Member Nations Research Articles

The search for good governance in Chile: tensions and challenges from indigenous women’s perspective

ABSTRACT What does “good governance” mean for indigenous women? What are the main dimensions of analysis from the perspective of indigenous women? The search for good governance has become a challenge for Latin American states, especially in representing the interests of indigenous women. In nation-state contexts, governance models have been characterized by patriarchal forms of democracy, with indigenous women obliged to participate as members of a homogeneous nation. This highlights the importance of considering concepts such as power, hegemony or exclusion from decision-making spaces. From the Chilean case, this article proposes an analytical framework to analyze the tensions, values and proposals that arise from indigenous women’s perspective, showing the difficulties that arise in defining the principles of good governance in contexts of diversity. The main information is based on the application of in-depth interviews with 20 Mapuche indigenous women leaders, complemented by the responses provided by 925 Mapuche women who participated in the Special Mapuche CEP 87 Survey in 2022, along with press analysis and official documents.

Energy transition governance in the ASEAN: current status and future prospects

PurposeA study of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states’ (AMS) norm entrepreneurial practices regarding the energy transition to reveal insights into its current and future governance.Design/methodology/approachUnderstanding why the notion of an energy transition has garnered support, and importantly, knowing what this means for the future requires reviewing the forces of norm entrepreneurship at play. By adopting a constructivist lens, this article undertakes a comparative analysis of the “modes of transmission” of the energy transition amongst AMS.FindingsASEAN nations have in many respects been at the vanguard of the energy transition. Yet the governments themselves demonstrate both norm entrepreneurial and antipreneurial characteristics. Notwithstanding this mix, there are extant opportunities for “intraconnection” – in the form of cooperation between AMS and “interconnection” – in the form of cooperation between AMS and other state and non-state actors.Practical implicationsThis article underscores the importance of partnerships in the energy transition: both in enabling AMS to meet their respective nationally determined contributions (NDCs) but also crucially in catalysing action amongst a broader swathe of countries.Originality/valueApplying the lens of norm entrepreneurship to the ASEAN context, including introducing novel conceptions of “conductive” practices that drive the energy transition and “resistive” practices that slow it down.

A summary of updated UNSCEAR evaluations on medical and occupational exposures to ionising radiation and call for participation in UNSCEAR Global Surveys on radiation exposure.

This paper summarises key findings of United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) 2020/2021 Report on the evaluations of medical and occupational exposures to ionising radiation. Medical exposure remains by far the largest human-made source of radiation exposure of the population. In the period 2009-18, about 4.2 billion medical radiological examinations were performed annually, resulting in an effective dose per caput of 0.57mSv. The worldwide annual number of workers exposed to natural and human-made sources of ionising radiation is estimated to be ~24 million in the period 2010-14. About 52% of those were employed in the sectors that involve exposure to natural sources of radiation. The annual effective dose was estimated to be around 2.0mSv for workers exposed to natural sources (excluding radon exposure in workplaces other than mines) and 0.5mSv for workers exposed to human-made sources. It is important to motivate United Nations Member States to fully participate in UNSCEAR's global surveys on radiation exposure. Future surveys will be relevant and useful and adapted to changing data sources and uses of radiation across the world.

A gestalt shift? Reflections from researchers turned elected representatives on the real-world use of evidence in policy making

This practice piece will present a comparative reflection of how the use of evidence in policy looks when viewed from the outside, as a researcher, with how evidence use is experienced when working as a policy maker. The three authors are unusual in sharing an experience of studying evidence use in policy before becoming elected politicians who are involved in policy making and who have therefore gained a very different, more direct experience of how evidence is used in policy-making settings. Synhaeve has studied evidence use in secure youth care and is an elected councillor and was elected national member of parliament for the Democrats 66 Party in the Netherlands, McMahon has studied evidence use in public health and is an elected councillor for the Labour Party in England, while Heap has studied evidence use in social security policy and is an elected councillor for the Green Party in Scotland. The practice piece will consider to what extent their perspectives on evidence use in policy have shifted as they have moved from researcher to political representative and policy maker, and will consider to what extent these experiences have been shaped by their substantive policy interests and the political systems in which each is operating. It will conclude by summarising the collective insights that have emerged for the three authors as they have shifted to viewing evidence use from the perspective of an insider, who is using evidence in making policy, rather than an outsider, producing evidence with a view to influencing policy.

Environmental sustainability from a decoupling point perspective

Combatting climate change is of global importance. The fact that all UN member nations have agreed on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) is testament to this. The manufacturing industry plays a crucial part in meeting these goals. However, if manufacturing firms are to improve in terms of sustainability, such efforts must be reconcilable with their ability to make profit. Hence, sustainability efforts must be adapted to firms’ individual context and competitive priorities.Focusing on environmental sustainability, this paper is the first to empirically investigate and compare the commitment to environmental sustainability practices (ESPs), and the outcomes of such practices, across make-to-order (MTO) and make-to-stock (MTS) manufacturing plants. Furthermore, the paper investigates whether the customer order decoupling point moderates the relationship between characteristics of lean and agile manufacturing and ESPs. Hypotheses are developed based on extant literature and tested. The results indicate that MTO plants experience more benefits related to manufacturing and financial performance from their ESPs than MTS plants. The data also show that the association between ESPs and the outcomes of such practices are more robust for MTO plants than they are for MTS plants. Plausible explanations for these results are discussed and the findings of the paper are connected to the contemporary topic of smart manufacturing, as well as potential policy implications. Suggestions for future research are also provided.

Nourishing sustainability: clinical nutrition’s impact on climate change

IntroductionPreserving our planet's delicate balance is not merely a choice but a responsibility we owe to future generations, ensuring equitable, and sustainable world. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations (UN) member states in 2015, offers a collective vision for global peace and prosperity. Central to this agenda are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which call for unified action from all nations, irrespective of their developmental status, under a global partnership. MethodThis paper examines the SDGs' framework and its applicability to clinical nutrition (CN). We provide a comprehensive narrative review relating to the integration of SDGs in CN practices. Whilst recognising the importance of the SDG framework we elected to focus specifically upon the environmental aspects of CN care. ResultsThe analysis revealed that the SDGs provide a robust framework for promoting sustainability in clinical nutrition. Key findings highlight the interconnection between health improvement and other SDGs, such as poverty reduction and climate action. Effective CN practices contribute to broader sustainable development by ensuring better health outcomes, which in turn support economic growth and reduce inequalities. Additionally, strategies in CN that focus on reducing waste and improving resource efficiency align with environmental sustainability goals. Conclusion: The 17 SDGs offer a comprehensive guide for advancing sustainability across various fields, including clinical nutrition. By adopting these goals, healthcare providers can implement holistic strategies that not only improve health outcomes but also support broader efforts to achieve global sustainability.

Islamic Finance and Environmental Sustainability: Empirical Insight from OIC Countries

Environmental degradation remains a significant global challenge, particularly in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries. This study primarily examines the impact of Islamic finance, proxied by two indicators, namely Islamic financial assets and Islamic banking financing, and other variables including Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), urbanization, renewable energy adoption, and forest area, on CO2 emissions. This study revealed that Islamic financial assets had a negative impact on CO2 emissions, highlighting their importance in supporting green investments and sustainability. However, Islamic banking financing has little influence on emissions reduction, most likely due to carbon-intensive initiatives. Furthermore, GDP growth increases emissions, although FDI, urbanization, and forest areas help to lower them. These findings underscore Islamic finance's critical role in fostering sustainable development, as well as the necessity for better green Islamic financing policies in OIC member nations. The findings also provide important insights for policymakers working to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability in Islamic finance.

Optimal allocation of production quotas using an inverse DEA integrated with lean production capacity and negative data

In the past decade, the petroleum industry has faced two significant oil price crashes. The first occurred in 2014, driven by increased U.S. production, geopolitical shifts, and changes in OPEC policies. The more recent crash in 2020 was a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these secondary factors, industry experts widely attribute both crashes to excessive crude oil production. Considering this and aiming to prevent recurrences of unexpected price crashes in the future, this paper proposes a novel application of inverse DEA for optimizing OPEC production quotas. In this study, two versions of the inverse DEA are proposed − unbounded and bounded. Essentially, the unbounded model computes theoretical estimates of production quotas, while the bounded model computes practical estimates. To illustrate the applicability of the proposed models, a numerical real-world example is presented in OPEC member nations. Based on a preliminary analysis, only Algeria, Libya, Nigeria, and Venezuela were eligible for production allocations. The application of the unbounded model revealed all four nations were capable of maxing out their production quotas. For practical reasons, and in order to ensure market stability, the bounded model found out that only Libya could potentially receive a maximum allocation of 7.71%. This translates to an increase of 93 thousand barrels of oil per day for Libya. The bounded model not only averted excessive crude oil production but also curtailed hazardous waste associated with increased oil production, resulting in significant positive effects in both Libya and Venezuela. According to our findings, the unbounded model is appropriate for theoretical analysis, while the bounded model is suitable for regulatory bodies such as OPEC.

BIMSTEC: BAY OF BENGAL INITIATIVE FOR MULTI-SECTORAL TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION: SWOT ANALYSIS FROM INDIAN PERSPECTIVES

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization comprising seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Multi-sectoral cooperation can be seen in the case of BIMSTEC, which is the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. Thus, this paper aims to analyze a comprehensive SWOT analysis of BIMSTEC based on the Indian perspective. They cover India's strategic considerations related to geopolitics, economic cooperation, energy security, and soft power. Finally, the literature review reveals that the tag is inclined towards the advancement of technology, the need for strong institutional frameworks, and competent ways of eradicating economic imbalance among the member nations. Based on the study, it can be concluded that there are inherent opportunities for cooperation within BIMSTEC, but the issues of geopolitical competition, problems with the organization's management, and political unpredictability should be solved. Finally, the paper provides suggestions to make BIMSTEC a more effective organization with a better institutional basis to support members, inclusive growth for the region's people, better connectivity, optimum use of energy resources, and target environmental conservation. Therefore, India has a significant opportunity to ensure turning BIMSTEC into an active and efficient organization, which will help to provide stability, security, and further developments in the South Asian region in the Bay of Bengal.

The management of isolated meniscal tears in skeletally immature children. An international expert consensus.

The prevalence and appreciation of meniscal tears in children have increased in both number and complexity. There is currently a paucity of high-quality evidence that can guide surgeons in treating skeletally immature patients with meniscal injuries. The aim of this study was to develop comprehensive recommendations for the management of isolated meniscal tears in skeletally immature children. An international, two-round, modified Delphi consensus was completed. Included 'experts' were identified as having an established adult knee practice, including children and either: (1) Faculty at an international paediatric knee conference, (2) Active members of complex national paediatric multi-disciplinary groups or (3) Members of faculty on recognised national/international instructional courses aimed at teaching the management of meniscal lesions to knee surgeons. The currently available literature was reviewed, and areas of poor quality, inconclusive or absent evidence were examined and formed the focus of the study. A threshold of 70% was used to define consensus for our study based on other similar Delphi consensus studies in the literature. A total of 43 experts (Round 1) and 41 experts (Round 2) took part in the Delphi study, including surgeons from Europe, the United States of America and South America. 34 statements were identified exploring three main domains-clinical assessment, management and complex tears (bucket handle, discoid and radial). Following Round 1, consensus was reached on 17 (50%) statements; subsequently, after completion of Round 2, consensus was reached on 28 (82%) statements, leaving six (18%) with no consensus. The areas of no consensus included investigation of painless clicking, the most sensitive clinical test for meniscal pathology, treatment of small radial tears (less than 1/3 width), ability to reduce chronic bucket handle tears and timing of surgery. This is the first modified Delphi consensus that provides evidence for surgeons treating skeletally immature children with isolated meniscal tears. A valuable level of consensus was reached on the assessment and management of simple and specialist meniscal tears. These consensus statements can both inform clinical practice and be used in the development of further high-quality research studies. Level V.

Intellectual property protection as catalyst for radical technological innovation in national research program teams through innovation milieu and group potentials

Based on the innovation-driven theory and the ability-motivation-opportunity (AMO) perspective, we explore the role of intellectual property protection (IPP) in enhancing the radical technological innovation (RTI) of national research project teams (NRPT). Survey data from 336 national research project team members from universities and enterprises were used to analyze the theoretical model of this study, bringing in the chain-mediated effects of innovation milieu (IM) and group potential (GP) for analysis, as well as two-stage hybrid partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and artificial neural network techniques (ANN) to evaluate the hypotheses. The empirical findings of this paper show that the strength of IPP has a positive relationship with RTI of NRPT, and that IPP is the most important predictor of this. These new findings expand the scope of innovation-driven theory and AMO theory, and provide a constructive model for NRPT to provide suggestions for the improvement of IPP system as a way to improve the realization of RTI. The results of this study can guide policymakers in strengthening IPP systems to encourage research teams to explore innovation more proactively and to facilitate the reasonable sharing and transfer of innovative outcomes. By creating a supportive innovation environment and maximizing the potential of research teams, technological breakthroughs can be achieved more effectively.

Synthesizing regulatory guidance for demonstrating preclinical efficacy and translating promising cell therapies to early phase clinical trials: a scoping review

BackgroundRegulatory applications for cell therapy face more objections compared to conventional small molecule or biological drugs, leading to delays in market approval and clinical adoption. Increased regulatory objections frequently relate to issues regarding preclinical evidence, such as experimental design of animal studies, selection of animal models, endpoints, and determination of mechanism of action. Synthesis and clarification of the preclinical evidence necessary to demonstrate treatment efficacy and advance into early-phase clinical trials is needed to help researchers avoid regulatory objections.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review in which we searched repositories of the International Council for Harmonisation and all national member organizations (N = 38) for documents related to preclinical studies of cell therapies. Active guidance documents related to cell therapy were included, with no restrictions based on the year or language of publication. Data extraction was conducted in duplicate with conflicts resolved through consensus discussion.ResultsFrom 1215 identified documents, a total of 182 were included and analyzed, with 71% originating from ten major regulatory agencies. The most prevalent preclinical item addressed was the mechanism of action (n = 161, 88% of documents), underscoring its importance in bridging preclinical findings to clinical application. Most documents (n = 140, 77%) emphasized the importance of using clinically relevant preclinical models, though specific recommendations on models of disease were less common (n = 81, 45%). Selection of clinically relevant intervention parameters (n = 136, 75%) and outcome measures (n = 121, 66%) were also frequently recommended, but selection of relevant comparator groups appeared less frequently (n = 35, 19%). Furthermore, robust study design elements such as randomization and blinding were less frequently recommended, appearing in 31% of documents (n = 57). Comparison with clinical trial guidance revealed a significant gap in the rigor of study design recommendations for preclinical research.ConclusionsRegulatory guidance for preclinical efficacy studies often recommends a strong emphasis on the clinical relevance of animal models, intervention parameters, outcomes, and mechanism of action. Incorporating these recommendations into early preclinical studies should improve the acceptability of preclinical evidence for approval by the relevant national regulators and can be used as a guide to ensure that all evidence that regulators say they expect is efficiently assembled into new clinical trial applications.

Conventionalized impoliteness formulae in third-party assessments

Abstract The paper examines the ideological work accomplished by the use of conventionalized impoliteness formulae in third person reference, when the person being criticized or brought into disrepute is not present in the here-and-now of interaction. Drawing on Interactional Linguistics and data from audio-recorded informal face-to-face Greek conversations, the study shows that speakers mobilize conventionalized impoliteness formulae, along with other linguistic resources, in the course of third-party assessments to evaluate sociocultural experience, and establish interlocutors’ shared negative affective stance toward the third party picked on due to their national group membership. This practice reproduces everyday nationalism that unites offenders against national ‘others’. The study enhances our understanding of the recontextualization of conventionalized impoliteness formulae in talk-in-interaction, and the role of affective stance in the discursive formation of (national) identities.

A majority group perspective on the association between perceived national identification of minority groups and minority helping

AbstractPrevious research has shown that majority group members are more willing to help minority group members of the same nation, particularly when the majority group members strongly identify with the national group. However, existing research has overlooked the extent to which the majority group's perception of how strongly minority groups identify with the national group (i.e., the perceived national identification of minority groups) explains minority helping (i.e., the majority group's intentions to help minority groups). To fill this void, we conducted a correlational survey among 980 Javanese, the ethnic majority in Indonesia. The results revealed that the perceived national identification of non‐Javanese minorities positively corresponded with the majority group's national identification. More perceived national identification of the minority groups and the majority group's national identification significantly correlated with more positive attitudes, liking, and helping intentions toward the minority groups. Finally, the perceptions that the non‐Javanese rejected the majority group's aspiration to exert control over them (i.e., the perceived denial of the need for power) negatively predicted the perceived national identification of the minority groups and minority helping. The perceived national identity of minority groups can influence minority helping; however, the perceived denial of the need for power may hinder it.

Necessity for a global patient co-owned cloud (GPOC)

BackgroundThe use of Cloud-based storage of personal health records has increased globally. The GPOC Series introduces the concept of a Global Patient co-Owned Cloud (GPOC) of personal health records. Here, we present the GPOC Series’ international survey on the necessity of a GPOC.MethodsOnline global survey with invitations sent to health ministries and major organisations. It received answers from health ministries and affiliated advisors of all 193 United Nations (UN) member states, 2 UN observer states (Holy See & Palestine) and 1 de facto UN non-member state (Taiwan) and from 18 major international organisations. The survey examined a dozen aspects encompassing demographics, privacy, sharing, movability, co-ownership, research, company usage, regulation and the necessity of a GPOC.ResultsThe GPOC Survey elicited responses from 267 individuals from 214 entities, including all UN member states, and major international organisations. Twelve domains were identified, covering demographics, correctness, privacy, commercial use, medical and non-medical research, co-ownership, data sharing, record movement, ownership centralisation, patient rights, environmental concerns, and foundation creation. Results show high agreement on most issues, including support for co-ownership (89%) and movement of personal health records (84%). Disagreement was prominent regarding centralised ownership by the state (64%) and data sharing without consent (85%). Additionally, respondents expressed interest in a neutral, decentralised foundation for regulation (73%) and the environmental sustainability of electronic health records (84%).ConclusionsA Global Patient co-Owned Cloud (GPOC) of personal health records could significantly enhance patient independence and involvement in health management, supported by the near consensus agreement across various domains identified in our survey. This consensus underscores the potential of GPOC to democratise healthcare and align with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The survey results demonstrate strong support for GPOC’s role in promoting evidence-based patient management, reducing information silos, and fostering ethical data sharing. Moreover, the overwhelming agreement on key principles of co-ownership, data sharing, and environmental sustainability highlights the global inclination for a decentralised, patient-controlled PHR platform. This platform stands to empower patients worldwide, advance precision medicine, and contribute to the global development and dissemination of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF FOOD INSECURITY AMONG WOMEN AFFECTED BY HIV AND AIDS IN MUFAKOSE SUBURBS IN HARARE, ZIMBABWE

Food insecurity and HIV/AIDS are two intertwined pandemics ravaging Zimbabwe, disproportionately affecting women. The triple challenges such as unemployment, poverty and inequality steeped in unethical leadership and misgovernance exacerbate the preceding twin pandemic of HIV/AIDS and food insecurity in Zimbabwe. To mitigate the abovementioned challenge, the multilateral and the bilateral stakeholders in health and food security introduced the multisectoral governance systems in all the United Nations member countries. Notwithstanding the international, regional and local efforts to mitigate both the impact of HIV/AIDS and food insecurity among the women in Zimbabwe, the effects of these twin pandemics have continued to rise among the women and girls in the country. This study investigates the impact of food insecurity on women living with HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe, shedding light on the complex relationships between poverty, nutrition and health. This qualitative study seeks to understand the complexities of human behaviour, experiences and social phenomena in the Mufakose Urban community of Zimbabwe. Women and girls who live with HIV/AIDS between the ages 15 and 49 residing in this community between 2015 and 2017 under antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment were selected as information sources for this study. Twenty (20) informant interviews were conducted, with guided questions aimed at eliciting responses from participants, focusing on household food security. The study established that women living with HIV and AIDS face a plethora of challenges in terms of food insecurity and antiretroviral therapy. This has led to non-adherence for many of them. Most of the women fail to get adequate food and a consistent supply of ARV. Consequently, the study recommends taking a holistic approach to support women living with HIV and AIDS, both medically and nutritionally, without political or undue interference. The study further suggests exploring ways to enable policymakers and government officials to adopt a factual and non-stereotypical tone in supporting people living with HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe.

(Re)creation through recreation: strengthening Hul’qumi’num’ identities through ‘leisure’

ABSTRACT A strong understanding of one’s cultural identity can serve as a protective factor against adversity. Correspondingly, empirical evidence has identified that participation in leisure may be a catalyst or contributing factor to forming one’s identity. However, scholarly understandings of the term leisure have been dominated by Eurocentric ideals. In this paper, I used Hul’qumi’num’ snuw’uy’ulh (sacred teachings) as my theoretical framework to explore how Hul’qumi’num’ mustimuxw (Hul’qumi’num’ people), specifically participating members of Snuneymuxw First Nation, understand and engage in leisure practices. Resultantly, I present my reflexive and tension filled process to assert that while study participants differentiated between engagement in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous leisure pursuits, the overarching premise was that one’s cultural identity and leisure participation were not independent of one another, regardless of the nature of the activity. Moreover, I suggest that in contemporary contexts, leisure participation from the perspective of the participants did not distinguish between Indigenous and non-Indigenous leisure to create either/or binaries but rather presented a notion of both. Thus, I demonstrate the reciprocal utility of Indigenous and non-Indigenous leisure pursuits in developing and maintaining cultural identity for Hul’qumi’num’ mustimuxw when rooted in snuw’uy’ulh.

Key performance indicators and reference values for turn performance in elite youth, junior and adult swimmers

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine kinematic and kinetic key performance indicators (KPI) of swimming turn performance using principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regression analysis and provide reference values using percentiles. Touch and tumble turn performances of male (n = 68) and female (n = 48) Swiss national team members from three age categories—adult (20.2 ± 2.7 yrs, 790 ± 57 points), junior (16.2 ± 0.8 yrs, 729 ± 53 points) and youth swimmers (14.4 ± 1.0 years of age, 667 ± 53 World Aquatics swimming points, respectively)—were assessed with a motion analysis system equipped with a force plate on the pool wall, one over- and four underwater cameras sampling forces at 500 Hz and footages at 100 Hz. The PCA reduced the 27 original variables by up to 15% depending on turn type and age category using Varimax component loading of >0.6 and explained up to 91% of the total variance. The highest Varimax component loadings for each principal component were used to determine KPI for each turn type and age category using multiple-regression analysis with total turn time as dependent variable. These KPI should be used to interpret turn performances and identify individual swimmers’ strengths, weaknesses and future potentials with the help of the percentiles as reference values.

SoccHealth: a health status examination of former professional football (soccer) players within the German National Cohort

The long-term health effects of football (soccer) have received significant attention in recent years. While brain health is currently the focus of this interest, potential long-term risks or benefits related...

The Effects of Policy-Interested Bureaucrats on State and Local Policymaking

From 1971 to 2023, 19 states, 24 counties, and 105 cities passed Source-of-Income Anti-Discrimination (SOI) laws, outlawing landlord discrimination against tenants receiving rental assistance. I present a theory of bureaucratic involvement in state and local policymaking, arguing that policy-interested local bureaucratic agencies—signaled by participation in a national membership organization—elevate mission-relevant policy problem definitions to the legislative agenda and motivate the passage of legislation. I present results from a Cox Proportional Hazards Model which demonstrates that SOI laws are significantly more likely to be enacted in cities, counties, and states associated with a public agency which is a member of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, even compared to jurisdictions associated with non-member Public Housing Authorities of similar sizes.