Societal Constraints Research Articles

Editorial: Welcome to Wildlife Letters

Editorial: Welcome to <i>Wildlife Letters</i>

Confined. designed. but credited?

confined. designed. but credited? was created to illustrate the history, or lack thereof, of women in the graphic design profession. This zine explores the contributions of 10 key women to the field of graphic design. Analyzing and comparing the texts The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir, and Alms for Oblivion by Ellen Mazur Thomson brings attention to the disparities and struggles of career women. Beauvoir’s comment on existentialism focuses on navigating individualistic thinking with the tension between free will and societal constraints. Despite oppression and sexism, multiple women achieved professional status as graphic designers. However, women were forced into more “feminine” specialties at design schools such as the Bauhaus and/or were “lost” to history because, according to Thomson, they were not credited for their work. In addition, exploring the primary and secondary sources questions the definition of design itself and why the lack of clarity has made it difficult to identify women designers. Delivering this research in the form of a zine salutes one of the ways feminists communicate their views. The combination of photos, hand-drawn illustrations, and digitally rendered shapes &amp; textures help point to the main ideas of each article. Overall, the zine captures key concepts of limitations within a male-dominated world, as well as the capacity, competence, and innovation of women in design. Created for the Feminist Theories and Foundations course (GEND219) and informed by my program, Bachelor of Design.

Trade-offs between greenhouse gas mitigation and economic objectives with drained peatlands in Finnish landscapes

In Finland, the widespread drainage of boreal peatlands has led to increased forest productivity. The cost is a dramatic increase in soil greenhouse gas emissions. Empirical research of drained peatlands has found a correlation between greenhouse gas emissions and the ground water table. This suggests an opportunity to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions through forest management. We explore this opportunity at the landscape level through a simulation and optimization framework. We explore how forest management actions can impact the ground water table and the related greenhouse gas emissions. There are various economic and societal constraints for a set of forested peatland landscapes in Finland. First, we link forest simulations with hydrological and statistical models to predict CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions from the drained peatlands. We then present the range of landscape level solutions that prioritize between minimizing the net ecosystem greenhouse gas emissions, the economic timber value, and the even flow of timber income over time. Our results highlight the impact that integrating peatland soil greenhouse gas emissions will have on the planning process. This promotes the use of management options that benefit both biomass growth and reduced peatland soil greenhouse gas emissions.

Quest of Agency and Identity: A Feminist Reading of Kate Chopin’s “A Respectable Woman”

The present paper critically examines how Kate Chopin’s short story, “A Respectable Woman” encapsulates women’s aspiration for their unconditional agency, distinct personal identity, and the subsequent existential authenticity. It focuses the female protagonist Mrs. Baroda’s mental restrictions caused by social norms and her struggle to overcome them. By applying Simon de Beauvoir’s notions of transcendence and immanence, it analyses how Mrs. Baroda strives to affirm unconditional and unproblematic agency as an individual as a part of her attempts to negotiate her sexuality, freedom and identity. The paper posits that Chopin defies the contemporary patriarchal codes of the 19th century American society as she reveals women’s awareness of their precarious situation, desire for freedom and emancipation from societal constraints that seek to strip them of their independent agency and identity.

Gravity-driven membrane filtration with compact second-life modules daily backwashed: An alternative to conventional ultrafiltration for centralized facilities

Gravity-driven membrane (GDM) filtration is a strategic alternative to conventional ultrafiltration (UF) for the resilient production of drinking water via ultrafiltration when resources become scarce, given the low dependency on energy and chemicals, and longer membrane lifetime. Implementation at large scale requires the use of compact and low-cost membrane modules with high biopolymer removal capacity. We therefore evaluated (1) to what extent stable flux can be obtained with compact membrane modules, i.e., inside-out hollow fiber membranes, and frequent gravity-driven backwash, (2) whether we can reduce membrane expenses by effectively utilizing second-life UF modules, i.e., modules that have been discarded by treatment plant operators because they are no longer under warranty, (3) if biopolymer removal could be maintained when applying a frequent backwash and with second-life modules and (4) which GDM filtration scenarios are economically viable compared to conventional UF, when considering the influence of new or second-life modules, membrane lifetime, stable flux value and energy pricing. Our findings showed that it was possible to maintain stable fluxes around 10 L/m2/h with both new and second-life modules for 142 days, but a daily gravity-driven backwash was necessary and sufficient to compensate the continuous flux drop observed with compact modules. In addition, the backwash did not affect the biopolymer removal. Costs calculations revealed two significant findings: (1) using second-life modules made GDM filtration membrane investment less expensive than conventional UF, despite the higher module requirements for GDM filtration and (2) overall costs of GDM filtration with a gravity-driven backwash were unaffected by energy prices rise, while conventional UF costs rose significantly. The later increased the number of economically viable GDM filtration scenarios, including scenarios with new modules. In summary, we proposed an approach that could make GDM filtration in centralized facilities feasible and increase the range of UF operating conditions to better adapt to increasing environmental and societal constraints.

An excursion regarding women's impediments in Austen's Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is a novel of manners. In the novel Jane Austen characterises the complex conditions of women in nineteenth-century England. A woman's happiness is associated with marriage. Her social status is being guided by a man whom she chooses as her husband. Happiness and love are the secondary themes in the marriage, what carries weight is the wealth and the property of the man or groom. A woman tries to mould her identity at the optimum level to deem fit for married apparel because unmarried daughters are considered a burden on their parents. Women's priorities and choices are often ignored. The patriarchal civilization has always dominated the female counterparts through their authoritative voices. Women play a submissive role in society, their voices are crushed and they are compelled to follow in the footsteps of their husbands and fathers. In the novel, there is not a single self-made woman. All women are tied to societal constraints.

Love in Eileen Chang’s works: Distinctive and ideological

In the realm of literature, the exploration of love has perpetually fascinated both creators and readers, serving as a dynamic mirror reflecting shifts in societal norms, cultural undercurrents, and ideological tides. Across the epochs, the portrayal of love within literary works has undergone a profound evolution. In the tapestry of classical Chinese literature, characterized by draconian dogmas and entrenched male chauvinism during the feudal era, women were often relegated to subordinate roles, their experiences of love marred by silent endurance. However, a literary luminary emerged who infused new vitality into the depiction of affection – Eileen Chang. Her narratives transcended conventions, empowering individuals of all genders to articulate their emotions boldly, resist societal constraints, and challenge the forces that dictated their fates. Within the intricate weave of her prose, love ceased to be a mere sentiment; instead, it emerged as an indomitable force of defiance and liberation. This research article delves meticulously into the exquisite tapestry of love woven by Eileen Chang, casting a spotlight on its enduring essence and providing a contemporary evaluation that harmonizes with modern perspectives.

Queering Romantic Engagement in the Postal Age: A Rhetorical Education

Queering Romantic Engagement in the Postal Age: A Rhetorical Education

Gene-Editing for Production Traits in Forest Trees: Challenges to Integration and Gene Target Identification

Gene-editing methods, particularly CRISPR, provide extraordinary opportunities for scientific insights and applications in the life sciences. However, the prospects for near-term applications to commercial forestry appear limited. Loss-of-function phenotypes that can be imparted by mutation of one or a few conserved genes offer the best opportunities in the near term. For traits with complex inheritance, there is insufficient science to guide gene-editing efforts, and Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWASs), without strong validation, typically cannot provide high-confidence gene identification. Other obstacles include the difficulty of transformation in many important genotypes, difficulties of transient editing or complete editor removal, and complexity of use in breeding programs. Gene edits that cause loss-of-function traits will generally be recessive, and thus not be expressed among outbred progeny, so vegetative propagules (clones) will be required in most cases. There are also important societal constraints, such as strict regulations for field trials in most countries, and market certification systems that do not allow any kinds of recombinant DNA-modified trees, including those produced by gene-editing, in certified production forests. We conclude that gene-editing applications will be extremely limited for the foreseeable future (i.e., at least 10 years). Nevertheless, gene-editing is a very powerful scientific tool that will be widely used by molecular forest scientists and can lead to important applications in the longer term, if research advances are made on key fronts and regulatory and market obstacles greatly attenuated.

Decarbonizing the Global Economy—Investigating the Role of Carbon Emission Inertia Using the Integrated Assessment Model MIND

In 2015, the 21st Conference of the Parties reaffirmed the target of keeping the global mean temperature rise below 2 °C or 1.5 °C by 2100 while finding no consensus on how to decarbonize the global economy. In this regard, the speed of decarbonization reflects the (in)flexibility of transforming the energy sector due to engineering, political, or societal constraints. Using economy–energy–climate-integrated assessment models (IAMs), the maximum absolute rate of change in carbon emission allowed from each time step to the next, so-called carbon emission inertia (CEI), governs the magnitude of emission change, affecting investment decisions and economic welfare. Employing the model of investment and endogenous technological development (MIND), we conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis and examine anthropogenic global carbon emission scenarios in line with decarbonizing the global economy while measuring the global mean temperature. We examine the role of CEI as a crucial assumption, where the CEI can vary in four scenarios from 3.7% to 12.6% p.a. We provide what-if studies on global carbon emissions, global mean temperature change, and investments in renewable energy production and show that decarbonizing the global economy might still be possible before 2100 only if the CEI is high enough. In addition, we show that climate policy scenarios with early decarbonization and without negative emissions may still comply with the 2 °C target. However, our results indicate that the 1.5 °C target is not likely to be reached without negative emission technologies. Hence, the window of opportunity is beginning to close. This work can also assist to better interpret existing publications on various climate targets when altering CEI could have played a significant role.

I dream of socializing, sports, and serenity: Imagining a positive future-vaccinated self is associated with better attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination.

In the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic, governments are attempting to vaccinate a large proportion of their adult population against the virus. While many people hurried to receive the vaccine, vaccination rates then started stagnating and governments are searching for solutions to motivate remaining citizens to receive the vaccine. Previous studies show that imagining oneself in the future can motivate health prevention behaviors, but our study is the first to use a future selves paradigm to study vaccination motivators. In two mixed methods studies we examine the effects of imagining of a future‐vaccinated self (FVS) on vaccine attitudes, where participants were asked to think about what their life would be like once they had received the COVID‐19 vaccine. In Study 1 (n = 114), we coded the most important categories of FVS. Several FVS were identified and related to increased social and leisure activities, reduced negative emotion and societal constraints, possible side effects of the vaccine, and societal changes. In Study 2 (n = 113), we used a 2 × 2 design in which participants' reflections on their FVS were guided or open and visualized from a first‐ or third‐person perspective. The guided condition produced greater acceptance of the vaccine, and the first‐person perspective produced greater behavioral intentions to be vaccinated. We discuss the effectiveness of future selves interventions for promoting vaccination in different societal contexts.

A thorough analysis on women’s disaster adaption techniques in climate change

Climate change has posed a serious threat to humanity, particularly to women, who are among the most vulnerable. Adaptation as a measure of disaster mitigation has received a lot of attention in the wake of climate change, but nearly all of it has disregarded women's contribution to disaster adaptation as a change agent. This research aims to review the available literature on women's adaptation methods in the face of climate-related disasters. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) technique was used to guide this research. With a thorough screening method, 19 articles out of 695 were selected utilizing two databases: Scopus and EBSCo discovery service. The findings are presented in a thematic way titled after the various adaption tactics employed by women across the world. The findings suggest that women have demonstrated their ability to use beneficial adaptation techniques in the face of several societal constraints, including reproductive responsibility. As a result of the findings, certain policy recommendations have been made, emphasizing the relevance of women's capacity building in disaster impact mitigation

Against Futility Judgments for Patients with Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness

Against Futility Judgments for Patients with Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness

Of charities and choice: Researching the choices of the long-term unemployed on third-sector employability programmes

‘Work-first’ (or ‘workfare’) activation policies severely restrict the choices of the unemployed. Can third-sector organisations (TSOs), with their person-centred mission, support long-term unemployed adults to make their own choices, given individual and societal constraints? Commentators often focus on ‘what works’ in supporting those with complex needs; others draw on the ‘capabilities approach’ (CA). With commentators often talking past each other, two key issues emerge. First, what constitutes real choice, and, second, how do we deal with the testimonies of programme users when those experiencing social deprivation may overstate the choices available to them? We argue that the CA’s dichotomisation of ‘true/real’ versus ‘constrained/no’ choice is problematic for a balanced assessment of choice possibilities across different programmes. Building on insights from current literatures, we develop a framework for researching choice possibilities. Using qualitative research, we apply this framework to a TSO employability programme in England, and find users have more control over their choices compared with UK workfare policy. The article contributes to international debates on the value of the CA, the links between programme form, user choice and well-being, and the scope for TSOs to deliver on their user-centred mission and prefigure better alternatives to workfare.

A Systematic Review on Women’s Disaster Adaptation Strategies in Changing Climate

Climate change has posed a serious threat to humanity, particularly to women, who are among the most vulnerable. Adaptation as a measure of disaster mitigation has received a lot of attention in the wake of climate change, but nearly all of it has disregarded women's contribution to disaster adaptation as a change agent. This research aims to review the available literature on women's adaptation methods in the face of climate-related disasters. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) technique was used to guide this research. With a thorough screening method, 19 articles out of 695 were selected utilizing two databases: Scopus and EBSCo discovery service. The findings are presented in a thematic way titled after the various adaption tactics employed by women across the world. The findings suggest that women have demonstrated their ability to use beneficial adaptation techniques in the face of several societal constraints, including reproductive responsibility. As a result of the findings, certain policy recommendations have been made, emphasizing the relevance of women's capacity building in disaster impact mitigation.

The uses of history in Norwegian Asatru: “a religion with homework”

ABSTRACT This article gathers material from 18 months of fieldwork, involving interviews with and participant observation of the two main Norwegian Asatru groups to describe their use of history. The analysis of the data identified three main ways history is represented: through textual practices, symbols, and rituals. Historical records on Norse religion are sparse and there is no recognizable continuity of practice. This lacuna leaves space to resolve the manifest tension between attempts to restore an old religion and its ideals and the necessity to represent it in a manner acceptable to modern life. History can then be variously called upon or rejected, given different rhetorical settings. This is all the more interesting as many adherents indicate that the spirituality they now pursue fits their own personal life stories. Many have a pre-history in various sub-cultures and their stories of modern Asatru breaking free from societal constraints mirror their own life narratives. Rather than setting up a dichotomy between re-imagination and re-construction as is sometimes done, mimicry is suggested as a better category.

Eugene Rivers and the responsibility of intellectuals

Eugene Rivers and the responsibility of intellectuals

Word of Honor and brand homonationalism with “Chinese characteristics”: the dangai industry, queer masculinity and the “opacity” of the state

ABSTRACT Examining the dangai phenomenon and the web series Word of Honor (WoH), this paper investigates the entanglement of neoliberal management of queer desires, authoritarian regulation of consumer-citizenship, and traffic in various forms of nationalism. Creating an ambient space for queer agency, danmei practices is often regarded as utilizing queer “opacity” as liberatory strategy to outfox the state and societal constraints on non-normative gender and sexuality. Yet the dangai industry in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) shows that the economization of queerness finds “opaque” ways to profit through managing risk and anxiety of “missing out” even when a state explicitly censors queer commodities. Situating WoH in the “she economy,” the paper demonstrates the ways in which queer potential dangai is cahooted with neoliberal and authoritarian state imperatives for fostering proper gendered consumer-subjects and heteronormative social harmony for national building through embracing the “beautiful, powerful” but “caring and loving” nuan nan (“warm men”). Drawing connections between the newly constructed soft masculinity and other cultural exports such as the “wolf warrior,” the paper argues that dangai allows the militant masculinity to be “homonationalized” in service of rebranding Chinese nationalism in a time when Chinese global expansion is fiercely criticized on the global stage.

Who Becomes a Fisherman? A Two-Stage Sample Selection Analysis on Small-Scale Fishery Choice and Income in Korea

The sustainability of coastal communities is emerging as a primary topic in policy groups. In Korea, the multifunctionality of small-scale fisheries is being emphasized, and the government has attempted various policies, such as the promotion of in-migration and the fishery industry. However, despite the diverse alternatives, the population and fisheries have been continuously downsizing. This trend threatens the sustainability and pluralistic values of coastal communities. This study identifies the crucial determinants needed to expand small-scale fisheries and enhance the economic motivation for sustainable coastal communities. The analysis is conducted with a two-stage Heckman selection model using the Korea Fishery Census and the Agricultural Census. The estimation results show that the socioeconomic incentives and performance of fisheries in coastal areas are limited. In particular, although the policy pays attention to young, highly educated, and in-migrant groups, it seems to have a limited preference for small-scale fisheries due to economic, societal, and institutional constraints. On the other hand, the family-oriented fishing activities and self-governance unique to fishing villages in Korea could improve the multifunctionality of small-scale fisheries in Korea. In addition, when a fishery household engages in production and sales activities as a member of a fraternity or collective wholesale contract, economic outcomes significantly increase. The results suggest that it is necessary to sustain communal socioeconomic activities by opening up communities and adjusting specific operating systems of self-governance.

Abstract PO-256: Knowledge and attitudes of a sample of Latinx LGBQ population regarding cancer screening, prevention, and barriers: An exploratory study

Abstract Background The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer/questioning (LGBQ) population, also referred to as sexual and gender minorities (SGM), is a medically underserved and understudied population in the United States. Literature has argued that, as of recent years, there are a limited number of early cancer detection and prevention guidelines catered specifically to LGBTQ+ community, which creates a gap in access to healthcare services for this population. Furthermore, there are potential barriers that exist for LGBT people, such as discrimination from healthcare providers and other societal constraints which could further contribute to the lack of screening for cancer. The purpose of this study is to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and individual experiences of LGBQ individuals regarding cancer prevention, screening, and treatment to develop educational material that would help cater the needs of this population Methods This study consisted of a series of structured qualitative interviews facilitated as focal groups. The interview guideline contained questions regarding the domains of knowledge, attitudes, and individuals experiences on cancer screening in SGM. The recruitment process was facilitated via online flyers in social media platforms and through local community organizations that provide services for the Puerto Rican SGM population. Participants that reached out were screened for eligibility based on age and self-identified gender and sexual orientation. The focal groups have been carried out via a video teleconferencing software to limit contact with participants considering COVID-19. The interviews have been recorded and transcribed ad-verbatim for analysis purposes. Thematic analysis with open ended coding is being used to analyze the data obtained. Results A total of 8 participants completed the informed consent and proceeded to participate in the focal groups. The cervical cancer focal group consisted of 4 participants who identified as lesbian, bisexual, and non-binary women. 2 self-identified gay men of prostate cancer focal group and the colorectal cancer focal group included 3 gay men. As analysis was carried out, the following recurring themes were identified: Treatment knowledge, Treatment limitations, General recommendations regarding Healthcare services, Social limitations for Healthcare services, Experiences on Healthcare settings. Discussion Preliminary analysis exposes participants exhibited a general lack of knowledge regarding cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancer symptomatology and screening procedures. In the case of the Cervical Cancer focus group, participants agreed their general experience in healthcare settings could be improved by educating healthcare providers on being more inclusive with the LGBTQ community and adjusting the healthcare setting to be less heterocentric. The participants in the focal groups for Prostate Cancer and Colorectal Cancer, on the other hand, stated that the approach should be directed towards educating the LGTTQ+ community on cancer symptomatology and cancer screening practices. Citation Format: Gabriela López Toledo, German J. Rivera Castellar, Elmer Marrero, Marta M. Sánchez Aracil, Mirza J. Rivera Lugo. Knowledge and attitudes of a sample of Latinx LGBQ population regarding cancer screening, prevention, and barriers: An exploratory study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-256.