Broader Environment Research Articles

Diversity climate affords unequal protection against incivility among Asian workers: The COVID‐19 pandemic as a racial mega‐threat

AbstractDespite longstanding recognition that organisations are open systems that are affected by the broader environments in which they are situated, scholars have rarely examined how such macrosocietal conditions may influence processes and experiences within the workplace. Integrating research on selective incivility and mega‐threats, we conceptualise the COVID‐19 pandemic as a racial mega‐threat and examine how this context may challenge organisations' efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. Specifically, we predict that the protective benefits of diversity climate against incivility, an insidious form of modern discrimination incited by the COVID‐19 pandemic, will be weaker for workers of Chinese descent compared to workers from other Asian subgroups, leading to more downstream negative outcomes for this group of workers (i.e., higher turnover intentions, poorer job performance and greater emotional exhaustion). This reflects the fact that workplaces are not impervious to the rising xenophobia toward China and Chinese people, who were particularly blamed and stigmatised for the emergence of this virus, as evident in North American society in early 2020. We found support for our predictions in a three‐wave, time‐separated study of Asian workers (N = 248) in the US and Canada during the first wave of the pandemic.

Perspectives on the future of dissemination and implementation research in oral and craniofacial sciences.

Dissemination and implementation science is a field of research that promotes the adoption and maintenance of evidence-based interventions in healthcare delivery and community settings and seeks to understand the processes by which such adoption and maintenance occur. While dissemination and implementation science is an established field in health services research, it is relatively new and making inroads in dental, oral and craniofacial research. This article summarizes the proceedings from a scientific panel on 'Dissemination and Implementation Science for Oral and Craniofacial Health' that was held during the international Behavioral and Social Oral Health Sciences Summit. The panelists were four experts on dissemination and implementation science in dental and non-dental academic settings in the United States and Scotland, with affiliations ranging from schools of dentistry and public health to the National Institutes of Health and a healthcare system with integrated dental services. The panel discussion addressed how dissemination and implementation science can be used to further oral health research. The narrative report presented here aims to describe the panelists' reflections and insights on their current initiatives in dissemination and implementation research to inform future research endeavors within the oral and craniofacial sciences. Specifically, this article focuses on six discussion topics: (1) how organizational determinants can serve as facilitators or barriers to the implementation of evidence-based dental practice; (2) how dentistry can 'de-implement' practices that are not effective; (3) how implementation science can support the delivery of evidence-based dental practice using adaptation; (4) how to get started in implementation science; (5) how the broader environment can support large-scale implementation efforts; and (6) how oral and craniofacial science is well suited for advancing dissemination and implementation research.

What we need to improve the Public Health Workforce in Europe?

With the growth and complexity of current challenges such as globalization, health threats, and ageing society, financial constraints, and social and health inequalities, amultidisciplinary public health workforce is needed, supported by new skills and expertise. It has been demonstrated that public health education needs to include a wider range of health related professionals including: managers, health promotion specialists, health economists, lawyers and pharmacists. In the future, public health professionals will increasingly require enhanced communication and leadership skills, as well as a broad, interdisciplinary focus, if they are to truly impact upon the health of the population and compete successfully in today‘s job market. New developments comprise flexible academic programmes, lifelong learning, employability, and accreditation. In Europe‘s current climate of extreme funding constraints, the need for upgrading public health training and education is more important than ever. The broad supportive environment and context for change are in place. By focusing on assessment and evaluation of the current context, coordination and joint efforts to promote competency-based education, and support and growth of new developments, a stronger, more versatile and much needed workforce will be developed.

Sustainable energy policy, socio-economic development, and ecological footprint: The economic significance of natural resources, population growth, and industrial development

The principles of sustainable development consist of economic, societal, and environmental considerations. Economic systems and social structures shape social impacts on health, which are embedded in the broader environment and affect the distribution of energy resources worldwide. Under the consideration of natural resources, population growth, and industrial development, this paper explores the impact of sustainable energy policy and socio-economic development on the ecological footprint in China from 1990 to 2019. Results explain that natural net financial accounts, natural resources, and economic growth are positively associated with the ecological footprint. Environmental sustainability is a long-term result of socio-economic development.

Governing biotechnology to provide safety and security and address ethical, legal, and social implications.

The field of biotechnology has produced a wide variety of materials and products which are rapidly entering the commercial marketplace. While many developments promise revolutionary benefits, some of them pose uncertain or largely untested risks and may spur debate, consternation, and outrage from individuals and groups who may be affected by their development and use. In this paper we show that the success of any advanced genetic development and usage requires that the creators establish technical soundness, ensure safety and security, and transparently represent the product's ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI). We further identify how failures to address ELSI can manifest as significant roadblocks to product acceptance and adoption and advocate for use of the "safety-by-design" governance philosophy. This approach requires addressing risk and ELSI needs early and often in the technology development process to support innovation while providing security and safety for workers, the public, and the broader environment. This paper identifies and evaluates major ELSI challenges and perspectives to suggest a methodology for implementing safety-by-design in a manner consistent with local institutions and politics. We anticipate the need for safety-by-design approach to grow and permeate biotechnology governance structures as the field expands in scientific and technological complexity, increases in public attention and prominence, and further impacts human health and the environment.

The Conundrum of Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe (ad 1100-1700) was a substantial settlement comprising elite residences and non-elite housing, largely characterized by complexes of massive stone-walled structures. Its growth had an impact on energy resources within its immediate and broader environment, with water playing a key role in the development and persistence of the settlement. The settlement layout that extends beyond the monumental structures comprises water reservoirs and perimeter walls, which for several centuries sustained a substantial population living beyond the core urban area. This article sheds light on the ‘conundrum’ of Great Zimbabwe’s massive stone-built structures. A reconsideration of the functioning of Great Zimbabwe informs the conundrum, which is relevant to contemporary discussion on urban design, architecture, energy saving, and environmental sustainability.

The Academic Genealogy of the Scholars of the Information Systems Discipline Lee Freeman, College of Business, University of Michigan-Dearborn Follow Johann Kranz, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich Andrew Urbaczewski, United States Air Force Academy and University of Denver George Westerman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Despite the relative youth of our information systems discipline, many of us do not know the founders of our field or the academic “families” that have helped shape us into what we are today. We have changed greatly over the past few decades, both topically and geographically. As the Information Systems (IS) discipline enters its second half-century, now is a good time to identify the origins of our academic community while some of the founders are still with us. We have created a web-enabled “family tree” of more than 11 thousand IS scholars that investigators can use to examine where we came from, where we are going, and how we can position our field for future academic generations. The genealogical data can be used to show the trajectory of our research, the influences that shape our field, and the influences of organizational designs and the broader environment.

Ecological aspects of online learning in higher education: a qualitative multi-level exploration in a developing country.

Using 22 undergraduate business students' online learning experiences during the COVID-19 lockdown in Pakistan (as the pandemic was the only time these students were enrolled as online students in Pakistan), this study demonstrates that online learning is a multi-level phenomenon and a practice situated within the environment. Despite online learning being a heavily researched area, research has under-examined the interaction of the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework with the context. By adopting an ecological perspective, and by examining the interaction of micro, meso, and macro levels, this qualitative research provides useful insights into the interaction of the individual (micro-level) captured through the CoI framework, with the broader environment in which learners are located (meso and macro levels). It contributes to research on online learning broadly, and the CoI framework specifically, by revealing that each element of the CoI framework (micro-level), is influenced by macro (developing country), as well as meso (institutional policies and institutional preparedness) levels. It also spotlights the negotiated relationship between the individual and the systemic forces. The findings of this study are particularly relevant given that online education has the potential to become a norm in higher education in developing countries.

Clostridioides difficile as a Potential Pathogen of Importance to One Health: A Review

Clostridioides difficile (basonym Clostridium) is a bacterial enteropathogen associated with cases of C. difficile infection that can result in pseudomembranous colitis, rapid fluid loss, and death. For decades following its isolation, C. difficile was thought to be a solely nosocomial pathogen, being isolated from individuals undergoing antimicrobial therapy and largely affecting elderly populations. More recently, C. difficile spores have been identified in the broader environment, including in food-producing animals, soil, and food matrices, in both ready-to-eat foods and meat products. Furthermore, evidence has emerged of hypervirulent ribotypes (RTs), such as RT078, similar to those cultured in asymptomatic carriers, also being identified in these environments. This finding may reflect on adaptations arising in these bacteria following selection pressures encountered in these niches, and which occurs due to an increase in antimicrobial usage in both clinical and veterinary settings. As C. difficile continues to adapt to new ecological niches, the taxonomy of this genus has also been evolving. To help understand the transmission and virulence potential of these bacteria of importance to veterinary public health, strategies applying multi-omics-based technologies may prove useful. These approaches may extend our current understanding of this recognized nosocomial pathogen, perhaps redefining it as a zoonotic bacterium. In this review, a brief background on the epidemiological presentation of C. difficile will be highlighted, followed by a review of C. difficile in food-producing animals and food products. The current state of C. difficile taxonomy will provide evidence of Clade 5 (ST11/RT078) delineation, as well as background on the genomic elements linked to C. difficile virulence and ongoing speciation. Recent studies applying second- and third-generation sequencing technologies will be highlighted, and which will further strengthen the argument made by many throughout the world regarding this pathogen and its consideration within a One Health dimension.

Becoming a tree with a tree

This text reflects on an artistic practice based on repeated visits to chosen trees, performing for camera with them in the context of the project ‘Meetings with Remarkable and Unremarkable Trees’. The individual daily practice of becoming a tree, based on a yoga exercise, together with a variety of trees, is complemented with a collective online performance, the ‘Be-coming Tree’ event. The daily practice brought to the fore the tension between a heightened perceptual awareness of the bodymind while balancing and the awareness of the tree and the broader environment. Noticing the tension between an inward and an outward focus, the text proposes that sustaining this very tension is relevant for developing an ecologically informed consciousness of our co-dependency with other life forms, such as trees.

A variational inference based learning approach for decentralized building fire estimation

Real-time estimation of the fire status is critical for reliable decision-making in building fire emergencies. Learning-based approaches for fire estimation have achieved great success, benefited from exploration of sensor data. However, existing works are mostly designed for specific building structures and seldom account for false alarms. Such flaws affect their generalization in broader environments and robustness in practical use. In this paper, we propose a decentralized learning-based approach for building fire estimation. The estimation is conducted in a decentralized scheme, where building zones conduct fire estimation respectively. The approach is built on variational inference technique, and can infer the location and dynamic intensity of the fires concurrently. Specifically, the fire estimation problem is interpreted in a latent variable model (LVM), with latent variables for fire intensity features and location features. The solution is then derived from variational inference (VI), and approximated via data learning on a novel deep network (namely FireEst-VAE). The network can produce accurate estimation of the fire intensity, while performing false alarm identification as a bonus effect. We evaluate the decentralized approach on full-scale experimental and simulation-generated data from a multi-compartment residence. The results illustrate that the proposed approach performs well on a wide range of fire scenarios with one or multiple fire locations, while preventing false alarms from common nuisance sources. The decentralized learning-based approach for fire estimation shows great potential in smart firefighting for large-scale buildings. • A decentralized learning approach based on variational inference for fire estimation. • Integrating interpretability from model methods and efficiency from learning methods. • The decentralized scheme benefits edge computing and generalization in practical use. • Promising performances on fire intensity estimation and false alarm identification.

Condemn or Treat? The Influence of Adults' Stigmatizing Attitudes on Mental Health Service Use for Children.

Stigmatizing attitudes towards mental disorders influence parents’ help-seeking behavior for their child’s mental health problems. As untreated mental disorders can cause morbidity and mortality, such parental attitudes are a serious barrier for public health promotion. Therefore, the help-seeking readiness in a distressed child’s broad social environment is essential. However, the role of stigma was unexplored in this context. This study empirically investigated the influence of adults’ stigmatizing attitudes towards mentally disabled people on their readiness to seek professional help for children’s mental health issues. Data from a representative German sample (N = 1906; 52% female) were collected between July and October 2021. A heteroscedastic ordered probit model was used for estimation. An empirical analysis provides evidence for a significant negative relationship between adults’ stigmatizing attitudes and their readiness to initiate mental health support for children (ß = −0.01; p < 0.001). Support acceptance seems to be independent of having children. To tackle stigmatizing attitudes and to promote public health, mental health literacy should be fostered through broad-based approaches. Awareness should be raised that children are also entitled to mental health care, just as they are in other health areas. Policy makers need to promote comprehensive information about mental illnesses and create incentives for acute and preventive service use.

Evaluating the online impact of reporting guidelines for randomised trial reports and protocols: a cross-sectional web-based data analysis of CONSORT and SPIRIT initiatives

Reporting guidelines are tools to help improve the transparency, completeness, and clarity of published articles in health research. Specifically, the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) and SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) statements provide evidence-based guidance on what to include in randomised trial articles and protocols to guarantee the efficacy of interventions. These guidelines are subsequently described and discussed in journal articles and used to produce checklists. Determining the online impact (i.e., number and type of links received) of these articles can provide insights into the dissemination of reporting guidelines in broader environments (web-at-large) than simply that of the scientific publications that cite them. To address the technical limitations of link analysis, here the Debug-Validate-Access-Find (DVAF) method is designed and implemented to measure different facets of the guidelines’ online impact. A total of 65 articles related to 38 reporting guidelines are taken as a baseline, providing 240,128 URL citations, which are then refined, analysed, and categorised using the DVAF method. A total of 15,582 links to journal articles related to the CONSORT and SPIRIT initiatives were identified. CONSORT 2010 and SPIRIT 2013 were the reporting guidelines that received most links (URL citations) from other online objects (5328 and 2190, respectively). Overall, the online impact obtained is scattered (URL citations are received by different article URL IDs, mainly from link-based DOIs), narrow (limited number of linking domain names, half of articles are linked from fewer than 29 domain names), concentrated (links come from just a few academic publishers, around 60% from publishers), non-reputed (84% of links come from dubious websites and fake domain names) and highly decayed (89% of linking domain names were not accessible at the time of the analysis). In light of these results, it is concluded that the online impact of these guidelines could be improved, and a set of recommendations are proposed to this end.

Stratigraphic styles of the Upper Paleocene-Lower Eocene rocks along the escarpment of Jabal Waddan, NW Libya

Abstract&#x0D; Upper Paleocene-Lower Eocene carbonate rocks along the escarpment of Jabal Waddan of NW Libya are displaying two major sedimentary cycles based on stratigraphic and foraminiferal attributes. The first one is representing by a regressive-transgressive sequence and is attributed to the Shurfah Formation. It indicates that during the Thanetian (Upper Paleocene) the deposition of the lower part (the Bú Rá's Member) was in shallow water depths of the subtidal environment under low energy conditions and is represented primarily by Dasycladacean and Codiacean green algae. Their association up-levels with small shallow benthic foraminifera such as miliolids and nonionids, however, may indicate a broad nearshore environment of deposition. The decline of the green algae and the prevalence of small-sized (&lt;1 cm) and thick operculinids witnesses in the middle and upper parts (i.e. the Qaltah and Ammúr members) are characteristic of an open-shelf setting down to a water depth of a few dozen meters and typify warmwater habitats. Evidence of further deepening is indicated up-section by the existence of common shallow shark-teeth in a water depth limited to the photic zone ((&lt;120 m)&#x0D; The second sedimentary cycle is showing a transgressive-regressive sequence and is ascribed to the Bishimah Formation. It shows that during the Ypresian (Lower Eocene) the deposition of the lower, middle and upper parts (i.e. Khayir, Wadi Zakim and Rawaghah members) of the Bishimah Formation was in the shallow marine neritic environment. The association of alveolinids with common textulariids in the lower and middle members points to a shallow inner shelf with water depth up to 60 m whereas their association with miliolids, nonionids and elphidiids seen at the upper levels indicate innermost shelf or restricted platform conditions. Evidence of further shallowing, however, is indicated up-section (the Rawaghah Member) by the presence of cross-bedded dolomitic limestone and chert nodules which delineate an advanced episode of the second sedimentary cycle. The closing part for the second cycle, however, is attributed to the overlying Al Jir Formation, elsewhere from the study area, in which a thick sequence of evaporates and chalky dolomites is reported to include a rich Spirolina-miliolid assemblage with globular alveolinids similar to those recovered from the studied deposits. Consequently, we recommend considering the Al Jir Formation as the upper member of the Bishimah Formation as originally described in the local literature. The boundary between the Ammúr Member of Shurfah Formation and the overlying khayir Member of the Bishimah Formation, however, is erosional everywhere in the study area and sets the contact between the first and second sedimentary cycles. It has been considered here to represent the Upper Paleocene/Lower Eocene boundary. Based on planktonic foraminiferal evidence, described from the subsurface of the Sirt Basin, the lower part of the khayir Member has been considered in the current study to represent a Ypresian (Lower Eocene) rather than Thanetian (Upper Paleocene) in age as previously thought

The potential moderating role of living in a conflict area on the link between classroom psychosocial stressors, perceived stress and change in anxiety symptoms in Israeli school children.

Perceived stress associated with relational victimization from peers and conflictual relations with the teacher have been linked with the development of anxiety symptoms in children. Living in conditions of ongoing stress from the broader environment has also been related to anxiety symptoms in children. In this study, we examined (a) the indirect effect between classroom psychosocial stressors (i.e., relational victimization and conflictual relationships with teachers), perceived stress and anxiety symptom development, and (b) whether this indirect effect was stronger for children living in a high threat region than for children living in a lower threat region. Children participating in the study attended elementary school either in a high threat of armed conflict region (15s to hide in bomb shelter when alarm sounds, n=220) or in a lower threat of armed conflict region (60s to hide in a bomb shelter when alarm sounds, n=188) in Israel. Children were first assessed on conflictual relationships with teachers and peers, subjectively perceived stress and anxiety in 2017 (T 0; M age=10.61years, SD=0.78; 45% boys) and re-assessed (T 1) 1year later, in 2018. Perceived stress mediated the association between classroom psychosocial stressors and anxiety development. No moderation by threat-region was found in this indirect effect. However, the association between perceived stress and anxiety development was only significant for children in the high threat region. Our study suggests that threat of war conflict amplifies the association between perceived stress and the development of anxiety symptoms.

A FAIR based approach to data sharing in Europe

The European fusion research activities have, over recent decades, generated a vast and varied set of data. The volume and diversity of the data that need to be catalogued and annotated make the task of organising and making the data available within a broader environment very challenging. Nevertheless, there are strong scientific drivers as well as incentives and mandates from national research agencies suggesting that a more coherent approach to data referencing, dissemination and sharing would provide strong benefits to the fusion research community and beyond. Here, we discuss the technical requirements and developments needed to transition the current, and future, range of fusion research data to an open and Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable data sharing structure guided by the principle ‘as open as possible, as closed as necessary’. Here we propose a set of recommendations and technical implementations needed to form a European data sharing environment for the fusion research programmes. Consistency with the emerging IMAS (ITER Integrated Modelling and Analysis Suite) infrastructure is considered to facilitate future deployments.

Parents’ views on facilitating and inhibiting factors in the development of attachment relationships with their children with severe disabilities

Being confident as attachment figures is not self-evident for parents of children with severe or profound intellectual disabilities (SPID) given the children’s limited clear communicative responses. The current study drew upon the Attachment Strengths and Needs Interview to get an overview of factors that parents identify as influencing their parent-child attachment relationships. Inductive semantic thematic analysis was conducted on 23 semi-structured interviews (including responses of 35 parents). These were the parents of children (1–9 years) with a severe or profound intellectual (or multiple) disability. The results showed that parents mentioned a large number of inhibiting and facilitating factors related to developing attachment relationships with their children. Adopting an ecological systems perspective, these influences were organised in a micro-, meso-, macro-, exo- and chrono-level. This implies that not only factors related to the child (and his/her disability) were mentioned, but also factors related to (amongst others) the parents, the parent-child and family interactions, the broader environment and policy. Concluding, from parents’ perspectives, it seemed that the factors influencing the (development of) attachment relationships can be positive and negative, are versatile, layered in different levels, interconnected and not necessarily linked to their children’s disability. Both generic factors across parents and specific factors, related to individual families, should be taken into account to provide tailored support.

Solution-plasma-induced oxygen vacancy enhances MoOx/Pt electrocatalytic counter electrode for bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells

Bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), harvesting light from both front and rear sides, are potential high-efficiency photovoltaic devices with broad application environments. The electrocatalytic counter electrodes (CEs) of bifacial DSCs could determine the light-harvesting from the rear side and the charge collection of solar cells through electrocatalytic processes. As a result, high-activity and high-transparency CEs are essential for bifacial DSCs. Recently, novel CEs based on strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) have been proven to improve the catalysis and stability of the metal catalytic sites and induce great efficiency increase of bifacial DSCs. However, the contradiction between the transparency and conductivity of support is still a major challenge for the application of SMSI-based CEs on bifacial DSCs. Herein, we utilized a solution plasma (SP) method to introduce oxygen vacancies into a transparent MoOx support film. These SP-induced oxygen vacancies improved the conductivity of MoOx and the interaction between the metal Pt catalytic sites and support, thereby enhancing the catalytic activity and transparency of MoOx/Pt CEs. Consequently, the bifacial DSCs with MoOx/Pt CEs yielded a high efficiency of 7.56% and 6.41% with the front- and rear-side illumination, respectively. This impressive front-to-rear efficiency ratio of 85% indicates that the SP method has a positive effect in constructing high-performance CEs and other electrocatalytic materials based on the SMSI.

Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment: Towards Elucidating the Roles of Bioaerosols in Transmission and Detection of Antibacterial Resistance Genes.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is continuing to grow across the world. Though often thought of as a mostly public health issue, AMR is also a major agricultural and environmental problem. As such, many researchers refer to it as the preeminent One Health issue. Aerial transport of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria via bioaerosols is still poorly understood. Recent work has highlighted the presence of antibiotic resistance genes in bioaerosols. Emissions of AMR bacteria and genes have been detected from various sources, including wastewater treatment plants, hospitals, and agricultural practices; however, their impacts on the broader environment are poorly understood. Contextualizing the roles of bioaerosols in the dissemination of AMR necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. Environmental factors, industrial and medical practices, as well as ecological principles influence the aerial dissemination of resistant bacteria. This article introduces an ongoing project assessing the presence and fate of AMR in bioaerosols across Canada. Its various sub-studies include the assessment of the emissions of antibiotic resistance genes from many agricultural practices, their long-distance transport, new integrative methods of assessment, and the creation of dissemination models over short and long distances. Results from sub-studies are beginning to be published. Consequently, this paper explains the background behind the development of the various sub-studies and highlight their shared aspects.

A MEDICINA PERICIAL DOUTRINÁRIA EM UM ESTUDO EPISTEMOLÓGICO BIOPSICOSSOCIAL DOS CONCEITOS DE EPIGÊNESE E DE EPIGENÉTICA

Introduction: This article aims to address the topic of doctrinal expert medicine in a biopsychosocial epistemological study of the concepts of epigenesis and epigenetics from a perspective that contemplates the biological, psychic and social approaches, both from the aspects of physiological normality and from the perspective of psychic and physical pathology. Method: Historical conceptual research of a qualitative, critical and prospective nature of the terms “epigenesis” and “epigenetics”. This study raised historical and current texts that deal with these concepts and proposed a philosophical and biopsychosocial approach to their meaning, presenting an original doctrine for applying them to expert and forensic medicine. Discussion: It is known that the term epigenesis was coined by Aristotle to explain the evolution of living beings after their basic training, for example syngamy. The term epigenetics was created by Waddington to explain the causal study of development, that is, to identify and understand what causes the development of living beings. The terms epigenesis and epigenetics evolved in conceptual terms. The meaning of the word epigenesis was given greater scope, applied to different scenarios. The different meanings of the term epigenetics evolved to the point where it defines an area of biology that uses its best-known methods: DNA methylation, histone modification and the expression of non-coding RNA, that is to say the entire process of heritable changes and reversible gene alterations that do not impact DNA. Conclusion: The study carried out and included in this article showed that both concepts are contextualized in a broad environment based on the biopsychosocial aspects of scientific knowledge.