Change In Perspective Research Articles

Examining spatial dynamics and interactions of planted alien, native, and invasive alien species in China’s largest artificial mangrove forest

The planted alien mangrove species (i.e., Sonneratia apetala, SOA) was deliberately introduced to control the growth and spread of invasive species (i.e., Spartina alterniflora, SA) and restore mangrove ecosystems in Qi’ao Island, the largest artificially planted mangrove reserve of China. However, the effects of the alien species triggered a debate over whether they invaded or restored the mangrove vegetation. There is a gap in observing the impact of planted alien species on invasive alien species and native species over long periods. This study employed high-resolution images with less than 1 m acquired in 2002, 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2016 to examine spatial dynamics and interactions between alien, invasive, and native species. Results showed that mangrove areas increased to 327.56 ha in 2016 from 79.63 ha in 2002, while the presence of the invasive species SA dwindled to 4.19 ha in 2016, down from 110.18 ha in 2002. The increase in mangrove stand areas was mainly due to the artificial planting of SOA. Most of the SA habitat was occupied by SOA from 2002 to 2016, suggesting that artificial SOA can effectively control the growth and extension of invasive SA. There was no notable transfer from native to alien species. This indicated that alien species did not significantly impact the selection of native species in our study area during the observed period. However, we found that the alien species demonstrates adaptability, limiting the expansion of native species. Therefore, we should not underestimate the invasive power of alien species in mangrove ecosystems. Its ecological and biological effects still need to be carefully assessed over an extended period. The findings provided insight into the impact of planted alien mangroves from the perspective of spatiotemporal changes in species compositions.

Sustainable Dengue Prevention and Management: Integrating Dengue Vaccination Strategies with Population Perspectives.

The GEMKAP study (2023) unveiled consistent knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) levels across Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Latin America (LATAM) countries regarding dengue, with variations in the willingness to vaccinate. Despite an overall KAP parity, the disparities within and between the countries indicated the need for both overarching and tailored strategies. Population-wide gaps in dengue awareness result in suboptimal vaccination priorities and preventive measures. This commentary delves into identifying the drivers and barriers for implementing a multi-pronged dengue prevention and management program, emphasizing the pivotal role of vaccination alongside education and vector control. Drawing on expert interviews in APAC and LATAM, informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), four key themes emerged: prioritizing and continuously advocating for dengue on national health agendas, fostering stakeholder collaboration, incorporating population perspectives for behavioral change, and designing sustainable dengue prevention and management programs. Successful implementation requires evidence-based decision making and a comprehensive understanding of population dynamics to design adaptive education tailored to diverse population views. This commentary provides actionable strategies for enhancing dengue prevention and management, with a pronounced emphasis on dengue vaccination, advocating for a holistic, population-centric approach for sustained effectiveness.

Reading the Violences of School Through a New Lens: A Literacy Teacher’s Changing Perspective in a US High School

ABSTRACT This analysis explores a literacy teacher’s changing perspective about teaching in a prestigious high school after learning about ahimsa, or holistic nonviolence. Drawing from theories of transformational learning and critical pedagogy in addition to understandings of ahimsa, this article presents some of the participant’s new perceptions about her teaching and about the culture of the elite high school where she worked, including perceptions of structural violence. New understandings suggest that in order for schools to be nonviolent spaces, structural violences need to be considered alongside more overtly visible forms of violence. There are also implications for teacher learning. When professional development supports transformational change, it can be both inspirational and unnerving, and might shift participants’ perspectives and unsettle their ways of relating to established practices and familiar contexts.

Compliance and initiative: A discussion on the relationship between standards and activities in radiopharmaceutical production

This study investigated how a standard could become reality-based in a workplace where certain types of deviations are not permitted, such as a radiopharmaceutical production unit. Compliance with standards is necessary to ensure the safety of individuals who manufacture such substances as well as the security of patients receiving treatment. In this qualitative case study, an ergonomic analysis of work (also known as activity analysis) was performed, with noncompliance recorded in internal audits as a starting point: the lack of double-checking in radiopharmaceutical synthesis cassette assembly. Field observations and self-confrontation interviews with workers from a production unit were conducted to analyze the activities. Although a double-check did not occur, the radiopharmaceutical synthesis operator apparently developed another risk control strategy, focusing his attention to the equipment assembly details, which necessitated continuous control and verification actions to ensure that there were no problems at this stage of production. A multilevel approach was used to demonstrate how the safety and quality of production processes based on standard compliance only become effective and adherent to the activity after resolving various conflicts at work, including control systems (external and internal audits), work collectives, the contradiction of the activity itself, and the discussion of singular situations arising daily. This study contributes to the discussion on workplace safety considering standardization and advances the discussion on changing perspectives regarding rule compliance.

“The life that was mine is now hers”: being an informal caregiver of people with disabilities

Background: Informal caregivers experience a significant overload that leads to changes in their perspectives and quality of life, in addition to impacts on their physical and emotional health. Objective: We aim to describe and analyze the use of time, experienced difficulties, perceived changes and feelings of informal caregivers. Methods: Transcripts of 33 interviews were subjected to thematic content analysis and through them we have obtained four categories: abandonment of occupations and loss of identity; changing perspectives and values; difficulties in accepting the diagnoses; fears about the future. Results: The great dedication to caring for the other implies the abandonment of significant occupations, shows changes in values and life perspectives and points to great concerns about the future. Conclusion: Paradigm shifts are necessary to understand, in fact, how complex it is to become and remain as an informal caregiver of a person with any type of disability or limitation, while considering that the dedication of the caregiver is, for the most part, unconditional.

Understanding tourist restoration: an integrated framework from the perspective of environmental change

ABSTRACT Travel has long been recognized as a beneficial method for rejuvenating individuals who are feeling exhausted. Drawing inspiration from theories of restorative environments, this study utilizes semi-structured interviews to explore the mechanisms through which tourism contributes to restorative outcomes. The findings reveal that tourism plays a significant role in restoring individuals across various dimensions, including physiological, psychological, spiritual, and social aspects. By adopting an environmental change perspective, six key mechanisms of the restorative process have been identified: being physically and psychologically away from the everyday environment, environmental stimulation from tourist destinations, emotional regulation, mental adjustment, physiological improvement, and negative factors.

Personal development. Educational management strategy

School organizations in Romania face the continuous perspective of change by referring to legislative changes, to those at the level of the educational paradigm, but also at the social level.Change as a process in the school organization produces major implications in the current socio-professional environment of teachers and school managers, causing them to identify effective methods of adapting to change, reinventing and reconfiguring to give meaning and relevance to the activity didactic and managerial, to facilitate overcoming the challenges that appear in the process of social changes and educational paradigms, but also in relations with other educational actors and with oneself. In order to adopt the most appropriate way of effective functioning in the current dynamic socio-professional environment, teachers and school managers get involved in programs and projects designed to support the personal development process as part of career development and professional success.

Pneumonia in children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observation from a climate change and environmental perspective in Indonesia

Background. Pneumonia is the second leading cause of child mortality in Indonesia. The COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia is increasing a challenging environment for children’s respiratory health. 
 This study aims to examine pneumonia in children using the perspective of climate change and the changing environment in Indonesia before and during COVID-19 pandemic. 
 Materials and methods. This research is a retrospective longitudinal study conducted during the period 2017–2020. The study area of the study is in Indonesia. All the province and city in Indonesia are included in this study. The number of children surveyed each year is 30.73 million. Outdoor air quality, temperature and rainfall observations were carried out at 185 observation stations spread throughout Indonesia
 Results. In Indonesia, child pneumonia cases declined by 39.42% from 2017 (511,434 cases) to 2020 (309,838 cases) during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 47.06% decrease in mortality. Outdoor air quality worsened by 51.64% pre-pandemic (2017–2019), improving notably in 2020. Conversely, temperature and rainfall, which decreased before 2017–2019, sharply increased in 2020, with rainfall at 524 mm and temperatures rising by 0.7°C compared to 2019.
 Limitations. A detailed analysis and cautious interpretation are necessary due to the complex, suggestive links between air quality, climate, behavior, and respiratory health highlighted in this study, especially during the pandemic.
 Conclusion. The pandemic triggered unexpected shifts. Reduced cases correlated with better air quality due to lockdowns and behavior changes, while increased temperature and rainfall may have hindered pathogen transmission.

Digital Bonds: Exploring the Impact of Computer-Mediated Communication on Parent–Educator Relationships in Early Childhood Education and Care

Despite advancements in the use of mobile technology in recent years, investigation of the technology designed for communication in parent–educator relationships in early education and its impact remains limited. This study investigated how computer-mediated communication could support parent–educator communication in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector. The participants selected were parent users (n = 140) at sites in Ontario, Canada, who had implemented a specified communication application; these participants were recruited by email, as identified within the organization’s database. Using a retrospective mixed-method design involving open- and close-ended and blended questions, an online survey consisting of 47 researcher-created questions was used to assess participants’ perspectives of changes in parent–educator communication. The quantitative and qualitative survey data were analyzed using paired sample sign tests and thematic analysis. Computer-mediated communication was found to have the potential to strengthen parent–educator communication practices, particularly when paired with face-to-face communication. The participants reported increased communication content regarding their children’s daily experiences, which positively influenced both parent–educator and parent–child relationships. To facilitate technology-mediated communication in childcare settings in the future, ongoing training and clear expectations for its use are recommended to support the effective application of technology within parent–educator communication practice.

Current Employment Challenges and Corresponding Solutions in China

This paper elaborates on the employment problems in China and proposes solutions from the perspectives of regional differences and environmental changes. There is a clear problem of urban-rural segmentation in China. There are relatively few employment opportunities in rural areas, and the influx of urban population has led to an increase in urban employment pressure. At the same time, the transfer and employment of rural labor force is also a problem that needs to be solved. There are regional differences in the development of China's economy and employment opportunities. Coastal areas and developed cities usually have more employment opportunities and economic development, while inland and underdeveloped areas face the problem of insufficient employment opportunities. This exacerbates the income gap and population mobility between regions. With the intensification of aging population, the demand for employment in fields such as elderly care and healthcare is also increasing. Understanding the employment challenges in the job market can guide the formulation and implementation of employment promotion policies, entrepreneurial support policies, and vocational training subsidies, in order to improve employment levels and reduce unemployment rates.

The impact of water storage capacity on plant dynamics in arid environments: A stoichiometric modeling approach

Plants in arid environments have evolved many strategies to resist drought. Among them, the developed water storage tissue is an essential characteristic of xerophytes. To clarify the role of water storage capacity in plant performance, we originally formulate a stoichiometric model to describe the interaction between plants and water with explicit water storage. Via an ecological reproductive index, we explore the effects of precipitation and water storage capacity on plant dynamics. The model possesses saddle–node bifurcation and forward or backward bifurcation, and the latter may lead to the emergence of alternative stable states between a stable survival state and a stable extinction state. Numerical simulations illustrate the persistence and resilience of plants regulated by soil conditions, precipitation and water storage capacity. Our findings contribute to the botanical theory in the perspectives of environmental change and plant water storage traits.

Unraveling the effect of combined heat and high-pressure homogenization treatment on the improvement of chickpea protein solubility from the perspectives of colloidal state change and structural characteristic modification

Chickpea protein (CP) is a promising plant protein ingredient, but the poor solubility has limited its broad application. In this study, heating followed by high-pressure homogenization (HPH) was used to improve the solubility of CP. The results showed that combined heat (80℃, 30 min) and HPH (80 MPa, 2 cycles) treatment exhibited an additive effect in improving the solubility of CP. This improvement could be attributed to the dissociation and the rearrangement of large insoluble protein aggregates into small-sized soluble protein aggregates, the increased exposure of hydrophobic residues and reactive sulfhydryl groups, the transformation of α-helices to β-sheets and β-turns. Moreover, the 11S subunits of CP could form reinforced disulfide covalent cross-links under heating + HPH, which may provide steric hindrance preventing the reassembly of large protein bodies. This work proposes an interesting approach to enhance the physicochemical properties of CP for tailoring techno-functional plant protein ingredients in food formulations.

Fetal growth restriction - clinical manifestations through the perspective of pathophysiological changes

Intrauterine restriction of fetal growth is one of the most interestings and nowadays  intensively studied problems of modern obstetrics. Fetal growth restriction can lead to significant obstetric complications, as well as consequences after delivery. For the obstetricians the fetal growth means iatrogenic prematurity,  fetal distress, perinatal morbidity but also long term consequences as metabolic disease, cardiovascular pathology and Alzhaimer disease.  There was considerable controversy as to how fetal growth restriction should be defined and diagnosed. Biometric and biophysical tests have been proposed to diagnose growth restriction, but until recently there were no unanimously accepted standards for the diagnosis of this pathology. This definition was reached in 2021 by the FIGO publication. Under the condition of  intrauterine hypoxia adaptation mechanisms are activated. Understanding  the ongoing pathophysiological process of adaptation in a hypoxic media helps to better understand proposed diagnosis criteria and the classification.

Unlocking heirloom diversity: a pathway to bridging global challenges in modern apple cultivation

Reports indicate that climate changes will result in the extinction of a significant percentage of plant species even though many of these species contributed to crucial genetic traits that led to the development of domestic crops. In the past, the diversified range of plant species, varieties, and agricultural practices allowed agriculture production and local food systems to tolerate moderate climate variability. Today, industrial farming relies on very limited genetic diversity for commercial production. Narrowing the genetic base leads to higher susceptibility to environmental changes and diseases.Heirloom cultivars survived climate variations and extreme conditions but were abandoned in favor of a handful of commercial cultivars that dominate the food industry and fit the standards of the global food system. From a climate change perspective, it would be important to conserve heirloom cultivars to preserve biodiversity and make greater genetic diversity available to farming, which will lead to resilience and adaptation.

Boosting algorithms for projecting streamflow in the Lower Godavari Basin for different climate change scenarios.

The present study investigates the ability of five boosting algorithms, namely Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost), Categorical Boosting (CatBoost), Light Gradient Boosting (LGBoost), Natural Gradient Boosting (NGBoost), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) for simulating streamflow in the Lower Godavari Basin, India. Monthly rainfall, temperatures, and streamflow from 1982 to 2020 were used for training and testing. Kling Gupta Efficiency (KGE) was deployed to assess the ability of the boosting algorithms. It was observed that all the boosting algorithms had shown good simulating ability, having KGE values of AdaBoost (0.87, 0.85), CatBoost (0.90, 0.78), LGBoost (0.95, 0.93), NGBoost (0.95, 0.95), and XGBoost (0.91, 0.90), respectively, in training and testing. Thus, all the algorithms were used for projecting streamflow in a climate change perspective for the short-term projections (2025-2050) and long-term projections (2051-2075) for four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). The highest streamflow for all four SSPs in the case of NGBoost is more than the historical scenario (9382 m3/s), whereas vice-versa for the remaining four. The effect of ensembling the outputs of five algorithms is also studied and compared with that of individual algorithms.

Exploring the Potentials of Halophytes in Addressing Climate Change-Related Issues: A Synthesis of Their Biological, Environmental, and Socioeconomic Aspects

Halophytes are naturally salt-tolerant plants with immense potential to become alternate crops for saline lands. While their economic benefits have gained increasing attention, often, the roles of halophytes in addressing different climate change-related issues are overlooked. Halophytes can be a renewable resource for clean ‘carbon-neutral’ energy by serving as biofuel or biogas feedstock, help in the sequestration of rising CO2 as well as the phytoremediation of various pollutants, can be a good source of food and fodder thereby help in achieving food security in arid/saline areas, can help in protection and biodiversity conservation in various ecosystems, and can provide livelihood to poor local communities inhabiting barren lands. This review also attempts to highlight various usages of halophytes in connection with a global change perspective. However, there are still many challenges such as economic viability, customer preferences, environmental impacts, and scale-up challenges, which need further research, innovation, effective policies, and collaboration. In general, this review provides a synthesis of various biological, environmental, and socioeconomic aspects of halophytes to fully exploit the potential of halophytes for human welfare and combating global climate changes.

Pharmacological Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Central Nervous System: A Narrow Update

Abstract: Central nervous system (CNS) diseases seriously affect human life and health, currently, drugs used to treat CNS diseases mainly include receptor modulators and neurotransmitter inhibitors, which possess considerable side effects; accordingly, there is a need for efficacious drugs for clinical therapy. Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) have a wide range of pharmacological effects on the CNS, especially as anti-CNS diseases. TCMs can enhance both non-specific and specific immune functions. Some TCMs can improve the adaptability of the body, enhance the body's resistance to various harmful stimuli, regulate pathological processes, and reverse the disordered function. TCMs and their active ingredients exhibit diverse pharmacological effects, including anti-neuritis, anti-oxidative stress regulation, and inhibition of cell apoptosis, with mechanisms possibly related to the regulation of the CNS function and restoring cell metabolism disorders. Based on literature from recent years, we summarize the neuroprotective effects of TCMs from the perspective of core pathological changes in the CNS and clinical applications. In addition, we integrated the progress of experimental research with regard to the pharmacological effects of TCMs on CNS. Current pharmacological investigations examining TCMs on CNS diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), were reviewed to provide a reference and new concepts for further developing TCMs.

Remote work in the Finnish Defence Forces: Employees’ experiences of changes in organisational culture

This paper investigated what changes took place in the organisational culture of the Finnish Defence Forces during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also afterwards when remote work has remained permanently available to staff. A total of 468 employees of the Finnish Defence Forces participated in the study by reporting their experiences of changes in organisational culture. In the analysis of qualitative data, the Gioia methodology, which classifies the data into categories and themes, was used. Remote work creates challenges for leadership, and more equality, changed management competence, and remote work management skills were expected from management. However, it would seem that the organisational culture in the Finnish Defence Forces has developed in such a way that trust within the organisation is even stronger than before. Remote work has developed the personnel’s skills in managing digital tools as well as the employer image of the Finnish Defence Forces in the eyes of their personnel. This is the first study to map employees’ experiences of remote work from the perspective of changes in organisational culture in the Finnish Defence Forces. The research provides novel information that can be utilised in developing the operations and management of organisations. The Finnish Defence Forces have taken significant steps towards a modern work community. There are still some challenges to be solved in terms of how to improve leadership of remote work. A particularly important resource in resilience to change is the trust that is manifested in the organisational culture of the Finnish Defence Forces.

Exploring loss and damage from climate change and global perspectives that influence response mechanism in vulnerable communities

Exploring loss and damage from climate change and global perspectives that influence response mechanism in vulnerable communities

Impact of higher-income countries on child health in lower-income countries from a climate change perspective. A case study of the UK and Malawi.

Climate change is the number one threat to child health according to the World Health Organisation. It increases existing inequalities, and lower-income countries are disproportionately affected. This is unjust. Higher-income countries have contributed and continue to contribute more to climate change than lower-income countries. This has been recognised by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, which has ruled that states can be held responsible if their carbon emissions harm child rights both within and outside their jurisdiction. Nevertheless, there are few analyses of the bilateral relationship between higher- and lower-income countries concerning climate change. This article uses the UK and Malawi as a case study to illustrate higher-income countries' impact on child health in lower-income countries. It aims to assist higher-income countries in developing more targeted policies. Children in Malawi can expect more food insecurity and reduced access to clean water, sanitation, and education. They will be more exposed to heat stress, droughts, floods, air pollution and life-threatening diseases, such as malaria. In 2019, 5,000 Malawian children died from air pollution (17% of under-five deaths). The UK needs to pay its 'fair share' of climate finance and ensure adaptation is prioritised for lower-income countries. It can advocate for more equitable and transparent allocation of climate finance to support the most vulnerable countries. Additionally, the UK can act domestically to curtail revenue losses in Malawi and other lower-income countries, which would free up resources for adaptation. In terms of mitigation, the UK must increase its nationally determined commitments by 58% to reach net zero and include overseas emissions. Land use, heating systems and renewable energy must be reviewed. It must mandate comprehensive scope three emission reporting for companies to include impacts along their value chain, and support businesses, multinational corporations, and banks to reach net zero.