Local Initiatives Research Articles

‘Mind your head’, tackle characteristics associated with concussions in rugby league: a case–control study

ObjectivesIdentify tackle characteristics associated with concussions in male professional rugby league. DesignCase–control study. MethodsTackles resulting in 196 clinically diagnosed concussions and 6592 non-concussive tackles were analysed, from the men's rugby league Super League between 2018 and 2022. Eleven tackle characteristics were coded for each tackle, and Firth penalised logistic regression models were employed to identify influential variables through forward stepwise selection. Three multivariate models were produced; all (i.e., ball-carrier and tackler), tackler, and ball-carrier concussions. ResultsOf the 196 concussions, 70 % occurred to the tackler and 30 % to the ball-carrier. Initial impact location on the ball-carrier was identified as a predictor in all models, specifically the shorts, upper- and lower-leg (OR 9.1–12.3, compared to shoulder) for tacklers and head/neck (OR 66.1, compared to shoulder) for ball-carriers. Tackler head placement in front of the ball-carrier (OR 8.5, compared to away from the body) and a ball-carrier leading arm in any position (OR 4.8–22.1, compared to no leading arm) provided the greatest odds of a tackler concussion. For player's body position the greatest risk of concussion for all players was observed when both players were falling/diving (OR 8.8, compared to both players upright). One (OR 4.9, compared to two) and four (OR 3.7, compared to two) defender tackles provide the greatest odds for all concussions. ConclusionsConcussion prevention strategies should aim to reduce head impacts by deterring initial contact with the ball-carrier's head/neck. Tackle technique should prioritise making initial impact with the torso and avoid the head being in front of the ball-carrier and any leading arms.

High‐Resolution Modeling and Projecting Local Dynamics of Differential Vulnerability to Urban Heat Stress

AbstractClimate change‐induced heat stress has significant effects on human health, and is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Most assessments of future heat‐related risks however are based on coarse resolution projections of heat hazards and overlook the contribution of relevant factors other than climate change to the negative impacts on health. Research highlights sociodemographic disparities related to heat stress vulnerability, especially among older adults, women and individuals with low socioeconomic status, leading to higher morbidity and mortality rates. There is thus an urgent need for detailed, local information on demographic characteristics underlying vulnerability with refined spatial resolution. This study aims to address the research gaps by presenting a new population projection exercise at high‐resolution based on the Bayesian modeling framework for the case study of Madrid, using demographic data under the scenarios compatible with the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways. We examine the spatial and temporal distribution of population subgroups at the intra‐urban level within Madrid. Our findings reveal a concentration of vulnerable populations, as measured by their age, sex and educational attainment level in some of the city's most disadvantaged neighborhoods. These vulnerable clusters are projected to widen in the future unless a sustainable trajectory is realized, driving vulnerability dynamics toward a more uniform and resilient change. These results can guide local adaptation efforts and support climate justice initiatives to protect vulnerable communities in urban environments.

Insights Into Antimicrobial Resistance From Dental Students in the Asia–Pacific Region

BackgroundDentists, as prominent prescribers, are key stakeholders in addressing the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis. Dental students’ perceptions about the topic have been underexplored in the Asia–Pacific region, a key location for the development and spread of AMR. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness and confidence to prescribe antimicrobials amongst dental students studying in the region. MethodsStudents from 15 dental schools in 4 countries were invited to participate in a cross-sectional online survey during 2022–2023. A previously validated and standardised 14-item instrument was utilised. ResultsIn all, 1413 responses were collected from Australia (n = 165), Sri Lanka (n = 112), Japan (n = 173), and Vietnam (n = 963). Of those, 201 were from final-year students (14.2%). On a scale from 1 to 10, awareness on AMR was placed at a mean (SEM) priority of 8.09 (0.05). With regards to target areas to address for mitigation of the AMR crisis, participants placed general public awareness at the top (mean [SEM] 8.53 [0.05]). Final-year students presented a mean (SEM) level of confidence to prescribe antibiotics of 6.01 (0.14) on a scale from 1 to 10, whilst 59.7% and 56.8% indicated feeling pressured to prescribe by patients or when lacking time, respectively. Final-year students participating in research activities assigned a higher priority to AMR compared to their peers not involved in research (mean [SEM] 8.6 [0.19] vs 7.81 [0.16]; P = .01). ConclusionsThis study highlights a need for increased awareness and confidence to prescribe amongst dental students in the Asia–Pacific region, an understudied population thus far. To mitigate this issue, the implementation (followed by assessment) of local educational and antibiotic stewardship initiatives is warranted.

The Intention of Community Garden Participation: A Case Study in Community Garden of Taman Tasik Ilmu, Kota Seriemas

Malaysia's population is projected to reach approximately 41.5 million by 2040, marking a significant increase from its current population. This projection is based on various factors, including birth rates, death rates, and migration trends. With this rapid population increase, the urbanization rate is expected to rise, leading to concerns about food security. Ensuring food security becomes a pressing issue, as the country must produce or import enough food to feed its population. This is where community garden programs and other local food production initiatives can play a significant role in supplementing food supply and promoting sustainable agriculture. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) introduced in 2015, specifically Goal No. 2 (Zero Hunger), emphasize the need to address food security issues. One of Malaysia's strategies to achieve Goal No. 2 is through the implementation of community garden programs. However, the success of such programs largely depends on the intention and volunteerism of community participants. This study aims to explore the intention behind community garden participation at Taman Tasik Ilmu. Data was collected using an online questionnaire with 40 participants. The questionnaire gathered information on demographics, gardening knowledge, reasons for participation, and opinions on facilities and garden management. Descriptive analysis was employed to analyze the collected data. The results indicated that the primary motivation for participants to join the community garden program was to fill their free time. This finding suggests that aligning the objectives of community garden programs with the intentions of participants may enhance their success and sustainability.

Mechanical and failure behaviors of adhesively bonded dissimilar materials joints incorporating bio-inspired morphological irregularities

Adhesive dissimilar material joints between stainless steel grade 316L and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) plastic were examined, in which irregular interface morphologies inspired by natural sutures were incorporated. The joint interfaces exhibited various teeth-like, non-repetitive zigzag patterns based on a pseudo-randomization method and sutural interdigitation index. Effects of their irregularities on mechanical and failure characteristics of adhesive butt joints were studied by means of experiments and FE simulations. The cohesive zone model, Drucker-Prager plasticity model and ductile failure criterion were applied for the interface and PETG, respectively. Predicted load-displacement curves of joints with different teeth profiles were well validated. The degree of irregularity became higher to 20%, 40%, and 60%, the joint strengths decreased by 1.47%, 5.39%, and 11.95%, while the total energies to failure increased by 110.74%, 129.33%, and 161.23%, accordingly. More inhomogeneous morphologies led to earlier local damage initiation, but enhanced damage evolution range by impeding abrupt joint separation. Smaller teeth angles provided higher joint strength, whereas significant declines of bonding strength were observed by too acute teeth angle due to excessive stress localization and resulting teeth breakage. The teeth angle of 45º enabled the superior joint performance owing to a proper combination of interlocking and large adhesive force under shear stress state. Finally, a key insight for designing an optimal dissimilar joint with morphological irregularities was provided.

TCT-802 Every Heart Matters: A Local Initiative of Screening for Valvular Heart Disease in Western Pennsylvania

TCT-802 Every Heart Matters: A Local Initiative of Screening for Valvular Heart Disease in Western Pennsylvania

Rhythms of Kinabalu 2022 “Coming Back Stronger”: A Review

This article reviews the Rhythms of Kinabalu 2022 from the dual perspective of management and performance. Ever since its commencement in 2011, Rhythms of Kinabalu has been a yearly large-scale event organised by the National Department for Culture and Arts under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia along with other collaborative bodies. The aim of this festival is to showcase the diversity and uniqueness of the dances, arts, and music in Sabah for the purpose of their continued popularity, relevance, and sustainability. As such, the review examines the current nature of festival, paying attention to the various categories of performances and performers in Rhythms of Kinabalu 2022 as well as the favoured and less favoured performances and/or artists as indicated by viewer turnouts of the live shows. At the same time, the article seeks to understand the local audiences’ reception and/or reaction towards the event and its many shows to signal the current festivalgoers’ taste and preference of the performing arts. A main observation reveals the striking presence of the art of busking and an imbalance in the representation of modern and traditional art forms. Essentially, the representation of traditional arts was limited and those artists struggled to keep up with their more modern counterpart. Technology, namely, social media, has been identified to have played a major role in influencing this outcome and contributing to this scenario. Management wise, the lack of cooperation from business entities (i.e., premise operators and owners) in support of the local artists, performers, small and medium enterprises, and the event itself is a cause for concern as this has caused several setbacks which were detrimental to the festival’s operations. Hence, the art-based and managerial issues identified in this review may benefit the relevant stakeholders in its decision-making of the festival’s future cycles.

Next Generation Welfare System and E-Government in Banjarbendo Village

Background: The effectiveness of social welfare information systems, especially the Next Generation Social Welfare Information System (SIKS-NG), is vital for local e-government initiatives. Specific Background: This study examines SIKS-NG's implementation in Banjarbendo Village, Sidoarjo, East Java, to evaluate its impact on service delivery. Knowledge Gap: Prior research highlights inconsistent effectiveness and issues related to resource adequacy and data accuracy in rural contexts. Aims: This research aims to assess SIKS-NG's effectiveness through qualitative analysis, focusing on indicators of goal achievement, integration, and adaptation. Results: The study finds that SIKS-NG operates effectively due to competent operators and sufficient infrastructure, though data inconsistencies pose challenges. Novelty: This research offers new insights into the successes and challenges of implementing SIKS-NG in a rural Indonesian setting. Implications: The findings emphasize the importance of ongoing training and infrastructure improvements to resolve data discrepancies, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of e-government in social welfare management. Highlights : Human Resource Competence: The effectiveness of SIKS-NG relies heavily on the training and skills of operators in information technology. Infrastructure Support: Adequate facilities, such as computers and internet access, are essential for smooth implementation. Data Accuracy Issues: Discrepancies between submitted and application data hinder overall program effectiveness. Keywords: SIKS-NG, e-government, social welfare, effectiveness, rural development

Mitigating the Problem of Local Extinction through Pilot Operation of the Gyeongbuk Theme City: Focusing on a comparative analysis between Kawaba Village and the Bu-Ul-Gyeong megacity†

As of 2023, over half of South Korea's 228 regions face population extinction, despite substantial local government efforts. This study examines why the "Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) Megacity" initiative failed to address this issue. By analyzing the successful revitalization of Kawaba village in Japan, which attracted more than 2.5 million tourists, this study proposes an innovative solution tailored to South Korea—the "Gyeongbuk Four Seasons Theme Park." This project aims to revitalize the Gyeongbuk region's economy and reverse population decline, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 11: "Sustainable Cities and Communities."This study uses a comparative case study methodology to analyze the Bu-Ul-Gyeong Megacity initiative and Kawaba Village. Data collection involved a review of policy documents and academic literature for the former and fieldwork, including interviews and observations, for the latter. The key participants included local government officials and employees in Kawaba Village. Insights from Kawaba were applied to design the "Gyeongbuk Four Seasons Theme Park," which integrates successful elements from Kawaba's model while addressing the shortcomings of the Bu-Ul-Gyeong initiative.The Bu-Ul-Gyeong initiative failed because of a lack of economic revitalization planning, insufficient community engagement, and poor cooperation between governments. Kawaba village succeeded in establishing partnerships, fostering local enterprises, and maintaining effective government communication. These factors are critical in overcoming challenges in regional development.This study proposes the "Gyeongbuk Four Seasons Theme Park," a rotating, seasonal attraction across four cities, emphasizing local specialties and resident participation. This project aims to increase population inflow and establish sustainable agricultural enterprises, contributing to the economic revitalization of the Gyeongbuk region.

Sea Level Rise and Coastal Erosion in Miami

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the sea level rise and coastal erosion in Miami. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Sea level rise and coastal erosion in Miami are growing environmental concerns due to the city's low elevation and proximity to the ocean. Studies have shown that rising sea levels, driven by climate change, are accelerating the erosion of Miami's coastline, threatening infrastructure, homes, and ecosystems. The increased frequency of tidal flooding and storm surges exacerbates the problem, making coastal areas more vulnerable. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Resilience theory, social vulnerability theory, ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA) Theory may be used to anchor future studies on sea level rise and coastal erosion in Miami. Implement local ICZM strategies that involve stakeholders in decision-making processes, ensuring that community needs are met while enhancing coastal resilience. Advocate for policies that support adaptive management practices and funding for local ICZM initiatives.

Cyanobacterial blooms management: A simulation-based optimization method

Controlling cyanobacterial blooms is not only an engineering and technical issue but also an optimization problem in environment management. Under budget constraints, a novel simulation-based optimization model for cyanobacterial control is constructed in this study. The simulation model is used for simulating cyanobacteria growth and diffusion processes. The optimization model is utilized to determine the optimal search and treatment path. Through the interactive coupling of simulation modeling and resource allocation optimization, this research provides decision-makers with new operational guidelines for cyanobacterial control. Our test results demonstrate that the initial invasion frequency has a greater economic impact than invasion abundance. The nearby cells to the initial invasion are affected first, and then the influence radiates outward in a diffusion pattern. Using a slow search speed and a treatment frequency of every 10 days can achieve the lowest possible economic losses in most test scenarios. Moreover, we also find that the optimal search and treatment paths revolve around the initial invasion location. This study is a typical interdisciplinary research, which can assist water resource managers in making more accurate decisions regarding cyanobacteria removal paths, removal frequencies, and treatment speeds.

Illicit drug use in Limerick City: A stakeholder and policy analysis using multiple streams model.

The changing drug situation in Ireland has led to the development of various drug policies. This paper aims to use Limerick City as a case study to examine approaches to policy development. The study is qualitative and uses a hybrid technique that combines document, content, and stakeholder analysis. Kingdon's multiple streams model underpins this study. In addition, guidelines for the systematic search for grey literature were adopted as the search strategy. Problem Stream: Illicit drug use and its related problems have changed. The increasing availability of drugs, increasing usage and changes in the types of drugs being used have led to increased drug-related crimes, adverse health outcomes and elevated demand for treatment services. Local drug policies and initiatives emerge by recognising drug-related problems in the region. Policy Stream: The current national drug strategy 2017-2025 which informs action plans in Limerick is the first to focus on a unified health approach. Some national policies have evolved to ensure that guidelines meet current service needs. However, these changes have occurred in some cases with no clear actions. Political Stream: Statutory, voluntary and community stakeholders provide drug addiction and drug addiction-related services, which have evolved rapidly since their first introduction. The Mid-West Regional Drug Task Force was identified as essential in coordinating stakeholders locally. One area for improvement is limited evidence of the voices of persons who take drugs included in service/policy development. This regional analysis also suggests that local implementation of policies concerning dual diagnosis and supervised injection facilities can be further expanded. Despite the challenges experienced by stakeholders in Limerick, a hands-on approach has been adopted in the creation of strategies to tackle the drug problem. The approaches to drug policy development have delivered continuous development of services. However, services remain underdeveloped in areas removed from the capital city of Dublin. Navigating the complex drug landscape reveals that inclusivity, adaptation, and ongoing research are critical components of successful and long-lasting drug policies.

4D printing of polylactic acid (PLA)/PLA-thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based metastructure: examining the mechanical, thermal, and shape memory properties

Abstract In the present day and age, increasing demand concerning the enhancement of the mechanical performance of Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) based structures has paved the way for developing newer metastructures of enhanced load-bearing, damping capacity, and durability. The present study focuses on developing SMP-based metastructures made of commercially available Polylactic Acid (PLA) and 30% by wt. of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) blended PLA. The designed metastructures are initially analyzed using numerical modeling to prevent lateral deformation, acute stress concentration zones, and row-wise collapse. Mechanical tests reveal that blending TPU with PLA enhances the material's flexibility and ductility, further improving the toughness and fracture resistance of the built metastructures. Loading-unloading and shape recovery tests (under compression mode) of the s-shape metastructure reveal that the PLA/TPU metastructure withstands ≅ 170 N load, less than neat PLA's ≅ 223 N due to TPU's flexibility. PLA/TPU endures 30 cycles, while PLA fails after the 9th cycle. In shape recovery plots, PLA/TPU metastructures exhibit a lower standard deviation (~0.32%) than PLA (~1.4%), attributed to the entropy decrease and cross-linkage disentanglements of PLA. Furthermore, a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) assesses glass transition temperature, energy storage capability, and dissipation in variation with the temperature. The nephograms of ABAQUS result divulge accurate fracture initiation locations of the metastructure unit cells, which involves implementing ductile damage behavior modeling by employing damage initiation and evolution parameters. Finally, assessing compression tests and shape recovery behavior results elucidates that these SMP-based metastructures are promising for load-bearing pallets in the transporting and packaging industries, providing superior damping and self-repairing capabilities during significant plastic deformations.

Evaluation of local people's perceptions, satisfaction, and support for tourism regarding the Şanlıurfa culture route festival

This study aims to determine the participants' perceptions, satisfaction, and support for tourism regarding the Şanlıurfa Culture Route Festival. The participants' perceptions of the festival's social, individual, economic, and touristic benefits significantly influence their satisfaction levels. Among these, perceived economic and personal benefits impact festival satisfaction the most. Furthermore, participants' satisfaction with the festival substantially affects their support for tourism development. Accordingly, the positive perception of the benefits associated with the festival influences satisfaction levels, and high satisfaction levels directly impact tourism development support in the destination. Analysing the averages of the responses given by participants to the scales, it is found that the festival helps alleviate daily stress, contributes to the promotion of the region, provides social interaction opportunities for local people, increases the business volume of local enterprises and that the events organised during the festival are sufficient. Additionally, it has been observed that participants intend to attend the Culture Route Festival again and strongly support tourism development.

The influence of steep faults at various avoidance distances on the stability of hard rock caverns: Physical model experiments and DEM simulations

The influence of avoidance distances from steep faults on the stability of hard rock caverns is pivotal in deep engineering, yet research in this area remains scant. This study constructed 10 physical models of granite caverns, incorporating artificial cement-filled faults at various avoidance distances ranging from 0 to 2.4 cavern diameters. Biaxial compression experiments were conducted, utilizing acoustic emission and digital image correlation techniques for monitoring. Coupled with discrete element method simulations, the analysis explored the influence mechanisms of fault-cavern distance on the failure modes of hard rock caverns. The results reveal a positive correlation between the peak strength of specimens and fault-cavern distance. As the distance approaches 0.6 cavern diameters, the fault significantly influences the displacement field, crack number, distribution, and crack initiation location within the specimens. Furthermore, even at 1.2 cavern diameters, the fault still exhibits a notable influence on the stress field, external load transfer paths, cavern failure modes, and the size distribution of spalling debris. These findings can guide the selection of sites for deep hard rock caverns, ensuring a minimum fault-cavern distance of 1.2 cavern diameters to mitigate the risks posed by steep faults to such caverns.

High Nucleotide Skew Palindromic DNA Sequences Function as Potential Replication Origins due to their Unzipping Propensity.

Locations of DNA replication initiation in prokaryotes, called "origins of replication", are well-characterized. However, a mechanistic understanding of the sequence dependence of the local unzipping of double-stranded DNA, the first step towards replication initiation, is lacking. Here, utilizing a Markov chain model that was created to address the directional nature of DNA unzipping and replication, we model the sequence dependence of local melting of double-stranded linear DNA segments. We show that generalized palindromic sequences with high nucleotide skews have a low kinetic barrier for local melting near melting temperatures. This allows for such sequences to function as potential replication origins. We support our claim with evidence for high-skew palindromic sequences within the replication origins of mitochondrial DNA, bacteria, archaea and plasmids.

Fuel for collective action: A SWOT analysis to identify social barriers and drivers for a local woody biomass supply chain in an Italian alpine valley

The role of woody biomass in the clean energy transition is substantial in the EU. Forest residues are one of the main biomass sources that can be used for energy production, but their use to support the energy transition is still limited for several reasons. Research has shown that the use of forest residues in energy production can be effectively stimulated through collective actions that aim to develop short and local supply chains. This study aims to identify the barriers and drivers for the development of a local supply chain for forest residues in an Italian alpine valley, gathering and analysing the perspectives of all involved local actors, that is, (i) suppliers - the communities that own the forest resources, (ii) intermediaries - the forest professionals providing extension and advice services to owners and the harvesting companies; and (iii) the final consumers, in this case the local municipalities and hospitality enterprises. Data are analysed using a SWOT analysis. The results show that the suppliers identified opportunities especially, while the final consumers focused more on strengths, weaknesses, and threats. The SWOT categories in terms of the number of different factors were weaknesses (37 %), strengths (27 %), threats (18 %), and opportunities (17 %). Opportunities and strengths were considered as drivers, while threats and weaknesses were barriers. Several drivers emerged, such as a general predisposition toward the development of a local supply chain for forest residues, social homogeneity in terms of knowledge and management of the land, and common challenges. Barriers also emerged in the form of limited know-how on the supply chain potential, but also in limited availability to concede control between different forest owners over their property. The SWOT results are useful to design strategies to support the development of the supply chain: four possible strategies, amongst which flexible cooperation processes between different categories of stakeholders, and the organisation of a buying group of the hospitality enterprises, were suggested.

Dynamic control of ecological restoration in abandoned mines under the background of ecology-oriented development in China

PurposeThis study examines how local governments and enterprises can implement ecological restoration of abandoned mines based on ecology-oriented development (EOD), which will be more beneficial to local environmental protection and economic development under the central government’s policy of outcome incentives or process subsidies.Design/methodology/approachWe construct a dynamic differential game model to simulate the interactions between local governments and enterprises during the ecological restoration of abandoned mines from an EOD perspective.FindingsThe findings suggest that under the central government’s outcome incentive policy, cooperation between local governments and enterprises is an optimal strategy. Under the process subsidy policy, while neither cooperative nor non-cooperative models significantly affect the investment levels of local governments and enterprises, a cooperative approach ensures optimal investments from both without solely relying on the process subsidy. Additionally, incorporating altruistic preferences can lead to Pareto improvements in economic and environmental results under central government outcome incentives.Practical implicationsThis research offers a policy foundation for governments to encourage the EOD model in the ecological restoration of abandoned mines. It provides theoretical support for achieving environmental sustainability and high-quality economic development, and is particularly significant for resource-depleted cities seeking to transform their development strategies.Originality/valueThrough a dynamic differential game model involving government agencies and enterprises to simulate decision-making in the ecological restoration of abandoned mines, incorporating altruistic preferences into this restoration process, and identifying optimal strategies and policies for ecological restoration.

Toward building a comprehensive human pan-genome: The SEN-GENOME project

The human reference genome (GRCh38), primarily sourced from individuals of European descent, falls short in capturing the vast genetic diversity across global populations. Efforts to diversify the reference genome face challenges in accessibility and representation, exacerbating the scarcity of African genomic data crucial for studying diseases prevalent in these populations. Sherman etal. proposed constructing reference genomes tailored to distinct human sub-populations. Their African Pan-Genome initiative highlighted substantial genetic variation missing from the GRCh38 human reference genome, emphasizing the necessity for population-specific genomes. In response, local initiatives like the Senegalese Genome project (SEN-GENOME) have emerged to document the genomes of historically overlooked populations. SEN-GENOME embodies community-driven decentralized research. With meticulous recruitment criteria and ethical practices, it aims to sequence 1,000 genomes from 31 ethnolinguistic groups, in the fourteen administrative regions of Senegal, fostering local genomic research tailored to the region. The key to SEN-GENOME's success is its commitment to local governance of data, capacity building, and integration with broader pan-genome projects in Africa. Despite the complexities of data harmonization and sharing, our collaborative efforts are aligned with common goals, ensuring steady progress toward a comprehensive human pan-genome. We invite and welcome collaboration with other research entities to achieve this shared vision. In summary, local initiatives such as SEN-GENOME are pivotal in bridging genomic disparities, offering pathways to equitable and inclusive genomic research. Collaborative endeavors guided by a collective vision for human health will propel us toward a more encompassing understanding of the human genome and better health through genomic medicine.

Neoliberalism or postmodernism? Decolonizing Soviet Estonia, 1987–1991

ABSTRACT This comparative analysis of sociopolitical and cultural discourses in the Estonian SSR from 1987–1991 concentrates on the tension between postmodernism as a cultural logic of late socialism and neoliberalism as a then-emergent modern ideology. Postmodernist and neoliberal ideas both emerged from decolonial reactions to Soviet rule, albeit from different aspects of it. Postmodernism reacted to the sense that the stagnation-era Soviet regime was ‘stuck in presentness’ and to the Soviet grand narrative of building communism. Neoliberal aspirations developed in reaction to the way Soviet rule obstructed local economic initiative and local participation in the global market, finding support in Gorbachev’s call for enterprise-level economic autonomy.