Practical Action Research Articles

Urban resilience at multi levels: reciprocally from the local level to the sky

Abstract Climate change, growing social inequalities as well as hazards of ecological and economic origin will dominate the life of all of us – wherever we live. The global community demands in this context that ‘no one shall be left behind’. The factors of influence mentioned do not stop at administrative borders though. They interact with all levels of governance and are, in fact, relevant not only for cities and communities but also for regions, nations and supranations. Taking this relation as given would mean pursuing a multi-level approach towards urban resilience (and sustainability). The paper discusses a respective approach, which some countries have chosen in cooperation with their cities and communities to better understand the requirements for a resilient urban future and thus develop and implement adequate tools as well as coordinate and continuously enhance respective processes. Tools in that respect would refer to legislation and funding programmes in the same way as processes could address the notion of cooperation and coproduction. Urban pilot projects, like the ones on post-COVID-19-Pandemic conditions, might serve as reference points for addressing multi-level actions in practice by both, a national and a local level, and thus supporting cities and communities in strengthening their resilience against multiple crises.

Physical Activity and Obesity - Underlying Mechanisms, Practical Actions

Individuals with obesity who undergo surgical or pharmacological therapies achieve good results in terms of weight and cardiometabolic risk reduction. It is not uncommon for those affected to equate the extent of weight loss achieved, with long-term treatment success. What is overlooked is that, in addition to obesity, significant weight loss also carries a risk of sarcopenia. Sarcopenic obesity and sarcopenia, in turn, increase the risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Physical activity has the potential to counteract cardiometabolic disease risk caused by obesity and sarcopenia. The underlying mechanism is contained in the endocrine organ skeletal muscle. The production and release of myokines in particular counteracts sarcopenic obesity and its complications. Physical activity is required to initiate myokine production. Endurance and strength training proves to be an effective training combination. In order to achieve a sustainable cardiometabolic risk reduction, the objectives and timing of physical activity should therefore be divided into two phases, a preparatory phase and an actual weight loss phase.

체코 교육의 전통과 의미

The Czech Republic has recognized the importance of education from an early age and has made efforts to establish concepts and ideas for this purpose. In the case of the Czech Republic, the main ideas of Czech education were established through the Middle Ages and the Baroque period, and that tradition was unified in the late 19th century and became the fundamental ideology of policy. Although this tradition was temporarily interrupted through the process of communism and changes occurred in Czech educational policies after the transition, the educational ideas and traditions that underlie them remain unchanged. The ideological and philosophical background of Czech education begins with Jan Hus, who set an example of the fundamental spirit of education, which is the restoration of humanity, and of putting this into practical action. And this idea developed through Petr Chelčický, who laid the framework for the idea of peace through ‘non-violence’. This development continues through J. A. Comenius(J. A. Komenský), who has the title of father of pedagogy, who emphasized the ‘pan-educational thinking’ that humans can and should be educated without conditions, regardless of gender, race, and ethnicity. His ‘peace education ideology’ and pedagogical theory and system became the starting point for creating ‘international cooperation and system’ in education. The ‘humanistic ideas’ and efforts toward education that they emphasized have been passed down to modern President T. G. Masaryk, and form the core ideas of Czech education in the future, and have a powerful influence in forming the consciousness and identity of the Czech people. When the Czech Republic became a Soviet bloc, there was a time when it deviated from its traditions and legacy, such as the centralized education system, but after the reform, it sought to return to an essential and fundamental system, and the change was also based on the spirit of Hus and Comenius of the past.

Nursing Care for Oxygenation Needs Disorder in Patients Diagnosed with Bronchitis in the Jimbaran Lama Ward

Ineffective airway clearance is one of the oxygenation disorders in patients with respiratory disorders (bronchitis). One of the practical nursing actions is to cough effectively to remove mucus in the respiratory tract. This study aimed to determine and analyze nursing care for impaired oxygenation needs in patients with a medical diagnosis of bronchitis in the old Jimbaran room. This research method uses a descriptive design as a nursing practice case study approach. The case study examines the respiratory rate (RR) of patients with respiratory disorders (bronchitis) after giving effective coughing measures for 3x24 hours. The results showed that the patient's RR before implementation was 24 x/min. In comparison, after being given an effective cough implementation for 3x24 hours, the RR was 20 x/min. In conclusion, nursing actions that need to be taken in patients with respiratory disorders (bronchitis) include assessing sputum production, effective coughing techniques, counseling regarding positioning, and collaborative oxygen or nebulizer administration. The implication of this study is the importance of effective coughing measures in managing bronchitis patients, including evaluation of sputum production, training in proper coughing techniques, education on proper positioning, and collaboration with oxygen or nebulizer administration as needed. Synchronization between research objectives and research conclusions. Present the research subject, research criteria, data collection methods, and data analysis.

Connecting the dots: a systematic review of explanatory factors linking contextual indicators, institutional culture and degree awarding gaps

PurposeThe primary aim of this paper is to illuminate the critical issue of the degree awarding gap in the UK, which significantly impacts students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and minority groups. By conducting a systematic review of existing literature following the PRISMA protocol, this study seeks to uncover the complex web of explanatory factors that mediate the relationship between contextual indicators, institutional culture, and degree awarding disparities. Addressing this gap is vital for promoting social justice, enhancing the economy, safeguarding the reputation of UK universities, and adhering to legal responsibilities. This paper endeavours to provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying causes of degree awarding gaps and offer evidence-based recommendations for the higher education sector to mitigate these disparities.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a systematic review design, adhering to the PRISMA protocol, to meticulously analyse the existing body of literature concerning the degree awarding gap in UK higher education. By systematically gathering, evaluating, and synthesizing relevant studies, the review aims to identify and understand the multifaceted factors mediating the link between contextual indicators, institutional culture, and the disparities observed in degree awarding. This methodological approach ensures a rigorous and transparent examination of the literature, enabling the identification of both the breadth and depth of research on the topic. Through this design, the paper aspires to uncover nuanced insights into the mechanisms driving degree awarding gaps.FindingsThe review’s findings reveal that degree awarding gaps in UK universities are influenced by a constellation of factors, highlighting the complexity of this issue. Key among these are unconscious bias, limited student engagement opportunities with academic staff, institutional racism, inadequate support systems, and a scarcity of social and cultural capital. These factors collectively contribute to significant disparities in degree outcomes, disproportionately disadvantaging students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and minority groups. The evidence suggests that institutional practices and culture play a pivotal role in either exacerbating or alleviating these disparities, indicating the need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of degree awarding gaps.Research limitations/implicationsOne strength of conducting a systematic review is its rigorous and meticulous nature, which ensures that the process is carefully planned and executed. This comprehensive approach allows for the elimination of biases, as the review systematically gathers and analyses existing literature on the topic. By adhering to a structured methodology, the systematic review enhances the validity and reliability of the findings, providing a robust and unbiased synthesis of the available evidence. This strength lends credibility to the research and reinforces the confidence in the conclusions drawn from the review.Practical implicationsThe practical implications arising from this information indicate that universities need to address the identified issues directly by implementing supportive strategies and interventions. By doing so, they can create a learning environment that is more inclusive and equitable, allowing all students to unlock their full potential. This may involve measures such as raising awareness about unconscious bias, promoting engagement between academic staff and students, implementing anti-racist policies, establishing comprehensive support systems, and actively fostering social and cultural capital. Such practical actions will contribute to reducing the degree awarding gaps and promoting equal opportunities for all students, ultimately leading to a more equitable and successful educational experience.Social implicationsThe social implications derived from this information are significant. By implementing supportive strategies and interventions to address the identified issues, universities can contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable learning environment. This has the potential to have a transformative impact on society by providing equal opportunities for all students to unlock their full potential. By raising awareness about unconscious bias and implementing anti-racist policies, universities can foster a more diverse and inclusive community. Promoting engagement between academic staff and students and establishing comprehensive support systems can enhance social cohesion and create a sense of belonging. Ultimately, these efforts can lead to reduced degree awarding gaps and contribute to a more equitable and successful educational experience, positively influencing broader social equality and cohesion.Originality/valueThis paper contributes significantly to the literature by offering a comprehensive, systematic review of the factors contributing to the degree awarding gap in UK higher education, highlighting its originality and value. By focusing on the interplay between contextual indicators, institutional culture, and degree awarding disparities, the study provides novel insights into how these dynamics contribute to educational inequities. Furthermore, the evidence-based recommendations for institutional interventions presented in this paper furnish the higher education sector with actionable strategies to foster a more inclusive and equitable learning environment. This work not only advances academic understanding of degree awarding gaps but also offers practical value to policymakers and educational institutions aiming to enhance social justice in higher education.

Dramatización como estrategia didáctica para el aprendizaje del servicio al cliente en estudiantes de la carrera técnica de Secretariado Ejecutivo del Colegio Técnico Profesional La Suiza en el año 2024

The article is about the use of dramatization as a didactic strategy for teaching customer service to students in the Executive Secretariat technical career. Its objective is to explore how this strategy can contribute to learning and to understand students' perception of it. A qualitative and exploratory research approach was employed. Findings revealed significant benefits of the didactic strategy, and the main conclusion was that it facilitated students to put into practice actions related to learning customer service and to enjoy the learning process.

The experience of identifying territorial units and managing the development of rural areas in the European Union and the directions of its use in domestic practice

The article is devoted to the generalization of approaches to the identification of territorial units and management of the rural areas development in the EU and the justification of the need for its use in domestic practice. It was established that several different approaches to the identification of rural territories and territorial units were tested during the nearly twenty-year preparatory period (typology based on a 1 km2 grid; typologies at the LAU 2 level, in particular the degree of urbanization, etc.; at the NUTS 3 levels, in particular urban-rural typology, etc.). which were improved and presented in the Methodological manual on territorial typologies. Today, this technique is basic in establishing the common statistical classification of territorial units (NUTS). It is summarized that cohesion policy is aimed at reducing regional disparities and promoting economic and social cohesion, as well as territorial convergence between EU member states, which has been carried out since the founding of the EU in 1957. In 1992, thefourth cohesion policy fund was created - the Cohesion Fund (FZ) - to finance projects to improve the state of the environment and transport infrastructure in member states where the GNP per capita is less than 90% of the EU average. It was revealed that the formation of the Just Transition Fund in 2021, which corresponds to the EU “green” transition paradigm, was an addition to the institutional architecture. It is argued that the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are the main financial instrument for supporting cohesion policy and include the following components: ERDF (European Regional Development Fund), ESF (European Social Fund), Cohesion Fund (FZ), European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The ERDF has been identified as the largest component of the ESIF, which focuses on promoting economic and social cohesion by investing in infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship. This Fund was found to support projects related to transport, energy, digital infrastructure, research and innovation, and the transition to a low-carbon economy. It is emphasized that this fund contributes to employment, social integration and development of skills of the population. The peculiarities of the cohesion fund, which provides financial assistance to member countries whose GNI per capita is below a certain threshold level, have been considered. It has been established that this fund supports large-scale infrastructure projects in the fields of transport, energy and the environment. At the same time, the EAFRD and EMFF funds support rural development and fisheries respectively, contributing to the overall objectives of cohesion policy. It has been proven that since 2013, the development of multi-year programs for the development of rural areas of the EU countries has been focused on six priorities of sustainable development: promoting the transfer of knowledge and innovations; increasing competitiveness; promoting the organization of the food production chain and risk management; restoration, preservation and development of ecosystems; increasing the efficiency of resource use and transition to a low-carbon economy; promotion of social integration, reduction of poverty and economic development in rural areas. The European Green Course, which aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, is analyzed. As for agriculture and food, the Green Deal envisages measures to increase sustainability in land management, food production and consumption, in particular through measures that will be included in the strategic plans of the common agricultural policy. Activities and practical actions in domestic practice regarding the creation of conditions for the implementation of the European experience regarding the identification of territorial units and the readiness to participate in attracting financial allocations within the framework of current programs based on the implementation of regulatory and legal support and the ability to master the allocated financial funds in full have been determined. Key words: rural territories, territorial units, cohesion fund, green course, sustainable development priorities, structural funds.

Conceptual principles of the agri-food systems development in the conditions of Ukraine post-war recovery

The strategic post-war restoration conceptual principles of agri-food systems on the ensuring basis of the economic growth of the national econom and ensuring the country’s food security and the export potential formation of agro-food products with a high added value are developed in the article. The creation interdisciplinary analysis of added value and its orientation towards the achievement of the country’s Sustainable Development Goals was used as the basis for the development of measures system and practical actions for the strategic recovery of the agrifood sector. The current operating conditions of the agri-food sector is proved to require the strategic programs review and tools definition for its state support. It has been established that the agriculture share in many world countries is decreasing due to the industries development of deep processing of agricultural raw materials, population migration, however, in Ukraine, a rather high value of this indicator is observed with an insufficient amount of added value per worker. It was concluded about the comparative advantages trends restoration of Ukrainian agricultural products acquired in the past, the production growth dynamics, the exports expansion of deeply processed food products. In order to strengthen the studied sector position of the economy in world exports and overcome import dependence in technologies and material and technical resources, measures implementation for industries revival is foreseen on the basis of ensuring the agriculture orientation towards the «Agriculture 4.0» model implementation of scientific and technological development. The challenges of global climate changes, price volatility on the global agri-food market, martial law in the country, etc., which affect the development of the national agri-food system, are highlighted, and the main measures to minimize their negative impact are identified. To sum up, there is a need to calculate the resource potential amount of agriculture and develop a practical action system and measures to restore it to the pre-war period values, as well as the introduction of innovative technologies to increase crop capacity, productivity and reduce food losses. It has been proven that the development of the food industry should be oriented towards the technical and technological modernization of the existing capacities of the food industry and the creation of new factories for deep processing of agricultural raw materials. Measures set and tools for supporting food industry enterprises with the aim of diversifying the product range due to the production of healthy, functional food, deep processing products of agricultural raw materials has been substantiated. Key words: agri-food system, post-war recovery, agriculture, food industry, recovery strategy, agri-food.

Advocacy, experience sharing and action planning toward raising additional financing for primary health care: spending more and spending better towards universal health coverage.

Reallocation of funding to respond the covid-19 pandemic, against a backdrop of longstanding underfunded health systems and high out of pocket expenditures for health, affected access to health services for households, especially those without social protection. These highlighted the urgency in curbing the impact of disruptions on progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals. Strategic investments in Primary Health Care (PHC) can help spur the necessary momentum. Under the collaborative platform of the Harmonization for Health in Africa's Health Financing Technical Working Group; UNICEF Regional Office for East and Southern Africa and WHO Regional Office for Africa convened the first PHC financing forum for 21 countries across the Eastern and Southern Africa Region. The three-day forum engaged key health and financing decision makers in constructive dialogue to identify practical actions and policy changes needed to accelerate delivery of UHC through improvements in PHC financing mechanisms and arrangements. The forum was attended by over 130 senior policy makers and technicians from governments, United Nations agencies and nonstate actors drawn from within country, regional and affiliating headquarter institutions. The Regional Forum engaged participants in meaningful, and constructive discussions. Five themes emerged (1) regular measurement and monitoring of PHC services and spending (2) increasing investments in PHC (3) enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, and equity of PHC spending, (4) ensuring an enabling environment to invest more and better in PHC, and (5) better partnerships for the realization of commitments. An outcome statement summarizing the main recommendations of the meeting was approved at the end of the forum, and action plans were developed by 14 government delegations to improve PHC financing within country-specific context and priorities. The aims of this meeting in augmenting the political will created through the Africa Leadership Meeting (ALM), by catalyzing technical direction for increased momentum for improved health financing across all African countries was achieved. Peer exchanges offered practical approaches countries can take to improve health financing in ways that are suited to regional context providing a channel for incremental improvements to health outcomes in the countries.

Educational Transformation: Refocusing Research, Innovation, Technology Integration and Social Inclusion – An Editorial

In the post-pandemic era, the world simultaneously witnessed a rapid move towards technological integration and global interconnectedness, alongside social-economic disparities and setbacks. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific progress extended beyond the healthcare industry and encompassed various domains of knowledge, including education. The pandemic accelerated the incorporation of ICT in education, an area that had lagged behind other sectors. Conversely, digital integration generates a disparity in knowledge acquisition between individuals who possess access to it and those who do not. This experience serves as a reminder that a considerable number of communities globally remain behind in terms of socioeconomic development and access to digital resources. This trend is especially evident in the global south, where the integration of numerous global educational innovations and approaches may further isolate an already marginalized community by failing to account for contextual factors. Providing this complexity of introducing innovative efforts to education, it is imperative to refocus contextual educational paradigms, employing a multimodal approach that intertwines research, innovation, technology integration, and social inclusion. The purpose of this editorial is to emphasize the importance of an all-encompassing educational approach that not only equips students for the challenges of the future but also cultivates a just, inventive, and resilient society. A total of 11 papers were selected to be published in this issue, which examines four significant domains of educational transformation: the integration of technology, innovative approaches, research in education, and the representation of perspectives from underrepresented groups in education. The increasing integration of technology in the field of education is evident in the articles that discuss ICT, media usage, and visual materials. Two papers revisit inquiry-based science instruction and school-home partnerships as educational strategies. Two publications centered on teachers' practice and intention research and action research exemplify the recent shift towards involving teachers in research activities, both in higher education and at the classroom level. Three additional papers investigate the perspectives of students and underprivileged groups who are often overlooked in the development of education procedures and policies. This journal issue, thus, represents the current focus, endeavors, and implementation of education across several educational disciplines. Teacher’s World: Journal of Education and Research, 49 (2),9-14

Changes in Teachers’ Understandings, Attitude, and practice related to Action Research: The Influence of Gender and Inclusive Pedagogy Training in Bangladesh

Action research has been found to be potential in solving classroom related problems in teachers’ own context and for bringing changes in classrooms making the classrooms more inclusive. Therefore, in a 5-country consortium project, while using a co-designed teachers’ professional development on Gender and Inclusive Pedagogy (GIP), action research was in-built as an important part for problem solving. In a four-tier training program, 95 teachers of the 20 experimental schools of Bangladesh were oriented with action research and gradually achieved necessary skills to practice action research in their classrooms. After each phase of trainings, teachers practiced action research as a tool to mitigate issues related to GIP practice. Both quantitative and qualitative data were obtained from three different sources- observation of the teacher training sessions related to action research, pre and posttests of the trainings, and reflective journals of the teachers. Findings reveal changes in teachers’ understanding, attitude and practice related to action research. Quantitative data shows that there are significant differences in teachers’ understanding related to action research between the pre and post tests in the last two tiers of the trainings. There is significant change in teachers’ ‘attitudes’ related to action research too between the pre and posttests in the third and final tiers of the trainings. Qualitative data also depicted the same gradual changes in teachers’ understanding of and attitude towards conducting action research. Lastly, 17 teachers (8 individually and 9 collaboratively) practiced action research in their classrooms to address different issue or challenges related to student participation and achievement regarding gender and inclusion aspects. The teachers reported reduced student absenteeism, increased student participation in group work, more participation of girls and special need children, more organized and student friendly classrooms. However, challenges remained in ensuring the participation of all students in a meaningful way ensuring quality learning which the teachers are trying to achieve in their next action research cycles. Teachers expressed their worries that they may not be able to continue the action research when the project period is over as there will be no support from the project team members. The study suggests creating groups among teachers in nearby localities who can share, help and collaborate in each other’s action research. Teacher’s World: Journal of Education and Research, 49 (2),15-36

Leadership training and development in the age of artificial intelligence

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the multifaceted implications of AI on leadership dynamics and organizational practices. By synthesizing insights from behavioral theory, AI analytics, and ethical considerations, the study aims to equip leaders with the requisite knowledge, skills, and mindset to foster adaptive leadership, anticipate change, and cultivate innovation amidst AI-driven disruptions.Design/methodology/approachThis article employs a qualitative research approach, integrating literature review and conceptual analysis to explore the intersection of leadership development and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Drawing insights from scholarly articles, theoretical frameworks and practice, the study elucidates the evolving landscape of leadership in the context of AI adoption. Practical action points are derived to guide organizational leaders and educators in navigating AI-induced transformations effectively.FindingsThe integration of AI into leadership dynamics necessitates a paradigm shift in leadership paradigms, emphasizing the fusion of technical proficiency with emotional intelligence. Behavioral theory coupled with AI analytics offers valuable insights into effective leadership behaviors, facilitating the design of tailored leadership development programs. Proactive leadership strategies, ethical considerations, and talent management emerge as pivotal factors in navigating AI-induced transformations and fostering organizational resilience.Originality/valueThis article contributes to the literature by synthesizing diverse perspectives on AI leadership and offering practical action points for organizational leaders and educators. By highlighting the integration of behavioral theory, AI analytics, and ethical considerations, the study underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in leadership research and education. The insights derived from this study inform organizational practices, curriculum development in higher education, and future research agendas, fostering ethical AI adoption and cultivating adaptive leadership cultures in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

The importance of volunteer civil protection and defense agents in reporting accidents and disasters: A case study of the mapping of occurrences in Nova Iguaçu-RJ

This article presents the benefits of a tool that trains volunteers who support the Municipal Protection and Civil Defense Coordination, working to reduce risks and manage accidents and disasters. The research focused on studying the role of volunteering in civil protection and defense in Brazil, identifying the type of disaster, by neighborhood, most relevant in the municipality of Nova Iguaçu, which caused the greatest damage and losses: floods. Furthermore, the relevance of the trained volunteer and the role of the Training Center for Emergencies and Disasters in training and preparing volunteers for a more technical vision were considered. The research methodology was qualitative, with researchers analyzing the information, actions and activities listed, to obtain data on practical actions, involving the target audience of the community. The information was extremely important for the creation of the map and its maintenance through reports from NUPDECs volunteer agents, who were in the affected communities. It is positive to conclude about the relevance of the tool created, despite the difficulties in obtaining the data for its preparation, which were overcome with the partnership of several actors involved.

The influence of CEO ethics on climate change policy from the perspective of utilitarianism and deontology

With the increasing frequency of extreme weather phenomena, governments and firms are increasingly focused on climate change and the challenges of formulating and implementing practical policy and actions. Corporate policies are typically formulated under the direction of the CEO, and yet previous research has largely overlooked the role of the CEO in climate change policy. Text mining methods are used to classify the ethical orientations of individual CEOs as either utilitarian or obligation, to determine whether this orientation changes over time, and how different orientations affect corporate climate change policy. Results show that ethical orientations tend to remain constant, and that firms led by utilitarian CEOs tend to have lower carbon emissions.

Ten tips from the Swiss Working Group on Sustainable Nephrology on how to go green in your dialysis unit.

The health-care system and particularly renal replacement therapy has a significant carbon footprint adding to global warming and extreme weather conditions. Improving sustainability has become the focus of national and international working groups. Many reviews underline the need for improvement of sustainability in nephrology, in particular dialysis, and provide recommendations on how to reduce waste, energy, and water consumption. However, how to implement these recommendations, and where to start, is not always clear. This paper summarizes discussions within the 'working group on sustainable nephrology' of the Swiss Society of Nephrology. We do not provide a detailed review of the topic but instead present a practical 10-point action plan to help health-care workers in nephrology make a start and improve the carbon footprint of their dialysis centres. We emphasize the importance of ongoing research, cooperation, and dialogue, and welcome additional ideas from the wider renal community.

Transdisciplinary Research in Marine Science: What’s the added value of involving stakeholders?

The holistic solution of complex, global problems in marine topics requires innovative research formats - which can be served by transdisciplinarity. To assess the success of the transdisciplinary approach for marine research, several case studies from marine research at Kiel University (Germany) were analysed for this study. Interviews with both scientists and stakeholders were carried out to 1) clarify whether stakeholder involvement in scientific projects provides additional knowledge and to 2) identify the underlying success factors. Both groups see added value in transdisciplinary projects and name positive aspects of cooperation, mutual interaction and information exchange. Essential are the applicability of research results, and the formation and maintenance of networks enabling further joint activities. Stakeholders add practical contexts to scientific knowledge so that the results of this transdisciplinary research can be translated into practical actions. Resource availability sets clear limits within the project framework. Successful transdisciplinary approaches require standardized definitions of terms, the selection of suitable participation formats and continuous, clear communication. Transdisciplinary projects proved suitable as a tool for sensitizing the general public and raising awareness of complex marine challenges.

¿Pa ‘rriba o pa ’bajo? Upward mobility, anti‐Blackness, and the independence question among Puerto Ricans in NYC: A decolonial psychoanalytic study

AbstractPuerto Rico is one of the world's oldest colonies, with thousands of its people dislocated to the United States (U.S.) mainland in the wake of Hurricane Maria and the ongoing economic crisis. However, since the 2019 protests ousting then governor Rosello, Puerto Ricans across the Diaspora are imagining new emancipatory realities, including the possibility of independence. This paper draws on data from the Colonial Mentality Study in New York City (CMS‐NYC, N = 19) to explore how Puerto Ricans in the Diaspora narrativize new political possibilities despite the challenges posed by post‐disaster migration and racial and economic inequality. Using a decolonial psychoanalytic approach, we show how two colonial logics—moving “up and out” of Puerto Rico and “up and in” American capitalism—are textured by discourses of racial inferiority and upward mobility, and illustrate how these are experienced by Puerto Ricans who identify as Multiracial (Multiracial‐Identified Puerto Rican, N = 11), and Puerto Ricans who identify as Black (BIPR, N = 8). Reading our findings in the sociogenic context of race, class, and colonialism in Puerto Rico, and race and class among Puerto Ricans in NYC, we explore how racism toward Puerto Ricans and racism among Puerto Ricans intersect with notions of upward mobility, revealing how anti‐Blackness supports economic inequality in the U.S. mainland alongside with Puerto Rico's colonial situation. Complementing decolonial psychoanalytic theory with the Afro‐Puerto Rican radical tradition, we outline the implications of this research for future scholarship, clinical practice, and political action.

Barriers and facilitators in self-care and management of chronic kidney disease in dialysis patients: A systematic review of qualitative studies.

To identify and synthesise qualitative studies on barriers and facilitators perceived by dialysis patients in relation to self-care and disease management. Systematic review of qualitative studies. Qualitative study articles were extracted from PUBMED, MEDLINE, COCHRANE, WEB OF SCIENCE (WOS), CINAHL PsycINFO and EMBASE and electronic journals of the Spanish Society of Nephrology and Spanish Society of Nephrological Nursing until May 2022. Studies on barriers and/or facilitators affecting self-care and disease management expressed by people undergoing haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis were included. The SPICE (Setting, Perspective, Intervention, Comparison and Evaluation) strategy was used to develop issues and subissues through the thematic synthesis of the qualitative findings. GRADE-CERQual was used to evaluate the articles. From 172 articles, 15 qualitative articles about barriers and facilitators perceived by patients concerning self-care and disease management were finally included. Identified eight facilitators and four barriers. Patients perceived a significant number of barriers and facilitators. It is possible to identify which aspects facilitate self-management of their disease and to understand that the processes are individualised. This is why therapeutic strategies should be designed to foster the participation and empowerment of the person in the management of the disease. Identifying the barriers and facilitators concerning the management of chronic kidney disease furnishes us with knowledge for individualised clinical practice and improved care processes. This review is the first to synthesise barriers and facilitators in haemodialysis patients about the management of their disease and treatment. The results enable the proposal of improvements in the training of healthcare personnel, clinical practice guidelines and action protocols to improve the daily life and management of the disease by patients. No patient or public contribution due to this is a systematic review.

Environmental stewardship: A systematic scoping review.

Environmental stewardship is a term describing both the philosophy and the actions required to protect, restore, and sustainably use natural resources for the future benefit of the environment and society. In this paper, we review the environmental science literature to map the types of practical actions that are identified as 'environmental stewardship' using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for scoping reviews. We specifically mapped: 1) the type of actions and outcomes targeting the natural environment that have been categorized as environmental stewardship, 2) the main actors, and the underlying factors influencing their environmental stewardship actions, and 3) the methods used to mobilize environmental stewardship actions once these factors are known. From the 77 selected articles, we found the term environmental stewardship encompassed a multitude of different actions, undertaken by a range of actors and addressing an array of issues that impact biodiversity on the land and in the water. These stewardship actions were conducted on both privately-owned and publicly managed lands and waterways, and across rural and urban landscapes. Despite many studies identifying characteristics and underlying behavioral factors that predicted actors' participation in stewardship actions, there were few studies formally evaluating interventions to increase stewardship. Our review highlighted the term environmental stewardship is not embraced by all and is viewed by some as being inconsistent with aspects of indigenous worldviews. A better understanding of the concept of environmental stewardship and continued practical research into its practice is fundamental to empowering people to demand and enact environmental stewardship as well as for evaluating the success of their actions.

Effects of experimental drought and plant diversity on multifunctionality of a model system for crop rotation

In low-diversity productive grasslands, modest changes to plant diversity (richness, composition and relative abundance) may affect multiple ecosystem functions (multifunctionality), including yield. Despite the economic importance of productive grasslands, effects of plant diversity and environmental disturbance on multifunctionality are very rarely quantified. We systematically varied species richness, composition, and relative abundance of grassland ley communities and manipulated water supply (rainfed and drought) to quantify effects of diversity and environmental disturbance on multifunctionality. We then replaced the grassland leys with a monoculture crop to investigate ‘follow-on’ effects. We measured six agronomy-related ecosystem functions across one or both phases: yield, yield consistency, digestibility and weed suppression (grassland ley phase), legacy effect (effect on follow-on crop yield), and nitrogen fertiliser efficiency (full rotation). Drought reduced most ecosystem functions, although effects were species- and function-specific. Increased plant diversity affected mean performance, and reduced variation, across the six functions (contributing to multifunctional stability). Multifunctionality index values across a wide range of mixture diversity were higher than the best monoculture under both rainfed and drought conditions (transgressive over-performance). Higher-diversity, lower-nitrogen (150N) mixtures had higher multifunctionality than a low-diversity, higher-nitrogen (300N) grass monoculture. Plant diversity in productive grasslands is a practical farm-scale management action to mitigate drought impacts and enhance multifunctionality of grassland-crop rotation systems.