Factors Influencing Low Utilization of Postnatal Care at Six Days Among Mothers in Rural Zambia: A Case of Siavonga District Hospital

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Postnatal care (PNC) is a critical intervention for reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, yet its utilization remains low in many rural African settings. This study assessed factors influencing low attendance of postnatal mothers at six days at Siavonga District Hospital, Zambia. A cross-sectional study design was employed involving 384 postnatal women selected from Maternal and Child Health (MCH) registers. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using SPSS version 24. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square tests were used to determine associations between socio-demographic variables and PNC attendance.

Only 14.2% of mothers attended postnatal services at six days, indicating critically low utilization. Significant factors associated with non-attendance included maternal age, parity, education level, distance to the health facility, and knowledge of PNC services. Social and cultural practices such as postpartum seclusion, negative perceptions of health workers, long waiting times, and limited partner support were also identified as key barriers.

The findings highlight the need for community-based awareness programs, improved quality of care at facilities, and strengthened male involvement strategies. Enhancing early postnatal follow-up services could substantially improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in rural Zambia.

Digital Advertising and Customer Purchase Decisions in the Hospitality Industry: Evidence from Hyatt Hotels in Indonesia

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Digital advertising has become a critical strategic tool for hospitality firms seeking to influence customer behavior and enhance competitiveness in increasingly digitalized markets. This study aims to examine the effects of multiple digital advertising channels—namely e-mail marketing, mobile marketing, social media marketing, search engine marketing, affiliate marketing, and website marketing—on customer purchase decisions at different stages of the decision-making process in the hospitality industry. A quantitative research design was employed using a survey method, with 170 customers who had stayed at Hyatt Hotels in Indonesia within the past 6–12 months selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results of the measurement model assessment confirm that all constructs demonstrate satisfactory validity and reliability. The findings indicate that digital advertising channels exert differentiated effects across the customer decision journey. E-mail marketing, social media marketing, and search engine marketing significantly influence the information search stage, while mobile marketing and search engine marketing affect the evaluation of alternatives. Notably, affiliate marketing exhibits a significant positive effect across all stages, including the final purchase decision, highlighting its critical role in driving conversion. Conversely, website marketing does not show a significant impact at any stage of the purchase decision process. These findings underscore the importance of aligning digital advertising strategies with specific stages of customer decision-making. The study provides managerial implications for hospitality firms to adopt an integrated, channel-specific digital advertising strategy to enhance customer engagement and improve purchase conversion in competitive hospitality markets.

Nutritional Retention and Sensory Properties of Novel Tropical Vegetable Juice Formulations Prepared via Non-Thermal Processing

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The development of functional beverages derived from tropical vegetables offers growing potential within the global health-focused food sector. This study formulated and evaluated three non-thermally processed Tropical Vegetable Juice Formulations (TVJF) using Ipomoea aquatica (kangkung) as the primary raw material. The objectives were to compare nutrient retention between juice and raw leaves, assess consumer sensory acceptance across different formulations, and evaluate commercialisation potential. Proximate and mineral analyses were conducted on TVJF-K and compared with raw vegetable samples using standard AOAC methods, while sensory evaluation of three formulations (TVJF-1, TVJF-2, and TVJF-3) employed a 5-point hedonic scale assessing colour, aroma, texture/stability, flavour, and overall acceptance among 30 untrained panelists. Results indicated that the juice retained approximately 80–95% of key minerals, particularly calcium, magnesium, iron, and copper, demonstrating effective preservation through non-thermal cold extraction. Sensory analysis revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in colour, aroma, flavour, or overall acceptance among formulations, although texture/stability differed significantly (p = 0.02). All formulations achieved mean scores above 3.0, indicating favourable consumer acceptance. These findings demonstrate that simple non-thermal processing can maintain both nutritional integrity and sensory quality in tropical vegetable juices, highlighting strong potential for industrial application, product diversification, and expansion within the regional functional beverage market.

The Effects of Calcidiol and Betaglucan as Feed Additives on the Performance and Physiological Parameters of Laying Hens

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This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding a combination of calcidiol and betaglucan to feed on the production performance of laying hens aged 0–21 days, immune organ morphometry, and blood hematology of laying hens aged 12 weeks. The study used 500 Day-Old Chicks (DOC) of the Hy-Line Brown strain, divided into two treatments. The data obtained were analyzed using the Independent T-Test and descriptively for variables related to body weight uniformity and mortality. Treatment T0 = basal feed (control), T1 = basal feed supplemented with calcidiol 5.000 IU/kg and betaglucan 40mg/kg in the feed. The results showed that the addition of a combination of calcidiol and betaglucan had a significant effect (P < 0.01) on increasing feed efficiency in group T1 during the third week, resulting in a 21.51% improvement in feed conversion and bone marrow density at 12 weeks of age. The treatment did not have a significant effect (P > 0.05) on spleen and bursa morphometry, blood hematology, IgG, and IgM levels. Descriptively, the addition of Calcidiol-Betaglucan had a better effect on body weight uniformity, which was 3.84% higher than the control, and total mortality, which was 0.49% lower in T1 than in T0. The conclusion of this study is that the addition of the combination of calcidiol and betaglucan has potential as a functional feed additive to support early growth efficiency and immune system readiness in laying hens.

Digital Transformation and the Future of Public Value

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This study examines technological readiness as a mediator in the relationship between digital transformation and public value, filling an important gap in the literature about causal pathways in developing countries. Combining theories of digital transformation, technological readiness, and public value, the research involved 200 digital service users in Malang City. Bootstrap mediation analysis showed that digital transformation significantly affects public value (β=0.4146, p<0.001), with technological readiness mediating 35.51% of the total effect (ACME=0.1497), while the direct effect remained notable (ADE=0.2650). Results indicate partial mediation, implying that digital transformation adds value through two pathways. The study proposes a dual-pathway model that highlights the importance of investing in both digital infrastructure and user literacy, guiding comprehensive digital policies and broadening understanding of digital transformation in Indonesia’s context, characterized by high technological readiness heterogeneity.

Combined Drying Technologies for Preserving the Quality of Backyard Averroha Carambola L. in Veracruz, Mexico

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Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) is cultivated in Asian and Latin American countries and has high nutritional value due to its content of bioactive compounds, polyphenols, vitamins A and C, minerals, and antioxidant activity. However, its high water content makes it highly perishable, limiting its preservation and commercialization; therefore, it is necessary to develop technological alternatives that extend its shelf life without affecting its organoleptic and nutritional quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate combined power ultrasound-assisted drying technologies for obtaining star fruit flakes as a preservation alternative, analyzing their effect on physicochemical, functional, and sensory attributes. Fruit from the Postgraduate College, Veracruz Campus, was used, and osmotic dehydration (OD) curves were performed at 50 and 60 °Brix, using ultrasound (US) as a pretreatment to convective drying (CS). Drying kinetics were performed at 50 and 60 °C, and total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS), oxalic acid, color (ΔE), moisture, total solids, water activity (aw), and texture in the center and periphery were evaluated, in addition to sensory analysis. The DO treatments assisted with ultrasound reached equilibrium in less time. The 60°Brix-CUS-60 °C treatment showed lower final moisture content, while the 60°Brix-CUS-50 °C treatment reached an aw of approximately 0.47, favoring microbiological stability. The 60 °Brix DO treatment with ultrasound and 60 °C surface drying showed lower moisture content and higher total solids content. The 60 °Brix DO treatment without ultrasound and 50 °C surface drying preserved phenols better, reducing oxalic acid by >50% and showing improvements in antioxidant activity. High sensory acceptability was obtained. It is concluded that the DO-US-SC combination is effective in preserving carambola with adequate quality and acceptance.

A Proposed Process Framework for Developing the Competencies of Primary School Teachers in Facilitating Game-Based Learning Oriented Towards Education for Sustainable Development

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Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) through Game-Based Learning (GBL) is a highly effective pedagogical approach, creating a simulation space that helps primary school students experience and solve practical problems. However, through a review of international literature, the article points out a paradox: although teachers support GBL, the lack of games literacy and design skills makes them passively reuse available games on gaming platforms. In order to thoroughly address this gap, the study proposes a strategic shift in training towards Learning by Design and Mentoring. The core contribution of this article is a practical 4-stage professional development process framework: Activating and enhancing game awareness, Game design and creation, Honing pedagogical and reflective skills, and Practical implementation and mentoring. This is a standardized roadmap that helps educational institutions confidently transform their teaching staff from users into designers of sustainable educational environments.

The Guangdong–SDT Paradox: Learning Climate and the Cultural Internalization of Motivation in Elite Dance Education

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This study investigates the interplay between motivational orientations, learning climate, and student engagement within elite undergraduate dance programs in Guangdong, China. While Self-Determination Theory (SDT) typically frames controlled motivation as maladaptive, this research posits a “Guangdong–SDT Paradox,” where culturally embedded obligations support persistence. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 509 dance students across six institutions and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results identify learning climate as the dominant predictor of multidimensional engagement, explaining over 70% of the variance. Consistent with SDT, autonomous motivation strongly predicted engagement and partially mediated the influence of the learning climate. However, contrary to Western-centric models, controlled motivation exhibited a significant positive effect on engagement, suggesting that collectivist values such as filial piety and institutional “face” function as adaptive mechanisms in high-performance contexts. These findings support a theory of “contextualized universality,” where basic psychological needs are universal but their expression is culturally modulated. The study concludes that instructor-led autonomy support is essential for internalizing both intrinsic and culturally sanctioned motivations, offering a framework for sustaining engagement in elite arts education.

Biopsychosocial Model Analysis of Risk Factors for Suicide in Mexico: Systematic Review (2019–2024)

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 Suicidal behavior in Mexico constitutes an urgent public health problem, that requires integrating biological, psychological, and social dimensions. The objective of this systematic review was to identify and organize risk factors associated with death by suicide in Mexican population between 2019 and 2024, using the biopsychosocial model as a theoretical framework. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251131626) and followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A structured search was conducted in PubMed, inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied; three independent authors performed a quality analysis; 110 full-text articles were evaluated, and 57 were included for the final analysis.

The findings were organized into 75 categories grouped by biopsychosocial domains. Psychological factors were the most frequent, highlighting depression, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, hopelessness, impulsivity, and self-harming behaviors. At the biological level, studies identified associations with sex, age, chronic diseases, substance use, and emerging findings in genetics, neuroendocrinology, and physiological markers. In the social dimension, interpersonal violence, adverse experiences in childhood, low social and family support, socioeconomic inequalities, and stigma predominated. Persistent methodological limitations were also observed in the studies reviewed, including the predominance of cross-sectional designs, convenience samples, heterogeneous instruments, and limited representation of structurally vulnerable populations.

The results show that Mexican research remains fragmented, focusing mainly on individual factors and providing little integrative analysis across biological, psychological, and social dimensions. So, it is required to evolve towards robust explanatory models incorporating longitudinal methodologies, a gender perspective, intersectional approaches, and multivariate frameworks that allow the understanding of individual vulnerability and structural conditions.

Building Business Resilience in Small Economies: Lessons from SMEs in the United Kingdom

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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a central role in the United Kingdom’s economic structure, yet they remain particularly vulnerable to systemic shocks such as pandemics, economic restructuring, and supply chain disruptions. Recent crises, including COVID-19 and post-Brexit adjustments, have highlighted the uneven capacity of SMEs to absorb, adapt to, and recover from turbulence. This study examines how UK SMEs build business resilience by analysing the combined influence of internal organisational capabilities and external institutional support mechanisms. Drawing on Resource-Based View, Dynamic Capabilities Theory, and Institutional Theory, the research adopts a mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were collected through a structured survey of 400 UK SMEs and analysed using regression and structural equation modelling, while qualitative insights were generated from in-depth case studies with SME owners, financial institutions, and business support organisations. The findings reveal that leadership agility, digital readiness, and financial management capabilities are significant predictors of resilience outcomes. External factors, including government support schemes, access to finance, and business networks, were found to moderate and strengthen the effects of internal capabilities rather than substitute for them. The study contributes a multi-level model of SME resilience that integrates firm-level and institutional dimensions and offers evidence-based implications for policymakers and practitioners seeking to enhance SME sustainability in turbulent economic environments.