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Background and purpose: Fear of falling and low physical activity become prevalent in an aged society, but their association with fall risk warrants further investigation. Methods: Our study involved 600 individuals aged 70.8–96.1 years who completed two rounds of community surveys. During the second survey, we analyzed the correlations between fall incidents and a range of factors, including age, sex, gait maneuverability, vision, comorbidity count, depressive symptoms, cognitive function, history of falls, fear of falling, and physical activity level. The chi-square test and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used, with further analyses either adjusted for or stratified by the full-factor combinations of fear of falling (with versus without) and low physical activity (low versus moderate-to-high). Results: Falls exhibited a prevalence rate of 13.8%. A fall risk gradient by the full-factor combinations was observed. Multivariate logistic regression modeling identified independent risk predictors for falls, including the number of comorbidities, depressive symptoms, a history of falls, and fear of falling. Fear of falling and low physical activity presented a synergistic effect to increase the fall risk by two- and one-third times (adjusted odds ratio: 2.35, 95% confidence interval: 1.12–4.91). Depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, and a history of falls remained as significant risk predictors for older adults with both factors, those with fear of falling only, and those with neither, respectively, when the models were further stratified. Conclusion: Fear of falling and low physical activity presented likely synergism to increase the fall risk. Those older community-dwellers with both risk factors warrant fall prevention resources as a priority over those with either or neither. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-income urban and rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa are habitats for more than 556 million profoundly poor people, and the United Nations and the African Union are pessimistic that sustainable development goals will be met. The number of people falling into poverty is increasing, and policy initiatives to reduce poverty have been confounded by various economic, political, social, structural, and environmental issues. Despite a wealth of natural and human assets, there is no systematic approach to sustainable development for poverty alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa. This case study of an urban community in Ghana, West Africa, investigates the potential role of digital twins in a systematic approach to sustainable development for poverty alleviation. Aerial and community surveys of the built environment and social and economic surveys of businesses and households were compiled to inform a virtual representation of the study area. A small e-commerce business intervention was introduced, and data was recorded for studies on the impact of the intervention. A 3D interactive view, extensive video, and fixed images provided a comprehensive view of the built environment. A limited view of the social and economic environment was obtained from a small population sample. It was observed that online transactions increased in the businesses receiving the e-commerce intervention, demonstrating a willingness of businesses and their customers to engage in e-commerce when incentives are provided. A single successful community-centric initiative has little value unless it can be generalized across the broader society. This limited case study focused on developing and testing virtual and physical constructs to enhance a deeper understanding of the community, community engagement, and pathways to sustainability. The scale of the intervention was too small to conclude generalizability. Future research will focus on improving the data collection processes, fidelity of virtual representations, visualization methods, and methodologies for constructing viable virtual interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malaria remains the leading cause of hospitalization and death in the healthcare system. This study explored the malaria burden and community response to government malaria control programs in Omoro district. Method: This retrospective study involved 576 patient results from purposely selected health facilities data from health center III (HCIII) of Odek, Bobi, and Lapainat and health center IV (HCIV) of Lalogi. And prospective random section study involved 288 participants from Lutori and Lagude cells and Atyang A and Lagwaya villages who consented to answer the pretested questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of malaria in Omoro district in 2018 and 2019 was 81.6% and 97.2% for hospital record positivity and community surveys, respectively. The participants had 100% knowledge of malaria signs, symptoms, and cause. The average number of malaria attacks an individual received in the district from the health facility and community data was three. Nonadherence to government control programs was associated with an increased incidence of malaria infections. From questionnaire, the proportion of people that used local herbal remedies for treatment and prevention of malaria were 21.2% of the sampled 288 participants. Conclusion: The high rate of malaria attacks indicates that the area has a high prevalence of malaria‐carrying mosquitoes. The increase in the proportion of malaria attacks in 2019 suggests that the burden of malaria increased compared with that in the previous year, with approximately 21% of local herbal remedies for malaria treatment and management. The findings of this study suggest that malaria attacks are associated with household size, age, sex, occupation, and the household head. Participants who did not respond positively to government programs experienced more malaria attacks. These findings can be used to develop interventions to reduce the incidence of malaria in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the connection between social capital and the perceived health status for the Chinese public. Extending from previous research that uses unrepresentative samples, the current project analyzes nationally representative samples of approximately 60,000 respondents. The data are drawn from six waves of the Chinese General Social Survey conducted in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2018, respectively. The multilevel regression approach is used for statistical estimation. Findings show a consistent pattern that social capital, encompassing social network and generalized trust, is positively related to one's perceived health status across these years. In addition, the moderating impact of personal capital on the link between social capital and perceived health status is identified. Social capital has a greater health impact on those with lower personal capital than those with higher personal capital. This study complements current literature and has implications for public health policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article delves into the challenges faced by Chinese migrant families in Portugal as they navigate Western norms while preserving their cultural heritage. It examines shifting gender roles in childcare, with women increasingly entering the workforce and men's expectations influenced by education and finances. The study underscores the impact of Confucian culture on migrants' perspectives and proposes solutions to address gender disparities. It also explores household responsibilities among dual-income couples in China, highlighting the influence of family dynamics and cultural norms on gender roles. The research sheds light on the complexities of cultural adaptation and family dynamics within immigrant communities, emphasizing the need to reevaluate gender norms and childcare practices among Chinese migrants in Portugal. [Extracted from the article]

The strong migration of former East German residents to the western part of Germany opens a unique way to study the impact of migration modifying gender-related attitudes towards division of labor. While in West Germany more traditional gender attitudes have been prevailing for decades, the East pursued more progressive attitudes regarding the home and labor domain. However, attitudes of East-to-West migrants are mostly unknown. Thus, this article aims at providing a first analysis regarding differing attitudes between domestic migrants and non-movers. Data from the German General Social Surveys (GGSS/ALLBUS) from 1992, 2004, and 2016, including 2428, 2099, and 1486 participants, respectively, were used. Group differences between permanent residents from West Germany (West–West) and from East Germany (East–East) as well as East-to-West migrants were estimated. Pooled regressions were conducted to predict the attitudes towards female employment. East–West migrants' respective attitudes differed from both of the other groups. However, they were more similar to the more traditional West–West group than the more progressive East–East group. Furthermore, East–West migrants who had lived longer in the West exhibited more traditional attitudes than those who had lived there <10 years. Further, the diversity of East-to-West migrants was acknowledged by observing the year of migration (before 1961, 1961–1989, after 1989) which showed that those who migrated before the erection of the Berlin Wall were more traditional. The finding that East–West migrants' attitudes were more similar to their place of residence, while the duration of residence was positively associated with the traditional attitude towards female employment prevalent in the West, gives impetus to further research attitudes of domestic migrants. Future research should test whether a selection effect or assimilation cause East–West migrants' attitudes to resemble their society of residence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Household surveys of communities for potential oviposition containers by mosquito control teams offer effective mechanisms for reducing arbovirus transmission. Here, we combined standard community surveys with GIS mapping to identify premises with Aedes-positive containers and classify container types near the end of the dry season in Trinidad, West Indies. The entomological indices based on key containers (tanks, drums, tubs/basins/buckets) showed that two of the four locations surveyed were already at a high risk for arbovirus transmission going into the wet season. GIS mapping provided inspection teams with specific locations that had Aedes-positive containers and highlighted premises that were not accessible. This information can facilitate the identification of areas within communities that may be at greater risk and should be prioritized for future surveys and control efforts; it also highlights the need to inform and increase community participation. Dengue and other arboviruses remain a global threat, and enhanced efforts to control the mosquitoes that transmit them are urgently needed. A survey of potential manmade Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) oviposition containers was performed in four communities near the end of the typical dry season in 2018 in Trinidad, West Indies. The purpose was to conduct individual premise surveys and use GIS mapping to visualize premises within communities that had Aedes-positive containers, as this information could be used for the prioritization of mosquito control efforts in potential high risk areas as the wet season progressed. Accessible premises were surveyed following standard inspection protocols used by the Insect Vector Control Division (IVCD), Ministry of Health (MOH). The results indicated that two of the four locations would be at high risk for arbovirus transmission going into the wet season. The GIS mapping of premises with Aedes-positive containers facilitated the identification of potential hot spots for arbovirus transmission risk within communities that should be prioritized for enhanced monitoring and vector control efforts, emphasizing the need to increase community participation in standard surveys by IVCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article relates the lively debate about inequality-induced status concerns in affluent societies to the broader theoretical perspective on changing existential dispositions in modern society, which we reconstruct from the sociological theories of David Riesman, Gerhard Schulze and Ronald Inglehart. We conceptualise experience seeking – aspiring to an enjoyable life – alongside status seeking – aspiring to a successful life – as a presumably increasing life orientation. Using extensive data from the European Social Survey, for 27 countries and over 350,000 respondents over the period 2002–2018, we examine the extent and relationship of these orientations over time, their associations with socio-economic development and income inequality, as well as their social stratification according to individual-level characteristics. The results show that the populations of wealthy and economically more equal societies increasingly prefer an exciting life to a successful one. Within societies, men, younger people and the highly educated value both experiences and status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Overweight and obesity among adolescents are grave public health issues around the world. Although the conditions that contribute to obesity have been extensively researched, little is known about how multiple conditions interact to cause overweight and obesity. The current study intends to investigate the histomorphic configuration pathways of several conditions of adolescent overweight and obesity by gender. Method: The data came from a social survey conducted in June 2021 in Changchun, Jilin Province, China. The sample collected was 14‐year‐old adolescents, including 167 boys and 137 girls. The school physicians examined the participants' weight and height, and questionnaires were used to collect risk indicators from adolescents, such as sleep duration, electronic screens times, consumption of sugary drinks and fried foods, and physical activity. Simultaneously, a Fuzzy Qualitative Comparative Analysis will be performed to investigate the combinations of diverse conditions. Result: We found that there is no determining necessary condition that, once present, directly determines that an individual is in a state of overweight and obesity. Simultaneously, this study revealed nine alternative configurational paths of overweight and obesity in teenagers of different genders, with a concordance of 0.805 for six male groupings and 0.916 for three female groupings. The outcomes of overweight obesity in adolescents under different genders are similar but not identical. Conclusion: This study examined the interactions of a number of conditions from the individual, behavioral, learning and living environment that led to the same overweight obese outcome among adolescents of different genders. Our research will be useful to policymakers in that interventions should take into account the combined effects of a number of different aspects rather than focusing on a single factor that causes overweight and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emigration of the second generation to the origin country of their parents raises new questions on migratory causes, identity, home and belonging. Addressing such questions, this study aims to shed further light on the impact of having a second-generation migration background on a person's own migration decisions and experiences. Based on 25 qualitative interviews with Moroccan Dutch who emigrated from the Netherlands to Morocco at adult ages, the current study shows how employment opportunities, prospects of a better quality of life and the search for belonging and self-expression are main factors influencing the decision of the second generation to emigrate to their ancestral home country. Each of these factors appears to some extent linked to the specific position of the second generation. The findings further illustrate how international migration uncovers a certain fluidity in the identity of the second generation: while emigration to Morocco for many Moroccan Dutch in certain ways seems to have contributed to a sense of belonging, in other aspects of life, the impact of socialization in the Netherlands remains visible in their behavior, orientation and preferences. As such, our study demonstrates the unique position of second-generation emigrants and provides new ways of thinking about transnationalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citizens' attitudes towards migration have received ample scholarly and public attention in recent years. While there is a growing consensus on what is driving such migration attitudes, we know little about the heterogeneity of these attitudes. Several scholars have used and operationalised terms such as 'migration mood', 'policy preferences', or 'anti-foreigner sentiment' interchangeably, while others have argued that citizens have distinct preferences, depending on the type of immigrant, and on what policies, or consequences of migration are studied. We shed new light on this debate, by suggesting a person-centred approach. We investigate if a typology of attitudes towards migrants and migration at the individual and country level is present, by applying multilevel latent class analysis to European Social Survey data (2002–2020). We uncover three distinct profiles of migration preferences at the individual level, and three specific country level clusters. Altogether, Europeans make a distinction between policy preferences, and their threat perceptions of out-groups, though most Europeans are either generally in favour or against immigration. Further, we demonstrate that there has been a shift in attitudinal profiles at the individual and at the country level: the group of Europeans that is generally positive about migration has grown in size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks at village agriculture committees, model villages, and stakeholder panels at various levels as participatory and decentralized structures for improving demand articulation and accountability in agricultural extension service provision in Malawi. It uses various datasets including nationally representative household and community surveys, a survey of service providers, a survey of representatives from the various structures, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. It employs various estimation methods including matching techniques, matching plus regression adjustments, and an instrumental variables approach. Results show diverse experiences and functionality of these structures. Contrary to earlier reports, most of these structures are active, except for district stakeholder panels (DSPs), of which only about a quarter are active. Similarly, most of them provide a platform for discussion and feedback on service providers and the quality of their advice, except for DSPs. However, most structures were given poor ratings in terms of their responsiveness to the concerns and issues raised. Household participation in village development or agriculture committees is strongly associated with better household outcome indicators. These village committees, if they are active and responsive to farmers' expressed concerns and needs, can contribute to better community-level outcomes. Results show that these village-level structures matter and that strengthening them is key to addressing their long-term functionality. On the other hand, a model village concept that focuses on an integrated approach to solving communities' challenges is not associated with improved community outcome indicators; therefore, its implementation should be reviewed and improved to contribute to development outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the emergence of the @letters_from_rahab Instagram platform, which provides a space for victim-survivors to share their stories of abuse within Covenant Fellowship Church (CFC) in Champaign-Urbana, IL. The church, predominantly Korean and Korean American, has a history of abuse involving lead pastor Min Joshua Chung and other leaders. The article emphasizes the need for feminist pastoral theologians to critically examine responses to clergy sexual abuse and support victim-survivors in their healing. It also highlights the importance of centering marginalized voices and challenging dominant narratives in addressing clergy abuse within faith communities. The text discusses the importance of feminist narrative approaches in addressing clergy sexual abuse within Korean and Korean American communities, prioritizing victim-survivors' experiences and empowering them to develop alternative narratives. The @letters_from_rahab Instagram account is highlighted as a healing community and safe space for victim-survivors to share their experiences. The text calls for cultural sensitivity and intersectionality in addressing abuse within faith communities and urges feminist theologians to promote healing and justice. [Extracted from the article]

This paper examines the extent to which personal biases affect political views, in the context of how antisemitism influences opinions about Israel. Two empirical analyses are conducted. The first one analyzes social media chatter about Jews and Israel in the UK, revealing a strong, positive relationship between negative chatter about both of them at the daily-location level. In order to establish causality, social media chatter about a "Jewish" football team in the English Premier League (Tottenham) is used as an instrument for negative expressions about Jewish people to explain negativity toward Israel. The second empirical analysis uses the 2016 wave of the German Social Survey, which reveals a strong and robust relationship between several commonly used measures of antisemitic beliefs and holding anti-Israel views. A causal interpretation of this finding is supported by an IV analysis motivated by Voigtländer and Voth who show that Nazi indoctrination during the WWII period had a lifelong impact on antisemitic views. In both analyses, the IV estimates are considerably larger than OLS coefficients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Rural Observatory System (ROS) was established in Madagascar to address the lack of socioeconomic data on rural areas. It collected, analyzed, and disseminated data to help formulate and evaluate development policies. From 1995 to 2015, the ROS surveyed a total of 26 areas. The ROS methodology involved annual household panel surveys using consistent questionnaires supplemented by modules covering new themes. Qualitative community surveys were used to understand local features and dynamics. The site selection combined quantitative and qualitative insights to reflect the diversity of Madagascar's rural challenges. Quality control was comprehensive, with measures such as limiting the number of daily surveyor interviews and daily field supervision. By making this data available for 21 consecutive years, along with documentation, metadata, and code with analysis examples, we aim to facilitate their discovery, assessment, and understanding by researchers, policymakers, and social organizations. To our knowledge, this is the only available data for an in-depth analysis of the situation and trends in the rural areas of Madagascar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some social surveys in the UK have either transitioned to online data collection or are in the process of transitioning. The COVID-19 pandemic forced rapid moves to online data collection for some surveys. There are still some concerns regarding the quality of data produced by respondents using smartphones for survey questionnaire completion. This paper uses the first available in the UK, large-scale mixed-device survey, Understanding Society Wave 8, where 40% of the sample were assigned to an online mode of data collection. It allows comparison of data quality between different devices. Different data quality and differential reporting indicators are assessed. The results suggest that even when the questionnaire is not optimised for a smartphone, we should not be concerned about respondents using smartphones in social surveys, even for longer surveys, such as Understanding Society, as break-off rates are very low and data quality between devices is not very different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psychological distress (PD) is a major risk factor for mental health among middle-aged and older adults and affects their quality of life and well-being. This study aimed to examine the evolution of PD with age and the relative importance of its determinants, issues that have been insufficiently studied. Methods: We used longitudinal data obtained from 17-wave social surveys conducted in Japan from 2005 to 2021, to track 34,128 individuals (16,555 men and 17,573 women) born between 1946 and 1955. We defined PD as a Kessler 6 score (range: 0–24) ≥ 5 and estimated fixed-effects regression models to examine the evolution of its proportion with age. We also conducted a mediation analysis to examine the relative importance of specific mediators such as self-rated health (SRH), activities of daily living (ADL), and social participation, in the association between age and PD. Results: Regression model results confirmed an increase in PD with age. Poor SRH, issues with ADL, and no social participation were key mediators of aging on PD, accounting for 34.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.0–47.3%), 13.7% (95% CI: 8.2–19.3%), and 10.5% (95% CI: 8.0–13.0%), respectively; consequently increasing PD between 50 and 75 years. Conclusion: The results suggest the need for policy support to encourage middle-aged and older adults to promote health and increase social participation in order to prevent depression while aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Africa's inland fisheries are generally undervalued, though there is developing interest in the sector. Spring Grove Dam in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands became operational as a water storage facility in 2013 to provide water to the growing urban population in the province. We assessed whether the impoundment could potentially support commercial fisheries as had been proposed during its design and construction. We conducted seasonal fish community surveys from 2020 to 2021 at sites along the impoundment and in the mainstem of the Mooi River which feeds into the impoundment. We recorded a total of nine fish species, including six non-native fishes with invasive characteristics. Only three of 10 expected native species were found, namely the KwaZulu-Natal yellowfish Labeobarbus natalensis, chubbyhead barb Enteromius anoplus and African longfin eel Anguilla mossambica. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was low in the sampling surveys using mostly gillnets and fyke nets, and relatively low yields (14.97 tonnes yr-1) were subsequently calculated for the impoundment, making commercial fisheries unviable. However, the existing subsistence and recreational fisheries for non-native salmonids and the native L. natalensis would benefit by controlling the distribution range and abundances of non-native centrachids Micropterus spp. We offer recommendations and suggestions for management plans for Spring Grove Dam in the context of local fish diversity, a changing climate, further construction of water storage facilities on east-flowing rivers in the province, and a nationally neglected inland fishery industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the association between listening to music at home and subjective well-being, using data from 14,162 respondents in the China General Social Surveys conducted in 2015, 2017, and 2021. Among the respondents, the average happiness score was 3.958. Regression analyzes indicate that frequent music listening is significantly associated with higher happiness levels, with coefficients of 0.384 in the baseline model and 0.570 in the model with control variables. Robustness checks performed across different models support these findings. Instrumental variable analysis, using Mandarin proficiency, yielded a coefficient of 0.212, indicating a robust association despite a slight reduction in magnitude. Heterogeneity analyzes showed consistent associations across genders, religious beliefs, and regions, with slightly stronger associations observed for females and non-religious individuals. Mediation analysis identified mental health and class identity as significant mediators, contributing to a total association of 0.146. These results highlight the positive correlation between music listening and well-being, suggesting the potential value of integrating music resources into well-being strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article emphasizes the importance of considering neighborhood context in youth psychotherapy research. It acknowledges the worsening mental health crisis among U.S. youth due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for early intervention. The text argues that understanding neighborhoods as a structural determinant of psychotherapy effectiveness can promote equity and improve treatment outcomes for underserved youth. It suggests forming interdisciplinary teams to investigate the impact of neighborhood variables on mental health treatment strategies and implementing appropriate strategies to increase the availability of effective psychotherapies in underserved communities. The authors conclude that studying neighborhood context in clinical trials can lead to more equitable and impactful interventions for youth and families. [Extracted from the article]

Interviewer ratings of respondents' physical appearance have been collected in several major social surveys. While researchers have made good use of such ratings data in substantive studies, empirical evidence on their measurement properties is rather limited. This study evaluates two potential threats to the quality of interviewer ratings of physical appearance: interviewer effects and halo effects. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies, we show large interviewer effects on interviewer ratings of respondents' physical appearance based on cross-classified models. We also provide possible evidence for halo effects based on high correlations between physical appearance ratings and other theoretically distinct constructs, after controlling for interviewer effects. However, we find support for convergent and discriminant validity of physical appearance ratings when both interviewer effects and halo effects are controlled for. Empirical studies using interviewer observation data should take into account interviewer effects and halo effects when possible or at least discuss their potential impact on the substantive findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To extend the limited evidence on how hot spot policing (HSP) strategies affect community experiences, perceptions, and attitudes, police agencies in two cities participated in a randomized experiment involving 102 hot spots that were assigned to a control condition (n = 51) or to receive a HSP program emphasizing patrol, community engagement, and problem-solving for 14–17 months during 2019 and 2020 (n = 51). Cross-sectional surveys with hot spot community members were conducted in person before the program (n = 1082) and, due to COVID-19, by mail and internet afterwards (n = 768) to assess program effects on crime victimization, views of crime and disorder, and attitudes towards police. In both cities, the evaluation period overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic and the national protests for police reform following the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis during 2020; in one city, the program was ongoing during these events. Results showed the program had few effects on community experiences and views, though there were some indications it may have improved perceptions of police legitimacy and police misconduct in one city. The findings suggest that HSP strategies do not have harmful effects on community perceptions and might improve some aspects of police-community relations. However, weak program implementation, challenges to survey administration, and the occurrence of both COVID-19 and the George Floyd incident during the study period complicate interpretation of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the impacts of climate variability/change on water supply in three urban sprawl communities were examined. Using historical satellite climate datasets and social surveys, the study assesses the water stress during different seasons in urban sprawl communities. The primary data was gathered through structured questionnaires and focused group discussions (FGDs) in various communities throughout the study area. The stress of accessing drinking water was evaluated in different seasons and during climate extreme events. The correlation analysis was used to further examine the relationship between specific variables and people's perceptions of major observed climate change as they induce water stress. The results from local people's perception of climate change impacts on safe drinking water supply reflect meteorological analysis, which indicates that the mean minimum temperature has increased, 1.0° 1.3°C in the urban sprawl communities. The results indicate that age and time living in the neighbourhood have a significant influence on how people perceive and understand climate change as they induce water stress. These have resulted in much stress for women, who are forced to walk a long distance to fetch drinking water for the households, during the extremely dry seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the considerable debate concerning the gig economy, research has yet to investigate what platform workers themselves want. In part, this is due to the difficulty of undertaking traditional social surveys in this sector. Therefore, this article makes use of a novel research design that generates a strategic non‐probability sample of 510 platform workers with which to investigate workers' preferences regarding labour rights, representation and voice. Findings suggest strong support for labour rights, trade unions and co‐determination. The low pay, insecurity, risk and lack of organizational voice that we find provides a rationale for these preferences. Moreover, platform workers' preferences are seemingly influenced by wider inequalities, with significant differences according to gender and country of birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate and compare the determinants of gender preference for children in rural and urban China under the values of children to parents (VOC) approach by focusing on the effects of attitudes to elder care and gender roles, and the attainment of insurance programs. Using pooled cross-sectional data from 2013 and 2015 of the Chinese General Social Surveys, we found that rural individuals expecting children responsible for old-age support exhibit daughter preference, followed by balance preference, whereas their urban counterparts show similar son preference and daughter preference. In addition, balance preference is associated with traditional gender role attitudes among rural individuals but correlated with more equal gender attitudes among urbanites. Furthermore, having more economic security decreases rural individuals' preferences for having more daughters. The findings suggest that the prevalent balance preference and the rising preference for daughters have quite different implications on the gender relationship between rural and urban China, and traditionalism still drives gender preference in rural China. Policy implications are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Batang Mahat region in Lima Puluh Kota Regency is highly prone to flooding, with significant events recorded in 1961, 1968, 1972, 1978, 1984, 1991, 1998, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021. The most catastrophic flood occurred in March 2017, inundating public areas and residential zones in the Pangkalan Koto Baru district. This study aims to simulate a flood inundation map for Batang Mahat using HEC-GeoRAS 10.8, ArcGIS, and HEC-RAS 6.2. HEC-GeoRAS is an ArcGIS extension designed for pre-processing geospatial data for HEC-RAS. For hydrological analysis, the study employed the Log Pearson Type III and Nakayasu Synthetic Unit Hydrograph models within HEC-RAS. The simulation covered a 9.26 km² area in Batang Mahat, from Batu Kisok upstream, analyzing discharge return periods of 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 years. The findings showed that flooding commenced at the Q5-year discharge return period and increased substantially at the Q25-year level, with an 84.44% rise in flood area compared to the Q10-year period. The 2017 flood was classified as a Q50-year event (2003.07 m³/s), affecting 2.47 km² of the 9.26 km² area studied. Validation through community surveys and interviews in Pangkalan Koto Baru yielded a data correlation value of 0.98, confirming the accuracy of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a final report of an inquiry into projecting Australia's urban and regional futures, specifically focusing on population dynamics, regional mobility, and planning responses. It examines the drivers and effective management of population growth and change in regional Australia, identifying various push and pull factors influencing population change and providing policy implications for managing population growth and change in non-metropolitan areas. The report highlights the importance of factors such as proximity to major cities, access to transport links, availability of housing, and lifestyle opportunities in attracting and retaining residents. Challenges identified include insufficient infrastructure, housing affordability, and the need to attract key workers. The report suggests policy solutions such as supporting local business development, improving internet connectivity and transport infrastructure, and providing affordable housing and key worker incentives. Cooperation between different levels of government and industry is also crucial in managing population change effectively. The document also discusses the social impacts of population growth and decline, particularly in relation to skills shortages and the pressure on health services. It analyzes the factors influencing population change, identifies push-pull factors for migration to regional areas, and investigates how local governments can manage population growth. The report presents the methodology used, including statistical modeling and surveys, and provides an analysis of the variables that impact population change. The text also discusses the use of regression analysis to understand the factors influencing population growth and decline in regional urban areas in Australia, highlighting the importance of factors such as proximity to the coast and major cities, climate, industry specialization, and the presence of a highly educated workforce [Extracted from the article]

En este artículo se evalúa el efecto de la participación en el mercado de trabajo sobre la satisfacción con la vida. Para reflejar la posible endogeneidad en la decisión de participar, se implementó una estimación de mínimos cuadrados en dos etapas. En primer lugar, se utiliza un instrumento excluido que afecta la decisión de participar y se rechaza la existencia de un instrumento débil. Para reflejar la naturaleza ordinal de la variable dependiente, se estimó un modelo probit ordenado con una variable explicativa endógena binaria. Así se estiman simultáneamente todos los parámetros del modelo. Los resultados, que indican en forma robusta la presencia de endogeneidad en la decisión de participar, muestran que la participación no tiene incidencia en el nivel de satisfacción con la vida. En lo referido al resto de las variables explicativas incluidas en el modelo, los resultados son consistentes con los datos empíricos previos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Belonging to social minority groups is detrimental for health outcomes, yet it is still unclear how multiple social minority statuses combine in their effect on health and whether perceived discrimination explains this link. Moreover, the moderating role of the societal context on the multiple social minority status-health link has never been tested. The current study employs a comprehensive conceptual framework to better understand the patterns of association between health outcomes and multiple social minority statuses. Methods and measures: Using data from the European Social Survey (N = 53,161 from 28 countries) and multi-level structural equation modelling, the study examines whether older age, female gender and ethnic minority status have additive, exacerbation or inurement effects on subjective health, whether perceived discrimination mediates these relations, and whether national wealth moderates the associations. Results: Old age and female gender, but not ethnicity, were related to adverse health outcomes, especially in poorer countries. Belonging to two, but not three, social minority groups exacerbated health outcomes. Perceived discrimination explained some of the (multiple) social minority status-health links, whereas an ethnicity-related health risk was fully mediated by perceived discrimination. Conclusion: Supporting the idea of intersectionality, different combinations of social minority statuses differ in health outcomes as well as the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social isolation is a global problem with far-reaching consequences. Nevertheless, various solutions can address it. Building social infrastructure is important for preventing isolation. In this study, we aimed to understand the impact of urban infrastructure on social isolation using social surveys and statistical data from South Korea. A multilevel logistic model identified the infrastructure characteristics required to solve social isolation by adding regional-level data to individual-level data. The analysis showed that, at the individual level, gender, age, marital status, and household income were significant, whereas at the regional level, the ratio of single-person households, access to traditional markets, and the capital region status areas were significant. The findings suggest that social infrastructure can impact social isolation. Hence, it is important to plan urban spaces and design infrastructure to help alleviate social isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic effects on environmental concerns assess macroeconomic pressures or microeconomic status differences but overlook environmental and labor scholarly attention to industry contexts. I test whether employed industry, green jobs opportunities, and regulatory threats influence five environmental concern indexes using cross-sectional US General Social Surveys from 2000, 2010, and 2021 and federal administrative data. Findings indicate individuals employed in resource extraction, construction, and manufacturing express less environmental concerns than service sector individuals but vary across dimensions. Resource extraction individuals express less concern for environmental protections and pollution harms. Manufacturing, construction and utilities individuals are less willing to sacrifice for the environment. Green jobs sub-industry employment is positively associated with more willingness to sacrifice and empowerment to act for the environment. Surprisingly, employment in Environmental Protection Agency regulated sub-industries is positively associated with more willingness to sacrifice for the environment. The findings underscore future research on how industry-based economic contexts shape environmental concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines Tianqiao, the largest commercial and entertainment centre, which underwent a significant transformation into the most popular public space in Republican Beijing. Spatial informality has often been overlooked in planning history, due to its deviation from traditional disciplinary norms, tools, and materials, yet it can offer valuable insights into Chinese urban public spaces and their social values. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including government documents, newspapers, social surveys, and personal records, this paper elucidates how everyday life and popular culture emerged as effective strategies for the poor population to exert their political power and passively resist the state's incomplete urban regularization efforts. This exemplifies a distinct type of Chinese public space that acts as a mediator between the state and society, particularly from a bottom-up perspective of urban modernization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communal forests are recognized to be of critical importance for the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs) but these are often understudied. Such is the case in Cordillera Central Range with its unique biodiversity and urban biodiversity sites requiring protection like the Alapang Communal Forest in Benguet, Northern Philippines. This study documented the floral diversity, carbon stock and the community perspectives as baseline for conservation. A total of 187 plant species belonging to 145 genera and 70 families were recorded with Pinus kesiya as the most dominant species. The forest exhibited high species richness, evenness, and diversity including indigenous, endemic species and some conservation important species. The total forest carbon was estimated at 6,931.44 t with an average of 192.54 t/ha. An interesting trade off was documented in the study with the pine dominated ridge stations having lower diversity but higher carbon stock while broad-leaf dominated depressed stations have higher diversity but lower carbon stock. Community surveys revealed the willingness to protect the forest due to its crucial role as a water source, highlighting its value and the importance of preservation. These findings offer empirical evidences on the role of communal forest on biodiversity conservation, carbon stock as well as forest goods and services. Locally, these findings offer insights for conservation and sustainable management of the Alapang Communal Forest and other local urban forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 1901 until 1920, Albert Kohn, director of the Berlin insurance organization Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse, conducted a systematic housing survey of defective apartments. The work included statistics, reports, and photographs. I situate the project within the context of social surveys in the years around 1900. In the larger history of housing surveys, Kohn's project was one of the first that amalgamated diverse media and data visualizations. The original publication exhibits a crucial connection between statistics, reports, and apartment photographs. I will show that both reports and photographs epistemically hinged on numerical data gained from a questionnaire. The assemblage of shocking figures in statistics, reports, and photographs was intended to make visible an epistemic object: the misery of the lower classes. Hence, Kohn's depictions of urban misery did not depend on a specific form of representation, but rather on the consistency between descriptive registers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gloucestershire Gateway Trust (GGT) is a social enterprise initiative in Southwest England focused on Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). This article describes a six-year action research collaboration that has sought to support the GGT and its local non-profit organizational partners using a variety of action research methods, including community surveys, Group Level Assessment, Future Creating Workshops, and arts-based methods. The development of a community resident research team (CCRT) model has been a core aspect of this partnership that honours local knowledge and experience while providing training and employment opportunities to local residents. This initiative and the action research partnership described here offer an innovative approach for using AR to support effective community development that could be replicated in a variety of other contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protists are a diverse and understudied group of microbial eukaryotic organisms especially in terrestrial environments. Advances in molecular methods are increasing our understanding of the distribution and functions of these creatures; however, there is a vast array of choices researchers make including barcoding genes, primer pairs, PCR settings, and bioinformatic options that can impact the outcome of protist community surveys. Here, we tested four commonly used primer pairs targeting the V4 and V9 regions of the 18S rRNA gene using different PCR annealing temperatures and processed the sequences with different bioinformatic parameters in 10 diverse soils to evaluate how primer pair, amplification parameters, and bioinformatic choices influence the composition and richness of protist and non-protist taxa using Illumina sequencing. Our results showed that annealing temperature influenced sequencing depth and protist taxon richness for most primer pairs, and that merging forward and reverse sequencing reads for the V4 primer pairs dramatically reduced the number of sequences and taxon richness of protists. The data sets of primers that targeted the same 18S rRNA gene region (e.g., V4 or V9) had similar protist community compositions; however, data sets from primers targeting the V4 18S rRNA gene region detected a greater number of protist taxa compared to those prepared with primers targeting the V9 18S rRNA region. There was limited overlap of protist taxa between data sets targeting the two different gene regions (80/549 taxa). Together, we show that laboratory and bioinformatic choices can substantially affect the results and conclusions about protist diversity and community composition using metabarcoding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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As per the revised Regulations on Graduate Medical Education 2019, integration of electives in the MBBS program has emerged as a promising strategy to enrich the learning experiences for the students. Electives are allotted at the end of Third year part I MBBS training in two settings: 1)In the basic sciences or research 2) In the clinical sciences or community. Epidemiological and community surveys was offered as an elective to sensitize the students by the Department of Community Medicine. A detailed plan was prepared and implemented ensuring smooth process during the elective period which included a) Framing and finalising the research question, b) Literature review c) Understanding study designs d) Sample size calculation e) Designing the study tool f) Addressing ethical issues g) Data collection process h) Data entry in the master chart i) Analysing the results with discussion and j) Manuscript writing. Through this exercise of electives, students got an opportunity to develop a protocol for estimating the proportion of blindness due to cataract among elderly people in the field practice area of Rural Health and Training Centre, Mandur which is a treatable cause and assessed the social pathology behind cataract induced blindness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phoebe chekiangensis is endemic to China and highly valued for art ware, furniture, and timber architecture, having a special status in Chinese history. Natural sources of P. chekiangensis are being depleted, and the species was listed as 'VULNERABLE' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 1998 (https://www.iucnredlist.org/) due to excessive anthropogenic deforestation and the plant's weak self-regeneration ability. Most studies have attempted to elucidate this weak natural regeneration by culturing seedlings and community surveys, ignoring the different light requirements of seedlings at distinct ages. In this study, we examined five consecutive age groups of seedlings/saplings with current-year (seedling) and 1–4-year-olds exposed to four shading treatments (100%, 40%, 15%, and 5% of full sunlight) for 2 years, based on a randomized complete block design. Using analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple comparison, the growth rate, photosynthetic response, photosynthetic pigments, and ultrastructure of chloroplasts were evaluated among the shading treatments. The results show that the light requirements of P. chekiangensis change during the development process. Moderate shading (40% of full sunlight) is beneficial for the early development of Phoebe seedlings, increasing height growth, photosynthetic efficiency, and photosynthetic pigment content and protecting the development of chloroplast structures. However, full exposure to sunlight is necessary for growing saplings (more than 2 years old) to meet the increased energy demands for growth and development. Overall, this study elucidates P. chekiangensis light utilization during the early regeneration phase, informing seedling cultivation activities and the development of silvicultural strategies of this endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) remains a significant global issue. To eliminate LF as a public health problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends multiple rounds of mass drug administration (MDA). In certain scenarios, including when elimination targets have not been met with two-drug MDA, triple-drug MDA (using ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine and albendazole) is recommended. In this study, we report on antigen (Ag) and microfilaria (Mf) prevalence in eight primary sampling units (PSUs) in Samoa 4.5 years after one round of triple-drug MDA. Methodology: In 2023, community surveys were conducted in eight PSUs that had been surveyed previously in 2018 (between 1.5 and 3.5 months post triple-drug MDA) and 2019 (six to eight-months post triple-drug MDA). Fifteen houses were randomly selected in each PSU with household members aged ≥ 5 years invited to participate. Blood samples were tested for Ag and Mf. Principal findings: Ag-positive participants were observed in six of the eight PSUs, and Ag prevalence was significantly above the 1% threshold in four PSUs. The presence of Mf-positive participants in five PSUs confirms the presence of residual active infections. Conclusions/Significance: This study provides evidence of persistent LF transmission in Samoa 4.5 years after one round of triple-drug MDA, confirming that one round was insufficient for interruption of transmission in this setting. Our findings highlight the negative impact of delaying MDA rounds, for example, due to public health emergencies. Author summary: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends triple-drug mass drug administration (MDA) for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) as a public health problem for countries where targets have not been achieved using two-drug MDA, and where onchocerciasis is non-endemic. In 2018, Samoa was the first country to implement a national triple-drug MDA. This study surveyed 623 randomly selected participants across eight primary sampling units (PSUs) in Samoa, 4.5 years after the first round of triple-drug MDA. These results support the current WHO recommendations that multiple rounds of triple-drug MDA are required to interrupt transmission. A gap of 4.5 years between rounds of triple-drug MDA can result in a resurgence, with persistence of LF transmission and burden levels comparable to those observed before the MDA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is growing interest in creating public green spaces to promote health. Yet, discussions about these efforts often overlook how experiences of chronic discrimination--which may manifest as racism, sexism, or homophobia, and more--could undermine satisfaction with nature experiences. Methods: Using data from the 2018 wave of the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) General Social Survey (GSS), we quantified associations of frequency of everyday discrimination, operationalized using the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS, the primary independent variable), with respondents' perceptions of nature experiences and with their reported time spent in nature. Specifically, we quantified associations with the following three variables: (1) dissatisfaction with day-to-day experiences of nature, (2) not spending as much time as they would like in natural environments, and (3) usually spending at least one day per week in nature. We used survey-weighted robust Poisson models to estimate overall associations, and also stratified analyses by racial/ethnic and gender identity categories. Results: Of 768 GSS respondents, 14% reported dissatisfaction with nature experiences, 36% reported not spending as much time as they would like in nature, and 33% reported that they did not spend at least one day per week in nature. The median non-standardized EDS, coded such that a higher value indicates greater frequency of discrimination, was 11 (interquartile range: 8, 15). Prevalence of reporting dissatisfaction with day-to-day experiences in nature was 7% higher in association with every one unit increase in EDS score above the median (PR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02-1.11). The prevalence of reporting not spending as much time as one would like in nature was 2% higher for every unit increase in higher than median everyday discrimination frequency (PR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.05). Higher than median frequency in everyday discrimination was not associated with spending less than one day per week in nature. Race/ethnicity and gender identity did not modify associations. Conclusion: Greater frequency of everyday discrimination is associated with less satisfaction with experiences in nature. This relationship could undermine efforts to promote health equity through green interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted governments worldwide to implement a range of containment measures, including mass gathering restrictions, social distancing, and school closures. Despite these efforts, vaccines continue to be the safest and most effective means of combating such viruses. Yet, vaccine hesitancy persists, posing a significant public health concern, particularly with the emergence of new COVID-19 variants. To effectively address this issue, timely data is crucial for understanding the various factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy. While previous research has largely relied on traditional surveys for this information, recent sources of data, such as social media, have gained attention. However, the potential of social media data as a reliable proxy for information on population hesitancy, especially when compared with survey data, remains underexplored. This paper aims to bridge this gap. Our approach uses social, demographic, and economic data to predict vaccine hesitancy levels in the ten most populous US metropolitan areas. We employ machine learning algorithms to compare a set of baseline models that contain only these variables with models that incorporate survey data and social media data separately. Our results show that XGBoost algorithm consistently outperforms Random Forest and Linear Regression, with marginal differences between Random Forest and XGBoost. This was especially the case with models that incorporate survey or social media data, thus highlighting the promise of the latter data as a complementary information source. Results also reveal variations in influential variables across the five hesitancy classes, such as age, ethnicity, occupation, and political inclination. Further, the application of models to different MSAs yields mixed results, emphasizing the uniqueness of communities and the need for complementary data approaches. In summary, this study underscores social media data's potential for understanding vaccine hesitancy, emphasizes the importance of tailoring interventions to specific communities, and suggests the value of combining different data sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If 'Don't know' answers to survey questions are not being accurately captured, understood and analysed then the validity of the estimates of public knowledge, values and attitudes can be questioned. In this article survey answers and interviewer observation paradata about how respondents answer factual, value and attitude-based survey questions were analysed. There was considerable variation in the likelihood of a 'Don't know' response at both the interviewer and country levels. Simply discouraging 'Don't know' answers or coding them all as non-directional responses or missing data is likely to lead to measurement error. Methodological innovations should include follow up questions in surveys to explore the reasons for a 'Don't know' response. Additional support for those respondents who find answering certain questions a challenge could also be introduced. It is clear a more robust and in-depth understanding of 'Don't know' responses is important for the accuracy of social surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the establishment of the East St. Louis National Catholic Community House in 1919 as part of the National Catholic War Council's efforts to involve Catholic women in Americanization programs. The house aimed to address the issues of immigration and racial tensions in East St. Louis, Illinois. However, the Catholic laywomen who staffed the house focused primarily on assisting Polish, Lithuanian, and Bohemian immigrants, rather than addressing the city's racial and economic problems. The article explores the contradictions and challenges faced by the NCWC secretaries in their efforts to establish a place for Catholics in a national endeavor while reinforcing existing class, ethnic, and racial divides. [Extracted from the article]

The expansion of the global tourism market has accelerated the development of small tourist islands. The rapid growth of tourist scale and activity intensity poses a potential threat to the fragile ecosystems of small islands. This article focuses on the ecological stresses small tourism islands face in their development. Compared with similar studies, we found a more flexible way to measure ecological stress of current activities. We show a framework for ecological stress assessment on small rural islands and illustrate it with Weizhou Island, China. It reveals a new approach to combining ecological footprint, geographic data, and visitor activity data. This combination enables a spatial linkage between biophysical and social surveys. To verify the validity of the assessment framework, we assessed the spatial distribution of ecosystem loss on the island using habitat quality. A multi‐scale geographically weighted model describes the spatial correlation between ecological stress and habitat quality. Real‐world application cases were used to test the usability and practical use of the policy assessment framework. We provide methodological and application‐based contributions to support the sustainable development of small tourist islands. Overall, the assessment framework offers a reliable solution for systematically collecting, analyzing, and reporting ecological stresses faced by small tourist islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The academic literature showed an increasing interest in studying the link between national identity and anti-immigrant sentiment. This work is based on ten countries from the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) dataset for two different waves: 2003 and 2013. The paper aims to analyse the influence of the three facets of national identity (nationalism, political patriotism, and cultural patriotism) and other socioeconomic traits on attitudes towards immigrants (ATI). Untried methods in social science based on the fuzzy-hybrid analysis (FHA) and the fuzzy clustering are used first to analyse citizens according to their levels of openness towards immigrants, nationalism, cultural patriotism, and political patriotism. Then, the ordered probit model is applied to thoroughly examine the intricate relationships connecting the three facets of national identity and individual sociodemographic characteristics with ATI. The results show that the national identity and cultural patriotism constructs negatively influence ATI, while political patriotism positively influences ATI. In addition, country, political orientation, age, religion, economic situation, gender, place of birth, principal status, and education are crucial factors that explain ATI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life satisfaction has become an important indicator for understanding the welfare level of countries, particularly today when immigration is increasing for various reasons such as war and the desire for better living conditions, good job opportunities, and high-quality education. This study investigates the life satisfaction of people who have left their community and established a new life at the expense of being a foreigner and a member of a minority community. In this study, the data of people living in Europewere used. Since the dominant religion in Europe is Christianity, Muslims are considered a minority. The study selects Islam as one of the minority religions in Europe and examines whether the life satisfaction of people who state that they are Muslim differs from that of non-minority Christians. For this purpose, ten countries with Muslim minorities were selected from the data of the European Social Survey (ESS). The life satisfaction of two groups, Muslim minority and Christians, was analyzed through a path model, which consists of socio-economic indicators, and the trust component, using the path analysis method. Age, income, interpersonal trust, and governmental trust indicators were significant variables in both groups. Unexpectedly, religiosity was shown to have a positive effect on life satisfaction only for the Christian group and had no significant effect for the Muslim minority group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]