Local Opportunities Research Articles

Improved intraocular foreign body localization using orbital computed tomography data

Background: Detection and localization of an intraocular foreign body (IOFB) are essential for assessing the severity of injury and selecting an appropriate method for IOFB removal. Purpose: To improve the method of IOFB localization through the use of the Komberg-Baltin prosthesis while performing orbital computed tomography (CT) scans. Material and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 6 patients with a penetrating corneal and/or scleral injury and an IOFB in the posterior segment. Patients had ultrasonography of the ocular anterior and posterior segments and Komberg-Baltin prosthesis-assisted CT of the orbit as per our method reported previously to verify the location of the IOFB. Orbital radiography was performed at the point of care. The results of radiography, ultrasonography and CT for each case were reviewed and compared. The final verification of IOFB location was performed preoperatively during a standard three-port 25-G pars plana vitrectomy with IOFB removal. Results: In 3 cases, intraoperative visualization during vitrectomy confirmed the results of preoperative IOFB imaging (radiography, ultrasonography and orbital CT). In these cases, an IOFB was a metallic fragment measuring 0.9 to 2.5 mm. In one case, a metallic IOFB was found by ultrasonography, but not by radiography. CT, when performed by our method, found an IOFB measuring 0.2 x 0.3 mm preretinally. In a patient with an IOFB (a wire measuring 10.0 x 1.0 mm, at 20 mm from the anatomical axis, and 9-11.5 mm from the limbal plane) and local retinal detachment, there was a discrepance between the foreign body location indentified by radiography and that identified by CT with the use of the Komberg-Baltin prosthesis. Large differences in the distance between the IOFB and the limbal plane and between the IOFB and the anatomical axis (4 mm and 5 mm, respectively) were caused by the mobility of the foreign body located beneath the retina. Conclusion: Localizing an IOFB using Komberg-Baltin prosthesis-assisted CT is advantageous to radiography due to an opportunity for accurate localization of a mobile IOFB with a patient in the position as similar as possible to his position during IOFB removal surgery (i.e., the supine position).

An enhanced memetic algorithm with hierarchical heuristic neighborhood search for type-2 green fuzzy flexible job shop scheduling

The green flexible job shop has received increasing attention due to the development of modern industry and the improvement of environmental protection awareness. Meanwhile, in customized manufacturing, the processing time cannot be exactly predicted. Therefore, it can be predicted by the type-2 fuzzy system, which can effectively characterize the uncertainty of processing time. This work aims to solve the green type-2 fuzzy flexible job shop problem (T2FJSP), considering minimizing total energy consumption (TEC) and the makespan simultaneously. Memetic algorithms are used for the T2FJSP, however, most of them do not allocate local search opportunities based on the quality of solutions, resulting in the waste of computing resources. In this paper, an enhanced memetic algorithm with hierarchical heuristic neighborhood search (EMAH) is proposed to overcome the shortcoming. EMAH has the following features: (i) a cooperative heuristic initialization is designed by combining six heuristics to generate high-quality solutions; (ii) a hierarchical heuristic neighborhood search strategy is proposed to better enhance the exploitation by allocating computing resources based on the quality of the solutions; and (iii) an energy-saving strategy is designed to decrease the makespan and TEC. The effectiveness of EMAH is verified by comparing it with the state-of-the-art algorithms in a T2FJSP benchmark. The results indicate the superiority of EMAH in solving the T2FJSP.

Operasional Bank Sampah dalam Pembentukan Gaya Hidup Berkelanjutan

The waste bank is one of the important solutions in overcoming the waste problem and forming a sustainable lifestyle. In the waste bank system, waste is collected, processed and recycled to create products of economic value. This abstract discusses the results and discussion of waste bank operations in the context of establishing a sustainable lifestyle. The operational results of the waste bank include reducing waste in landfills (TPA), increasing recycling, creating valuable products, and environmental education. By managing waste efficiently, waste banks reduce negative impacts on the environment and help reduce the use of natural resources. In addition, waste banks also play an important role in shaping a sustainable lifestyle through several discussions. First, the waste bank increases environmental awareness among the public, changes the mindset towards waste, and inspires changes in behavior towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment. Second, active community participation in the waste bank strengthens community involvement in waste management and creates a participatory climate in environmental decision-making. Third, the waste bank opens local economic opportunities by creating products from waste, helping to empower the local community's economy, and reducing social inequality. Furthermore, the waste bank reduces the use of new natural resources by processing used goods into useful products, helping to reduce pressure on the environment. Finally, the operation of the waste bank makes the public aware of the problem of waste and the importance of collective action in dealing with this problem. Overall, waste banks play an important role in shaping sustainable lifestyles by creating positive outcomes and driving behavior change and environmental awareness. The waste bank is an important first step in changing the perspective of waste and forming a more environmentally responsible society.

Revitalisation of urban spaces by women architects: enhancing cultural heritage in the gulf region

Purpose This study aims to demonstrate how women's involvement in urban planning and design in Gulf cities improves urban space's inclusivity and strengthens identity through cultural heritage revitalisation. It also promotes the participation of women in architecture and city-making by showcasing how shaping urban spaces offers local communities opportunities for social interaction and a more inclusive environment.Design/methodology/approach The paper critically compares two case studies in the Gulf region—one in the United Arab Emirates and the other in Bahrain—according to four inclusion criteria: context connection, cultural sensitivity, community engagement and choices of amenities. These inclusion criteria are also applied to an experimental project by women architects' students in Saudi Arabia to inspire the future female architects of the Gulf region. From urban to architectural scales, the project offers a glance into the heritage design by women architects.Findings In light of this critical analysis, this study highlights the sensitivity to issues related to the revitalisation of urban areas by women architects. The case studies identified show the role of the female architect in making architecture and linking cultural heritage with contemporary themes. These projects stitch the past with the present and link cultural identity with aspects related to sustainable architecture. Therefore, valorising women's architectural experience is necessary to contribute to sustainable urban development in the Gulf region and beyond.Originality/value The present study addresses the importance of the role of women architects in the Gulf region. The research promotes the full and equal participation of women in the architecture and construction of the city to recognise their achievements by increasing their involvement in the work in a more integrated and balanced way.

Moving from piecemeal to systematic: Reprioritizing how academic libraries approach research information management

This paper is based on a lightening talk given at the 2023 NISO Plus conference. The authors explore how research information management (RIM) workflows at universities are increasingly intersecting with library workflows, particularly regarding compliance with federal funding and preservation of the institution’s scholarly record. This paper outlines one academic library’s plan to shift from thinking about library-supported RIM services as a piecemeal approach to a more systematic approach that prioritizes open infrastructure. Though in its early stages of implementation, the authors seek to examine current RIM systems and services at their institution, expand on the current findings of U.S. activities brought forth in reports produced by OCLC and Lyrasis, and to identify local opportunities for library-supported RIM tools/services that are open and transparent. Specifically, this paper emphasizes the implementation and adoption of persistent identifiers, such as ORCID, but discussion will also cover other RIM systems and services.

The Development Of Alternative Tourism In Tunisia: Innovate Or Disappear"! An Example Of Saharan Tourism

The Tunisian tourist offer has long been standardized and focused on a coastal product. Tourism institutions and actors have shown efforts to diversify this offer, particularly by introducing alternative tourism such as Saharan tourism, where local development's geographical, tourist, and socio-economic opportunities seem obvious. Tourism is one of the world's most important economic activity, having significant economic growth potential for emerging and least developed countries. However, in its current incarnations, it is controlled by foreign operators, and its focus on coastal tourism is unfavorable. In order to attain growth, the nation must develop its travel offerings using a variety of strategies, such as improvement of current solutions, positioning the offer as having value, and surprise the customer. Innovation requires specialized marketing, as it requires defining or redefining the activity, developing or revising the offer, analyzing the competition, and understanding the new customer behavior. However, the results expected from such a policy remained insufficient and concluded that while desert tourism is meant to be a by-product of coastal tourism, coastal tourism still predominates in Tunisia. Saharan tourism is defined as a "desert" product, similar to thalassotherapy and golf. It serves as a way for guests who have travelled to the coast to extend their stay. Saharan tourism remained a complementary product (complementation to the sea through circuits towards the Sahara). This work aims to include how the Sahara and these regions can become fully-fledged tourist destinations.

Shifting the Balance: Examining the Impact of Local Labor Market Opportunities on Female Household Bargaining Power in India

There has been considerable interest in studying the effect of female labor market outcomes on intrahousehold bargaining. This paper examines the effects of local labor market opportunities in India on a variety of female bargaining characteristics, including domestic violence and intrahousehold discussion of important issues. Specifically, I utilize district-level data on employment in various occupations to calculate an employment shift-share index that proxies gender-specific labor demand. I find that improvements in labor market conditions for women lead to a decrease in perceptions of domestic violence, whereas improvements in predicted demand for male employment have little or negative effects on women’s household bargaining power. When disaggregated by indicators of initial bargaining power, women that have lower levels of initial bargaining power either see no effect on bargaining or experience a backlash effect.

Pemanfaatan Lokal Wisdom dalam Membangun Desa Tematik dan Meningkatkan UMKM

This community service activity explores the synergy between the concept of "Village Tematik," the enhancement of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (UMKM), and the utilization of Local Wisdom. Village Tematik represents a village development approach that emphasizes the unique identity and strengths of a region. In this context, Local Wisdom serves as a valuable asset that can create attraction and added value for local UMKM products and services. Through this activity, we try to empower the community empowerment in uncovering and harnessing Local Wisdom can yield innovative and distinctive local products, capturing the interest of markets. Furthermore, it outlines practical steps inestablishing Village Tematik, engaging the community, and elevating the economic well-being of individuals through UMKM. This approach aims to foster the sustainable growth of villages, generate local employment opportunities, and preserve the distinctiveness of Local Wisdom. The insights provided herein are valuable for policymakers, development practitioners, and all stakeholders interested in supporting theevolution of Village Tematik and Local Wisdom-based UMKM development.

How to Survive at Point Nemo? Fischer-Tropsch, Artificial Photosynthesis, and Plasma Catalysis for Sustainable Energy at Isolated Habitats.

Inhospitable, inaccessible, and extremely remote alike the famed pole of inaccessibility, aka Point Nemo, the isolated locations in deserts, at sea, or in outer space are difficult for humans to settle, let alone to thrive in. Yet, they present a unique set of opportunities for science, economy, and geopolitics that are difficult to ignore. One of the critical challenges for settlers is the stable supply of energy both to sustain a reasonable quality of life, as well as to take advantage of the local opportunities presented by the remote environment, e.g., abundance of a particular resource. The possible solutions to this challenge are heavily constrained by the difficulty and prohibitive cost of transportation to and from such a habitat (e.g., a lunar or Martian base). In this essay, the advantages and possible challenges of integrating Fischer-Tropsch, artificial photosynthesis, and plasma catalysis into a robust, scalable, and efficient self-contained system for energy harvesting, storage, and utilization are explored.

The “City Healing” Development through Ethnobotany Urban Farming with a Sustainable Planet, People, and Profit Approach

Limited land, environmental contamination, the loss of agricultural culture, and the inability to use ethnobotany all contribute to the health problems city dwellers face. These problems cause air pollution, lack of a good diet, loss of traditional knowledge, and underutilization of natural therapeutic plants. Ethnobotany and urban farming can create healthier cities by maintaining biodiversity, socially enhancing community involvement, and economically offering local business opportunities and sustainable food security. This study aims to investigate the perception of urban communities regarding the relationship between the planet, people, and profit with ethnobotanical practices and urban farming in achieving the concept of “city healing”. This research uses the primary method of case and explanatory studies, purposive location determination of five major cities in Indonesia, with 150 respondents. The structural equation model (SEM) was used to test the model, while the partial least squares (PLS) was used to analyze survey data with interviews and observations. The results showed that people, the planet, and profit generally have excellent and significant effects on urban farming ethnobotany. Using ethnobotanical practices has a considerable and beneficial impact on urban health. Urban farming ethnobotany can promote city healing.

Temporal Study of Trend Analysis of Tourism Flow in Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh from 2008-2022 and its Seasonality for Tourism Forecasting

Accelerating growth of the tourism industry in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh over the past decade, contributing substantially to the district economy, and creating employment opportunities for locals, attracts the attention of researchers to a greater extent. This research paper presents insights into tourism dynamism in the study area, spanning the period from 2008 to 2022. It mainly uses secondary data collected from various government departments, tourist records, and surveys to analyze the trend and seasonality of tourism and further explore their implications for tourism forecasting. The findings of the study reveal considerable fluctuations in tourist influx over an analyzed period which could be attributed to various economic, social, and climatic factors. Further research explores seasonality, including peak and off-peak seasons, and the factors responsible for them. Cartographical methods and statistical methods such as (simple average method, annual growth rate, and coefficient of determination) are used to quantify seasonality, propose a tourism forecasting model on the basis of the former, and further check the accuracy of the model. The results of the study help in understanding the tourism dynamism in Kullu district in a better way and provide valuable insights for the policymakers, tourism authorities, and local residents for developing various strategies to optimize tourism opportunities, manage the quality of tourism services, and ensure the development of the study area.

Implementasi Jiwa Inovatif Pedagang pada Objek Wisata Situ Tandon Ciater, Kota Tangerang Selatan

In community service activities, we explored the implementation of an innovative spirit in tourist traders in Tandon Ciater, South Tangerang City. The background involves the challenges faced by local traders in dealing with dynamic changes in the tourism industry. Our main objective is to understand the extent to which traders in Tandon Ciater implement innovation in their business practices and its impact on the tourist experience. Through a qualitative approach, we investigate traders' efforts in developing new products and services, as well as innovative strategies in marketing and business management. The results of community service activities show that traders who adopt an innovative spirit experience significant increases in competitiveness and income. They successfully identify local market opportunities, respond to changing tourism trends, and create unique experiences for visitors. In this context, innovation is not only limited to physical products, but also includes the use of technology to improve service and communication with customers. In conclusion, the application of an innovative spirit to tourist traders in Tandon Ciater can be a valuable model for developing the local economy and increasing the attractiveness of tourist destinations. Therefore, innovative development efforts need to be supported and are not sufficient to encourage sustainable growth in the tourism sector.

Factors affecting farmers’ decision to participate in Campaign-Based Watershed Management program in Boset District, Ethiopia

The sustainability of the ongoing national Campaign-Based Watershed Management (CBWM) program of Ethiopia depends on active participation of farmers in the planning and implementation activities. This study analyzes farmers’ participation level in CBWM program and factors that determine their participation, using mixed research methods. Key informant interviews were conducted with 29 purposively selected actors (excluding farmers) to discern their decision-making processes and to gain insight into the factors influencing farmers' participation in the program. Additionally, individual case studies were conducted with 15 farmers to explore their personal experiences. Furthermore, a household survey was administered to 351 households to explain key factors shaping their decisions to participate in the program. Our study shows that the farmers’ level of participation in the CBWM program was quite low (53.0%). Compared to the implementation and post-implementation stages, the level of participation was lowest at the planning stage of the program. Three key factors influenced the farmers’ level of participation in the program: location or proximity of farmers to the micro-watersheds during campaign works, the commitment of local leaders, and awareness and motivation of farmers. This suggests the need to (1) focus on smaller watersheds to minimize the effect of distance between farmers’ homesteads and the micro-watersheds, (2) include local livelihood opportunities to mitigate the impact of location or out-migration and ensure their availability for campaign works, (3) enhance the performance/commitment of local leaders, (4) improve farmers’ awareness and motivation through capacity building. However, given that the effect of these factors varies across the studied villages and stages of the program, a more bottom-up planning approach that considers socio-economic and biophysical contexts should be introduced in the study area and other similar localities where watershed management activities are carried out through community participation.

MARKET-BASED MANAGEMENT (MBM) APPROACH TO SUCCESS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: LESSONS FROM A MID-SIZED BUSINESS INSTITUTE

This research examines a mid-sized business institute, SZABIST-Dubai by using a qualitative research methodology of case study. The research objective is to explore the adoption of Market-Based Management (MBM) for its application in Higher Education and to recommend Market Based Management that is lean and agile enough to identify local market opportunities, understand its unique requirements and initiate processes to capture these opportunities before they are lost to competition. Some significant findings of this paper are the survival and profitability challenges faced by SZABIST and a unidirectional centralised decision-making model that is adapted currently at the institute. The outcome of this paper is its proposition of Market Based Management (MBM) as a tool to evolve into a knowledge-based learning organization that is more responsive to regional and local challenges. The most significant contribution of this paper towards this objective is the founding of Task Teams that transform tacit learning into explicit knowledge through the process of socialisation. This paper may be useful for future researchers who wish to extend these findings to other higher educational institutes.

Nonprofit Disaster Response and Climate Change: Who Responds? Who Plans?

Abstract As weather disasters intensify under the impacts of climate change, an important public policy question is whether the kinds of organizations most likely to provide disaster relief are themselves planning for climate change. A statewide Indiana survey of the leaders of a wide variety of community “social safety net” organizations (N = 467) provides rich descriptive data to understand the realities of local disaster planning as it relates to climate change. Our findings support federal disaster policy in showing first that most of these charities have been or expect to be involved in local disaster relief, either as a primary or secondary mission focus. Charities identifying as primarily disaster responders are much more likely to belong to local emergency planning networks and slightly more likely to plan for emergencies. However, most charity leaders do not acknowledge climate change’s human origins and have not discussed climate change at the board level, with this position strongly related to their understanding of climate change’s potential impact on the communities they serve. And most have not taken some risk mitigation steps. We conclude that the Federal Emergency Management Authority’s national disaster response policy, which relies on the readiness of nonprofits to fill in service roles, does not account for the potential unpreparedness of nonprofits themselves. Policymakers should expand their “whole-community” (three-sector) approach to reinforce local network opportunities as forums for exchanging experience and knowledge, including an explicit linkage between the communication of the science of climate change and emergency planning.

Local cultural identity representation at the Yogyakarta International Airport gate

Airports serve as a gateway for tourists as well as an introduction to local cultural opportunities, connecting regions, provinces, and countries. The application of local cultural aesthetic elements in airport public spaces is necessary due to conditions where the heavy influence of globalization can threaten the sustainability and the existence of local wisdom identity. This research aims to identify the potential of Javanese and Yogyakarta Cretan cultural elements, forming architectural designs and decorative elements at Yogyakarta International Airport's gates by the interior entrance access and the values contained therein. This research method uses qualitative methods with the ATUMICS theory approach to analyzing traditional elements (past culture) that can be integrated with modern features (present) in interpreting the existence of a form of local cultural identity. The results of this study suggest that the existence of local culture in the gapura and entrance gate in depicting micro symbols plays a significant influence. The Jogja palace feels present as it creates a feeling of place for its presence at Yogyakarta International Airport. The findings demonstrate that the object of research has an essential function in developing local identity as a symbol of archipelago architecture and as a possible magnet for introducing local culture so that it can be preserved by modernization.

Regional Tourism Development in Pringsewu Regency: Perspective on Community-Based Tourism and Sustainable Livelihood

Institutionally, the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) has encouraged community participation in each village (pekon) to optimize the potential of natural, cultural, and human resources as tourist attractions. This study aims to describe in-depth the dynamics of the collaboration of the Tourism Awareness Group in Pringsewu Regency to increase public awareness in each village about the benefits of the tourism sector for the sustainability of household livelihoods, preservation of social-cultural values, and environmental sustainability. This study uses a community-based tourism perspective. Meanwhile, the qualitative research method with a case study approach is used for three tourist objects developed by Pokdarwis, namely Akasia valley, Talang Indah, and Teluk Kenyo. Retrieval of research data is conducted using in-depth interviews, observation, and document study while, data processing uses triangulation techniques to obtain valid and credible information. This study indicates that Pokdarwis in each village (pekon) are organized because the Pokdarwis Communication Forum is the central organization that connects 37 Tourism Awareness Groups throughout the Pringsewu Regency, Lampung Province. Proactively, Forkom Pokdarwis establishes communication with the government, local entrepreneurs, academics, and rural communities to optimize natural, cultural, and human resources by pioneering tourist destinations. Several tourist destinations have successfully pioneered and developed through reasonable assistance and coordination, opening up local communities' job opportunities.

Supporting Local Implementation of the European Green Deal through a Place-Based, Participatory Approach: Methodology for a Comprehensive Analytical Framework

With the launch of the European Green Deal (EGD) in 2019, the European Union aims to become a global leader in the ecological transition. To implement sustainable policies at the local level, a place-based, analytical approach is a necessary prerequisite to understanding territorial specificities and adapting the EGD challenges to local conditions and opportunities. Moreover, the research acknowledges the key role of public participation and, thus, the need to construct innovative policies that involve citizens in this process. On this basis, our primary goal was to create a comprehensive, multipurpose, and non-context-specific analytical framework that could support ecological transition policies within the EGD through a place-based, participatory approach. After outlining the major features of the EGD and the place-based approach, this paper describes the steps that were taken to define the framework and select the types of data to be used. In response to the scarcity of methods adaptable to different scales, contexts, purposes, and target groups, we built upon the current studies on sustainability assessments and developed a novel analytical framework for territories ranging from municipalities to nations. This study suggests that a comprehensive, multidimensional territorial analysis—which can interpret and communicate environmental, socio-economic, and institutional specificities of territories—is decisive for bringing together local administrations and citizens, as well as meeting the challenges posed by sustainable development.

Exploring Local Political Opportunity Structures: Protest and Social Control in Russia’s Provinces

Abstract Why does the scale and intensity of protest vary so widely across Russian cities? This article answers this question by disaggregating political opportunity structures to consider the interaction between formal and informal political factors through a paired comparison of two similar Russian cities during the turbulent 1990s. Drawing on archival documents, interviews, and an analysis of local media, I argue that the observed variation depends on elite strategies for social control and local governmental institutions. Specifically, when a city’s institutions and political elite strategy match, either with undemocratic institutions and a closed political elite strategy, or with democratic institutions and an open political elite strategy, protests are likely to be small and insignificant. In contrast, when the institutional architecture and political elite strategies mismatch, protests are more likely to be large and intense because there is an opening for protest, but not institutionalized paths for participation.

Humanity for Habitat: Residential Yards as an Opportunity for Biodiversity Conservation

Abstract The primary threat to biodiversity is habitat loss and degradation. Private residential land (yards) encompass large proportions of urban, suburban, and rural spaces and is among the most rapidly expanding systems on Earth. Yards also represent a conservation opportunity to provide wildlife habitat, support biodiversity, restore ecosystem function and ecosystem services, and increase local opportunities for people to connect with nature. In the present article, we propose a humanity for habitat stewardship practice by synthesizing the evidence-based yard management actions that can advance the conservation value of yards, with a focus on benefits to biodiversity, climate resiliency, and people. The magnitude and extent of yard management might differ, depending on the region, specific management practices, the yard’s size, and the yard’s location along the urban to rural gradient. We detail opportunities, challenges, and strategies for encouraging stronger public participation in conservation through yard stewardship to facilitate biodiversity-friendly residential landscapes that benefit wildlife and people.