Community Views Research Articles

Microbiome Analysis of Sugarcane Juices and Biofilms from Louisiana Raw Sugar Factories.

During postharvest processing of sugarcane for raw sugar, microbial activity results in sucrose loss and undesirable exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. Historically, culture-based approaches have focused on the bacterium Leuconostoc mesenteroides as the main contributor to both processes. However, recent studies have shown that diverse microbes are present in sugarcane factories and may also contribute to sugarcane juice deterioration. In the present study, high-throughput amplicon-based sequence profiling was applied to gain a more comprehensive view of the microbial community in Louisiana raw sugar factories. Microbial profiling of the bacterial and fungal microbiomes by 16S V4 and ITS1 sequences, respectively, identified 417 bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and 793 fungal ASVs. While Leuconostoc was indeed the most abundant bacterial genus overall (40.9% of 16S sequences), multiple samples were dominated by other taxa such as Weissella and Lactobacillus, underscoring the microbial diversity present in sugarcane factories. Furthermore, flask cultures inoculated with the same samples demonstrated differences in the rate of sucrose consumption, as well as the production of exopolysaccharides and other organic acids, which may result from the observed differences in microbial composition. IMPORTANCE Amplicon-based sequencing was utilized to address long-ignored gaps in microbiological knowledge about the diversity of microbes present in processing streams at Louisiana sugarcane raw sugar factories. These results support an emerging model where diverse organisms contribute to sugarcane juice degradation, help to contextualize microbial contamination problems faced by raw sugar factories, and will guide future studies on biocontrol measures to mitigate sucrose losses and operational challenges due to exopolysaccharide production.

KUDA KEPANG BARONGAN : EKSISTENSI KEBUDAYAAN ETNIS JAWA DI PONTIANAK SEBAGAI SUMBER BELAJAR IPS

<div><p>The purpose of this study was to describe the early history of the formation of the Kuda Kepang Barongan culture, the views of the community on culture and the impact and existence of the Kuda Kepang Barongan culture in Pontianak by the Margo Tresno Association, the methods used were observation, in-depth interviews with informants, the results, the traditional art of Kuda Kepang Barongan that grows and develops in Pontianak City thanks to the Margo Tresno Association is evidence of the acculturation of Javanese ethnicity in Pontianak. Obtained were early history Initially, the existence of the Kuda Kepang Barongan culture was sparked by the Margo Tresno Association which wanted to maintain the existence of Javanese ethnic culture in Pontianak. The community's view of this culture was welcomed by the artists with the presence of horse braid players who were not only from Javanese ethnicity but other ethnicities also participated. the cultural arts of the barong braid horse further enrich the culture in the city of Pontianak in particular, this is in accordance with the characteristics of the city of Pontianak which has a variety of cultures and ethnic groups which is commonly called multicultural. As a source of social studies learning, namely maintaining the existence of local wisdom culture and material for social interaction and cultural history in Pontianak.</p></div>

Sociocultural and Behavioral Features of Anticipated COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Papua New Guinea: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

COVID-19 was characterized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic in 2020. Papua New Guinea (PNG) has remained on high alert ever since, and its National Control Centre continues to coordinate national preparedness and response measures, guided by its Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19. As part of the WHO and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization's COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) program, PNG received several shipments of COVID-19 vaccine doses. A nationwide vaccine rollout for COVID-19 was initiated in PNG in May 2021. Despite the availability of vaccines and the capacity of health systems to vaccinate frontline workers and community members, including high-risk groups, there are still critical issues related to vaccine safety, confidence, and acceptance to ensure the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Evidence from studies on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and demand in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) suggests that sociocultural characteristics of the community and the behaviors of different vaccine stakeholders, including vaccine recipients, vaccine providers, and policymakers, determine the effectiveness of vaccination interventions or strategies. This study will examine sociocultural determinants of anticipated acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in urban and rural areas of different regions in PNG and health care providers' views on vaccine acceptance. The study design uses a mixed methods approach in PNG's coastal and highlands regions. The first research activity will use a qualitative methodology with an epistemological foundation based on constructivism. This design elicits and listens to community members' accounts of ways culture is a rich resource that provides meaning to the COVID-19 pandemic; the design also measures adherence to niupela pasin ("new normal" in Tok Pidgin) and vaccination acceptance. The second activity will be a cross-sectional survey to assess the distribution of features of vaccine acceptance, priorities, and practices. The third activity will be in-depth interviews of health care providers actively involved in either COVID-19 clinical management or public health-related pandemic control activities. The project proposal has been reviewed and approved by the Medical Research Advisory Committee of Papua New Guinea. Qualitative data collection started in December 2022, and the survey will begin in May 2023. The findings will be disseminated to the participating communities later this year, followed by publication. The proposed research on community views and experiences concerning sociocultural and behavioral features of acceptance of the vaccine will provide a better understanding of communication and education needs for vaccine action for COVID-19 control in PNG and other LMICs. The research also considers the influence of health care providers' and policy makers' roles in the awareness and use of the COVID-19 vaccine. PRR1-10.2196/44664.

Ancestral Beliefs, Religious Systems and Views of Life Traditional Dayak Community

This research focuses on the traditional Dayak belief systems, including their views on ancestor worship, religious systems, and worldviews. The Dayak's understanding of their belief system stems from imagination and attempts to relate their experiences to a greater power that governs the universe. The important thing about ancestral beliefs and this religious system is that nature does not exist on its own but that something has created it. They call this power Tamai Tingai, which is the center of their religious experience. Religious life is a theophanic experience that influences all Dayak human life. This paper aims to describe and analyze the concept of ancestral beliefs and religious systems as a way of life for the traditional Dayak community. This study uses phenomenological analysis and critical reading of the text using qualitative research methods. The research findings show that the Dayak people realize that religious expression through ancestor worship and religious systems is justified by human experience. In situations of helplessness, humans seek help and find it by connecting themselves to a transcendent existence.

Three Contrasting Accounts of Electronic Gambling Machine Related Harm: Impacts on Community Views Towards Gambling Policy and Responsibility

This study investigated whether there was community support for prominent gambling harm reduction policies, as well as perceived responsibility for electronic gambling machine (EGM) related harm in an Australian sample (n = 906). Using a randomised experimental design, we also explored whether these outcomes were influenced by three alternative explanations for EGM-related harm: a brain-based account of gambling addiction, an account that highlighted the intentional design of the gambling environment focused on the “losses disguised as wins” (LDWs), and a media release advocating against further government intervention in the gambling sector. We observed clear majority support for most policies presented, including mandatory pre-commitment, self-exclusion, and a $1 limit on EGM bets. A substantial majority of participants agreed that individuals, governments, and industry should be held responsible for EGM-related harm. Participants presented with the explanation of LDWs attributed greater responsibility for gambling-related harm to industry and government, less agreement that electronic gambling machines are fair, and more agreement that EGMs are likely to mislead or deceive consumers. There was some limited evidence of greater support for policy intervention in this group, including a blanket ban of EGMs, clinical treatment funded by gambling taxes, mass media campaigns, and mandatory pre-commitment for EGMs. We found no evidence that a brain-based account of gambling addiction substantially undermined support for policy intervention. We predicted that the information about LDWs and the brain-based account of EGM related harm would soften attributions of personal responsibility for gambling harm. Our results did not support either of these predictions.

Local community engagement as a practice: an investigation of local community engagement issues and their impact on transport megaprojects' social value

PurposeTransport megaprojects often struggle to offer social value (SV) that meets local communities' needs. This problem is embedded in how local communities' views are captured and incorporated into SV plans through local community engagement (LCE). By problematising the literature, this article aims to identify LCE issues and their impacts on SV plans at the front-end of transport megaprojects.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical lens of the study is the practice theory developed by Schatzki (2016, 2005). The authors conceptualised LCE as a practice and conducted 32 semi-structured interviews with UK practitioners. The authors collected data in three steps from three types of practitioners involved in LCE practice and SV planning: project managers, LCE experts and SV experts.FindingsThe authors identified 18 LCE issues with thematic analysis and clustered them into five themes. These issues impact LCE with five mechanisms. Findings show that a weak link between LCE and SV plans due to the issues reduces LCE to a tick-box exercise and presents a distorted view of local communities. This reduces SV plans to the bare minimum for project approval instead of offering relevant SV to local communities. Addressing the issues goes beyond changing the approach of project teams to engagement (from instrumental to normative) and requires changing the practices.Originality/valueFor the first time, the study uses practice theory to conceptualise LCE as a practice, following the notion of project as practice. The study problematises the literature to address the under-represented link between LCE and SV plans.

The Impact of Social Identity on Tax Compliance in Indonesia During the Pandemic COVID-19

Purpose: This study aims at examining the impacts of manufacture’s social identity on their tax attitudes, and how these effects on firm’s tax compliance, and used a qualitative method Theoretical framework: Two techniques are distinguished in Devos' (2014) Compliance Theory: the Economic Deterrence Approach and the Psychological Approach. Research by Scott & Grasmick (1998) as cited in Trivedi, Shehata & Lynn (2003) examined that even if economic elements are crucial for evaluating compliance behavior, they are insufficient to fully explain the level of compliance. Design/methodology/approach: The sample of the study are 101 respondents. This study uses quantitative methods to collect, process, and analyze data to draw empirical conclusions. Findings: The data from 101 respondents reported that membership and identity affect their firm’s tax compliance, but not private collective self-esteem and public collective self-esteem. The result shows that dependence on the community and stakeholder views on corporate identity are considered important by companies in order to increase public trust. Meanwhile, private and public collective self-esteem is no longer the key. It implies that the former is more likely to have a higher cost of tax collection to represent tax compliance, which may restrict funds for their public sector and adversely affects its functionality. This is consistent with the previous findings that identity socially impacted tax compliance, instead of self-esteem. Research, Practical & Social implications: Research results for manufacturing managers related to strengthening social identity factors in order to improve overall corporate tax compliance, such as joining tax communities, professional memberships, and the like. By having a clear social identity, managers have channels to discuss tax issues and find solutions to tax problems more easily. Originality/value: The tax compliance issues findings related to self esteem approach having new model for DGT’s to optimize tax income strategy during pandemic.

International addiction researchers’ perspectives on the needs of persons with addictions, the use of neuroscientific research for prevention and treatment, and future foci in addictions research

Brain-based explanations of addiction have been promoted for several decades. Their utility, however, is controversially discussed in the scientific community. While existing literature documents how stakeholders such as treatment providers, affected persons, and the public view their utility, views of the addiction research community are rarely represented. We aimed to complement existing studies by surveying researchers on their perspectives on the needs of addicted individuals, the utility of neuroscientific research for prevention and treatment, and future research priorities. 1440 international addiction researchers from many disciplines were invited to participate in a LimeSurvey. Their views on the treatment requirements of persons with addictions were assessed with a Likert scale and an open-ended question. The utility of neuroscientific research for prevention and treatment and the desired future priorities in addiction research were surveyed with open-ended questions. Quantitative items were analyzed descriptively. The qualitative content analysis of the free-text contributions followed an iterative inductive approach. Additionally, future research priorities were categorized deductively according to the underlying direction. 190 researchers from 29 countries participated (13.2%). Most considered various treatment and support options helpful and approaches tailored to the needs of individuals to be the most promising. The utility of neuroscientific research was evaluated critically by several, but benefits in terms of pharmacological treatment and the possibility to identify risk groups were acknowledged. Future areas of inquiry for addiction research mentioned were heterogenous and included neuroscientific/genetic/medications development (13%), psychosocial aspects (19%), and integrated bio-psycho-social approaches (45%). A corresponding reconsideration of treatment, support, and research seems warranted.

An assessment of Church Leader’s Perceptions on Gay Relationships, and its Acceptability by the Church

The aim of this study was to determine how church leaders felt about gay relationships and whether they were acceptable in the church. The study used Bandura’s Social Learning Theory to demonstrate that a person's behavior is a function of the factors that surround them. The research focused on the All Saints Cathedral Anglican Church in Nairobi, and it used a cross-sectional study design. Questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups were used to gather information. Cross tabulations and simple statistical analyses were carried out using descriptive summary statistics. The results reveal that there is a clear link between modeled behavior and behavior acceptance. The view of church leaders affected the recognition of gay relationships in the church. Younger churchgoers, on the other hand, were more likely to change their actions in response to what their age-mates who were also churchgoers did. Furthermore, the results of the focus group discussion reveal that most parents would rather support their children if they came out as gay and continued to attend church than denounce them. Finally, while African culture is hostile to gay relationships in general, the presence of gay church leaders in the community /or complicit church leaders is likely to affect the church community's view of gay relationships and, as a result, their inclusion in society.

Views of leaders in under-represented and equity-denied communities on organ and tissue donation in Nova Scotia, Canada, in light of the Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act: a qualitative descriptive study

ObjectiveTo explore the views of underserved and equity-denied communities in Nova Scotia, Canada, regarding organ and tissue donation and deemed consent legislation.DesignA qualitative descriptive study was undertaken, employing both interviews...

Multilevel Factors Influencing Interruptions in PrEP Use Among Young Women in Siaya County, Kenya.

Young women in sub-Saharan Africa continue to be disproportionately at risk for HIV. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can reduce women's HIV risk when taken daily throughout their "seasons of risk". We used photovoice to describe community views on factors influencing interruptions in PrEP use among young cisgender women in Siaya County, Kenya. Through group discussions, young women taking PrEP and their social network members (female peers, male peers/partners, family, and community members) shared photographs and identified broad social-ecological causes of PrEP interruptions, including: (1) widespread misinformation about PrEP, (2) social pressures from religious communities, (3) health care staff recommendations to interrupt PrEP use, (4) partner rejection of PrEP, (5) changes in women's risk awareness, and (6) a personal desire to occasionally pause daily use. Collectively, participants identified strategies to address these challenges. These findings can inform future programs targeting the broader social-ecological influences on young women's persistent use of PrEP.

Birang Daruganora: a protocol for a qualitative study to elicit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community views about cultural needs and experiences for a new Australian health facility

IntroductionTo address challenges regarding the delivery of healthcare, governments and health services are focusing on the implementation of models that are flexible, person-centred, cost-effective and integrate hospital services more closely...

Active fund managers and the rise of passive investing: Epistemic opportunism in financial markets

Financial markets have witnessed a dramatic shift in financial flows in recent years from Active fund management where professional investors attempt to beat the market (generate ‘alpha’) to Passive investment where portfolios are assembled that follow existing market indicators (track ‘beta’). This transition has important implications for both corporate governance and wider society, with potentially significant distributive effects. Passive investing is predicated upon different bodies of knowledge and is suggestive of an epistemic shift of sorts in financial markets. In such circumstances, field theory suggests that incumbent groups like Active players will try to adapt to the new rules of the investment game. However, drawing from an empirical study which explores the views of the Active investment community in both the United Kingdom and the United States, we document significant defensiveness vis-à-vis the rise of Passive investing. Whereas behavioural approaches might explain this defensiveness in terms of irrationality, the conceptual approach advanced here instead emphasizes the epistemic opportunism (convoluted and self-serving attempts to demonstrate superior knowledge) that communities strategically engage in to justify their position. As such, we conclude that financial markets should be understood as constituted by slowly evolving communities of practice whose habits, routines and ways of knowing can be difficult to shift, even when faced with overwhelming evidence that what they are doing doesn’t work most of the time.

The Impact and Views of Communities on Underage Marriage in Ara Village, Bulukumba District

This study aims to find out how society views child marriage, the impact it causes, and the government's role in tackling underage marriage using qualitative methods with a descriptive approach. The results and conclusions of this study indicate that society views underage marriage as a natural thing based on hereditary habits. This underage marriage has several impacts, one of which is experiencing health problems. The government's role in tackling early marriage in Ara Village, Kec. Bonto Bahari Kab. Bulukumba is building a school in Ara Village, so married couples can still get an education

What is important for high quality rural health care? A qualitative study of rural community and provider views in Aotearoa New Zealand.

While the general principles of healthcare quality are well articulated internationally, less has been written about applying these principles to rural contexts. Research exploring patient and provider views of healthcare quality in rural communities is limited. This study investigated what was important in healthcare quality particularly for hospital-level care for rural communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. A pragmatic qualitative study was undertaken in four diverse rural communities with access to rural hospitals. Data were gathered through eight community and indigenous (Māori) focus groups (75 participants) and 34 health provider interviews, and analysed thematically. Two study sites had large Māori populations and high levels of socioeconomic deprivation, whereas the other two sites had much lower Māori populations and lower levels of socioeconomic deprivation, but further travel distances to urban facilities. Rural hospitals in the communities ranged from 12 to 80 beds and were both government and community trust owned. A theme of the principles of high quality rurally focused health services was developed. Nine principles were identified: (1) providing patient- and family-centred care that respected people's preferences for where treatment was provided; (2) providing services as close to home as could be done well; (3) quality was everybody's job; (4) consistent care across settings, with reduction on unwarranted variation; (5) team-based care across distance, with clear communication and processes between different facilities working together; (6) equitable health care particularly for Māori, and then for the whole rural community; (7) sustainable service models, particularly for workforce, as a counterbalance to 'closer to home'; (8) health networks to improve patient flow, and reduce waste; and (9) value was more than value for money, and including valuing respectful, timely care. Another theme around rural and urban healthcare quality was developed. While the nature of care was different in different settings, patient experience should be the underlying measure of quality, and quality measures needed to be interpreted in the context of local circumstances, with rural-specific quality measures where appropriate. The researchers developed principles of healthcare quality specific to rural communities regarding patient and family preferences for where care was received, a broader focus on value beyond value for money and a strong focus on equity for indigenous people. These principles add to the rural principles previously described. Patient experience should be the underlying focus of quality, while noting that the nature of health care provided in rural and urban settings is different. The present study's findings support the concept that quality measures should be interpreted in the context of local circumstances, with the development of rural-specific measures. The authors hope the findings, when locally contextualised, will assist health policy makers, planners, providers and community leaders as they strive to improve the quality of health services for their rural communities.

There is Something Special about War Criminals …

Abstract This article assesses how the rehabilitation of perpetrators of international crimes is being constructed and evaluated at the domestic level, in particular in Croatia, and how it compares to international practice at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) or International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). The analysis is based on a convenience sample of early release decisions issued by the Croatian judiciary and the most recent early release decisions issued by the IRMCT. Up until very recently, rehabilitation of war criminals has been approached through a rather conventional prism, both at the ICTY/IRMCT and domestically. The most recent IRMCT early release decisions, however, developed a sui generis approach focusing primarily on an offender’s critical reflection on crimes, gravity of the offence and views of the larger community. At the same time, the Croatian approach to assessing rehabilitation remained centred around the perceived risk of reoffending. Due to inconsistencies in incorporating the various factors, however, there seems to be double standards being applied along ethnic lines. In this article, we analyse and contrast rehabilitation assessments and early release practices at the ICTY/IRCMT and Croatia and ask the proverbial question whether there is anything special about rehabilitating war criminals.

Citizens' perceptions of World Heritage values: the case of Cuenca, Ecuador

PurposeThis paper aims to study possible differences between the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) defined in the designation of Cuenca as a World Heritage (WH) site and its inhabitants' perceptions of heritage value. The study is based on research conducted in the historic centre of Cuenca in Ecuador, which was accorded WH status in 1999.Design/methodology/approachThe research employs both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, providing a complementary approach to the research subject. Quantitative research involved a probability survey of 400 informants randomly selected from the population of the canton of Cuenca, while qualitative research included 40 semi-structured interviews with residents and traders in the historic centre and 150 further written consultations with residents of the city.FindingsFollowing the introduction, methodology and description, the paper presents the data gathered from the survey and interviews. These indicate inhabitants' perceptions of the meaning, values, and uses of WH in Cuenca and reveal differences between their perceptions and those of the official OUV.Originality/valueAlthough there are several studies on WH residents' perceptions of UNESCO OUV, few highlight the mismatch between local community views of heritage and those established by UNESCO. This study reflects critically on the concept of OUV, which is based on technical and political criteria rather than social participation. The study employs methodologies that could be applied in other case studies and used to improve heritage management. This is the only study on local perceptions of Cuenca's OUV.

Tradisi Lapeh Kapadi di Masyarakat Minangkabau

This study aims to determine the community's view of the Lapeh Kapadi tradition in Nagari Simpang, Pasaman Regency. This tradition is an expression of the gratitude from community to Allah Swt for good crops. In the implementation stage there is an assumption that this tradition contains polytheism that is seen from the goat slaughtering event. So it is necessary to see the process of implementing tradition in full and the values contained therein. This type of research is qualitative using descriptive methods. Determination of informants is carried out with purposive sampling. The type of data consists of primary and secondary data, collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The data validity test is carried out with observation perseverance and triangulation. Data analysis techniques through data reduction, data presentation and conclusions. The results showed that the implementation of the Lapeh Kapadi tradition had several stages and there were values in each of these stages. The values are: religious, gotong royong, friendship and togetherness. These values are prioritized by the people of Nagari Simpang. The limitation of this research is to only look at the process that occurred in 2022 and not in the long period of time. So that there is no comparison of this tradition can survive or not in accordance within the times.

Corporate Social Responsibility: Community Voices from Shurugwi, Mhondoro-Ngezi and Zvishavane in Zimbabwe

The main reason for the prominence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the mining sector is a result of the fact that, in general, the sector negatively affects local communities socially, economically, and environmentally. The sector is criticised by civil society, the Government, and local activists in the host areas. Hence, mining companies are forced to respond by implementing CSR programmes that address issues like education, health, environmental and infrastructural issues. Minerals are finite resources, and mining companies close operations once minerals are exhausted in a given area, leaving some potentially harmful damage to the communities in terms of the environment, animals, and social lives and livelihoods of the local people. However, the whole issue about CSR is volunteerism, where companies contribute to the social, economic, and environmental welfare of society without any mechanism to regulate their actions. Through participant observation, key informant interviews, and desk research, the paper discusses the community views with regard to CSR within the platinum mining communities in Zimbabwe. The paper attempts to link these voices to Carroll's (1979) pyramid on CSR. The general conclusion is that local communities are not concerned about the business factor of CSR. However, they feel that mining companies have an obligation to assist them from a purely social justice perspective.

View of the Work Community and Vocational Rehabilitation Services Among Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Many adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face challenges in establishing and maintaining employment. These difficulties may be related to ASD symptomology or employer attitudes; however, vocational rehabilitation (VR) can provide employment-related resources. This study sought to understand how adults with ASD view their integration into workplace communities and VR services. Qualitative data were collected from 24 adults with ASD, and analysis identified themes surrounding the importance of workplace contributions, interesting work, and positive workplace relationships contributing to feeling integrated into the workplace community. Responses were also examined for perspectives on the role of VR in supporting workplace integration. Findings indicate the importance of attending to individual employment preferences and the need for long-term VR follow-along services to explore opportunities for employment growth. Implications and future recommendations for research and practice are also discussed.