Adaptation Challenges Research Articles

Progressive decoupled target-into-source multi-target domain adaptation

Transferring knowledge from one labeled source domain to unlabeled multi-target domains is of great challenge in unsupervised domain adaptation. Within multi-target domains, the presence of disordered discrepancy information poses a significant challenge in improving the classification recognition of the model for multiple new domains, which is the focus of this work. To this end, we propose a novel progressive target-into-source multi-target domain adaptation with representation-decoupled learning, which we call MTDA-PDT. Specifically, we develop a progressive strategy based on the degree of divergence between each target and source domain, and augment the source domain with these high-confidence target samples gradually in easy-to-hard manner. In addition, we adopt the domain shift and the matching degree to the source pre-trained model as similarity measurement of the target domains. Particularly, we construct the cross-domain representation-decoupled adaptation to decouple the feature representations into three semantic components, as well as the mutual information and mainstream sample gathering to guide domain alignment. Finally, extensive evaluations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed progressive decoupled target-into-source multi-target domain adaptation and its performance superiority.

Behavioural modelling of automated to manual control transition in conditionally automated driving

Human-vehicle interaction in the presence of automated driving features (ADFs) poses significant challenges in behavioural adaptation. At the current level of automation, the mixed right-of-control of connected and automated vehicle (CAV) with partial human involvement is of interest. This study investigates the factors affecting the successful take over of the control by a human driver in the conditionally automated vehicle upon operational design domain (ODD) exit under different sociodemographic, mental workload, traffic flow, weather, and lighting conditions. Data collected in Virtual and Immersive Reality Environment (VIRE) are used to study the successful taking of control back from automated driving. Apart from estimating the binary and mixed logit models, a latent structure was developed to incorporate the attitudinal indicators in the integrated choice and latent variable (ICLV) model. Results indicate that almost 80 percent of participants were successful in safely regaining control. However, participants with more sensitive attitudes about CAV safety, were more likely to fail. Heavy congestion positively impacts situational awareness in taking back control safely from a CAV. Moreover, multi-tasking based on non-driving related secondary task (NDRT) engagement in a rainy night scenario, mental workload, and reaction time were significantly positive indicators of unsafe control transition. The statistics suggest that the driver's familiarity with the concept of CAVs is not enough for the safe transition of control.

Envisioning the future for families running away from war: Challenges and resources of Ukrainian parents in Italy.

Since February 2022, 7.8 million people have left Ukraine. In total, 80% are women and children. The present quali-quantitative study is the first in Italy to (i) describe the adaptation challenges and the resources of refugee parents and, indirectly, of their children and (ii) investigate the impact of neuropsychopedagogical training on their wellbeing. The sample includes N = 15 Ukrainian parents (80% mothers, mean age = 34 years) who arrived in Italy in March and April 2022. The parents participated in neuropsychopedagogical training within the program Envisioning the Future (EF): the 10 Keys to Resilience. Before the training, participants completed an ad hoc checklist to detect adjustment difficulties. After the training, they responded to a three-item post-training questionnaire on the course and to a semi-structured interview deepening adaptation problems, personal resources, and the neuropsychopedagogical training effects. Participants report that since they departed from Ukraine, they have experienced sleep, mood, and concentration problems, and specific fears, which they also observed in their children. They report self-efficacy, self-esteem, social support, spirituality, and common humanity as their principal resources. As effects of the training, they report an increased sense of security, quality of sleep, and more frequent positive thoughts. The interviews also reveal a 3-fold positive effect of the training (e.g., behavioral, emotional-relational, and cognitive-narrative).

Ideas with Histories: Traditional Knowledge Evolves

Anthropologists have long been fascinated by the strikingly similar adaptations of circumpolar cultures as well as their puzzling differences. These patterns of diversity have been mapped, studied, and interpreted from many perspectives and often at different social and spatiotemporal scales. While this work has generated vast archives of legacy data, it has also left behind a fragmented understanding of what underpins Arctic cultural diversity and change. We argue that it is time to engage with questions that highlight the roles of socio-environmental learning and cumulative cultural inheritance in shaping human adaptations to Arctic environs. We situate this in light of longue durée adaptations to environmental change. We examine five case studies that have used this framework to explore the genealogy of northern cultural traditions and show how social learning, cultural inheritance, and transmission processes are germane to understanding the generation and change in varied information systems (i.e., traditional knowledge). Specifically, a cultural evolutionary framework enables long-lens insights into human decision-making trajectories, with continued and prescient impacts in the rapidly changing Arctic. It is critical to improve understandings of traditional knowledge not as static cultural phenomena, but as dynamic lineages of information: ideas with histories. Improving knowledge of the dynamic and evolving character of inherited traditional knowledge in circumpolar human-environment interactions must be a research priority given the pressures of accelerating climate change on Indigenous communities and the social-ecological systems in which they exist in order to help buffer cultural systems against future adaptive challenges in the rapidly changing Arctic.

Creating adaptive social-ecological fit: The role of regional actors in the governance of Sea-level rise adaptation in San Francisco bay

Sea level rise is one of the most pressing climate adaptation issues around the world. Often, coastal communities are interdependent in their exposure to sea level rise – if one builds a seawall, it will push water to another – and would benefit from a coordinated adaptive response. The literature on social-ecological systems (SES) calls for actors placed at higher levels of governance (e.g. regional government in a metropolitan area) to improve coordination between local managers by serving as brokers. However, we lack empirical insight on how higher-level actors might improve coordination in practice, and theoretical development on the implications of their intermediation. To address these gaps, we study the case of adaptation to sea level rise in the San Francisco Bay Area. We build a social-ecological network of social actors and shoreline segments using original survey data and simulated scenarios of tidal and traffic interdependencies between shoreline segments. We perform a frequency analysis of network motifs that operationalize social-ecological ‘fit’ in the context of the Bay Area. We find that regional actors and non-governmental organizations increase social-ecological fit by providing intermediation between actors who work on different shoreline segments, whether interdependent or not. This shows that these actors provide adaptive social-ecological fit, future-proofing the Bay Area to current and future climate adaptation challenges.

Personalized Telehealth: Redesigning Complex Care Delivery for the 65+ During the COVID Pandemic: a Survey of Patients, Caregivers, and Health-care Providers.

In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rapid transitions have been made towards telehealth. Optimal use of telehealth in elderly patients remains poorly understood and adaptation challenges persist. Our study aimed at identifying perceptions, barriers, and possible facilitators to telehealth use amongst elderly patients with comorbidities, their caregivers, and health-care providers (HCPs). Health-care providers, patients 65 years and older with multiple comorbidities, and caregivers were recruited from outpatient clinics and invited to complete an electronic self-administered or telephone-administered survey on their perceptions of telehealth and of barriers to its implementation. A total of 39 health-care providers, 40 patients, and 22 caregivers responded to the survey. Most patients (90%), caregivers (82%), and HCPs (97%) had experienced telephone visits, but few were conducted via videoconference platforms. Patients and caregivers showed interest in pursuing some future telehealth visits (68%, 86%, respectively), but felt they lacked access to technology and skills (n=8, 20%), and some felt that telehealth visits may be inferior to in-person visits (n=9, 23%). HCPs showed interest in incorporating telehealth visits into practice (n=32, 82%), but identified challenges in lack of administrative support (n=37), lack of HCP (n=28) and patient (n=37) technological skills, and limited infrastructure (n=37)/internet access (n=33). Older patients, caregivers, and HCPs show interest in pursuing future telehealth visits but elucidate similar barriers. Facilitating access to technology, as well as to administrative and technology support guides, could promote high quality and equal access to virtual care for the older adult.

Indwelling experience and coping strategies of upper arm infusion ports in patients with cancer: a qualitative study

ObjectivesThe upper arm infusion ports have been proven to be advanced and safe, but the experience from the perspective of patients is lacking. This study explored the indwelling experience and...

National Human Resource Development in Transitioning Societies: The Case of Saudi Arabia

This paper establishes an understanding of the Saudi National Human Resources Development (NHRD) and proposes effective strategies for improving the NHRD in the knowledge-based economy. Building on the foundations of HRD at the national level, provided by Harbison and Myers and the utilization of Paprock’s NHRD model for transitional societies, this article provides an in-depth analysis of the political, economic, and socio-cultural contexts in connection with NHRD environment. Challenges concerning the emerging workforce (e.g., jobseekers, women, and students) in the labor market are discussed. The analysis of the Saudi NHRD efforts shows the importance of addressing adaptive challenges through adaptive change. Based on the integrated findings, three workforce development strategies are proposed: (1) Build workforce adaptability to better navigate their careers, (2) create meaningful work and a family-friendly workplace, and (3) develop early career exploration programs and opportunities.

The Pakistan Flood of August 2022: Causes and Implications

AbstractThe risk of floods has increased in South Asia due to high vulnerability and exposure. The August 2022 Pakistan flood shows a glimpse of the enormity and devastation that can further rise under the warming climate. The deluge caused by the floods in 2022, which badly hit the country’s southern provinces, is incomparable to any recent events in terms of the vast spatial and temporal scale. The flood event is ranked second in human mortality, while this was the top event that displaced about 33 million people in Pakistan. Using observations and climate projections, we examine the causes and implications of the 2022 flood in Pakistan. Multiday (∼15 days) extreme precipitation on wet antecedent soil moisture conditions was the primary driver of the flood in August 2022. The extreme precipitation in August was caused by two atmospheric rivers that passed over southern Pakistan. Streamflow simulations from the multiple hydrological models show that multiday extreme precipitation was the primary driver of floods. Several flood‐affected stations experienced anomalously higher flow than the upstream stations. The 2022 Pakistan flood highlights the adaptation challenges South Asia is facing along with the substantial need for climate mitigation to reduce the risk of such events.

Evidence-Based Medicine: History, Review, Criticisms, and Pitfalls.

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the use of high-quality clinical research in making decisions about the care of patients. Its formal origin dates back to the mid-nineteenth century, and since then, it has continued to evolve. The best research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values are described as the foundations of EBM. However, several tools and skills have been developed and added over time. EBM has faced a lot of criticism, and the pitfalls are widely discussed and published in the medical literature. The biggest challenge is the changing paradigm of healthcare, cost-effectiveness, and changing evidence which has led to controversies and challenges in the rapid adaptation of the EBM. This review article discusses the history, conception, and evolution of modern-day EBM. In addition, we discuss why EBM has been criticized and highlight the pitfalls.

An Explorative Study: The Challenges of Cross-Cultural Adaptation among Expatriates in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The current progress of technological modernization has further enhanced the increase in the number of international migration movements around the world. The encouragement of international migration is also driven by the policies enacted by the government at the policy implementation stage, producing a dynamic and highly innovative local workforce as well as high demand from industries, institutions, and statutory bodies to fill the energy gap in professional work. International migration is an advantageous approach and has been found to positively impact a country’s economic and socio-political development. Furthermore, the involvement of professionals, especially expatriates who are technologically literate, highly knowledgeable, and have extensive experience in certain fields, not only helps the country’s economic growth but also contributes to the sustainability and viability of organizational management. Nonetheless, individuals involved in international migration, especially expatriates, tend to experience problems adaptating to the cultural environment of the host country due to the differing cultural practices than their countries of origin. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the challenges of cultural adaptation among expatriates in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The findings of this study found that the lack of social interaction and lack of cultural interaction are the challenges faced by expatriates while adapting to the culture in Malaysia. The findings of this study also provide benefits to the organizations and agencies of the government i.e. MIDA or TalentCorp in managing expatriate issues in Malaysia in order to reduce the turnover and repatriation among expatriates.

Educational Transformation and Adaptation Challenges during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Indian Scenario

Because of the lockdown due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, all universities and affiliated institutions have stopped teaching-learning activities and public gatherings like workshops/conferences and postponed examinations. Various institutions in India have initiated online teaching platforms to continue the teaching-learning process during the unprecedented pandemic to overcome these situations. Various methods such as audio-visual aids, social apps like Whatsapp, and online teaching platforms like Zoom, Go-to-meeting, etc., were used for teaching-learning by different universities in India. Adaptation challenges like security issues in some online platforms, and difficulty in student learning assessment during online classes stress the fact that one education method does not fit all.

How does the UNFCCC enable multi-level learning for the governance of adaptation?

Adaptation has become a priority in global climate change governance since the adoption of the Cancun Adaptation Framework and the Paris Agreement. Adaptation to climate change has been increasingly recognized as a multi-level governance challenge in both the United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) regime and academic literature. This recognition often includes, explicitly or implicitly, the role that learning can play across governance levels to accelerate and scale up responses to address adaptation challenges. However, there is no comprehensive assessment in academic literature of how multi-level learning has been considered in the UNFCCC regime, what the enabling factors are, and the outcomes of such learning. Drawing on approaches suggested by multi-level governance and learning literature, this paper seeks to fill this knowledge gap by focusing on the ways in which the UNFCCC multilateral process enables multi-level learning for the governance of adaptation and how it could be enhanced. This will be accomplished through a legal–technical analysis of the enabling factors of multi-level learning in the governance of adaptation under the UNFCCC. Qualitative research methods have been applied for the thematic analysis of selected documentation, complemented by interviews and personal observations of adaptation negotiations in the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. Results are presented according to three research questions oriented to understand how institutional design of adaptation under the UNFCCC enables multi-level learning; the learning strategies adopted across levels of governance; and the way the UNFCCC regime understands the contribution of multi-level learning for adaptation outcomes.

Reef islands have continually adjusted to environmental change over the past two millennia

Global environmental change is identified as a driver of physical transformation of coral reef islands over the past half-century, and next 100 years, posing major adaptation challenges to island nations. Here we resolve whether these recent documented changes in islands are unprecedented compared with the pre-industrial era. We utilise radiometric dating, geological, and remote sensing techniques to document the dynamics of a Maldivian reef island at millennial to decadal timescales. Results show the magnitude of island change over the past half-century (±40 m movement) is not unprecedented compared with paleo-dynamic evidence that reveals large-scale changes in island dimension, shape, beach levels, as well as positional changes of ±200 m since island formation ~1,500 years ago. Results highlight the value of a multi-temporal methodological approach to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic trajectories of reef islands, to support development of adaptation strategies at timeframes relevant to human security.

Factors Affecting Adaptability of International Students in Malaysia during COVID-19 Pandemic

It is crucial to investigate adaptability in the context of COVID-19, as evidence suggests that difficulties posed by adaptability can be exacerbated during times of crisis. International students encounter additional pressures during this period, which might impair their capacity to stay and prosper in a new place. In light of this context, the purpose of this study is to examine the factors that contribute to the adaptability of international university students in Malaysia, namely the academic system, acculturation, and social support. A cross-sectional research design was used, and the research instruments were adapted from a number of previous studies. A total of one hundred thirty online questionnaires were filled out by international students in Malaysia. The research hypotheses were evaluated using SPSS Version 27.0. All predictors were found to have a statistically significant and positive effect on the adaptability of international students. This research aims to shed light on educational management strategies for addressing the adaptability challenges faced by most international students within COVID-19 by illuminating the key drivers that influence adaptability.

"ADAPTATION PROBLEMS OF ROMANIAN STUDENTS TO TECHNICAL HIGHER EDUCATION"

The current study underlines the main problems students deal with in the first academic year at University POLITEHNICA of Timişoara (UPT) while adjusting to the higher education environment. The adaptation challenges were investigated through 14 panel discussions. The topic assigned was “Students’ adaptation problems in Romanian higher education”. The target group included students in their first academic year, studying at the Faculty of Computer Science (CS), Electrical Engineering and Power Engineering (EE&PE); Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology (ETIT); Industrial Chemistry and Environment Engineering (ICEE); Mechanics (ME); Production Management and Transport (PMT); Architecture and Urbanism (AU), also doing the Psychological and Pedagogical Training Program. Each panel discussion was made up of 20 students, all 14 panel discussions summing up 280 students, out of which 158 female and 122 male students. The outcomes of the research show that students face different adaptation challenges that may result in a poor insertion into the academic system and education dropout. The adaptation problems identified by the students were diverse: accommodation and food; financial problems; school timetables and calendars (seminars, courses, laboratories and other instructional activities); teacher-student relationship; the teaching-learning-evaluation process, location of study; education for students with special needs and disabilities; administration and secretariats. The present study analyses these queries in order to facilitate the smooth insertion of students into the academic environment and increase student retention.

Qualitative examination of homecoming experiences among active-duty military fathers during reintegration

Active-duty military fathers are frequently away from their families throughout their military career and are faced with readjusting to family and garrison life after each separation. For fathers of very young children, reintegration can have unique challenges due to the tremendous developmental progression occurring in early childhood and the impact of lengthy deployment separations. While much of the research on military families focuses on extreme negative experiences (e.g., reactions to war injuries and posttraumatic stress disorder), little is known about the common experiences of military families. This qualitative study explores the reintegration experiences of 15 active-duty U.S. Army fathers with a child under six in their home during the deployment. Homecoming experiences were coded and analyzed to distinguish four adjustment factors and five adaptation challenges. Most fathers described having mixed experiences during reintegration, with 93% referencing at least one factor making adjustment easier (e.g., communication with their spouse during deployment), and 80% referencing at least one factor making adjustment difficult (e.g., child’s initial hesitation or perceived rejection). Adjustment facilitators included: spending quality time with family, individual and family growth, quality communication during deployment, and the service member’s parental perspective taking. Challenges to adjustment included negative postdeployment reactions of children, difficulty readjusting to family and civilian life, and service member psychological changes. These findings expand our understanding of the reintegration experience of active-duty fathers with young children and identify common challenges and facilitators that can be addressed through culturally informed supportive services across the deployment cycle.

Industrial Design Structure: a straightforward organizational integration of DFSS and QFD in a new industry and market reality

PurposeThe aim of this research is to enlighten the methodology model of Industrial Design Structure (IDeS) that integrates the internal and external customer feedback embodied both in methods of quality function deployment (QFD) and as basis of design for six sigma (DFSS) steps to systematically bring the information across the entire organization, saving overall product development time and resources.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes the state of the art enlightened to establish the disadvantages and challenges of other methods taken into consideration in the study like QFD and DFSS that, together with the need of companies to react fast to changes they need to straightforwardly implement product development information across all departments, leading to a mass customization infrastructure. Several application trials of this methodology have been cited.FindingsThe IDeS method has established to been able to integrate other well-known methodologies to gather technical specifications starting from voice of customers (VOCs) like QFD that served to canalize the generalist approach of define, measure, analyze, design and verify (DMADV) of DFSS in order to reach into a larger share of the organization and englobe by following the overall product design steps of an industrial project.Research limitations/implicationsThe research approach chosen for this document presents the concept of a methodology ought to operate most internal branches in a company driven by product design requirements and guidelines. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to develop further studies on the IDeS method are required in order to adapt this methodology to specific management tools that would help to ease information gathering for immediate analysis and modification.Practical implicationsThe paper implicates that a need to interchange information systematically across all subdivisions in the organization, as brisk response to VOC reactions is needed to thrive in the market nowadays, leading to a fast product customization scene. However, the industry is heading into adopting an individual customer-centered product conceptualization ought to be driven by design as a key for individualizing an object. Afterward by taking this concept broadly and adopting it would lead to implement a company organization that would be directly affected by the customer's input.Social implicationsThe methodology described aims to enable organizations to portray fast and accurate product prototyping, by exploiting technologies from Industry 4.0.Originality/valueThis concept proposes a method to canalize the implementation of DFSS by using the DMADV approach, whilst assessing the challenges of adaptation and keeping up with cultural pace that impacts the behavior of buying and consumption and moreover implementing a seamless communication within all departments in the organization to share the development progress and change requests by using similar information technology tools. This would imply important savings in resources, whilst delivering quality products to the society.

Cultural adaptation in television technology for older adults with dementia in care settings.

There is a lack of literature on the cultural adaptation of technologies for dementia care. This paper presents an example of the cultural adaptation of a television video about drinking water for older Chinese adults with dementia in care settings, in Vancouver, Canada. We refer to the cultural adaptation process (CAP) model to guide the cultural adaptation process by collecting and incorporating feedback from different parties into the culturally adapted video, including Phase 1 local consultations and information gathering, phase 2 iterative testing and adaptation, and phase 3 finalizing adaptation. We also referred to the Ecological Validity Model (EVM) to present the adjustments we made to the video from the cultural adaptation. We adjusted the video on seven domains suggested by the EVM: goal, context, content, language, people, concept, and method. We draw attention to the opportunities and challenges of the cultural adaptation of technology into a new community. Based on our lessons, we outline concrete suggestions about what aspects of, and how, cultural adaptation can be made to promote cultural inclusivity in technology development and implementation.

Climate adaptation in Coastal Virginia: an analysis of existing policies and main stakeholders

ABSTRACT The impacts of climate change have sparked policy responses at different governance levels. Studying the central adaptation policies and understanding the interactions and complexities of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders is essential in guiding policymakers at different levels of government to formulate policies and make investment decisions. With strategic and economic significance on the national level, Coastal Virginia has one of the highest rates of sea-level rise in the United States, instigating intensified and more frequent climate hazards such as flooding and storms. This paper strives to characterize the status of adaptation policymaking in this region through a novel keyword analysis method and a thematic analysis of interviews with the main adaptation decision-makers and stakeholders. We identify the central adaptation policies and programmes at the local, regional, state, and federal level, as well as the major relevant players. This provides a comprehensible narrative of adaptation policymaking, which could be exploited to further analyze governance gaps and adaptation challenges. The approach and methodologies of this research could be implemented in similar studies for other areas of the U.S. that are at high climate risk, possibly facilitating an informed national adaptation policy, long overdue by the federal government. The research is also relevant for other jurisdictions at risk of sea-level rise. Key policy insights Coastal adaptation policymaking in Virginia has been a bottom-up and fragmented process initiated by most affected localities, exhibiting the importance of local initiatives in higher-level adaptation policies. The long-lasting impacts of 100 Resilient cities and Dutch Dialogues in the City of Norfolk highlight the value of fostering cross-geographic coordination and capacity-building programmes, confirming the importance of informal policy networks in learning and innovation for adaptation. There is a vast difference among localities in adaptation planning and implementation, creating the need for coordinating state leadership. Adaptation policymaking in Virginia has been influenced by political cycles with priorities drastically altered by each administration change, introducing significant uncertainty for continuation of policies. National policies and programmes, such as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, can significantly affect local-level policies and decision-making.