Changing Priorities Research Articles

Iterative mapping of marine ecosystems for spatial status assessment, prioritization, and decision support

South Africa has taken an iterative approach to marine ecosystem mapping over 18 years that has provided a valuable foundation for ecosystem assessment, planning and decision-making, supporting improved ecosystem-based management and protection. Iterative progress has been made in overcoming challenges faced by developing countries, especially in the inaccessible marine realm. Our aim is to report on the approach to produce and improve a national marine ecosystem map to guide other countries facing similar challenges, and to illustrate the impact of even the simplest ecosystem map. South Africa has produced four map versions, from a rudimentary map of 34 biozones informed by bathymetry data, to the latest version comprising 163 ecosystem types informed by 83 environmental and biodiversity datasets that aligns with the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology. Data were unlocked through academic and industry collaborations; multi-disciplinary, multi-realm and multi-generational networks of practitioners; and targeted research to address key gaps. To advance toward a more transparent, reproducible and data-driven approach, limitations, barriers and opportunities for improvement were identified. Challenges included limited human and data infrastructure capacity to collate, curate and assimilate many data sources, covering a variety of ecosystem components, methods and scales. Five key lessons that are of relevance for others working to advance ecosystem classification and mapping, were distilled. These include (1) the benefits of iterative improvement; (2) the value of fostering relationships among a co-ordinated network of practitioners including early-career researchers; (3) strategically prioritizing and leveraging resources to build and curate key foundational biodiversity datasets and understand drivers of biodiversity pattern; (4) the need for developing, transferring and applying capacity and tools that enhance data quality, analytical workflows and outputs; and (5) the application of new technology and emerging statistical tools to improve the classification and prediction of biodiversity pattern. South Africa’s map of marine ecosystem types has been successfully applied in spatial biodiversity assessment, prioritization to support protected area expansion and marine spatial planning. These successes demonstrate the value of a co-ordinated network of practitioners who continually build an evidence base and iteratively improve ecosystem mapping while simultaneously growing ecological knowledge and informing changing priorities and policy.

Ending racial disproportionality in child welfare: A systematic review

AbstractChildren of colour, especially non‐Hispanic Black, non‐Hispanic Native American, and non‐Hispanic multiracial, continue to be overrepresented across every decision point in the U.S. child welfare system. Existing research has largely focused on documenting the existence of disproportionality, while there has been less focus on interventions and/or approaches specifically designed to reduce this social problem. This study sought to identify and characterize interventions and/or approaches utilized in child welfare for reducing racial disproportionality by conducting a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. After reviewing over 1000 studies across eight databases, only three studies met criteria for inclusion in this systematic review. The articles all addressed prevention strategies aimed to address risk factors and subjectivity, while employing interventions across both family and organizational/community levels. Three themes emerged, community‐wide targeted intervention, culturally responsive family preservation, and agency‐specific initiatives, which captured the scope of intervention to the extent as possible. Results indicated that training, collaboration, and comprehensive reform are promising, yet large‐scale systemic efforts must take priority for meaningful change to occur.

Planning centrality, state-oriented growth, and the spatial evolution of development zones in urban China: The case of Wuhan’s Optics Valley

As an important component of China’s efforts at reform and its opening-up policy, China’s development zones have been experiencing rapid development for nearly 40 years and have played a huge role in promoting the country’s economic growth, industrial development, technological innovation and urban construction. This article focuses on the changing priorities and objectives of high-tech development zones and how they have shaped the spatiality of development zones. We also analyse the role of urban planning in delivering these spatial changes thereby expanding on the concept of planning centrality which was introduced by Wu in his 2018 article ‘Planning centrality, market instruments: Governing Chinese urban transformation under state entrepreneurialism’. By drawing on the case of the Optics Valley of China (also known as Wuhan East Lake High-Tech Development Zone), we illustrate how development zones have evolved spatially over 30 years due to the changing needs of the national government as well as the Wuhan municipality. We categorise these changes to the project’s spatial form into three stages: from block to park, from park to urban area, and finally, from urban area to new city. These three stages signify the different priorities of the Chinese state starting from industrial development, to land-based accumulation and now focusing on delivering an ecological civilisation and attracting and retaining a highly skilled workforce. For each corresponding stage, urban planning has played a crucial role whereby the change from a block to park was driven by regulatory and strategic planning whilst for instance the change from an urban area to a new city required planning to focus more on the delivery of high-quality public spaces and amenities through detailed urban design guidance and schemes.

Reassuringly British: consumer engagement with domestic products and brands

PurposeThis paper investigates consumer engagement, evaluation and beliefs of domestic products and the influence of such associated attributes communicated via domestic COO labelling within the United Kingdom.Design/methodology/approachA visual ethnographic approach utilising the methods of autophotography and photo elicitation interviews was conducted to explore consumers' interaction with the domestic COO label and provenance advertising.FindingsThe results of photo elicitation interviews revealed both positive and negative cognitive, affective and normative implications of domestic provenance labelling of influence emerging within consumers.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are applied to the context of the United Kingdom, with contextual limitations acknowledged of doing so. Convenience sampling limitations are also acknowledged.Practical implicationsThe findings provide UK-based FMCG manufacturers and retailers insight into the associated attributes of domestic brand and products interpreted by consumers, communicated via a COO label, to assist in their purchasing strategies.Originality/valueThis paper seeks to contribute towards the understanding of provenance labelling influence on consumers for products within the FMCGs sector, whilst specifically commenting upon attributes of reliance and influence that may assist navigation of changing priorities and national sentiments.

Engaging multisector stakeholders to identify priorities for global health innovation, change and research: an engagement methodology and application to prosthetics service delivery in Cambodia

Purpose While innovation is known to catalyse solutions to global sustainable development challenges, lack of engagement from stakeholders during conceptualisation and development may influence the degree of success of implementation. Methods and materials This paper presents a complete and novel engagement methodology, developed from value led business modelling approaches, for working with multi-sector stakeholders. The methodology can be used to determine barriers and facilitators to clinical practice innovations or translational research, within a country-specific context. The approach has then been applied in the Cambodian prosthetics and orthotics sector to provide a practice-based exemplar application of the framework. Results This approach seeks to ensure the suitability and sustainability of clinical practice and research programmes being implemented within a complex ecosystem. A theoretical basis, drawn from academic and business innovation sectors, has been consolidated and adapted for practical application to design, direct, and inform initiatives in low resource settings. Conclusions The methods presented provide a way to both develop and articulate the mission, vision, and goals of any proposed change, and to effectively communicate these with stakeholders in a way that engages the personal and professional values that exist in their ecosystem. It provides a structured process through which meaningful conversations can happen, and a basis for relationship management with key stakeholders; intrinsic to enable a sustained legacy from research and development.

Intention to use contraceptives and its correlates among reproductive age women in selected high fertility sub-saharan Africa countries: a multilevel mixed effects analysis

BackgroundIntention to use contraceptive methods has an overriding importance to better visualize the women’s future needs and more likely to translate it to actual behavior. It is therefore important to identify the motivating correlates such as education, women empowerment, as well as deterring factors like fear of side effects, infertility after contraceptive use, lack of knowledge regarding family planning methods among married women in countries with high fertility rates in sub-Saharan Africa. This helps to control family size, unintended pregnancies, and poor health outcomes for infants and mothers.MethodsA secondary data analysis was performed using the recent Demographic and Health Surveys. A total weighted sample of 178,875 reproductive age women was included in this study. A multilevel mixed-effect binary logistic regression model was fitted. The odds ratios along with the 95% confidence interval were generated to identify the correlates of the intention to use contraceptives. A p-value less than 0.05 was declared as statistical significance.ResultsOverall, the intention to use contraception was 37.66% (95% CI, 37.44, 37.88). Whereas, the proportion of women who intend to use contraception was 59.20%, 53.30%, 42.32%, 37.88%, 37.63%, 35.25%, 31.32%, 20.64%, 20.30% in Burkina Faso, Burundi, Niger, Mali, DR. Congo, Nigeria, Angola, Gambia, and Chad respectively. Age; 15–24 (AOR = 3.72, 95% CI, 3.58, 3.86) and 25 − 24 years (AOR = 2.81, 95% CI, 2.74, 2.89), education of women; primary (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI, 1.13, 1.20), and secondary (AOR = 1.32, 95% CI, 1.27, 1.37), wealth index; middle (AOR = 1.15, 95% CI, 1.12, 1.18), rich (AOR = 1.28, 95% CI, 1.24, 1.32), number of living children 1–2 (AOR = 1.42, 95% CI, 1.37, 1.48), 3 or more (AOR = 1.77, 95% CI, 1.69, 1.85), age at cohabitation ≥ 18years (AOR = 1.37, 95% CI, 1.33, 1.40), heard family planning messages in the media (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI, 1.43, 1.50), history of ever terminated pregnancy (AOR = 1.13, 95% CI, 1.09, 1.17) and perceived distance to the health facility as not big problem (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI, 1.13, 1.19) were the correlates of intention to use contraceptives.ConclusionThe finding of the current study demonstrates that the intention of contraceptive use among reproductive age women in high fertility countries in SSA was relatively low as compared to previous studies. Thus, each national authority, especially in Chad and Gambia would be keen to know the level of contraceptive use intentions for their respective region, the drivers of contraceptive use intention and to map priorities for behavioral change. Any intervention strategy that promotes intention of contraceptive use should consider these factors for better success. Future researchers interested in the area should also address qualitative variables like socio-cultural factors, which might have an effect on intention of contraceptive use.

Making Social Welfare Policy in America: Three Case Studies since 1950

Making Social Welfare Policy in America: Three Case Studies since 1950

The evolution of Physics textbooks used in Ireland 1860–2022

This paper focuses on the evolution of Physics textbooks used in Ireland from 1860 to 2022, in addition to the Irish influence on early Physics textbooks in the latter part of the 19th century. Both Physics and Physics education are continually evolving and so textbooks change in response to that and to the changing priorities of educators. Physics is both experimental and theoretical and the presentation of it has always been multimodal. Physics textbooks tend to include diagrams, demonstrations, experiments, the use of mathematics and derivations, historical references to people, and applications of Physics, among other features. Our research looks at these various characteristics to discern what has changed and what has not, over the course of time. Twenty-eight textbooks were examined in the course of this study. A Physics concept (refraction) and a Physics instrument (electroscope) were chosen for special attention, so that the findings would be firmly rooted in how Physics has been represented in textbooks rather than general textbook publishing trends. A specific analysis of four textbooks by the same two authors across three syllabi is also presented. Our findings show that a great deal has changed in the realm of Physics textbooks, and given that this is the case, it is remarkable how many things changed very little in 162 years.

Intolerance of Uncertainty and Emotional Processing in Adolescence: Separating Between-Person Stability and Within-Person Change

Previous research on the relation between Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU) and Emotional Processing (EP) during adolescence is limited. The present study aimed to clarify how IU and EP evolve over time, to what extent they are related, and whether changes in one precede or follow changes in the other. A total of 457 Italian adolescents (53.1% girls) aged 11 to 18 years (M = 14.1 ± 2.27) completed the IU and EP scales on three separate occasions three months apart (T1, T2, and T3). Data were modeled using a Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model (RI-CLPM) that separates individual differences between individuals from intraindividual changes. Descriptive analyses showed that IU was relatively stable between T1 and T2 and decreased slightly between T2 and T3. Consistent with the view that emotion regulation improves as adolescents develop, EP difficulties were found to decrease between T1 and T2 and between T2 and T3. The RI-CLPM revealed a strong between-person effect, showing that individual differences in IU and EP remained consistent throughout the study. In addition, significant within-person change was found, with adolescents who increased their IU at T1 and T2 also increasing their EP difficulties at T2 and T3, respectively. The opposite effect had a smaller effect size. In sum, our study showed that IU and EP are intertwined in adolescents and that changes in IU precede corresponding changes in EP. These results suggest a priority of change between IU and EP and confirm the relationship between IU and emotion regulation problems in adolescence.

Determining external randomised pilot trial feasibility in preparation for a definitive trial: a web-based survey of corresponding authors of external pilot trial publications

BackgroundExternal randomised pilot trials aim to determine whether a future definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT) should be conducted, and if so, how. However, not every pilot trial that suggests that a definitive trial will be feasible will progress to a definitive study. In this study, we surveyed corresponding authors of external randomised pilot trial publications to assess pilot trial outcomes in terms of feasibility and progression.MethodsWeb-based surveys were sent to corresponding authors of external randomised pilot trial publications, open for four weeks between January and February 2022. Four surveys were produced depending on whether the corresponding author had published a trial protocol or results publication, and whether progression criteria were reported. Surveys asked whether a future RCT was considered feasible, whether progression criteria were met (if applicable), what other factors informed the assessment of pilot trial feasibility, and whether the pilot trial has progressed to further research. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis.Results98 of 276 corresponding authors completed the survey (average response rate of 36% across all surveys). Of these, 89 respondents indicated that their trial had completed. Ninety per cent of respondents who were corresponding authors of completed pilot trials stated that their pilot trial was either feasible (42/89, 47%) or feasible with changes to the trial design (38/89, 43%), yet only 66% (59/89) reported the intention to conduct a future definitive trial. Availability of funding for a future definitive trial and changing priorities of the Chief Investigator were the most common barriers to progression identified. Qualitative research findings was the most frequent factor considered both by corresponding authors who reported and who did not report progression criteria when determining trial feasibility.ConclusionsJust under one quarter (21/89, 24%) of respondents who considered their external randomised pilot trial to be feasible, or feasible with changes, did not intend to conduct a definitive trial highlighting research inefficiency and waste.Trial registrationOpen Science Framework osf.io/d28hr [20 December 2021]

Cancer Patients during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mini-Review.

Since its emergence, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the entire world and all commerce and industries, including healthcare systems. COVID-19 adversely affects cancer patients because they are immunocompromised. Increased COVID-19 infection and shortage of medical supplies, beds and healthcare workers in hospitals affect cancer care. This paper includes a description of the existing research that shows the impact of COVID-19 on the management of cancer patients. Aged people with various chronic conditions such as cancer and comorbidities face more challenges as they have a greater risk of disease severity. COVID-19 has affected care delivery, including patient management, and has been responsible for increased mortality among cancer patients. Cancer patients with severe symptoms require regular therapies and treatment; therefore, they have a higher risk of exposure. Due to the risk of transmission, various steps were taken to combat this disease; however, they have affected the existing operational efficiency. Herein, we present the changing priorities during COVID-19, which also affected cancer care, including delayed diagnosis, treatment, and surgeries.

Novel plant-based meat alternatives: future opportunities and health considerations.

Present food systems threaten population and environmental health. Evidence suggests reduced meat and increased plant-based food consumption would align with climate change and health promotion priorities. Accelerating this transition requires greater understanding of determinants of plant-based food choice. A thriving plant-based food industry has emerged to meet consumer demand and support dietary shift towards plant-based eating. 'Traditional' plant-based diets are low-energy density, nutrient dense, low in saturated fat and purportedly associated with health benefits. However, fast-paced contemporary lifestyles continue to fuel growing demand for meat-mimicking plant-based convenience foods which are typically ultra-processed. Processing can improve product safety and palatability and enable fortification and enrichment. However, deleterious health consequences have been associated with ultra-processing, though there is a paucity of equivocal evidence regarding the health value of novel plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) and their capacity to replicate the nutritional profile of meat-equivalents. Thus, despite the health halo often associated with plant-based eating, there is a strong rationale to improve consumer literacy of PBMAs. Understanding the impact of extensive processing on health effects may help to justify the use of innovative methods designed to maintain health benefits associated with particular foods and ingredients. Furthering knowledge regarding the nutritional value of novel PBMAs will increase consumer awareness and thus support informed choice. Finally, knowledge of factors influencing engagement of target consumer subgroups with such products may facilitate production of desirable, healthier PBMAs. Such evidence-based food manufacturing practice has the potential to positively influence future individual and planetary health.

Working from the Ground Up and Participatory Action Research: An old urban neighbourhood in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT This article presents a community-based action research project in a low-income neighborhood in Hong Kong that adopted the Working from the Ground Up (WFGU) model. In the context of the neoliberal turn, the WFGU approach reminds researchers and practitioners to begin with the disadvantaged groups’ perceptions of the neighborhood and priorities for changes. The WFGU and action research process involved four phases: observation, reflection, planning, and actions. The four-year action research project indicates the potential of promoting the participation of tenants of sub-divided units (SDUs), a type of sub-standard housing in Hong Kong. The SDU tenants used Photovoice in community assessment. They critically assessed the causes of neighborhood issues and were committed to making changes collectively.

ESG banking: changing priorities in Russia

ESG banking: changing priorities in Russia

Changing priorities for choosing life partner in present era

Present study was planned to assess changing priorities of respondents for choosing life partner in present era and their association with independent variables. A self-prepared questionnaire was used to collect the data from a sample of twenty five boys and twenty five girls of 16-28 years of age group were randomly selected from Rath and Jhansi City. Results revealed that maximum respondents were in the age category 20-22 followed by 23-25 years. The education data highlighted that 21% were post graduate followed by 16% were graduate. About 19% respondent’s parents were in business followed by 13% agriculture. Almost equal percent of respondent’s parents have income below Rs.10.000 and Rs.10, 000 – Rs.50, 000 per month. The results further portrayed that majority of respondents (70%) agreed that priorities are changing regarding choice of life partner in present era while 26% respondents were having neutral level. Only 4% of the respondents disagree with the concerned point. No association was visible with any of the independent variables (age, education, occupation and income).

Energy-saving technologies for sustainable development of the maritime transport logistics market

The paper identifies ways to solve problems of further development of the maritime logistics market, based on the challenges posed by the recovery of increasing demand for transport services, and activation of the integration of the transport system of Ukraine into the European and world transport systems. Priorities for future economic changes have been proposed in the transport sector and increasing their effectiveness through the development of a legal framework and improving the management structure of the country’s logistics system. Recognizing the magnitude of the climate change challenge and the importance of global action today, the development and implementation of energy-saving measures to address international shipping issues was analyzed. In order to succeed in further increasing the energy efficiency of the maritime sector, which is already the most energy-efficient way of mass transportation of goods, the document proposes pragmatic solutions from both a technical and a political point of view. The priorities and direction of action set out in the paper are formulated taking into account the state and place of each market segment in solving national tasks, their implementation requires significant capital investment and must be carried out taking into account the requirements of economic efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Motives in electoral choices in the United States midterm elections

The article examines the main motives that shaped the electoral decisions of voters in the midterm elections in the United States in 2022. The main problems of voters that determined their decisions when choosing candidates for Congress and for various positions in the states are revealed. The dynamics of changing priorities for voters during the campaign is determined, the reasons for which the problems of living standards, inflation and abortion became the main ones that largely determined the outcome of the vote are analyzed.

Professional competences of social workers: changing priorities in the conditions of war

The problem of providing personnel with the appropriate competence of social services in the conditions of martial law remains relevant for Ukraine. It is predicted that under the influence of the general labor shortage caused by the war, the problem of shortage of specialists in the field of social work may arise. The author of the article emphasizes that, as of now, the distribution of specialists in the field of social work is uneven across the regions of Ukraine and has not reached a critical state, but requires special attention of scientists and practitioners. In recent years, the list and formation of competencies of social workers has been the focus of attention of scientists in the context of professional and educational standards. The realities of wartime changed the conditions and practices of social work, accordingly shifting the emphasis in the required competencies. The purpose of the article is to analyze the trends and factors affecting the required competences of social workers, thereby intensifying the scientific discussion on reformatting professional and educational standards. The author considers competence as a characteristic that determines the specialist's ability to solve professional tasks, using knowledge, life and professional experience, relying on one's own values and abilities. The competencies of a social worker are considered in the context of modern practices of social services in Ukraine. The author identifies the main trends in the change in the composition of social workers: the appearance of employees physically injured as a result of hostilities (killed, missing, injured); an increase in the share of employees who migrated abroad or moved within the country; increase in the number of employees with disabilities of various nature. In the author's opinion, changes in the requirements for the competence of a social worker are influenced by the demand of the labor market, so he examines the proposals that are relevant in the Kharkiv region. Considering the professional skills in demand, the author concludes that employers are paying more attention to «soft skills», although the requirements for a diploma, work experience, language and computer skills remain unchanged. The conditions of the war actualized the requirements for the ability to work under pressure, in difficult conditions, to analyze risks and threats. Employers now consider stress resistance to be an equally important advantage. Summarizing, the author notes that the professional standard after the war will need adjustment and suggests focusing on the European standard

MEASURING THE EFFECTS OF A CARTOGRAPHY-BASED PLATFORM ON THE ONLINE DESIGN PROCESS

As the use of online learning in architectural education has increased, the patterns of the past are now being discussed considering the current pandemic. It is crucial to evaluate the strategies developed in this crisis when the institutional infrastructure, educators, and students rapidly adapt to this context. The use of cartography-based platforms (CBP) as an architectural information communication technology (ICT) enabled tool for interaction, ideation, and evaluation is examined in this research along with its potential and limits. It aims to contribute to the existing hybrid learning ecosystem. Research methodology is developed within the framework of integration, experimentation, and measurement. CBP experiments were modularly integrated into design courses in 2021 and 2022, respectively, and were conducted with the participation of approximately 400 students. In the scope of the course, each student (individually or in groups) is expected to have a field analysis and design proposal for a public space. Measurements related to three main factors and correlations between interface effects on user experience are based on the process, output, and questionnaires. Findings reveal the potential of the CBP strategy, which is implemented practically, to turn crises into opportunities. Statistical results related to measured factors underscore significant effects. Discussions based on the two experiments intensify on systematization, interaction, transparency, and parametrization in the online design process. According to the first experiment’s feedback, customization of the interface provides positive results based on an independent T-test. The limitations or changing priorities could be improved with the ongoing experimental applications. Other related studies also support the different variants and widespread impact of the strategy designed and evaluated here. The study shows potential for modular or holistic use in different contexts. As a result, the use of CBP contributes to an up-to-date discussion with its outputs based on empirical studies at a variety of scales.

The work experiences and needs of lone community psychologists: Exploring diversity of settings and identities.

Community psychologists (CPs) are committed to value-based praxis, an interdisciplinary orientation, and an ecological approach to community collaboration in pursuit of social justice and liberation. Because no setting is immune to the impacts of the intersecting systems of oppression in which we are embedded, CPs end up working in a wide array of settings, and often as the only CP in the setting. This dynamic-operating as a "lone" CP-may be rewarding as the CP is able to provide unique value at work, or may present specific challenges, particularly if the CP's sense of community or mattering is compromised. We interviewed n = 31 lone CP to explore their work experiences, including the benefits, challenges, and what they need to thrive in their current setting. Findings reveal a wide array of experiences among CPs, related to their community psychology, and other identities. Participants consistently discussed the important role of values in their decision-making and experiences at work, and provide specific recommendations as to how the Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) can ensure all CPs across all settings can thrive. This includes providing more tangible and relational support, changing SCRA's culture and priorities, and improving community psychology undergraduate and graduate training.