Opportunities For Adaptation Research Articles

Development and Validation of The Media Influence on Health Information Perception and Behaviour Scale (MIHIPBS)

With the omnipresence of media in the digital age, understanding its impact on individuals' health information perception and behaviors has become paramount. This study presents the meticulous development and rigorous validation of the Media Influence on Health Information Perception and Behavior Scale (MIHIPBS) using the Content Validity Index (CVI) method. The scale development process comprised several critical phases, including item generation, expert panel formation, content validity assessment, and pilot testing. A panel of nine experts, encompassing diverse backgrounds such as psychology, public health, communication studies, and measurement development, rigorously examined each item's relevance to the construct of "Media Influence on Health Information Perception and Behavior." These experts assigned ratings on a 4-point Likert scale, ranging from "Not relevant" (1) to "Highly relevant" (4). To determine content validity, the study adhered to established recommendations for acceptable cut-off scores which were contingent upon the number of experts involved Lynn, Davis, Polit & Beck, and Polit et al.2006. Various validity indices, including the Item-Level Content Validity Index (I-CVI), Scale-Level Content Validity Index based on the Average Method (S-CVI/Ave), and Scale-Level Content Validity Index based on the Universal Agreement Method (S-CVI/UA), were meticulously calculated. The outcomes of the content validity assessment were resoundingly positive. All items within the MIHIPBS attained remarkably high I-CVI scores, significantly exceeding the established acceptable threshold. Moreover, the S-CVI/Ave, calculated as the mean of the I-CVI scores for all items, unequivocally demonstrated robust content validity (Hamie et al. Ozair et al., Lau et al., and Marzuki et al.2018. Of particular significance, the S-CVI/UA, representing the proportion of items achieving the highest relevance rating by all experts, decisively met the prescribed cut-off score. These findings unequivocally affirm the MIHIPBS as an exceptionally valid and comprehensive instrument for capturing the complex dynamics of media's influence on health information perception and behavior. The MIHIPBS emerges as an invaluable and validated tool poised to make substantial contributions to research, practice, and policymaking within the domains of health communication, media literacy, and public health. Its versatility extends to assessing the efficacy of media-based health interventions, evaluating the impact of media campaigns on health decision-making, and informing targeted health communication strategies. Future endeavors should explore opportunities for cross-cultural validation, longitudinal assessments, and adaptations to account for emerging media modalities.

The global ESG trend and adaptation opportunities in the emerging hydrogen economy: A corporate governance perspective

AbstractThe development of the hydrogen economy (HE) has become the main direction of climate-focused economic progress. Although the gap between the potential impact of energy companies and their actual willingness or ability needs to be bridged by corporate governance and economic policy, these dynamics are underrepresented in the literature. As environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) considerations could foster adaptation and developing hydrogen technologies, the goal of this systematic literature review is to explore the specific environmental and energy aspects of ESG and the adaptation opportunities which could contribute to HE development. Findings suggest that ESG as a new institution in the economy might be in line with national and international policies, but corporate efforts at improving environmental performance could be further oriented directly or indirectly toward hydrogen technologies, for example, through cost reduction initiatives, favourable taxation, or specific requirements for sustainability reporting. On the corporate level, external and internal change drivers could lead to strategic and governance adaptation measures in line with HE development policy. The study contributes to the literature through the intersection analysis of the global ESG trend and the development policy of the HE, which has been overlooked to date, especially from a corporate governance perspective.

Farmers perspectives on options for and barriers to implementing climate resilient agriculture and implications for climate adaptation policy

The impacts of climate change in low lying coastal areas, such as Bangladesh, are adversely affecting food and livelihood security, requiring adaptation to build resilience. However, effective implementation is limited by a lack of local-level knowledge regarding the barriers that prevent adoption and up-scaling of climate resilient agriculture (CRA). Case studies in coastal Bangladesh provide novel insights regarding barriers to planned and autonomous adaptation from the perspective of farmers facing multiple climate change impacts across seven key dimensions of CRA (agrometeorology services, water management practices, nutrient management activities, technologies and knowledge management activities, infrastructure development, socio-economic resilience, and institutions and good governance). Farmers generally perceive that adaptation actions increase resilience in crop production systems and their surrounding social systems, but also identify the important barriers that inhibit or constrain planned and autonomous adaptation opportunities. Planned adaptation actions are perceived to be limited by institutional arrangements and lack of implementation capacity. Autonomous adaptation was found to be dependent on income level, farm-holding size, access to input resources and services and peer/social influences. Planned and autonomous adaptation actions were both affected by specific social and geographic contexts and cultural factors. Recommendations are suggested to address key constraints and thereby promote CRA in coastal agricultural landscapes in Bangladesh and in other developing countries confronting similar challenges.

A youth-centred approach to improving engagement in HIV services: human-centred design methods and outcomes in a research trial in Kisumu County, Kenya

IntroductionInnovative interventions are needed to improve HIV outcomes among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) living with HIV. Engaging AYAs in intervention development could increase effectiveness and youth acceptance, yet research...

Climate change adaptation stories: Co-creating climate services with reindeer herders in Finland

Reindeer husbandry in the Arctic region is strongly affected by the local climate. Reindeer herders are used to coping with adverse weather, climate, and grazing conditions through autonomous adaptation. However, today's rapidly changing Arctic environment poses new challenges to the management of herding activities. Finding means for combining traditional and scientific knowledge without depriving any of the systems of its fundamental strengths is hence deemed necessary. In this work, we apply a transdisciplinary framework for knowledge co-production involving international researchers and reindeer herders from different cooperatives in northern Finland. Through ‘climate change adaptation stories’, we co-explore how climate predictions can inform herders' decision making during the herding season. Relevant decisions include the anticipation of summer harvest time, the inopportune periods of cold weather in spring, and insect harassment in summer. Despite their potential benefits for climate-sensitive decisions, climate predictions have seen limited uptake, mainly due to their probabilistic nature and lower quality compared with shorter-term weather forecasts. The analysis of two different adaptation stories shows that seasonal predictions of temperature for May and June can successfully advise about the likelihood of having an earlier than normal harvest. This information can be obtained up to three months in advance, helping herders to better arrange their time for other activities. Likewise, sub-seasonal predictions of temperature during April and May can be useful to anticipate the occurrence of backwinter episodes, which can support herders in deciding whether to feed reindeer in pens for longer, avoiding putting the survival of calves at risk. This study, which would benefit from co-evaluation in real world settings and consideration of additional adaptation stories, sets the basis for a successful co-production of climate services with Arctic reindeer herders. This research shows the potential to enhance the resilience of Polar regions, offering opportunities for adaptation while supporting the sustainability and culture of traditional practices of Arctic communities.

Charting the Financial Landscape: ECU, SDR, BRICS, and Cryptocurrencies - Addressing Challenges and Paving the Path Forward

Currently, the financial landscape is evolving very quickly, new technologies and changes in customer wishes and fulfillment time make currencies take on different forms and functions, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities. This article explores the historical development and contemporary meaning of currencies, ranging from traditional units of account such as the ECU and the SDR to the emerging association of economic power, the BRICS and the disruptive force of cryptocurrencies. The article begins by tracing the historical evolution of these currencies, shedding light on their origins and roles in international finance. It examines the influence of the ECU, SDR and BRICS and their potential in reshaping the global financial order. The rise of cryptocurrencies, their underlying technology (blockchain), and their transformative impact on traditional financial systems are also explored in depth. Common challenges and issues facing these forms of currency are identified, including regulatory complexities, volatility, security concerns, and barriers to adoption. The article examines the integration of traditional coins, simple or composite, into the cryptocurrency ecosystem, offering insights into potential solutions to address these challenges. Regarding the future, in its dynamics, the article offers a forward-looking perspective on the evolving role of these currencies in a globalized economy, highlighting opportunities for adaptation, cooperation, and resettlement of geopolitical and financial grace. The paper concludes with a call to navigate the complexities of the modern financial landscape with flexibility, innovation and attention to socio-economic impact. This article serves as a comprehensive resource for economists, policymakers, investors, companies, and individuals seeking to understand the dynamic interplay of currencies in the ever-changing world of finance.

Move up or move over: mapping opportunities for climate adaptation in Pakistan’s Indus plains

The 2022 Indus floods in Pakistan underscore the urgency of adapting to more frequent and severe natural disasters in a warming world. Post-disaster reconstruction offers a chance to built-in adaptation measures, but identifying feasible and cost-effective adaptation options is challenging, especially in data-scarce regions. Here we employ a high-resolution rapid assessment of flood stages combined with demographic data to identify adaptation opportunities and costs for the Indus floodplains. Under a plausible set of assumptions, we find that rebuilding houses in a flood-proof, elevated manner (‘moving up’) or (temporary) relocation (‘moving over’) could have protected 13%, respectively 16% of people affected during the 2022 floods, while the remaining 70% of people were exposed to shallow water levels that could have been addressed with low-cost adaptation. Implementing these measures during ongoing reconstruction could be an effective adaptation to future floods but will come with substantial costs. Rebuilding in a flood-proofed manner (‘moving up’) alone would already increase costs by 26%–63% ($1.5bn–$3.6bn) compared to estimated reconstruction costs without adaptation ($5.8bn). Additional costs would be incurred by relocation and adaptation of other infrastructure. The absence of local flood stage and socio-economic data creates uncertainty and points to future research avenues. Yet, our prototype approach demonstrates the value of rapid assessments for guiding post-disaster adaptation of livelihoods to future floods.

Unlocking the interaction of social restriction and social protection in Indonesia’s COVID-19 policy: future risk and adaptation

ABSTRACT The Indonesian government has issued hundreds of regulations and policies to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These various policies and regulations assess how a government responds, mitigates, and prevents systemic crises in its country. These decisions- and policy-making processes are largely determined by the country’s unique socioeconomic and political landscape. This paper reviewed 875 regulations issued by the Indonesian government at the national level in 2020–2022 to determine which policies have the most direct social, economic, and health impact on the Indonesian population. We highlight social protection to explore the challenges and opportunities to respond future risk by taking benefit from progressive effort of the Indonesian government to protect all Indonesian populations with the priority of the most vulnerable groups. This paper aims to map out government policies and regulations in handling the pandemic and exploring the potential opportunities for adaptation to respond future risk. The study is based on expert group discussion and policy mapping. As one of the findings of the investigation, this paper discusses the interaction between large-scale and micro-scale social restriction and social protection policies, which are considered the foremost solutions for handling Indonesia’s more severe economic crisis and facing current and future risks, including climate change impact. While social protection is one of the massive strategies to relieve economic impact to the most affected group, effectiveness and success are still challenges concerning data. This paper also provides important notes regarding climate change adaptation and how the government must respond to future risks.

The importance of network spatial structure as a driver of eco‐evolutionary dynamics

Investigating eco‐evolutionary responses of populations to environmental changes requires a solid understanding of the spatial context in which they evolve. While the interplay between local adaptation and dispersal in guiding evolutionary outcomes has been studied extensively, it is often in a context of divergent selection and simplified spatial structure. Alternatively, we used a spatially‐explicit demo‐genetic agent‐based model to simulate a complex network of interconnected populations of Atlantic salmon facing a perturbation shifting their genetic composition to create diversity among populations. Our model allowed us to track emerging demographic, phenotypic, and evolutionary changes from the individual to the metapopulation in a single, spatially realistic framework. We analyzed the influence of the spatial structure of genetic diversity and populations on the evolutionary dynamics under convergent selection (toward a common optimum). Our simulations showed adaptation and demographic recovery of local populations was enhanced by dispersal between initially diverse populations, providing general support for the adaptation network theory. This was particularly true for increased dispersal rates and a random spatial genetic structure. Importantly, our spatially realistic model emphasized that the evolutionary and demographic trajectories of local populations are context‐dependent and can be heavily influenced by the spatial configuration of populations linked by dispersal. Overall, the adaptive capacity of the network depended on the ‘opportunity for adaptation' provided by immigration patterns that emerged from the connectivity structures of the scenarios tested. We highlight the importance of spatial diversity and population structure for the ability of species to respond to environmental change, with implications for management and conservation of spatially structured populations.

Environmental Resilience Technology: Sustainable Solutions Using Value-Added Analytics in a Changing World

Global climate change and associated environmental extremes present a pressing need to understand and predict social–environmental impacts while identifying opportunities for mitigation and adaptation. In support of informing a more resilient future, emerging data analytics technologies can leverage the growing availability of Earth observations from diverse data sources ranging from satellites to sensors to social media. Yet, there remains a need to transition from research for knowledge gain to sustained operational deployment. In this paper, we present a research-to-commercialization (R2C) model and conduct a case study using it to address the wicked wildfire problem through an industry–university partnership. We systematically evaluated 39 different user stories across eight user personas and identified information gaps in public perception and dynamic risk. We discuss utility and challenges in deploying such a model as well as the relevance of the findings from this use case. We find that research-to-commercialization is non-trivial and that academic–industry partnerships can facilitate this process provided there is a clear delineation of (i) intellectual property rights; (ii) technical deliverables that help overcome cultural differences in working styles and reward systems; and (iii) a method to both satisfy open science and protect proprietary information and strategy. The R2C model presented provides a basis for directing solutions-oriented science in support of value-added analytics that can inform a more resilient future.

Partial Clonality Expands the Opportunity for Spatial Adaptation.

AbstractReproductive mode may strongly impact adaptation in spatially varying populations linked by dispersal, especially when sexual and clonal offspring differ in dispersal. We determined how spatial structure affects adaptation in populations with mixed clonal and sexual reproduction. In a source-sink quantitative genetic deterministic model (with stabilizing selection around different optima), greater clonal reproduction or parent-offspring association (a measure of the part of the parent's phenotype other than the additive genetic component inherited by clonal offspring) increased the selective difference (difference between phenotypic optima) allowing sink populations to adapt. Given dispersal differences between clonally and sexually produced juveniles, adaptation increased with an increasing fraction of clonal dispersers. When considering migrational meltdown, partially clonal reproduction reduced cases where dispersal caused habitat loss. Stochastic individual-based simulations support these results, although the effect of differential dispersal was reversed, with decreased clonal dispersal allowing greater adaptation. These results parallel earlier findings that for an instantaneous shift in phenotypic optimum, increasing clonality allowed population persistence for a greater shift; here, selective change is spatial rather than temporal. These results may help explain the success of many partially clonal organisms in invading new habitats, complementing traditional explanations based on avoiding Allee effects.

Mediating Role of Organizational Learning in the Relationship between Use of Artificial Intelligence Security Technology and Community Security

This study focuses on developing a robust model to augment community security through the implementation of AI, while simultaneously investigating the mediating influence of organizational learning within the context of vital AI factors in the UAE. The model examines the interplay among key AI elements, such as compatibility (COMPAT), complexity (COMPLEX), management support (MS), ethics (ETH), and staff capabilities (SC), concerning their impact on the effectiveness of Community Security (ESC). Data collection was conducted via a questionnaire survey utilizing the Abu Dhabi Police as a representative case study for public organizations in the UAE, involving 138 participants spanning both managerial and operational roles, with responses acquired through randomized distribution using online tools. The amassed data was employed to construct the model using SmartPLS software, and its evaluation adhered to assessment criteria encompassing measurement and structural components. A goodness-of-fit score of 0.751 indicated a high level of overall predictive performance for the model. The study's findings revealed that organizational learning (OL) serves as a partial mediator in the relationship between the complexity construct (COMPLEX) and the effectiveness of Community Security (ESC), with no observed mediation effects in other relationships. The research outcomes culminated in the creation of a versatile model that enhances community security through AI technology, applicable across diverse scenarios, and benefiting individuals invested in AI and community security, such as academics, researchers, and practitioners. The study's methodology provides valuable insights for practitioners and researchers in the UAE and related fields, affording opportunities for replication or adaptation to suit specific investigative contexts.

Adaptation of elderly people and various inequalities in the post-pandemic time

The article studies situational inequalities emerged during the pandemic and peculiarities of adaptation of elderly people in the post-pandemic time. The research focuses on everyday projections of inequalities of elderly people living separately in the federal city and rural areas. To examine inequalities, the paper uses microsociological optics. It made it possible to analyze how structural inequalities affect the lives of the elderly and what are the ways to adapt after the pandemic that triggered the processes of protection and self-preservation. The empirical base of the study is 30 semi-structured interviews collected in 2022 in St. Petersburg and villages of the Republic of Karelia. The article describes such situational inequalities as digital inequalities, inequalities in accessing and receiving information, spatial inequalities, and inequalities in receiving medical care as main inequalities. The study concludes that emotional reflection, availabilities of hobbies or emergence of new ones, revision of previous resources, types of communication and ways of solving problems, shift of focus from caring for family and relatives to caring for themselves create positive opportunities for adaptation for older people.

Opportunities to sustain a multi-country quality of care network: Lessons on the actions of four countries Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Uganda.

The Quality of Care Network (QCN) is a global initiative that was established in 2017 under the leadership of WHO in 11 low-and- middle income countries to improve maternal, newborn, and child health. The vision was that the Quality of Care Network would be embedded within member countries and continued beyond the initial implementation period: that the Network would be sustained. This paper investigated the experience of actions taken to sustain QCN in four Network countries (Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Uganda) and reports on lessons learned. Multiple iterative rounds of data collection were conducted through qualitative interviews with global and national stakeholders, and non-participatory observation of health facilities and meetings. A total of 241 interviews, 42 facility and four meeting observations were carried out. We conducted a thematic analysis of all data using a framework approach that defined six critical actions that can be taken to promote sustainability. The analysis revealed that these critical actions were present with varying degrees in each of the four countries. Although vulnerabilities were observed, there was good evidence to support that actions were taken to institutionalize the innovation within the health system, to motivate micro-level actors, plan opportunities for reflection and adaptation from the outset, and to support strong government ownership. Two actions were largely absent and weakened confidence in future sustainability: managing financial uncertainties and fostering community ownership. Evidence from four countries suggested that the QCN model would not be sustained in its original format, largely because of financial vulnerability and insufficient time to embed the innovation at the sub-national level. But especially the efforts made to institutionalize the innovation in existing systems meant that some characteristics of QCN may be carried forward within broader government quality improvement initiatives.

Evolving nutritional needs, obesity, and overweight status in cystic fibrosis.

The nutritional landscape in cystic fibrosis has shifted dramatically in the era of CFTR modulator therapy. In this review, we will critically examine the literature on overweight and obesity in CF, current nutritional care unknowns and opportunities for further investigation or adaptation in clinical care. Results of clinical trial and real-world data reflect marked improvement in nutritional status and quality of life. Clinical outcomes including CF related diabetes and CF related liver disease appear positively impacted. Secondary impacts on cardiometabolic disease have been noted, especially in association with excessive weight gain. The prior approaches to optimizing nutrition in cystic fibrosis with caloric excess can likely be safely retired for many. As modulator access expands across the lifespan, a longitudinal focus on health maintenance should be considered.

Adaptive thermal comfort in the offices of three climates of North-East India

Buildings not only provide shelter to the occupants but also security, safety and comfort, as well as signifying economic and socio-cultural status. The high energy intensity of buildings has become a matter of concern worldwide in the context of climate change and global warming. Adaptive comfort principles and guidelines afford greater design opportunities for reduced energy intensity without compromising occupant thermal comfort and indoor environmental quality performance. However, thermal adaptation opportunities of office occupants in the North-Eastern part of India are rarely addressed by previous thermal comfort studies conducted in the Indian subcontinent. A yearlong questionnaire-based adaptive thermal comfort study with concurrent indoor environmental measurements was conducted in naturally ventilated office buildings located in three locations, i.e., Tezpur, Imphal and Shillong, representing the climatic zones of North-East India. A total of 2326 valid questionnaire responses were collected. ASHRAE Class-II field study protocols, seven-point thermal sensation and five-point preference scales were used to collect objective and subjective comfort assessments. It was found that the clothing insulation (clo) levels worn by occupants varied non-linearly with indoor temperatures. The estimated preferred temperatures for building occupants in Tezpur, Imphal and Shillong were 24 °C, 23.5 °C and 22 °C, respectively. Probit analysis of thermal sensation data indicated that the indoor temperature stimulus associated with a shift of one thermal sensation unit differed between the warm and cool side of the 7-point thermal sensation scale. Increasing indoor air velocity up to 0.8m/s shifted the upper threshold of discomfort to 32 °C. It was also found that 80% of office occupants were comfortable within the temperature range of 25 °C–30 °C. The adaptive comfort model derived from the current database shows lower sensitivity of subjects to outdoor temperature changes compared to existing International standards like ASHRAE Standard 55 or EN16798. The present study demonstrates the potential for low-energy, naturally ventilated office design strategies in similar climatic conditions in North-East India and other parts of the world. Above all, it enriches the worldwide thermal comfort database.

Family Engagement during the Pandemic: Challenges, Inequities, and Opportunities for Adaptation

The pandemic created a uniquely challenging situation in which educators pursued ways to engage family members. Drawing on interviews and focus groups with educators from six demographically diverse schools in New York State, this qualitative study contributes to emerging scholarship that has begun to document the efforts of educators to engage families during the pandemic. Findings have implications for educators and policymakers seeking to better understand family engagement challenges during the pandemic and offers practical guidance on promising practices educators might use to engage the diverse array of families and children they serve during times of disruption.

Temperature variation linked to trellis height: an opportunity for adaptation to climate change?

Temperature is a key factor in vine growth and grape composition (Jones, 2006). Climate change is already having an impact on these parameters in many wine regions, and it is becoming necessary to adapt in order to continue producing quality wines, without strongly altering their typical character (van Leeuwen et al., 2019). One way to adapt could be to modify the vine’s training system. A study of temperature at different heights was carried out in the Bordeaux region to assess whether increasing trunk height could modify the microclimate in the bunch zone (de Rességuier et al., 2023).

Elevational range limits in naturalized Rumex conglomeratus likely formed by climate and lack of local adaptation

One of the fundamental questions in ecology is why species occur in some areas and not in others. Range limits, the boundaries between a species’ presence and absence, reflect the interplay of dispersal and population dynamics driven by biotic and abiotic conditions. As a result, range limits may shift as dispersal barriers are removed, climates change, and local species composition is altered, but the relative importance of these mechanisms is still not well understood. This is particularly true for introduced species, where current range limits may or may not reflect range limits at equilibrium, and is becoming more pressing under the effects of global climate change. To understand the drivers and stability of range limits in introduced Rumex conglomeratus, we used common garden experiments growing plants within, at the edge of and beyond their current range edge. Seeds were sourced from both lowland and upland populations and planted at all three sites. By measuring survival, growth, and the occurrence of reproduction, we tested whether upland populations are locally adapted to high elevation sites and whether plants were capable of surviving and reproducing above the current range edge. However, we found that upland populations were not better adapted to higher elevations, and often were small and performed more poorly than lowland populations across sites. Upland populations appear to be maintained by human-aided seed dispersal from lowland populations, which may constrain the opportunity for local adaptation. Although some plants survived above the current range edge, frost and growing season length restricted plant size and reproduction was infrequent. Therefore, the current range limit seems unlikely to expand as long as regular frost continues at the range edge and dispersal from the lowland continues to prevent local adaptation to upland environments.

Human epoch - Human responsibility: Rethinking coastal zone management in the Anthropocene

The Anthropocene signifies a monumental transformation where human influence on Earth's biophysical systems has become undeniable, necessitating a new perspective on environmental management, especially for critical areas like coastal zones. These regions, poised at the intersection of land and sea, are increasingly impacted by anthropogenic pressures ranging from overfishing and pollution to extreme urbanization, and climate change effects such as sea-level rise and intensified storm events. Thus, effective and sustainable management of the coastal zone has never been more paramount. The Coastal Zone Management (CZM) approach offers a solution with its dynamic, iterative, and collaborative processes aimed at sustainable use and protection of coastal zones. Yet, CZM implementation in the Anthropocene is fraught with challenges such as enhanced integration among varied jurisdictional boundaries and legislative frameworks, stakeholder conflicts, socioeconomic pressures, and rapid environmental changes. However, the Anthropocene, despite the challenges it poses, also provides opportunities for innovation, learning, and adaptation in CZM. With its roots in the principles of integration and precaution, CZM encourages a holistic understanding of issues and emphasizes proactive and preventive action, making it well-suited to manage uncertainties in this time. To cope with CZM challenges, strategies should emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, adaptive management, stakeholder engagement, policy integration and coordination, sustainable financing, building resilience, and capacity building and education. In the face of the Anthropocene, it's imperative to embrace an anticipatory approach to coastal management, capable of predicting and preemptively addressing future challenges. As we navigate the Anthropocene, our focus should not only be on conservation, but also on finding ways to coexist harmoniously with our environment, ensuring sustainable and resilient coastal zones for future generations.