhood is a significant developmental risk factor, underscoring the need for evidence-based knowledge to guide support. Although social responses play a central role in children’s adjustment to loss, little is known about how parentally bereaved children in Israel experience social support in school. Methods: This qualitative study examined how parentally bereaved children in elementary and middle school experience social responses in the school context. Thirty-six participants were interviewed: 20 children who participated in dyadic interviews with their 16 surviving parents. Linguistic analysis, combined with Grounded Theory, was used to analyze the data. Results: Peer support was found to lie on a continuum ranging from support, through an unintentional lack of support, to deliberate nonsupport (teasing). These patterns shaped children’s experiences of returning to school, their sense of belonging, and their ability to share their grief. Conclusions: The findings, discussed in light of the Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement, highlight the crucial role of peers in children’s adaptation to parental loss. Developing evidence-based knowledge in this area may inform policy change and tailored school-based training to promote optimal support for parentally bereaved children. Full article

Previous research on subway stations has emphasized indexicality, functionality, comfort, aesthetics, etc., while cultural representation has been neglected. Notably, however, cultural representations in subway stations shape the city image and affects residents’ sense of identity and belonging. In particular, cultural representations on the decorative walls of subway stations play a crucial role. Therefore, the following questions can be asked: Do passengers perceive the representational culture in these subway stations? What is the relationship between the cultural representations on the decorative walls in subway stations and commuters’ spatial perception? Using a case study of the Ping’anli station in Beijing, in response to the research conducted by Xu Y.J. and other scholars, and adopting the method of data triangulation performed through content analysis, social media, and questionnaires, this paper analyses whether and how cultural representations on the decorative walls of subway stations affect commuters’ spatial perceptions. This study provides new insights into the influence of cultural representations in subway stations on commuters’ spatial perceptions. The findings reveal that cultural representations on decorative walls in subway stations do not fully align with commuters’ spatial perception. These findings can offer references for urban planning as well as the planning and design of decorative walls in subway stations. Full article

Globalization, climate change and the energy crisis are having a negative impact on the agricultural sector. Moreover, in Greece, producers need to invest in modernizing their farms, introducing innovations, achieve digital transformation and increase productivity. Incentives are available for green investments, thus facilitating the adoption of innovations. This paper examines the attitudes and perceptions of winegrowers in Western Macedonia regarding environmental protection and organic farming. Specifically, with the help of the k-means algorithm, respondents are divided into two groups. The first group consists of producers who have a negative attitude towards environmental issues and have a lower level of education, while the second group consists of those who have a positive attitude. In the first group in particular, most respondents do not seem to have a good knowledge of environmental protection issues, believe that cross-compliance is very stringent and do not have a high level of education. This means that policy measures must be taken to adequately inform and educate farmers belonging to this group to achieve the goal of environmental protection. The results of the second group include producers with a positive attitude, who are expected to play an important role in the development of sustainable viticulture by creating conditions for a better future at an individual, regional and social level. Full article

Background/Objectives: Smartphone-based leisure reservation platforms increasingly shape how individuals participate in leisure, yet little is known about how such technology-mediated engagement influences users’ awareness of multidimensional health benefits. The purpose of this study is to investigate how regular users of smartphone-based leisure reservation platforms perceive multidimensional health benefits associated with their leisure activities. Methods: Based on a constructivist/interpretivist approach, this study applied Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Ten participants with at least one year of platform use completed semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed through iterative coding and theme development, with trustworthiness ensured through member checking, peer debriefing, and triangulation. Results: Participants reported three dimensions of health awareness. (1) App-enabled accessibility as a catalyst for physical health awareness (i.e., physical health benefits) included improved vitality and increased motivation to maintain exercise routines. (2) App-based planning and anticipation in supporting mental well-being (i.e., mental health benefits) involved stress reduction, emotional recovery, enjoyment, and heightened self-care awareness. (3) Platform-mediated social encounters and the construction of social health (i.e., social health benefits) reflected expanded social networks, strengthened interpersonal relationships, and a greater sense of belonging fostered through shared leisure experiences. Conclusions: Smartphone-based leisure platforms play a meaningful role in enhancing users’ awareness of multidimensional health benefits. By improving accessibility, diversifying leisure options, and facilitating social interaction, these platforms support holistic well-being. The findings contribute to understanding technology-mediated leisure and offer practical implications for designing digital leisure services that promote physical, mental, and social health. Full article

This paper foregrounds the study life of students in Early Childhood and Social Education through the concept of educational belonging, conceptualized as situated, relational, affective, and spatial practices that are continually renegotiated. As an affective and spatial practice, educational belonging foregrounds that places, spatial designs, and interiors play a constitutive role in shaping study life, including students’ study experiences and learning processes. The paper is based on a research project conducted at University College Copenhagen, which investigates the significance of educational architecture for students’ learning processes and sense of belonging within their education. Drawing on a substantial body of data generated through architectural plan interviews, the research project offers insight into how the design and atmosphere of educational spaces and places co-constitute students’ sensory experiences of belonging. The analytical parts of the paper illuminate how students’ narratives about their positioning within classrooms reveal that teaching and learning situations are social and affective events, in which students are recognized as occupying specific student positions, such as serious, nerdy, or disengaged. Full article

In post-Soviet Georgia, the renewed visibility of religion in the public sphere has generated ambivalent effects, fostering both social cohesion and identity-based exclusion. This article focuses on the work I Am the Way by Georgian Orthodox thinker Zurab Kiknadze to explore how a non-instrumental, ethics-based conception of public religion can be sociologically conceptualized. Drawing on a qualitative, hermeneutic-narrative method, the analysis identifies two core motifs in Kiknadze’s thought—“spiritual journey” and “silent witness”—and interprets them through the lenses of public religion theory (Casanova), lived religion paradigms (McGuire, Ammerman), and post-secular debates (Habermas). The findings indicate that Kiknadze understands faith not as a marker of dogmatic or ethno-political belonging but as a practice contributing to ethical continuity and the reconstruction of social trust. Within this framework, “silent witness” is defined as a form of faith grounded in consistency, humility, and action-oriented conviction; it is proposed as a transferable sociological mechanism that supports trust, reconciliation, and inclusive citizenship in transitional societies. Centering on the Georgian case, this article offers a conceptual contribution to rethinking the public role of religion in post-authoritarian contexts within an ethical framework. Full article

This theoretical opinion article critiques person-centered dementia care (PCDC) for overlooking the structural dimensions of Othering and stigma. In response to these limitations, we propose three key conceptual shifts essential to overcoming Othering and stigma experienced by people with dementia. First, although PCDC emphasizes individual agency, it is constrained by institutional priorities and professional perspectives, which can unintentionally reinforce structural inequalities. Centering the lived experiences of people with dementia as essential knowledge can rebalance power and validate their expertise. Second, reducing stigma means moving beyond PCDC’s individualized focus to recognize the social conditions that perpetuate Othering. This requires inclusive interactions and professional reflection that challenge biomedical assumptions. Third, PCDC is often limited to formal care settings, neglecting how people with dementia maintain social roles and a sense of community belonging. Addressing stigma, therefore, requires extending support into everyday life through contextual, strengths-based approaches that sustain social roles. Full article