Vaccine hesitancy in East Malaysia (Sabah): A survey of the national COVID-19 immunisation programme

The Malaysian government has introduced the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) as a new mechanism to address the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Unfortunately, the number of PICK registrations is still unsatisfactory and is now even lower. The low level of participation of the Sabah (East Malaysia) population significantly impacts the PICK registrations. Therefore, this study aims to identify the factors that cause vaccine hesitancy among the people of Sabah. This study seeks to identify these trends based on zone and district boundaries. A total of 1024 respondents were sampled in this study. Raw data collected through the survey method were analysed using K-means clustering, principal component analysis (PCA), and spatial analysis. The study discovered that factors including confidence, authority, mainstream media, complacency, social media, and convenience are the top causes of vaccine hesitancy among respondents. This study also revealed that the Sabah population’s key variables causing vaccine hesitancy to vary by region (zones and districts). The conclusion is significant as a source of supporting data for stakeholders seeking to identify the Sabah population’s constraints in each region and therefore, it would help improve PICK management’s performance in Sabah.

Developing a Personalized Integrative Obesity-Coaching Program: A Systems Health Perspective

Current obesity management strategies are failing to achieve sustainable and favorable long-term results. We propose a more personalized, dynamic, and systemic perspective on the interactions of key determinants and coaching advice on obesity. The aim of this study was to use a systems view on overweight, complexity science, and a transdisciplinary process to develop a five-year personalized integrative obesity-coaching and research program. Managers, medical specialists, clinical psychologists, dieticians, physical- and psychomotor therapists, and lifestyle coaches aligned their perspectives and objectives with experts in systems thinking and systems biology. A systems health model of obesity was used to identify the causal relations of variables with the most influence on obesity. The model helped to align and design a personalized integrative obesity-coaching program and to identify the key variables to monitor the progress and to adjust the personalized program, depending on the goals and needs of the participant. It was decided to use subtyping of participants by a systems biologist, based on traditional Chinese medicine symptoms, as a novel method to personalize the intervention. The collaborative transdisciplinary approach based upon a systems view on obesity was successful in developing a personalized and adaptive five-year obesity-coaching and research program.

A Statistical Approach in the Analysis of Geometrical Product Specification during the Cold Tube Drawing Process

Cold tube drawing provides higher accuracy compared to hot approaches. The process can be used to reduce the dimensions of tubes, and depending on the reduction size, the wall thickness of these may be subject to changes. In the process, any form of variability provoked by external factors is highly sensitive, given that the resulting tubes are often the final step in tube production. This paper focused on the evaluation of the influence of pre-tube factors on key variables after the drawing process, i.e., the final roundness, outer diameter, and wall thickness of the tubes. For these purposes, a factorial design with fixed factors was implemented. It was also a goal to investigate if the single-pass type of drawing would guarantee good statistical results potentially leading to significant time and financial reductions. The measurements were executed in the machine ZEISS CenterMax. The statistical analysis took place on Minitab 19. The results prove that most factors, and their interactions, significantly impacted the response variables, leading the authors to understand that a single-pass approach would not properly work under the conditions defined for the experimentation. These results also allow for reflection on the causes and necessary measures related to lubrication, technological heritage, and quality that would impact the results themselves.

The Storage of Antecedent Precipitation and Air Temperature Signals in Soil Temperature over China

Soil temperature (ST) is one of the key variables in land-atmosphere interactions. The response of ST to atmospheric changes and subsequent influence of ST on atmosphere can be recognized as the processes of signals propagation. Understanding the storing and releasing of atmosphere signals in ST favors the improvement of climate prediction and weather forecast. However the current understanding of the lagging response of ST to atmospheric changes is very insufficient. The analysis based on observation shows that both the storage of air temperature signals in deep ST even after four months and the storage of precipitation signals in shallow ST after one month are widespread phenomena in China. Air temperature signals at 2m can propagate to the soil depths of 160 cm and 320 cm after 1 month and 2 months, respectively. The storage of antecedent air temperature and precipitation signals in ST is slightly weaker and stronger during April to September, respectively, which is related to more precipitation during growing season. The precipitation signals in ST rapidly weaken after 2 months. Moreover, the effects of accumulated precipitation and air temperature on the signal storage in ST have significant monthly variations and vary linearly with soil depth and latitude. The storage of antecedent air temperature or precipitation signals in ST exhibits an obvious decadal variation with a period of more than 50 years, and it may be resulted from the modulation of the global climate patterns which largely affect local air temperature and precipitation.

Local public-private partnerships to promote innovation in agricultural value chains: the case of cocoa in Colombia

The purpose of this study is to explore the possibility of developing more viable local public-private partnerships (LPPP) which may result in innovation in the cocoa value chain, through the agricultural innovation system functions approach. Research was conducted in two rural municipalities in the Department of Antioquia, Colombia. A focus group with stakeholders as well as directed surveys were implemented. 15 experts in the municipality of Necoclí, and 18 experts in the municipality of Caucasia participated. The data were analyzed quantitatively and the MACTOR method was used in order to determine the relationship between actors and the strategic objectives for innovation. Case studies revealed different dynamics, both from the perspective of the interests at play when actors prioritized key variables in each region, as well as their vision regarding strategic objectives to promote innovation in the cocoa value chain. Different degrees of convergence and correspondence between actors and strategic objectives in each region provided the grounds to determine the possible partnerships in the cocoa chain. Key actors with different capabilities and resources were also identified, as they could contribute to leveraging local innovation should a partnership come to be developed.

Assessing Pragmatic Skills in Speech Act Production and Perception

This chapter offers an overview of the research on the assessment of pragmatic skills among L2 speakers, focusing on speech act production and reception. The main characteristics of the key variables involved in the assessment process are also outlined. These include: language users whose pragmatic skills are assessed; raters assessing language users' discourse; discursive phenomena being assessed; approaches adopted for collecting and assessing discursive data; and the criteria used as the standards for assessment. The overall aim of this chapter is to explore how inclusive the assessment of language use in its scope, methods and social relevance. The major trends challenges involved in pragmatic skills assessment practices are identified, implications are drawn from the findings, and suggestions for future research are offered.

The Dynamics of Workplace Relationships, Employee Well-Being, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Employees globally are expected to flourish amidst the uncertainty, volatility, and complexities of the muddy waters of Industry 4.0. To identify changes in the perceived workplace relationships and consider initiatives that will improve interpersonal relationships at work in the 4IR. A review of literature will be conducted on the following key variables: 4IR. In the 4IR, provision of interpersonal other than digital means of communicating with employees, effectiveness in intra-organizational information sharing among employees, constant training on new and improved technological tools of working will be useful. Human resource practitioners should focus on designing strategies to improve IR at work, in order to minimize interpersonal conflicts, provide social support and improve organisational performance.

The Relationship between Natural Environment Relatedness and Emotional Well-Being: A Systematic Review and Proposed Conceptual Framework Experience

The influence of the natural environment on emotional well-being has been highlighted at the peak of the Covid 19 pandemic that saw most countries impose prolonged total lockdowns and movement restrictions on their citizens. While researchers have recently emphasized the need to focus not only on students’ academic achievement but also on their inner needs, which include their emotional well-being, studies have found nature connectedness has a positive effect on emotional well-being and physical health. Many studies on nature and well-being have focused on physiological and psychological experimental research to examine before and after exposure to nature. However, there is still a need for further investigation how emotional connection between nature environments in the aspect of restorativeness and spiritual values improve mental health. This paper systematically reviewed previous studies about the relationship between exposure to the natural environment and well-being focusing on key variables, underpinning theories, methodological processes and samples. As a result of the review, a conceptual framework is proposed for future studies on relationship between exposure to the natural environment and well-being. We hope that the proposed framework will be empirically tested in future studies.

Risk, worry and motivation: How is public knowledge of dementia shaped?

Background and Objectives Due to the concern over global rising rates of dementia, increased emphasis has been placed on understanding and moulding the public’s knowledge and awareness of the condition. There has been limited previous research into predictors of dementia knowledge; overall knowledge amongst the public is low, and it has been widely agreed that more needs to be done to raise awareness of this condition. This study seeks to solidify understanding of public dementia knowledge and introduces dementia worry, motivation to seek information and risk perception as novel concomitants of this knowledge. Research Design and Methods A convenience sample of 311 UK adults completed a survey on dementia knowledge including Alzheimer’s disease-specific questions, worry about developing dementia, motivation to seek information and perceived personal risk of getting the disease. Surveys were completed face-to-face and included both closed and open-ended questions. Results Overall dementia knowledge scores were low, achieving an average of 33% of the total possible score, with 88% of the sample scoring below 50%. Bivariate correlations were performed between dementia knowledge and key variables, revealing significant positive relationships with risk perception ( r = 0.179, p = .002), worry ( r = 0.140, p = .016) and motivation to seek information ( r = 0.139, p = .016). When knowledge was dichotomised into high and low, worry about ( p = .28) and perceived risk ( p = .19) of dementia was significantly lower for people with low knowledge scores than for people with higher dementia knowledge scores. Motivation to seek information was not significantly different between the high and low knowledge groups ( p = .071). Discussion and Implications Despite the relatively low knowledge scores, findings show a positive relationship between modifiable factors and dementia knowledge, suggesting areas to consider for both further research and publication campaigns. Further implications and limitations of this study are discussed.