Policy Research Research Articles

Interplay of natural and anthropogenic factors in sediment dynamics and trace element distribution in Güllük Gulf, western Türkiye: A comprehensive geochemical and hydrodynamic analysis

Güllük Gulf, located in the southeastern Aegean Sea, is significantly impacted by diverse human activities, including urban development, tourism, and intensive aquaculture. This study aims to assess the spatial distribution of trace metals in the Gulf's sediments, identify their sources, and evaluate their environmental impacts to inform effective management strategies. It also examines sediment transport patterns, which are crucial in influencing the distribution and concentration of pollutants. Establishing background concentration levels for various elements provides a baseline to assess pollution levels and identify deviations due to anthropogenic impact. Sediment samples were collected from 45 stations and analyzed for grain size, organic carbon, carbonate content, and concentrations of 26 elements. Contamination was assessed using indices such as Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination Factor (Cf), Degree of Contamination (Cdeg), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Modified Pollution Index (MPI), and Toxic Risk Index (TRI). Statistical analyses, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA), were used to identify pollution sources. Results indicated that Güllük Gulf's sediments are predominantly sandy, with significant silt and clay fractions in sheltered bays. Organic carbon content averaged 1.68%, with higher values near urban and aquaculture areas. Trace metal concentrations exhibited notable spatial variability, with elevated levels of Pb, Cu and Zn in specific areas, indicating both natural and anthropogenic sources. PCA identified five significant factors contributing to metal presence, linking them to lithogenic origins, aquaculture activities, and industrial inputs. TRI results showed moderate toxic risk in Asin Bay, primarily due to Ni, As and Cr. The sediment transport model of Güllük Gulf, crucial in understanding regional pollution dynamics, revealed a complex interplay of hydrodynamic forces. The study underscores the significant environmental impact of human activities on sediment quality in Güllük Gulf. Elevated trace metal levels near aquaculture sites emphasize the need for stringent environmental management practices. Effective strategies should include regular monitoring, sustainable aquaculture practices, and stakeholder engagement to mitigate environmental impacts and preserve the Gulf's ecological integrity. This comprehensive approach provides crucial insights for future research and environmental management policies aimed at addressing the complex challenges facing Güllük Gulf.

The impact of local content curriculum on students’ cultural awareness and identity in Indonesian elementary schools

ABSTRACT This study investigated how local content curriculum (LCC) affected students’ cultural awareness and identity in Indonesian elementary schools. LCC lets schools tailor 20% of the instruction to local contexts and needs. The study used a mixed-methods approach with 200 students from 10 schools in Banten, a diverse province. The data collection and analysis methods involved a questionnaire, a test, a portfolio, an interview, statistics, and thematic analysis. The study found that LCC improved students’ cultural awareness and identity significantly and was implemented in different ways with various partners. However, the study also uncovered that LCC clashed with the national standardised examination (NSE), which neglected LCC. The study suggested that LCC had potentials for enhancing students’ cultural competence and readiness for the globalised world. The study contributed to the literature on LCC, NSE, cultural awareness, and cultural identity, and offered some recommendations for policy makers, practitioners, and researchers.

Relationship Between Neighborhood-Level Socioeconomic Status and Functional Outcomes After Hip Arthroscopy

Background: Despite the growing volume of neighborhood-level health disparity research, there remains a paucity of prospective studies investigating the relationship between Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and functional outcomes for patients undergoing hip arthroscopy. Purpose: To investigate the relationship between neighborhood-level socioeconomic status and functional outcomes after hip arthroscopy. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed on patients aged ≥18 years with minimum 1-year follow-up who underwent hip arthroscopy for the treatment of symptomatic labral tears. The study population was divided into ADILow and ADIHigh cohorts according to ADI score: a validated measurement of neighborhood-level socioeconomic status standardized to yield a score between 1 and 100. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) included the modified Harris Hip Score, Nonarthritic Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living, Hip Outcome Score–Sports-Specific Subscale, 33-item International Hip Outcome Tool, visual analog scale for pain, and patient satisfaction. Results: A total of 228 patients met inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. After patients were stratified by ADI score (mean ± SD), the ADILow cohort (n = 113; 5.8 ± 3.0; range, 1-12) and ADIHigh cohort (n = 115; 28.0 ± 14.5; range, 13-97) had no differences in baseline patient demographics. The ADIHigh cohort had significantly worse preoperative baseline scores for all 5 PROMs; however, these differences were not present by 1-year follow-up. Furthermore, the 2 cohorts achieved similar rates of the minimal clinically important difference for all 5 PROMs and the Patient Acceptable Symptom State for 4 PROMs. When controlling for patient demographics, patients with higher ADI scores had greater odds of achieving the minimal clinically important difference for all PROMs except the 33-item International Hip Outcome Tool. Conclusion: Although hip arthroscopy patients experiencing a greater neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage exhibited significantly lower preoperative baseline PROM scores, this disparity resolved at 1-year follow-up. In fact, when adjusting for patient characteristics including ADI score, more disadvantaged patients achieved greater odds of achieving the minimal clinically important difference. The present study is merely a first step toward understanding health inequities among patients seeking orthopaedic care. Further development of clinical guidelines and health policy research is necessary to advance care for patients from disadvantaged communities.

Dignity at Work: A Critical Conceptual Framework and Research Agenda

This article provides a narrative review of the literature on dignity at work with a focus on social justice perspectives, which informs the development of a conceptual framework to guide future theory, research, practice, and public policies. Dignity at work encompasses earned and inherent dignity; the capacity for autonomous action; the affirmation of diversity; access to decent and humane work conditions; freedom to organize and resist; and opportunities for contribution, meaningfulness, and achievement. The literature review highlighted the diverse disciplinary and conceptual frameworks that inform how dignity at work is defined and understood along with a review of relevant empirical literature exploring the nature, antecedents, and outcomes of dignity at work. We presented a critical conceptual model that includes macro-level, work-based and relational conditions, systems of oppression, and resistance as the context for understanding dignity at work and its outcomes. The paper concluded with directions for future research and implications for practice and public policy.

Does It Take a Village? The Impact of LGBTQ+ Community and Geographic Location on Associations among Parenting Stress, Parent Mental Health, and Child Adjustment.

While LGBTQ+-parented families share many similarities with their cis-het parent counterparts, they still experience unique factors exclusive to them. One such factor is access to the LGBTQ+ community. Utilizing a diverse sample of LGBTQ+ parents with adolescents in the U.S., primarily living in Southern and Midwest states, we examined the potential moderating impact of a parent's sense of LGBTQ+ community on the relationship between parenting stress, parent mental health, and child adjustment. Regression analyses demonstrated a series of positive associations between LGBTQ+ parent stress, parent mental health concerns, and child adjustment issues. However, sense of community failed to moderate these associations. Parent sexual identity, age, and recruitment method were found to have unique associations with outcome variables. Implications for policy, clinical practice, and future research are discussed.

Who is culpable in fentanyl-induced deaths? A survey vignette investigating public perceptions of drug supplier culpability

PurposeThe fentanyl crisis has received national attention. In the current context, this study sought to assess whether public perception of criminal culpability varies by who supplies fentanyl to an individual who later dies from an overdose. MethodsAn experimental vignette of fentanyl-induced death scenarios was implemented by randomizing the relationship of the drug suppliers to the victims as well as race of both the drug supplier and victim. In total, there were eight scenarios. ResultsOLS regressions on a sample of 4820, found that respondents assigned a scenario where a drug dealer was the fentanyl provider (compared to a friend as the provider) were significantly more likely to support punitive action. There were no significant differences when the race of the drug provider and/or victim were randomized. Robustness checks confirmed these punitive attitudes towards drug dealers. ConclusionsThe public views drug dealers as more culpable in fentanyl overdoses. However, the race of both the drug supplier and victim did not impact perceptions of criminal culpability. During a national fentanyl epidemic, the findings have implications for public attitudes towards drug suppliers, public policy, and future research.

Race in Integrated Data Systems: Why, Wherefrom, and How

Integrated administrative data systems (IADs) are a powerful resource to implement research and analysis for social policy. While IADs may capture racial identity data from multiple administrative sources, there is no agreed upon criteria for whether and how to synthesize this information in a way that (1) produces knowledge to advance racial equity, while (2) underscoring race as a social construct. This study leverages a county-level IAD to test and analyze an event-table design to represent racial identity that, when informed with historical and community knowledge, may meet both of the aforementioned goals. We illustrate this approach applied to the development of a registry of youth experiencing homelessness, as captured by linked administrative data from vital records, homeless service agencies, schools, food support programs, and other systems. The event table design includes race identity for each person in the registry across all systems included. We develop criteria to inform the hierarchy of one source over another when there are discrepancies in race identity across systems, and when categories for this variable differ across administrative systems. We provide historical and social context behind potential discrepancies and discuss approaches to missing data. Furthermore, we highlight the value of including qualitative knowledge from agency data managers, users, and those represented in the data to inform the synthesis of information around race. Finally, we illustrate how this approach can guide research analysis and contextualize results, thus enhancing the research process and advancing racial equity with IADs.

An Integrated Test of Power-Control Theory by Delinquency Types: Assessing Additional Factors Predicting Adolescents’ Risk-taking Preferences

Prior tests of power-control theory (“PCT”) have primarily utilized the U.S. or Canadian samples, lacked integration with other theoretical frameworks, and overlooked diverse offense types. This study aims to address these limitations by testing PCT while considering various criminogenic factors and assessing its relative significance across status, property, and violent offenses using an international sample. Structural equation modeling analysis reveals support for PCT’s core assumption that the gender effect on offending, wherein boys are more likely to commit offenses than girls, is less pronounced in egalitarian families than patriarchal families, particularly in status and violent offenses, but not in property offenses. However, other PCT assumptions were partially supported or not supported. We discuss implications for policy, theory, and future research.

Conducting research within the acronym: Problematizing LGBTIQ+ research in psychology

ABSTRACTLGBTIQ+ research acknowledges shared experiences of groups marginalized due to gender identities, sexualities, and sex characteristics. This universalist coalition approach has resulted in much affirmational research and progressive policy development. However, it risks homogenizing the unique experiences and needs of specific groups; a risk lessened by a particularist subgroup approach. In this theoretical paper, we reflect on the challenges of a coalition or subgroup approach by considering interdependencies and boundaries between sex, gender, and sexuality‐based identities. Through tracing the historical development of LGBTIQ+ research and activism and using examples from intersex studies, intersectionality, and political actions, we explore tensions between the collective identities that make up the LGBTIQ+ acronym. We further offer suggestions for reimagining LGBTIQ+ research, advocating for community‐driven approaches that respect the situated knowledge of LGBTIQ+ individuals, and use adaptable and inclusive research practices that bridge academia and activism that aim to improve the lives of the marginalized.

New energy technology innovation and energy poverty alleviation in China

Energy poverty has received attention, but in-depth research on the relationship between new energy technology innovation and energy poverty is lacking. Using data from 30 Chinese provinces spanning 2006 to 2020, we examine the impact of new energy technology innovation on energy poverty in China. We collect provincial-level patent data and energy poverty evaluation indicators, categorizing them into four subsystems: energy use level, energy capacity, energy use structure, and energy investment management. Findings indicates: (1) New energy technology innovation significantly alleviates energy poverty in China. This is primarily attributed to improvements in energy supply and residents' income. (2) The effectiveness of new energy technology innovations in alleviating energy poverty is enhanced by provincial transportation development and technology market activity but diminished by urbanization. (3) New energy technology innovations lead to notable increases in energy use level and energy capacity, a decrease in energy use structure, and no significant impact on energy investment management. (4) Innovations from enterprises, university and research institutes significantly contribute to alleviating China's energy poverty. However, innovations from industry-university-research collaborations and other innovators do not significantly affect China's energy poverty. Our findings provide valuable insights for theoretical research and energy poverty policy design.

Exploring the Landscape of Digital Entrepreneurship among Disabled People: A Bibliometric Analysis

This study delves into the landscape of digital entrepreneurship among people with disabilities through a bibliometric and cartographic analysis. Four key research questions guide the investigation: 1) What pattern have publications about digital entrepreneurship of people with disability shown throughout the years?, (2) Which writers and nations have made the most significant contributions to the literature on digital entrepreneurship of people with disability?, (3) Which journals publish the most articles about the digital entrepreneurship of people with disabilities?, and (4) What are the most popular keywords found in digital entrepreneurship of people with disability documents. The research unveils trends, prominent contributors, leading publication outlets, and prevalent themes in digital entrepreneurship among individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, employing cartographic analyses with VOSviewer, the study maps out the interconnectedness and collaboration networks among authors, nations, and keywords, offering insights into the global research landscape in this critical area. By shedding light on the existing body of literature and research dynamics, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of digital entrepreneurship within the disability context. It informs future research directions and policy initiatives to foster inclusivity and innovation in entrepreneurship

The Data Linkage Hub: a Community of Practice

Objective and ApproachThis paper discusses the Data Linkage Hub (DLH) which is a centre for data linkage excellence and aims to produce and support the delivery of high quality, linked data assets for researchers in the UK. Here, we will give an overview of the DLH’s activity as a Community of Practice for Data Linkage. ResultsWe will discuss the different project types conducted in the DLH; the methods used ranging from bespoke linkage development to the adoption of generalised methodologies; and the customers of the DLH. We will also discuss the tools the DLH have developed, and make available to others, to standardise, streamline and improve quality assessment of linkage. This will include clerical matching tools known as CROW and the CMS, BAT, a bias analysis tool, and a package of PySpark code specifically developed for data linkage. In addition, we will explore the data linkage training materials we offer for different audiences and our involvement in a Data Linkage Champions Network, both increasing the awareness of data linkage and promoting best practise. Conclusion and ImplicationsThe impact of the DLH’s work is far reaching, underpinning statistical outputs, research and public policy. This success is down to the creation of a community of practice bringing together experts to regularly update and discuss linkage.

An Applied Research Partnership to Improve The Children’s Behavioral Health System Of Care

Objective and ApproachThis session describes a doctoral student-led process to align research, policy, and practice partners around the use of integrated data to address a policy priority—the mounting youth mental health crisis. The project partners engaged in a five-year governance process to leverage integrated administrative data from a large health and human service agency in one U.S. state. Qualitative field notes—collected while conducting quantitative analyses and engaging partners—were analyzed to document a realistic timeline and process for ethical, actionable research using cross-sector data. ResultsFive key lessons for partnership-engaged research emerged, emphasizing the importance of adapting to changes in project themes, leveraging strong partnership to address data quality concerns, nurturing existing and new relationships, balancing data access and data privacy, and supplementing administrative data with contextual data. ConclusionsThough engaging deeply with partners takes substantial time and energy, there are benefits to researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and most importantly, residents whose data are represented. Furthermore, building pathways to legally and ethically access integrated data can promote the efficient, strategic use of data for social policy research, and ultimately, be leveraged to support evidence-based policymaking in an ever-changing world. ImplicationsThis session underscores the value of forming applied research partnerships and building legal and ethical pathways to access integrated data when tackling complex social policy issues.

To Enact or to Implement?

Abstract This study analyses Ghana’s climate-change legal and policy frameworks, pinpointing significant gaps and offering targeted recommendations to bolster the nation’s resilience against climate change. Despite Ghana’s commitments under international agreements and the formulation of national policies, challenges persist in policy implementation, sectoral integration, research, stakeholder engagement, funding and adaptation strategies. The paper argues for a robust, integrated approach to enhance Ghana’s climate governance, highlighting the necessity for improved implementation capacity, cross-sectoral policy harmonisation, enhanced climate data collection, active stakeholder participation, innovative financing and a stronger focus on adaptation and resilience. Key recommendations advocate for political commitment, collaborative efforts and resource mobilisation to ensure effective climate action. This condensed analysis contributes to the broader dialogue on climate-change management in emerging economies, offering insights for policy-makers and stakeholders on advancing climate resilience and sustainable development.

Major mistakes or errors in the use of trial sequential analysis in systematic reviews or meta-analyses – the METSA systematic review

BackgroundSystematic reviews and data synthesis of randomised clinical trials play a crucial role in clinical practice, research, and health policy. Trial sequential analysis can be used in systematic reviews to control type I and type II errors, but methodological errors including lack of protocols and transparency are cause for concern. We assessed the reporting of trial sequential analysis.MethodsWe searched Medline and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021 for systematic reviews and meta-analysis reports that include a trial sequential analysis. Only studies with at least two randomised clinical trials analysed in a forest plot and a trial sequential analysis were included. Two independent investigators assessed the studies. We evaluated protocolisation, reporting, and interpretation of the analyses, including their effect on any GRADE evaluation of imprecision.ResultsWe included 270 systematic reviews and 274 meta-analysis reports and extracted data from 624 trial sequential analyses. Only 134/270 (50%) systematic reviews planned the trial sequential analysis in the protocol. For analyses on dichotomous outcomes, the proportion of events in the control group was missing in 181/439 (41%), relative risk reduction in 105/439 (24%), alpha in 30/439 (7%), beta in 128/439 (29%), and heterogeneity in 232/439 (53%). For analyses on continuous outcomes, the minimally relevant difference was missing in 125/185 (68%), variance (or standard deviation) in 144/185 (78%), alpha in 23/185 (12%), beta in 63/185 (34%), and heterogeneity in 105/185 (57%). Graphical illustration of the trial sequential analysis was present in 93% of the analyses, however, the Z-curve was wrongly displayed in 135/624 (22%) and 227/624 (36%) did not include futility boundaries. The overall transparency of all 624 analyses was very poor in 236 (38%) and poor in 173 (28%).ConclusionsThe majority of trial sequential analyses are not transparent when preparing or presenting the required parameters, partly due to missing or poorly conducted protocols. This hampers interpretation, reproducibility, and validity.Study registrationPROSPERO CRD42021273811

How do partner selection strategies affect the amount of funding in collaborative research projects? Evidence using the dual-projection approach

The selection of partners plays a crucial role in determining the success of collaborative projects. This study makes a valuable contribution to the existing literature on collaborative research and development by examining the impact of different partner selection strategies on the funding received in collaborative research projects. Previous studies have not shown sufficiently how collaborating with new partners as opposed to existing ones influences the amount of funding received. To bridge this gap, we use the innovative dual-projection approach from Social Network Analysis. Specifically, we analyze the network structure of projects funded by Horizon 2020, the eighth European Framework Programme. Our findings show that compared to collaborating with established partners, collaborating with new ones increases the likelihood of securing more funding when entering a new project. Moreover, projects coordinated by private or public organizations rather than research centers and higher education institutions have a higher probability of obtaining greater funding. However, the significance of partner connections diminishes with decreasing proximity to the focal organization. Ultimately, our results offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of the European Research and Technological Development Policy in fostering excellent science through cross-collaboration among a diverse group of actors.

Do Reasons Matter? Navigating Parents’ Reasons in Healthcare Decisions for Children

Bioethics has dedicated itself to exploring and defending both reasons for and against certain aspects of clinical care, biomedical research and health policy, including what decisions must be made, who should make them, and how they should be made. In pediatrics, it’s widely acknowledged that parents’ reasons may matter pragmatically; attending to parents’ reasons is important if we want to work with families. Yet the conventional view in pediatric ethics is that parents’ reasons are irrelevant to whether a decision is permissible or impermissible according to accepted ethical standards. In this paper, we explore whether parents’ reasons matter ethically and, if so, in what way and for whom. First, we clarify what we mean by ‘reasons.’ Second, we provide an overview of how reasons are typically treated in medical decision-making and pediatric ethics. Third, we analyze a hypothetical pediatric case to illustrate how changing reasons can transform ethical analyses, including by contributing to where and how clinicians and ethicists draw the boundaries intrinsic to common pediatric ethical frameworks. We push back against the conventional view and argue that parents’ reasons matter ethically in several ways. We call for further research on the role of parents’ reasons in clinical ethics deliberation.

Pylore Krishnaier Rajagopalan: Pioneer in Kyasanur Forest Disease Research and His Contributions to Zoonotic Disease Studies.

Pylore Krishnaier Rajagopalan was a distinguished public health expert who made significant breakthroughs in the research of Kyasanur forest disease (KFD), a prevalent tick-borne viral ailment in South India. His extensive research on KFD provided vital insights into the impact of the disease on public health and considerably advanced our knowledge of it. Rajagopalan's work also encompasses the study of zoonotic diseases, where he made substantial contributions to our understanding of their epidemiology and control. His research on KFD was instrumental in comprehending the disease transmission dynamics, clinical manifestations, and control strategies, resulting in improved management practices in regions where the disease is endemic. Rajagopalan's contributions have had a long-lasting impact on public health practices, as his work has influenced both scientific research and public health policies. The enduring effects of his work can be observed in the enhanced disease surveillance, outbreak response, and comprehension of zoonotic disease dynamics, which will continue to inform contemporary public health practices.

A 12-Year Population-Based Analysis of Victimization and Climate Trends in Israeli Arab and Jewish Elementary Schools

ABSTRACT The study aims to examine changes over time in school victimization and climate in Israel, and whether these changes varied between Jewish and Arab schools and schools with different SES. A secondary analysis of the Ministry of Education database of structured student surveys regarding victimization and climate, was conducted during 2008–2019. All students in grades 5–6 were surveyed. The number of schools ranged between 751 and 1,189 (M = 983, SD = 166.3); 73.7% were Jewish schools, and 26.3% were Arab. Peer victimization dropped from 14.95 in 2008 to 7.97 in 2019 (β = -.39). All climate aspects positively increased. The highest improvements were in feeling unsafe (β = -.28). Reductions in victimization and progress in climate were the strongest among students from Arab schools and schools with lower SES. The implications for policy and future research are discussed.

The Role of Patient Organizations in Shaping Research, Health Policies, and Health Services for Rare Genetic Diseases: The Dutch Experience.

In 2023, the genetics scientific community celebrated two special anniversaries: the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA was published in 1953 and in 2003 the Human Genome Project was declared completed and made publicly available. To this day, genetics and genomics research is continuing to evolve at high pace and is identifying a steadily increasing number of genes as causal for distinct genetic diseases. The success story of genetics and genomics would not be complete without taking due account of the role of patient advocacy organizations in this process. This paper is based on the personal narrative (oral history) of a father whose daughter was born with a rare genetic disease (RGD) in the 1960s. The first-hand experience of living as a family with an RGD in those days made him a leading pioneer not only in the foundation of patient organizations at national, pan-European, and international levels but also in the development of multi-stakeholder co-operation and networking. Today, patient advocacy organizations play an active role in shaping health and research policies at national, EU, and international levels to ensure that their needs in regard to advancing RGD diagnostics, care, and treatment are addressed.