Related Efforts Research Articles

A New Image Encryption Method Using an Optimized Smart Codebook

Information attacks have increased worldwide as more information is available in digital form. Image encryption is essential to prevent attackers from unauthorized access to confidential images. In this paper, we introduce a novel image encryption method called the smart codebook, which combines an intelligent codebook technique with the RSA (Rivest–Shamir–Adleman) algorithm. The proposed method is designed to be dynamic as it selects the most effective codebooks in encrypting each image to increase its ambiguity. The smart codebook method divides an image into several segments based on image dimensions, and multiple random codebooks are generated for each segment. Moreover, images go through several processing stages before they are converted into cipher images, including noise, segmentation, and encryption. The best codebooks are selected to create the encrypted image in the next stage. Finally, the RSA algorithm sends the recipient the code books with the cipher image. The evaluation of the proposed smart codebook depends on several factors, including entropy, unified averaged changed intensity (UACI), number of changing pixel rate (NPCR), and correlation coefficient analysis. The assessment of the proposed encryption method demonstrates its resilience against cryptographic attacks, affirming its security and precision. The results show an impressive improvement in securing images compared to previous related efforts.

Designing e-Book of Basic Physics Fluid Series with Assistant of Virtual Laboratory to Improve Critical Thinking Skills

This study aims to develop the e-book Basic Physics Fluid Series design assisted by virtual laboratory Tracker Video Analysis (TVA) that effectively improves students' critical thinking skills. The method used in this study is Research and Development. The graphic design developed, including illustrations and visual elements, was identified as necessary for improving critical thinking skills. At the same time, practice questions with varying difficulty levels allowed students to apply knowledge. The validation process, including the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) test, underlined high agreement and validity, with suggestions for improvement, including contextual design, material optimization, interactive elements, accessibility considerations, student feedback collection, and curriculum alignment. The test results showed that learning with this e-book effectively improved students' critical thinking skills. The results obtained in the indicator provided a simple explanation, concluding that it shows a high N-gain value. In contrast, several other indicators show moderate values. This e-book design can be a role model for developing similar media, especially related efforts to improve students' Critical Thinking Skills (CTS).

A Mature Tool to Address New Challenges: Harnessing Coordination Chemistry for The Sustainable Copper Recovery from Industrial and E‐Waste in The Age of Energy Transition

AbstractCopper is arguably one of the most strategic metals for the energy transition, particularly in the shift from fossil fuel‐based engines to sustainable and renewable energy sources, with related and broader electrification efforts. While global copper mineral resources are far from depleted, their uneven distribution poses significant supply risks, especially in regions like Europe. In 2023, the European Union (EU) recognized this risk by designating copper as a strategic raw material (SRM), highlighting the need for innovative copper recovery processes. Copper recovery from industrial and electronic waste has been approached through various methods, primarily categorized into pyrometallurgy and solvo‐ and hydrometallurgy. The latter offers greater tunability and potential for sustainability, particularly when leveraging coordination chemistry. This review focuses on the most promising hydrometallurgical processes for copper recovery from industrial and e‐waste (i. e., electronic waste), with a special emphasis on the role of coordination chemistry in supporting these methods. We posed particular focus on the adaptability and versatility of the coordination chemistry‐based processes to the highly heterogenous composition of the copper‐containing wastes.

EXPRESS: Does difficulty moderate learning? A Comparative Analysis of the Desirable Difficulties Framework and Cognitive Load Theory.

There is evidence to suggest that variations in difficulty during learning can moderate long-term retention. However, the direction of this effect is under contention throughout the literature. According to both the Desirable Difficulties Framework (DDF) and the Retrieval Effort Hypothesis (REH), increasing difficulty (thus relative effort) during retrieval-based learning can help achieve superior long-term retention. One reason for this is due to improved schema formation following a deeper encoding strategy, allowing for more efficient retrieval techniques. A conflicting theory discussed in this review is the Cognitive Load Theory (CLT). The CLT states that conditions for learning are best when extraneous load is reduced, and intrinsic load is optimised. By doing this, germane resources can focus on schema formation. Whilst both theories consider schema formation key to successful retention, the way in which it is best achieved is conflicting. To date, both theories have yet to be compared despite their commonalities. This review evaluates the aforementioned theories, before proposing a new model of difficulty in learning. The proposed model integrates principles from the DDF, REH, and CLT, incorporating insights from Perceptual Load Theory (PLT). It suggests that task difficulty should be adjusted based on the material's complexity and the learner's expertise. Increasing difficulty benefits low-element-interactivity tasks by enhancing focus and retention, while reducing difficulty in high-element-interactivity tasks prevents cognitive overload.

How confidence heterogeneity shapes effort and performance in tournaments and contests

This paper studies how heterogeneity in confidence biases affects players’ relative effort provision in tournaments and contests. We uncover a non-monotonic effect of confidence on equilibrium relative efforts and winning probabilities. A player with either a low or a high confidence exerts less effort than his rival at equilibrium. However, for intermediate confidence levels, the player exerts more effort than his rival.

Design and experimental evaluation of a compact inchworm piezoelectric actuator with bridge-type displacement amplification mechanism

Abstract Miniaturization is an important direction in piezoelectric actuator research, with related efforts focusing on reducing structural complexity and simplifying guiding mechanisms. However, some actuators experience backward movement after miniaturization design. There remains significant room for improvement in mechanism configuration and the design of flexible amplification mechanisms to further reduce actuator size. In this paper, a compact inchworm actuator with bridge-type displacement amplification mechanism (BTDAM) is proposed, which does not require an additional guiding mechanism and adopts a three-dimensional packaging approach with high space utilization and a compact amplification mechanism. Because the output capacity of the BTDAM significantly impacts the operating performance of the actuator, mathematical modeling and simulation analysis are conducted. Compared with the experimental results of the amplification ratio of the BTDAM, the error of the theoretical model was 5.05%, and that of the FEM analysis was 9.1%. The dimensions of the prototype are 23 × 23 × 19 mm, and it weighs 23 g. The test results indicate that the proposed actuator can achieve stable stepping motion without backward movement. Under a voltage of 75 V, the proposed actuator achieves a maximum motion speed of 384 μm/s and a maximum output force of 1.7 N. With its compact structure and light weight, the proposed actuator shows promising application prospects in the aerospace and bioengineering fields.

Exploring variations in the implementation of a health system level policy intervention to improve maternal and child health outcomes in resource limited settings: A qualitative multiple case study from Uganda.

Despite growing literature, few studies have explored the implementation of policy interventions to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Even fewer studies explicitly articulate the theoretical approaches used to understand contextual influences on policy implementation. This under-use of theory may account for the limited understanding of the variations in implementation processes and outcomes. We share findings from a study exploring how a health system-level policy intervention was implemented to improve maternal and child health outcomes in a resource limited LMIC. Our qualitative multiple case study was informed by the Normalization Process Theory (NPT). It was conducted across eight districts and among ten health facilities in Uganda, with 48 purposively selected participants. These included health care workers located at each of the cases, policy makers from the Ministry of Health, and from agencies and professional associations. Data were collected using semi-structured, in-depth interviews to understand uptake and use of Uganda's maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) policy and were inductively and deductively analyzed using NPT constructs and subconstructs. We identified six broad themes that may explain the observed variations in the implementation of the MPDSR policy. These include: 1) perception of the implementation of the policy, 2) leadership of the implementation process, 3) structural arrangements and coordination, 4) extent of management support and adequacy of resources, 5) variations in appraisal and reconfiguration efforts and 6) variations in barriers to implementation of the policy. The variations in sense making and relational efforts, especially perceptions of the implementation process and leadership capacity, had ripple effects across operational and appraisal efforts. Adopting theoretically informed approaches to assessing the implementation of policy interventions is crucial, especially within resource limited settings.

The Impacts of Global Warming on The Migration Routes of Whales and The Changes

This paper focuses on an in-depth study of the effects of global warming on the migration routes of whales and the changes it brings to marine ecosystems, mainly using humpback whales as an example. The paper discusses how the migration routes of whales, the largest marine mammals that travel long distances between feeding and breeding grounds, have been affected by global warming. The research indicates that while these whales demonstrate remarkable adaptability in adjusting their migration timing, ongoing climate changes may pose significant challenges, particularly in synchronizing their migration with prey availability. The significance of this research lies in the impacts on the entire marine ecosystem, where a decrease in humpback whale populations due to disrupted migration patterns can affect the entire marine food web. In order to mitigate these impacts, related conservation efforts such as protecting whale populations and the ecosystems they support are critical. It is evident that research on subsequent conservation efforts are critical to mitigate these impacts and protect whale populations and the ecosystems they support.

The impact of the green direction in central banking on the general public's trust: Evidence from Hungary

Climate considerations are rising on the agenda of central banks worldwide. Given the importance of the general public's trust for the success of central bank policy, the objective of our study is to examine how this trust may change in response to green central bank measures. We rely on an independently conducted survey of 1000 Hungarian adults and apply multinomial and ordered logistic regressions. Our results indicate that even in an environment of high inflation, there is potential for some increase and limited risk of decrease in trust. We find that green variables are more important in explaining variance than those associated with the economy or institutions. A higher level of climate worry, seeing environmental protection as important, being a woman and being a student are associated with an expectation that trust would increase following the central bank's pro-environmental measures. Our findings provide support for the central bank's green programme and do not point to a need to modify the green programme, public relation efforts or the conducting of monetary policy on account of negative trust implications. Findings may be useful for other jurisdictions due to similarities in the trust-building process, climate change concerns and the monetary policy framework.

دور العلاقات العامة في تشكيل الصورة الذهنية لموظفي القطاع البلدي بالمنطقة الشرقية

The study showed that effective public relations activities, including media campaigns and direct communication with employees, contribute significantly to improving the mental image of the municipal sector. These activities play a major role in enhancing employees’ confidence in their management and raising their level of job satisfaction. The study also found that continuous and comprehensive internal communication increases employee satisfaction and enhances their sense of belonging. Public relations contribute to achieving alignment between management goals and employee aspirations, which helps achieve a stable and supportive work environment. The results indicated that transparency in communication processes between management and employees is one of the essential elements for building a positive and reliable relationship. This transparency contributes to reducing rumors and misunderstandings, which increases positive interaction between management and employees and enhances their impressions of the institution. The study also highlighted the effectiveness of modern technical tools in enhancing internal communication, as the use of these tools contributes to facilitating the exchange of information and clarifying procedures, which leads to improving the effectiveness of communication and enhancing the positive mental image of the municipal sector. The study stressed the importance of adopting sustainable public relations strategies aimed at continuous and constructive communication with employees, to support the long-term goals of the sector. She recommended the need to focus public relations efforts on transparency, continuous communication and the use of modern technologies, which contributes to creating a positive work environment and enhances job satisfaction and belonging among employees, thus achieving a positive and supportive mental image of the municipal sector in the Eastern Region.

Indigenous knowledge in climate adaptation planning: reflections from initial efforts

There are increasing calls to incorporate indigenous knowledge (IK) into climate adaptation planning (CAP) and related projects. However, given unique attributes of IK and the positionality of tribal communities to scientific research, several considerations are important to ensure CAP efforts with IK are ethical and effective. While such topics have been thoroughly explored conceptually, incorporation of IK into CAP is a nascent field only beginning to report findings and improve science production and delivery. Based on recent work with Ute Mountain Ute (UMU) resource managers and knowledge holders, we reflect on key considerations for incorporating IK into CAP: the importance of sustained and multi-level tribal engagement, operational approaches to IK incorporation, cross-cultural challenges with risk-based approaches, and how CAP can support existing tribal priorities. We hope exploring these considerations can help set appropriate expectations, promote ethical interactions, and increase the effectiveness of tribal CAP and related efforts.

An overview of outdoor low-cost gas-phase air quality sensor deployments: current efforts, trends, and limitations

Abstract. We reviewed 60 sensor networks and 17 related efforts (sensor review papers and data accessibility projects) to better understand the landscape of stationary low-cost gas-phase sensor networks deployed in outdoor environments worldwide. This study is not exhaustive of every gas-phase sensor network on the globe but rather exists to categorize types of sensor networks by their key characteristics and explore general trends. This also exposes gaps in monitoring efforts to date, especially regarding the availability of gas-phase measurements compared to particulate matter (PM) and geographic coverage gaps (the Global South, rural areas). We categorize ground-based networks that measure gas-phase air pollutants into two main subsets based on their deployment type – quasi-permanent (long term) and campaign (short to medium term) – and explore commonplace practices, strengths, and weaknesses of stationary monitoring networks. We conclude with a summary of cross-network unification and quality control efforts. This work aims to help scientists looking to build a sensor network explore best practices and common pathways and aid end users in finding low-cost sensor datasets that meet their needs.

Segregated Supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel to reduce Contrail Energy Forcing – Demonstration and Potentials

Aviation contributes about 4 % to net anthropogenic climate forcing, with contrails being the largest individual contributor to radiative forcing from aviation. One option to mitigate contrail-related climate impacts is using kerosene containing fewer or no aromatic components and thus showing a higher hydrogen content compared to conventional kerosene (i.e., fossil fuel-based). Such “low contrail” kerosene can be provided as a blend of conventional (crude oil-based) and synthetic kerosene or from hydroprocessing conventional kerosene.Low contrail kerosene reduces contrail lifetime and optical thickness and thus the magnitude of contrail climate forcing. However, market shares of such kerosene are presently very low. Simultaneously, a small fraction (< 10 %) of all flights globally accounts for the majority (> 80 %) of global warming contrail climate forcing. Hence, the targeted use of low contrail kerosene on those flights appears promising. But, such an approach would require additional operational efforts, such as a duplication of supply lines and storage tanks.This study evaluates the feasibility and operational efforts of a segregated supply of a 35 m-% SAF-blend (14.34 m-% hydrogen content) to 84 winter time demonstration flights to reduce contrail climate forcing. Between 17th January 2023 and 2nd February 2023, low contrail kerosene was supplied to commercial A320 type aircraft flights on the route between Stockholm and Copenhagen in northern Europe. The operational feasibility and related efforts to target flights with the highest contrail energy forcing as well as a large-scale application are described. The evolution of contrails is tracked using data from the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellite. The contrail energy forcing is calculated for the corresponding flight trajectories assuming another, well-validated engine model (CFM56-5B4 for the simulations instead of LEAP1A-26 for the demonstration flights) using the Contrail Cirrus Prediction (CoCiP) model with meteorological input fields from European Reanalysis data (ERA5).For the first time, the experiment demonstrates the operational feasibility for a segregated supply of low contrail kerosene to medium range aircraft at Stockholm airport. The segregated supply of low contrail kerosene can be realized for short to medium range flights, which can be fueled by a refueller truck. Targeting individual flights via single line hydrant fueling systems seems impractical as of now. Operational efforts to target single flights with highest contrail energy forcing are almost identical to the efforts in this demonstration experiment.Simulations estimate that the segregated supply of the medium blend kerosene (14.34 m-% hydrogen content) can reduce contrail energy forcing by about 11 % assuming the use of a “Rich-Quench-Lean” (RQL) engine (CFM56-5B4). The contrail climate benefit increases to >20 % for a 50 % blend ratio (14.7 m-% hydrogen content). Also, the location and evolution of the demonstration flights’ 28 contrails calculated with CoCiP was tracked with satellite data.The uncertainty of absolute contrail climate forcing estimates is mainly limited due to meteorological data input and also by lacking information on fuel composition in terms of cycloalkane, mono- and polycyclic aromatics content. Contrarily, the uncertainty of relative changes in contrail climate forcing is subject to low uncertainty, since it compares the use of different fuels for an identical fleet and identical weather conditions.

Interprofessional meetings, organization, and interactive practices: the reflexive achievement of patient-centeredness

ABSTRACT Interprofessional meetings are crucial for achieving patient-centeredness in healthcare. Exactly how patient-centeredness is reached during these meetings remains underexamined. Adopting an Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis (hereafter EMCA) perspective, this contribution looks at video-recordings of interprofessional meetings in two distinct healthcare settings: rehabilitation and internal medicine. It aims to provide new insight into how investigations of patient-centeredness as a reflexive achievement allow us to better understand the organizational and relational efforts required to achieve it in practice. This contribution outlines how different healthcare contexts result in variety in the meeting frequency, duration, aims, participants, and agendas, which in turn means that the opportunities for patient-centeredness are not the same. But it also illustrates how patient-centeredness depends on the ways the various opportunities are seized and play out in the interprofessional interactions. It is therefore argued here that research on how patient-centeredness is reached in interprofessional meetings and the development of recommendations for enhancing it both require consideration of context-specific conditions and how participants adapt to and simultaneously modify them to achieve patient-centeredness in practice.

Neighborhood demographics in relation to marketing and regulation-related factors among cannabis retailers in 5 US cities

ObjectivesThis study assessed differences in cannabis retailer practices by neighborhood sociodemographics, which can inform disparity-relevant interventions. MethodsMultilevel multivariable logistic regressions examined retailers’ census tract demographics (percent <21 years-old; non-Hispanic White, Black, or other race, Hispanic; median household income [MHHI]) in relation to 2022 audit data regarding marketing (youth-oriented signs, health-claims, exterior ads, price specials, membership programs, delivery/pick-up) and regulatory compliance (pregnancy and health-risk warning signage, exterior minimum-age signage) among 150 randomly-selected retailers in 5 US cities/states (Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Las Vegas, Nevada; Los Angeles, California). Results20.7 % had youth-oriented signage, 28.7 % health-claim signage, 27.3 % exterior ads, 75.3 % price specials, 39.3 % membership programs, 28.0 % delivery/pick-up, 72.0 % pregnancy warnings, 38.0 % health-risk warnings, and 64.0 % minimum-age signage. Retailers in tracts with higher percent <21 and non-Hispanic White had lower odds of youth-oriented signage. Higher MHHI had higher odds of health-claims; higher percent Hispanic had lower odds of health-claims. Higher MHHI had lower odds of exterior ads. Higher percent <21 had lower odds of price specials. Higher percent non-Hispanic White had higher odds of membership programs. Higher percent non-Hispanic White, other race, and Hispanic had higher odds of delivery/pick-up; higher MHHI had lower odds of delivery/pick-up. Higher percent non-Hispanic White had higher odds of pregnancy warnings. Higher percent <21 had lowers odds of health-risk warnings. Demographics were unrelated to minimum-age signage. ConclusionsGiven key findings (e.g., less regulation-related signage in racial/ethnic minority communities), cannabis retail could exacerbate disparities, underscoring the need for related regulatory and prevention efforts.

Estimates of Air Pollutant Emissions by Vehicle Fleet in the State of Pará, Brazil: Impacts and Trends

Objective: aims to estimate emissions of the main atmospheric pollutants from vehicular sources in the state of Pará, to continue the environmental agenda of monitoring air quality. Theoretical Framework: The growing global concern about air quality in urban areas is driven by the environmental and public health impacts caused by air pollution. The concentration of pollutants from vehicle sources represents one of the main challenges, especially in densely populated regions such as the capital and other major cities in the state of Pará, where the automotive fleet has increased significantly. Method: The methodology used combined "bottom-up" and "top-down" methods to calculate emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO) and total hydrocarbons (HC) for different vehicle categories and fuel types. Data on licensed vehicle fleets and fuel consumption obtained from DETRAN-PA and ANP were used. Results and Discussion: The results revealed that gasoline-powered vehicles are responsible for the majority of CO and HC emissions, while diesel vehicles emit the largest amounts of NO into the atmosphere. Motorcycles were identified as the largest source of emissions due to their larger number in the circulating fleet. Our results also highlight the importance of assessing and monitoring vehicle emissions to develop effective air pollution control strategies. Research Implications: The information obtained in this study is unprecedented for the study area, and can therefore support the formulation of environmental policies aimed at reducing emissions of atmospheric pollutants in the state of Pará, thus promoting an improvement in air quality and public health. Originality/Value: This paper makes an unprecedented contribution to national and international literature on environmental pollution in large urban centers. On the eve of the largest climate and environment conference on the planet (COP30) to be held in Pará, Amazonas, this research joins efforts in relation to the monitoring, forecasting and mitigation of air pollution, considered one of the main environmental problems of today.

Urban Entrepreneurship on the Fringe: Action Research on the Challenges of Street Vendors in Manila

The presence of street vendors in metropolitan cities has been a cause for debate as vending provides these vendors with a source of livelihood but at the expense of regulatory oversight and urban order. Vending as a business emerged due to the lack of work opportunities available despite the growing demand. Vendors, however, remain crucial stakeholders of the informal economy as their existence fills a need for the minimum-income working class. As such, the objective of the study is to determine and understand the different factors that affect the business of street vendors and their coping mechanisms to these challenges and propose an action plan. This study is unique in its focus on the informal economy, specifically street vendors in Manila, an often overlooked yet vital part of urban livelihoods. By employing a qualitative approach, it delves deeply into the lived experiences of street vendors, uncovering the cultural, socioeconomic, and regulatory challenges they face in a highly urbanized Southeast Asian city. The study highlights human-centered narratives often missed in quantitative research and provides valuable insights into the dynamics between street vendors and government regulations. Its findings could influence inclusive policies that better support informal entrepreneurs, contributing to broader discussions on inclusive business practices. The results reveal that factors affecting street vendors relate to interpersonal dynamics, family dynamics and obligations, educational aspirations, financial vulnerability, market competition, operational challenges, supply chain dependency, health and labor, and enforcement of regulations. To manage these factors, vendors have adopted mechanisms to combat these issues through debt and financial management, operational adaptation, community assistance and support, adaptation to regulation, and emotional resilience. In the end, this research proposes a five-point agenda to support street vendors' adherence to social and legal norms, beginning with developing inclusive policies that formally recognize and regulate street vending, ensuring legal protection and designated vending zones. It then focuses on economic empowerment through improved access to financial services, microcredit, and financial literacy programs while introducing social security measures. Health and safety programs are implemented to enhance vendors' well-being, providing access to healthcare, ergonomic training, and sanitation standards. Governance improvements, anti-harassment initiatives, and transparent law enforcement to protect vendors from exploitation should also materialize. Finally, community engagement and public relations efforts aim to foster positive perceptions of street vendors, highlighting their contributions to the economy and encouraging cooperation with local businesses and authorities.

Relative muscular effort in the older adults during the sit-to-stand task: Monitoring neuromuscular reserve and movement limitations

BackgroundDue to lower maximum strength, older adults purportedly need to exert greater muscular effort to stand up from a chair. This study investigated joint-specific muscular effort during a sit-to-stand by calculating relative-muscular-effort and investigating differences between healthy older and young adults. MethodsFifteen older (age: 69.9 ± 3.5 years) and 15 young (age: 22.2 ± 2.6 years) adults performed five self-paced sit-to-stand trials. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected and used to calculate inverse dynamics net joint moment. Peak isometric knee and hip extensor torques were measured and used as inputs to regression models that predicted angle- and velocity-dependent maximum potential net joint moment. Knee and hip relative-muscular-effort were calculated as the net joint moment during the task and their maximum capacity. FindingsKnee and hip extensor relative-muscular-effort did not differ between age groups during momentum-transfer and extension phases of the sit-to-stand. However, peak knee and hip moments during the sit-to-stand, knee and hip maximum potential moments as well as peak knee and hip torques were significantly lower in older adults compared to young adults. InterpretationAlthough there were age-related decreases in muscle strength and joint kinetics during the sit-to-stand task in older adults, the findings that older adults exhibited similar knee and hip relative-muscular-effort to young adults suggests that neither knee nor hip extensors operated close to their maximum capacity during this task. Therefore, neuromuscular reserve in knee and hip strength may not be a critical limiting factor for healthy older adults during the two phases of sit-to-stand.

Leveraging epistemic data agency with data visualizations to bridge the gap between data trends and personal experiences

PurposeWhile designing personally meaningful activities with data technologies can support the development of data literacies, this paper aims to focuses on the overlooked aspect of how learners navigate tensions between personal experiences and data trends.Design/methodology/approachThe authors report on an analysis of three student cases from a design study in which middle and high school youth assembled family migration stories using data visualization technologies with socioeconomic and demographic data. The authors used interaction analysis to examine how students responded to misalignments they encountered between their families’ experiences and data trends in their models, drawing on the theoretical construct of epistemic data agency.FindingsThis case analysis demonstrates ways in which students enacted epistemic data agency. Instructional support can help students deepen inquiry and avoid certain pitfalls, such as encoding data in unsound or misleading ways to support a particular story, while encouraging students to see themselves as an epistemic authority on par with data. This study opens pathways for future research that considers how data can shape personal narratives and how students can leverage their experiences in the stories they tell with data.Originality/valueThe authors introduce the construct of epistemic data agency to describe the conceptual and material practices that reveal and shape students’ relationships to the data. The descriptions of students enacting epistemic data agency in assembling data stories informs the understanding of how to better elevate and recognize students’ efforts in relation to disciplinary norms and support deeper, meaningful student learning with and about data.

Connecting gender balance, crisis resistance and innovativeness in the forestry sector: Women in leadership and management

Much of the research on forestry innovation is based on models of economic rationality that are presumed to be universal and “a-gendered.” This article understands that economic processes are not “neutral” and seeks to produce empirical insights into the perceptions of gender in the male-dominated forestry sector. How does perceived gender balance in a forestry-related organisation contribute to its resilience to economic, ecological, climate-related and other contemporary crises, as well as its innovativeness? To examine the importance attributed to gender balance for resilience and innovation, we undertook a representative web survey amongst the principal Austrian forestry-related companies, institutions and agencies. The results show some links between gender and innovation, but not between gender and resilience. We then complemented the survey with in-depth interviews with high-level female representatives from the Austrian forestry sector, focusing on their personal experiences and opinions as both experts and the sole ones who made it in a sector of skewed gender balance and strong misrepresentation. Our findings reveal a contradiction between the survey results on the importance attributed to gender balance within forestry-sector organisations and the inequalities that successful women in high-level leadership positions reported in the interviews. The article discusses how gendered norms are relevant for economic outcomes and must be integrated into all related research efforts. Our findings challenge academic positions that regard economic issues and societal questions like gender balance to be strictly separated.