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Background: We aimed to identify specific multimorbidity latent classes among multi-ethnic community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 18 years in Malaysia. We further explored the risk factors associated with these patterns and examined the relationships between the multimorbidity patterns and 11-year all-cause mortality risk, as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: Using data from 18,101 individuals (aged 18–97 years) from the baseline Census 2012, Health Round 2013, and Verbal Autopsies 2012–2023 of the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) health and demographic surveillance system, latent class analysis was performed on 13 chronic health conditions to identify statistically and clinically meaningful groups. Multinomial logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression models were conducted to investigate the adjusted association of multimorbidity patterns with the risk factors and mortality, respectively. HRQoL was analyzed by linear contrasts in conjunction with ANCOVA adjusted for baseline confounders. Results: Four distinct multimorbidity latent classes were identified: (1) relatively healthy (n = 10,640); (2) cardiometabolic diseases (n = 2428); (3) musculoskeletal, mobility and sensory disorders (n = 2391); and (4) complex multimorbidity (a group with more severe multimorbidity with combined profiles of classes 2 and 3) (n = 699). Significant variations in associations between socio-demographic characteristics and multimorbidity patterns were discovered, including age, sex, ethnicity, education level, marital status, household monthly income and employment status. The complex multimorbidity group had the lowest HRQoL across all domains compared to other groups (p < 0.001), including physical health, psychological, social relationships and environment. This group also exhibited the highest mortality risk over 11 years even after adjustment of confounders (age, sex, ethnicity, education and employment status), with a hazard of death of 1.83 (95% CI 1.44–2.33), followed by the cardiometabolic group (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.18–1.70) and the musculoskeletal, mobility and sensory disorders group (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04–1.59). Conclusions: Our study advances the understanding of the complexity of multimorbidity and its implications for health outcomes and healthcare delivery. The findings suggest the need for integrated healthcare approaches that account for the clusters of multiple conditions and prioritize the complex multimorbidity cohort. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and evolution of multimorbidity patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper I review recent research on climate migration, including estimates of the numbers of future migrants owing to climate change. I introduce a typology of climate migration including strategic, disaster, managed relocation and trapped populations. I draw on migration theory and findings on the integration of immigrants and refugees to suggest that a good way to manage and prepare for climate migration is for rich countries to allocate extra visas to poorer countries that are suffering the effects of climate migration, partly as reparations for climate injustice. These visas will allow strategic migrants to seed further migration by tying the countries together through social networks, and eventually will provide a co-ethnic community for disaster migrants and relocated communities. I also review research on refugees to suggest questions for researchers to answer on how best to integrate disaster migrants going forward. Finally, I review the growing intersection of climate denialism and anti-immigrant sentiment among right-wing movements. I suggest that planning for the successful integration of large numbers of migrants fleeing climate change should be a top priority not least because this success will help to preserve the social trust that is necessary for successful climate mitigation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essay addresses the issue of which cultural tools are used in order to index particular ethnic identifications within an interethnic environment. It is analysed how the Inle Lake region has undergone a symbolic restructuring of its socio-cultural network since the end of the 1950s. We shall first address the issue of how the interethnic dynamics was renegotiated after the waning of the Shan political sway upon the region and how the Intha emerged as the new dominant ethnic group as well as how they symbolically manipulated a socio-cultural landscape common to all the ethnic communities inhabiting the region; it will eventually be analysed how a particular ethnic community, the Taung'yo, indexes its position within a newly created dynamics through the technical choice of phonetic markers in a specific context of interaction in order to align with the position within the interethnic dynamics that the oral traditions grant them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin B12 deficiency has been associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), but the relationship between vitamin B12 and NPS remains unclear prior to the onset of dementia. The study aims to examine the association between vitamin B12 and NPS in dementia-free Asian older adults. This is a cross-sectional population-based study where multi-ethnic community-dwelling Asian participants (i.e. Chinese, Malay, Indian) aged ≥60 years underwent comprehensive neuropsychological and clinical assessments including the examination of clinical history and the collection of blood samples. NPS and subsyndromes were evaluated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Serum vitamin B12 and homocysteine (Hcy) concentration were measured by competitive immunoassays. To analyse the relationship between vitamin B12 and NPS, hierarchical linear regression, multinomial regression and moderation analyses were performed. A total of 798 dementia-free individuals (age = 69.7 ± 6.5 years old, F = 408 (51.1 %)) were included in the current study. There were 80 (10 %) individuals with clinically relevant NPS (i.e. NPI scores ≥4). Higher vitamin B12 was associated with lower NPI total scores (p = 0.030) and apathy (p = 0.005), after controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, cognitive functioning, socioeconomic status and Hcy concentration. Participants with higher vitamin B12 was also less likely to have clinically relevant apathy (p = 0.007). The moderation effect of Hcy and cognitive functioning on the inverse association between vitamin B12 and NPS was observed. A protective effect of vitamin B12 on NPS and subsyndromes was observed in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort of dementia-free individuals. Future longitudinal studies are required to further elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms between vitamin B12 and NPS in diverse ethnic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employers are central, yet understudied, actors in the immigrant work authorization process. The authors motivate and empirically assess three central theoretical accounts to explain employers' regulatory prioritization of specific immigrant work visa applications: the role of immigrant human capital, employers' past filing experience, and the relative dissimilarity of the focal application to employers' past applications. These accounts are tested using U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) administrative records pertaining to the H-1B temporary work visa. The authors analyze employers' selective visa application prioritization as reflected in their use of "premium processing" to expedite government visa adjudication, persistence to the point of adjudication (i.e., not withdrawing or abandoning the application), and requests for longer employment durations. Findings primarily support the human capital and relative dissimilarity accounts. Results underscore the role of employers in visa processing speeds, the granting of legal status, and legal status durations—outcomes more frequently attributed to regulator discretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Smokeless tobacco (SLT) encompasses products that are not burnt but instead consumed orally or nasally. One-third of tobacco is consumed in the smokeless form in South Asia. Despite its widespread usage, there has been limited empirical research on the prevalence and factors influencing SLT consumption in Pakistan. This study aimed to provide an assessment of SLT knowledge, attitudes, and usage in Pakistan., Methods: Using an online questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was conducted across Pakistan. Convenience sampling was used to disseminate, and expert approval was sought followed by a pilot study to validate the questionnaire. A comprehensive questionnaire was developed using elements from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey and other tools which had previously been utilized within Pakistan. Participants' responses were described using descriptive statistics, and SPSS version 26 was used to perform linear and logistic regression. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Data was collected from 1,195 participants among which 85.86% of participants had heard of SLTs prior to the survey. Sex, province, household income and previous doctor visits were significant determinants to product knowledge through which 72.55% agreed that these products can lead to serious illnesses but 30% noted a lack of knowledge on legality. General attitudes agreed that it makes one feel unwell (44.1%), gives a sense of guilt (43.85%) and more research is needed on it (54.39%). Negative health effects were the biggest deterrent from pursuing these products for 60.33% of participants. Among significant factors influencing the use of SLTs, the greatest odds of use were found with use as an alternative to cigarettes (OR 4.45) and secondly, due to its availability in a liked flavor (OR 2.27). About 31% reported to have used the product once, with 69.82% of current users expressing a desire to quit., Conclusions: Although adequate knowledge and aligning attitudes exist for SLTs, light is shed in the face of a sustaining public health problem. We offer important insights that can guide the creation of focused interventions meant to lower SLT use, and the health hazards associated with it in the Pakistani community by highlighting important myths, incentives, and deterrents., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Our study obtained ethical clearance from the Ethical Review Committee (ERC) at the Aga Khan University (ID: 2023-8608-24823). The form initially obtained informed consent, detailing the scope of the study, the right of the participant to withdraw from the study at any time and the maintenance of confidentiality of the participants. If the participant agreed to take part in the study, they were able to fill the rest of the questionnaire. To maintain the privacy of the participants, identifiers such as name were not asked. In addition, to maintain anonymity, the questionnaire did not record respondents’ names. There were no risks, immediate benefits, or incentives for participation in the survey. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

There are vast individual differences in heritage bilinguals' linguistic skills. It is not clear, however, to what extent this variation can be attributed to experience, cognitive ability or motivation. This study investigates factors influencing the acquisition of both Polish (HL = Heritage Language) and English (SocL = Societal Language) of school-age children, examining the role of motivation, linguistic experience, and language aptitude. We collected and analyzed speech samples from 7- to 12-year-old participants (n = 78) residing in the UK to derive linguistic measures of fluency, syntactic complexity and lexical diversity in both languages. Additionally, a receptive grammar test was administered. Independent variables were obtained via parental questionnaires, a motivation survey and a language aptitude test. To identify predictors of heritage bilingual acquisition, we conducted least squares linear regression analyses for each language area and applied backward stepwise selection to reduce the models. Results show that predictors differ between languages and linguistic areas. Our findings highlight the role of language aptitude in bilingual development, challenge assumptions that motivation to use HL might detract from SocL development, and suggest that HL acquisition can support, rather than hinder, societal language development, as bilingual children draw on their metalinguistic awareness and cognitive skills across both languages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The warm chain of support is the continuous enabling environment from the mother's first contact with healthcare professionals during early pregnancy, birth and immediate post-partum period, her transition from healthcare facility to home, through to work and the community at large. A breastfeeding-friendly city should be able to support a breastfeeding journey across the warm chain. Objective: To determine breastfeeding women's perspective of an ideal breastfeeding-friendly city. Methods: Between September 2021 and January 2022, twenty-two women who were breastfeeding or had ever breastfed in the last 5 years from Ireland and Malaysia were interviewed. A set of selection criteria was applied to ensure representation of a range of the characteristics known to be associated with breastfeeding success: diverse age groups, birth and breastfeeding experiences, culture and socioeconomical background. One-on-one semi-structured online interviews were conducted by the first author. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's Thematic Analysis framework. Results: One overarching theme of breastfeeding at the front and centre of the city, and three major themes were developed: 1. mothers feel supported when breastfeeding is prioritised; 2. when breastfeeding is visible in the environment, it becomes normalized; 3. there is a need to have seamless breastfeeding support across the continuum of the warm chain, and at all levels of society. Conclusions: The findings demonstrated the importance of prioritized, and continuous support throughout the breastfeeding journey. The hopes and aspirations of a breastfeeding-friendly city expressed here would be useful for cities to consider when developing or implementing breastfeeding support programmes as well as guide development of indicators of a breastfeeding-friendly city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the previous studies on the impact of traditional culture on tourists' purchasing intentions, this study aims to further explore the mechanism and boundary conditions regarding the traditional cultural load in tourist souvenir packaging. Through seven simulated experiments (N = 3203), the impact of different degrees of traditional cultural load on tourists' purchasing intentions has been examined, with value perception, cultural identity, and purchase purpose, advancing the research in the field of traditional culture and tourism marketing. The findings provide insights for managers in the industry of tourism and souvenir marketing for their package design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about confounding factors influencing Alzheimer's disease (AD) blood biomarker concentrations. Objective: The objective of this systematic review was to explore the available evidence for the influences of ethnicity and race on AD blood biomarker concentrations. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive systematic search in PubMed and Web of Science databases spanning from inception until 15 June 2023. We included studies that utilized plasma or serum biomarkers (amyloid-β [Aβ], total tau [t-tau], phosphorylated tau [p-tau], neurofilament light [NfL], and glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]), compared individuals with AD to healthy controls, and included a minimum of two ethnic or racial groups for comparison. A total of 10 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. All studies were conducted in the US. Results: Seven studies reported differences in blood biomarker concentrations between ethnic or racial groups. However, after adjusting for medical conditions and social determinants of health, the differences became non-significant in two of the studies. The included studies differed in their included covariates and their statistical approaches, which complicated the interpretation of the observed differences. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests that ethnicity and race may influence blood biomarker concentrations. However, it remains unclear to what extent these differences are mediated by differences in social determinants of health and medical conditions. Future studies are needed to explore ethnic and racial differences in blood biomarkers, including studies in diverse samples outside the US. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many centuries, intergenerational literacy learning outside formal educational institutions has been an important part of everyday family life in Nepal. Yet, educational policy continues to focus on promoting 'schooled' approaches to literacy for both adults and children, overlooking informal learning and indigenous literacy practices in many communities today. Through exploring intergenerational religious literacy learning in Nepal, this paper develops new understandings of 'family literacy' and proposes how these could be integrated into current educational policy. Ethnographic-style research was conducted with families in a Muslim community, where teenage girls were teaching Urdu literacy to siblings, and in a Gurung community where intergenerational learning had become central to the development of Tibetan Buddhist texts. In these two communities, literacy was viewed as collaborative as well as individual, helping to shape shared identities, languages and values, and challenging instrumental notions of functional literacy that underlie much national and international policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to shed new light on the contextual embeddedness of intersectional entrepreneurs, i.e. entrepreneurs situated at the intersection of multiple marginalized diversity attributes, beyond simply business strategies and decisions. Taking an emic perspective on everyday practices as intersectional entrepreneurs, it uncovers neglected dimensions of the contextuality of intersectional discriminations. Design/methodology/approach: The study presents qualitative data analysis results of in-depth narrative interviews with six intersectional entrepreneurs, all LGBTIQA* entrepreneurs with further diversity dimensions. It provides an emic view of intersectional entrepreneurs, in their everyday lives and the contexts, in which they develop their businesses. Findings: Intersectional entrepreneurs face different burdens induced by social structures along the entrepreneurial process. While access to the niche market is more difficult and they lack community support, their realization of intersectional discrimination is crucial for the development of business strategies. Simultaneously, intersectional entrepreneurs use their specific diversity attributes to develop their business, yet this proximity of their identity and the business contents has severe consequences for their mental state. Intersectional entrepreneurs adjust to the balance of opportunity and vulnerability. Originality/value: As intersectional entrepreneurs are barred from conventional institutional support and also have limited access to resources from their respective social networks, there is an urgency to provide specific support for such entrepreneurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review paper offers a comprehensive exploration of the historical significance of millets in India, their role in preserving cultural heritage and embodiment in a diverse array of ethnic foods. In-depth online literature searches were conducted to assess the data, and the information was retrieved from official government reports, journals and books. The study explores the archaeological evidence and historical records of millet cultivation in India, highlighting their importance in Vedic era, ancient civilizations and Mughal rule. Studies showed a diversity of cultures in India and the importance of millets in religious ceremonies, festivals, literature, and folklore, showcasing their deep-rooted presence in Indian traditions. Further, the inclusion of millets in various ethnic dishes of different states demonstrates the diverse culinary applications of millets in India. Recent processing technologies for millet need to be studied for producing various millet-based food products. Additionally, the paper briefly discusses the challenges of millet consumption and promotion in India along with its future prospects. The study suggests that promoting millets and reviving traditional millet-based ethnic food and cultural practices can help preserve India's rich heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different forms of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) have shown strong potential as Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers in both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. We hypothesized that p-tau proteoforms simultaneously phosphorylated at two different sites may have an increased diagnostic value compared with tau phosphorylated at a single site. Here, we developed two immunoassays detecting CSF and plasma tau simultaneously phosphorylated at both T181 and T231 (p-tau181&231) and at T217 and T231 (p-tau217&231). Subsequently, we measured CSF and plasma p-tau181&231, p-tau217&231, p-tau181, p-tau217, and p-tau231 levels in two cohorts across the AD continuum and in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) patients (discovery n = 55, validation n = 118). CSF and plasma p-tau217&231, p-tau181, p-tau217, and p-tau231 and CSF, but not plasma, p-tau181&231 were significantly elevated in all AD continuum groups vs. Neurological Disease Control group. Notably, plasma p-tau217&231 consistently showed an improved diagnostic performance compared with single-site phosphorylation assays – p-tau217 or p-tau231. The differences observed between CSF and plasma measurements suggest matrix-specific protein processing, underscoring the need for further research on the dynamics of tau phosphorylation pattern along the AD continuum. Cerebrospinal fluid tau simultaneously phosphorylated at two distinct sites (p-tau181&231 or p-tau217&231) provide high diagnostic accuracy as Alzheimer's disease biomarkers. In plasma, a similar diagnostic accuracy was obtained only for p-tau217&231. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to understand the perspectives of key stakeholders regarding strategies for better supporting culturally and ethnically diverse family caregivers, aiming to incorporate them into the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Advisory Council's proposed National Strategy. The Strategy, published in 2022, identified priority actions to support the growing population of people providing unpaid care to people of all ages with disabilities, with a goal of improving the health and well-being of both the family caregiver and the person receiving support. Researchers conducted extensive outreach to purposively diverse stakeholder organizations, using six stakeholder strategy sessions with representatives from 42 groups in December 2020 to identify preliminary themes. During July–October 2021, 17 key informant interviews and 16 stakeholder listening sessions were held, involving 103 different organizations. Qualitative data analysis using an inductive approach was used to identify key themes. A significant issue for diverse caregivers is widespread lack of self-identification as caregivers, which is tied to a lack of awareness of potentially helpful services and supports; culturally appropriate outreach is critical to ensure access to services, as well as access to centralized resources and funding for community- and faith-based organizations. A community health worker model was recommended. Tailored activities, involving trusted community- and faith-based groups, as well as investments in caregiver- and culturally-specific supports, are critical for reaching the diverse family caregivers who most need supports. Raising awareness of caregiving among and taking advantage of the expertise of professionals working with diverse communities is also crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper responds to several calls for a cross-national comparative study of immigrant entrepreneurship throughout the longstanding discourse of this phenomenon. This study aims to comparatively analyze the nature of immigrant enclave entrepreneurship among one immigrant community across three different jurisdictional contexts (UK, Denmark and Norway) based on comparative ethnographic methods of inquiry. Design/methodology/approach: The data was collected in person from April 2022 to June 2023 by the researchers to identify the similarities and differences of migrant entrepreneurial activities in three immigrant enclaves (Manchester, Oslo and Copenhagen). Comparative ethnographic narrative analysis methods and template analysis approaches were combined to analyze interviews, observations and secondary published data. Findings: This study examines spatiality, sectoral occupation and market orientation for comparative analysis. Through detailed analysis, it uncovers the spatiality and nuances in market demands and sectoral similarities across diverse regulatory environments. Notably, it identifies traditional migrant sectoral occupations shared across regions and its relevance to immigrant enclaves. Originality/value: This scholarly contribution explores immigrant entrepreneurship in various national contexts, emphasising their engagement in neglected and low-value sectors within immigrant enclaves. The study addresses the influence of the host economy's conditions on immigrant entrepreneurs, impacting their strategic orientation and the extent of their "embeddedness". It responds to the theoretical gap in immigrant entrepreneurship literature by conducting a cross-national investigation across countries, extending the comparative dimension to Norway and Denmark. The research employs a unique design focusing on a specific immigrant group and emphasizes spatial contexts, sectoral proliferation and market orientation within immigrant enclaves, offering insights into the mixed embeddedness perspective and the broader environmental forces shaping migrant entrepreneurial activities in the UK and Scandinavia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The text discusses the dominance of Southern California in the historiography of Mexican American activism, highlighting the need to explore other regions like Sacramento and San José. Authors Lorena V. Márquez and Josie Méndez-Negrete provide new perspectives on activism and identity in these areas, challenging the focus on Los Angeles. Márquez focuses on everyday resistance in Sacramento, while Méndez-Negrete examines the activist elite in San José, shedding light on gendered leadership dynamics. Both texts emphasize the importance of local contexts and community engagement in understanding the Chicano Movement in California. [Extracted from the article]

This article revisits the Baltimore "highway revolt" of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Unlike previous scholarship, which has primarily focused on the citywide, interracial antihighway coalition Movement Against Destruction, this article examines local and grassroots antihighway groups in the white ethnic neighborhoods of Southeast and South Baltimore. A more localized investigation complicates the narrative of the "harmonious" convergence of different classes and races around the highway issue—the notion that "the people" came together to block "the road." Local antihighway organizing was more parochial and more divisive, mirroring the factionalized racial and environmental landscape of early 1970s urban America. This finding has implications for historians' understanding of highway revolts in other American cities—several of which have also been characterized as examples of effective coalition building between different neighborhoods, social classes, ethnicities, and races. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Blood-based Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers have been increasingly employed for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic monitoring purposes, due to accuracy in distinguishing AD pathophysiologic process. Compared to other p-tau isoforms, plasma p-tau217 exhibits stronger associations with AD hallmarks in CSF and brain. However, most studies have been conducted in non-Hispanic Whites, limiting our understanding of the performances and utility of these biomarkers across ethnicities. Methods: We examined a cohort of Peruvians from the GAPP study, a recently established cohort of Peruvian mestizos from Lima and indigenous groups from Southern Peru (Aymaras and Quechuas). We tested plasma levels of p-tau using the Quanterix Simoa ALZpathp-tau217 assay in 525 samples and tested the association between p-tau217 and clinical diagnosis (healthy controls n = 234 vs. AD n = 113) using generalized mixed regression models, adjusting for sex, age, education, APOE-e4 allele (fixed effects) and study site (random effect). We also tested biomarker levels in MCI (n = 178) vs. other groups. The receiver operating characteristics area under the curve (ROC-AUC) was used to evaluate the biomarker's classification performances. Result: Participants showed on average 80% Native American ancestry. p-tau217 was significantly associated with AD (β = 2.61, 95%CI = 0.61–4.29) and its levels were inversely correlated with cognitive performances; p-tau217 levels did not differ between controls and MCI (p-value > 0.05). p-tau217 levels were higher in participants carrying at least one APOE-e4 allele (OR = 2.31, 95%CI = 1.85–2.90). The ROC-AUC for p-tau217 was estimated at 82.82% in the fully adjusted model. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the largest study conducted in a South American cohort phenotyped for AD with available p-tau217. Most investigations have previously focused on highly selected cohorts with established AD-endophenotypes (CSF biomarkers, autopsy report, PET etc.), while data on cohorts with clinical assessment are currently lacking, especially in non-European populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study explores whether ethnic minorities exhibit varying levels of income inequality compared to the host population. Design/methodology/approach: The research leverages a unique immigration event in Italy, specifically the settlement of multiple Albanian groups in southern Italy during the 16th century. This historical occurrence enables an investigation into the role of cultural traits in income inequality, as these groups are situated in the same geographical region and often share borders. Findings: The results, which remain consistent after undergoing various robustness checks, indicate that Albanian villages, while still preserving their identity and tradition, tend to experience an approximately 2% lower level of income concentration compared to similar Italian municipalities. Originality/value: Our findings aim to provide supporting evidence for future policy considerations regarding the long-term impact of immigration on income inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autistic children occasionally experience disruptive behaviors. Caregivers occasionally experience distress surrounding their autistic child's socioemotional functioning. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) reduces disruptive behaviors among autistic children and improves caregiver self-efficacy. No study has examined if PCIT has been implemented with an autistic parent. This case study explored the implementation of PCIT with an allistic Mother, an autistic Father, and their autistic 4-year-old son. Father was primary caregiver prior to and during treatment. Overall, both caregivers reported reduced disruptive behaviors for their autistic child after completing PCIT treatment. Directions relevant to PCIT implementation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a growing interest in Social Network Analysis (SNA) within migration studies, refugees' networks are still overlooked. Employing a mixed-method SNA (MMSNA), incorporating Hogan et al.'s participant-aided sociogram and Gephi, this article compares the networks of refugees resettled in England through the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) and Community Sponsorship (CS). Findings suggest that CS facilitates the development of wider, more diversified and more interconnected social networks compared to VPRS. The study highlights the role of individual and contextual factors in shaping networks while also underscoring the benefits of MMSNA, including visualisation tools, in advancing our understanding of refugees' social networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visa policies and pathways are increasingly driving international migration to Australia's regional and rural centres. Often embedded within a multicultural imaginary, notions of friendliness and neighbourliness are instilled in the 'small town' narratives of these regional cities. However, little is known about whether this friendliness translates to the formation of deeper, meaningful connections that create the conditions for a sense of belonging to emerge. Drawing on empirical data from two regional cities across Queensland, this research investigates the challenges and barriers to forming friendships between migrant communities and 'local' Australian residents. We explore how co-ethnic relationships, while significant, do not always benefit and bolster migrants' sense of belonging in the regions. Instead, we argue that inter-ethnic friendships with other migrant communities offer pathways to belonging in regional contexts. In doing so, we challenge prevalent assumptions regarding the inherent value of co-ethnic ties and the tensions so often raised within inter-ethnic relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing literature on racialized assimilation notes the likelihood of simultaneous upward mobility and persistent racial marginalization within immigrant-origin communities of color. Thus far, this literature has focused on the 'new second generation' and not fully explored how race, class, and immigration lay the structural foundations for persistent racial and ethnic identity and community formations even into later generations. Leveraging 93 in-depth interviews with third and fourth generation Japanese Americans in suburban Southern California, this paper explores the persistent impact of race and ethnicity on long-time, ostensibly assimilated Americans. Japanese American ethnic persistence is directly influenced by the arrival of similarly racialized, high-skill Asian immigrants who inhabit the same middle-class spaces. As Japanese Americans are racially lumped with these newcomers, they assert their ethnic distinctness as they simultaneously build Asian American communities in recognition of common racialized experiences. Given contemporary US immigration's non-white majority, this study illustrates the need for further exploration of the complex role of immigration and assimilation in shaping and replenishing middle-class minority understandings of race and ethnicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The menopausal transition is regarded as the critical window where midlife women experience various health challenges having debilitating impact on their wellbeing. The present cross-sectional study intends to assess cognitive outcome with changing hormonal milieu during menopausal transition and related symptoms in midlife and beyond. For this purpose, cognitive performance of women and menopausal symptoms were studied on the sample of 320 women ranging in age from 45 to 60 years. Data collection was carried out by purposive sampling method from rural areas of Haryana from March 2021 to January 2023. Findings of the study demonstrated a successive downward trend in the mean scores of orientation to time and place, registration, attention, recall, as well as language and visual spatial skills cognitive domain from premenopause to late postmenopause stage. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (adjusted for age and educational status) identified severe menopausal symptoms, i.e. heart beating quickly or strongly, difficulty in sleeping, feeling tired, feeling unhappy or depressed, and sexual dysfunction as the potential determinants of poor functioning of different cognitive domains among women transitioning menopause and beyond. Hence, it was observed that cognitive decline during menopause transition and beyond is sensitive to severe menopausal symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Core normative value theory asserts that perceptions of the legitimacy of law enforcement authorities are not just a product of these agencies' conduct and performance, but are also based on deeply embedded ideological worldviews. This study further tests the theory, exploring the diverse relationships between values and legitimacy in multicultural societies. We use Israel's highly divided society as a case study. Our data were derived from a survey among a representative sample of more than 1,600 Israelis from seven social groups—mainstream Jews, ultra-Orthodox Jews, Jewish residents of the occupied territories, immigrants from the former Soviet Union, Druze, Muslims, and Arab Christians. The results point to significant differences in levels of the core normative values and legitimacy across the seven groups, and differences between the groups in associations between the values and legitimacy, controlling for socio-demographic variables. The findings support the main premises of the theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnic and racial disparities in the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic raise significant concerns. This study analyzes social media discourses toward four ethnic communities in the United States during the pandemic and reveals disparities in pandemic experiences among them. A total of 488,029 tweets mentioning one of the four ethnic communities, that is, Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans, were investigated by a structural topic modeling approach with emotional expressions and time as covariates in the topic model. The results demonstrate that discourses about Asian, Hispanics, and Native American communities were often induced by pandemic-related events, concerning topics beyond one's community, and reflecting an experience of implicit racism and an adoption of technical supports from health systems. Meanwhile, discourses about Blacks were racially related, discussing topics within the community, and reflecting an experience of explicit racism and an adoption of psychological supports from ingroup. We discuss the implications of our findings on ethnic health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to understand and explain the impact of football on both diaspora formation and the construction/reproduction of -ethno-national identities, focusing on constructionist practices in this process. In this context, an ethnographic field study was conducted for six months in an amateur football league established by Turkish Cypriots in London, England. The theoretical framework is modelled on the concept of diaspora proposed by Rogers Brubaker. The study shows that it is possible for a dispersed population to come together in diaspora through football. However, the process is not spontaneous but takes place through the active role of core members. Secondly, the paper provides evidence that football-centred practices of ethno-national identity construction are actively reproduced in a diaspora-specific context through 'core members'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A vast literature on the home across sociology, human geography and cognate disciplines has mapped out home as a messy conceptual terrain. Critical perspectives have theorised home as simultaneously imaginative and material, and argued for the importance to pay attention to both dimensions. Following in this tradition, empirical research has explored how 'home' is understood, imagined and experienced in everyday life, and how imagery and experiences of home are inflected by class, race/ethnicity, migrancy, gender, sexuality, age and able-bodiness. In the literature on home, however, migrancy and sexuality are rarely brought together. This article advances existing debates on the home though an intersectional exploration of the home/migration/sexuality nexus, drawing on research with queer migrants from Central Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Former Soviet Union (FSU) living in Scotland. Methodologically, the article draws on photo diaries and photo elicitation interviews to explore queer migrants' sense of home: an approach that allows us to untangle the spatial, material, imaginary, affective and temporal dimensions of home. Empirically, we show how both migrancy and sexuality inform our participants' complex experiences and understandings of home. Conceptually, the article brings into conversation literatures on the migrant and the queer home, which have hitherto been largely separate, and proposes ways to advance the exploration of the home/migration/sexuality nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the role the Crimean Tatar diaspora and forced migrants play in the Russian-Ukrainian War starting from the occupation of Crimea in 2014 up to the present. The Crimean Tatars experienced complete de-territorialization in 1944, and transnationalism became a significant characteristic of their nation, despite some individuals returning to their homeland. We consider all four communities of Crimean Tatars as transnational and focus on the following groups: the 'diaspora,' predominantly originating in the 19th century and mainly residing in Turkey, Romania, and the United States; the community that repatriated to their homeland in the 1990s, facing Russian oppression in Crimea after 2014; the community displaced to mainland Ukraine after 2014 and the forced migrants in Turkey since 2014. In this article, we aim to address the following questions: How did the diaspora and forced migrants attempt to influence the conflict, particularly concerning Crimea? Can we comprehend their role as peacemakers or peacebreakers? We propose moving beyond the peacemaker/peacebreaker dichotomy and understanding the actions of the Crimean Tatar diaspora and forced migrants from the perspective of positive peace, focusing on decolonization and transitional justice. Our research is based on the case study of the Crimean Tatar transnational communities since the Russian occupation of Crimea until today, utilizing interviews with Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians, participant observation at two different time points, and content analysis of relevant documents and media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) affect around 7.6 million people in the UK, disproportionately affecting the minority ethnic community. In 2009, the UK's National Health Service (NHS) launched a Health Check (NHSHC) scheme to improve early diagnosis of various clinical conditions, including CVD, by screening patients for associated risk factors. This systematic review investigated the engagement of minority ethnic groups with these services. Methods: Seven studies identified patient demographics of NHSHC attendees using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic And Meta Analysis-Diagnostic Test Accuracy (PRISMA-DTA) guidelines and accessing Ovid (MEDLINE), PubMed and Web of Science databases. Results: The screening was either by invitation or opportunistic at other appointments with their doctor. Engagement with the service was highest among the South Asian patients (21%–68%), but lowest amongst Chinese patients (12%–61%). Further, engagement was lower among those screened following a formal invitation than those seen opportunistically. However, a greater proportion of patients were screened opportunistically than by invitation. Conclusions: Overall, we found that the NHSHC is not being utilised adequately for all patients at high risk of CVD, particularly White and Chinese patients. It highlights the critical role of primary care could play to improve patient engagement with the service.

Background: Enabling community-led health initiatives will contribute to reducing the burdens on the healthcare system. Implementing such initiatives successfully in high and upper-middle income Asian countries is poorly understood and documented. We undertook a Rapid Review, systematically synthesising the evidence to develop implementation guidelines to address this gap., Methods: Eligible studies focused on community movements or affiliated constructs in upper-middle and high-income Asian countries, conducted between 2014 and 2021. Studies were sought from either electronic databases - Cochrane and Campbell Collaboration, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, SCOPUS, APA Psycinfo, Web of Science, Google Scholar - or recommendation from experts. Extraction was undertaken according to mid-level programme goals, termed Intermediate Results. These were conceptualized by a cross-disciplinary team and iteratively reworked as analysis progressed. Framework analysis was undertaken and structured according to the IRs. 28 studies (9 mixed methods, 9 quantitative, 7 qualitative and 3 case studies) were included and synthesised., Results: The MovEMENTs checklist and related strategies were elicited through the review. The six Intermediate Results include to: (1) Move the community to be recruited and retained (2) Engage capacity and build capability; (3) Maintain emotional resonance; (4) Embed participatory approaches; (5) Nurture network building and partnerships; (6) Team up to improve commissioning and funding structures. Sixteen strategies and related implementation guidelines underpinning the Intermediate Results are extracted from the evidence-base of included studies., Conclusion: The MovEMENTs for Health checklist is developed to serve as a guide for implementers and proposed to be adaptable to various contexts. The checklist should be tested, validated, and updated as a field tool., Trial Registration: PROSPERO ID: CRD42023471832., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The present study does not involve human subjects and therefore ethical review and consent to participate was not required. Consent for publication: This was not required. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Plasma tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (p-tau181) and 217 (p-tau217) have demonstrated high accuracy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis, defined by CSF/PET amyloid beta (Aβ) positivity, but most studies have been performed in research cohorts, limiting their generalizability. We studied plasma p-tau217 and p-tau181 for CSF Aβ status discrimination in a cohort of consecutive patients attending an academic memory clinic in Spain (July 2019-June 2024). All patients had CSF AD biomarkers performed as part of their routine clinical assessment. Aβ positivity was defined with a local cut-off of CSF Aβ 1-42  < 600 pg/mL; in patients with borderline Aβ 1-42 values or when there was a mismatch between the Aβ and the T status (T + if CSF p-tau181 ≥ 65 pg/mL), a ratio Aβ 1-42 /Aβ 1-40  < 0.07 was used. Plasma p-tau217 and p-tau181 were measured retrospectively, from blood samples collected at first visit, with Fujirebio Lumipulse and Quanterix Simoa assays, respectively. We included 468 patients (mean age 67 years, 50% female, 61% Aβ positive). Plasma p-tau217 outperformed plasma p-tau181 in discriminating CSF Aβ status (AUC 0.95 vs 0.90, p = 0.005). A 97.5% sensitivity and specificity plasma p-tau217 algorithm, classifying patients into three groups of Aβ probability (Low, Intermediate and High), resulted in 67% of patients in the Low and High groups, having their Aβ status predicted (as negative and positive, respectively) with 96% accuracy. The remaining 33% in the Intermediate group were candidates to undergo CSF/PET testing. A model with a 10% variation in p-tau217 levels yielded small changes in accuracy (95%). In conclusion, plasma p-tau217 could have discriminated CSF Aβ status in two-thirds of patients with very high accuracy in a memory clinic cohort. These results support the implementation of plasma p-tau217 as an initial diagnostic tool in memory clinics for AD diagnosis, reducing the need for more invasive/expensive testing., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflicts of interest: RSV has served in Advisory Boards Meetings for Wave Life Sciences, Ionis, and Novo Nordisk and received personal fees for participating in educational activities from Janssen, Roche Diagnostics, and Neuroxpharma and funding to her institution for Investigator Initiated studies from Biogen and Sage Pharmaceuticals. The rest of the authors report no relevant disclosures. Ethical approval: The study protocol was approved by the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona Research Ethics Committee (HCB/2019/0600)., (© 2025. Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: PROTECT ( Platform Randomised evaluation of clinical Outcomes using novel TEChnologies to optimise antimicrobial Therapy) has brought together a team of researchers to design a platform trial to rapidly evaluate and adopt into care multiple diagnostic technologies, bringing immediate benefit to patients. Rapid diagnostic tests will be used to identify patients at risk of deterioration from severe infection, before they become critically unwell. The platform will assess their comparative clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness relative to current standard of care. Preliminary work, conducted under a Health Technology Assessment Application Acceleration Award, provided key evidence to optimise the design of the PROTECT platform., Methods: Qualitative methods which involved consulting key stakeholders in the field of serious infection addressed the key priorities. A high-level care pathway analysis focusing on serious infection in secondary care, captured the points of contact, actions, decisions, and potential outcomes associated with a patient's care., Results: Two use cases of rapid diagnostic tests for serious infection were identified; (1) in acute emergency medicine to decide on antimicrobial initiation and/or escalation of care, and (2) in hospitalised patients to monitor treatment response. The "ideal" test should be rapid, point-of-care, cheap to procure, have capacity for high usability, and ability to be performed and interpreted by all staff. Facilitators to the adoption of infection diagnostic tests is their clinical need, and the main potential barrier is poor change management and behavioural change., Conclusions: Any new test should provide robust evidence of its clinical effectiveness and have the potential to accelerate ruling in or out serious infection which benefits the clinical pathway for patients, clinicians, and hospitals as a whole, to be considered for adoption as a new standard of care., Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed., (Copyright: © 2025 Naseem R et al.)

While blood-based tests are readily available for various conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and common cancers, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases lack an early blood-based screening test that can be used in primary care. Major efforts have been made towards the investigation of approaches that may lead to minimally invasive, cost-effective, and reliable tests capable of measuring brain pathological status. Here, we review past and current technologies developed to investigate biomarkers of AD, including novel blood-based approaches and the more established cerebrospinal fluid and neuroimaging biomarkers of disease. The utility of blood as a source of AD-related biomarkers in both clinical practice and interventional trials is discussed, supported by a comprehensive list of clinical trials for AD drugs and interventions that list biomarkers as primary or secondary endpoints. We highlight that identifying individuals in early preclinical AD using blood-based biomarkers will improve clinical trials and the optimization of therapeutic treatments as they become available. Lastly, we discuss challenges that remain in the field and address new approaches being developed, such as the examination of cargo packaged within extracellular vesicles of neuronal origin isolated from peripheral blood., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)