Tangible Actions Research Articles

The Effectiveness of Agricultural Extension Communication on Coconut Farmers Behavior Change in Farm Management in Enok District, Indragiri Hilir, Riau

This research evaluated the effectiveness of agricultural extension communication in influencing the behaviour change of coconut farmers in farm management in the Enok District, Indragiri Hilir, Riau. The research employed a quantitative method, utilizing a questionnaire as the primary instrument, with a sample size of 100 coconut farmers in the Enok District. The results indicate that farmers' interactivity during extension sessions is influenced by the relevance of the material to their needs. The communication media, information sources, and messages the extension officers convey significantly impact communication effectiveness. Overall, the effectiveness of agricultural extension communication in the Enok District is positive, with most farmers providing positive feedback on the team's abilities, message relevance, and media used. Hypothesis testing results reveal a significant improvement in the effectiveness of agricultural extension officers after the intervention, reflecting their ability to present relevant material that motivates farmers' behaviour change. These findings provide a basis for recommending a more active and strategic role for agricultural extension officers in designing and delivering extension programs. The success of these programs is also reflected in the tangible actions adopted by farmers, such as implementing better farming techniques and adopting more sustainable farm management practices. This research provides in-depth insights into the factors influencing the effectiveness of agricultural extension communication and contributes to the research literature in this field.

From Rhetoric to Reality: Lithuania’s Total Defence Response to Russian Threats

Abstract This research delves into Lithuania’s response to the perceived threat from Russia and the practical implementation of its total defence approach. Key political figures, including the President, Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence, and Chairman of the National Security and Defence Committee, are scrutinized using securitization theory. The study explores how these actors frame total defence as an urgent response to an existential threat and analyses both their discourse and tangible actions from 2020 onwards. Distinct approaches among political figures emerge, with the President prioritizing communication, the Minister of Defence emphasizing tangible improvements, and the Chairman of the NSDC acting as a driving force. Despite increased military spending, the involvement of society in national defence—integral to the total defence strategy—remains limited. Factors contributing to this limitation include unclear leadership, insincere rhetoric, bureaucratic obstacles, and the initial unpreparedness of the Armed Forces to integrate civilians. The study underscores the critical need for genuine commitment and leadership to achieve meaningful breakthroughs in Lithuania’s total defence approach. While politicians employ securitization and public discourse to align with public sentiment and present themselves as problem solvers, the actual progress in engaging the public and the private sector remains limited. The discrepancy between discourse and material implementation suggests that a more substantial commitment is essential for effective societal involvement in national defence, making it clear that symbolic gestures fall short of achieving impactful results in Lithuania’s total defence approach.

Unveiling greenwashing in Colombian manufacturing: A machine learning approach

Greenwashing is the misleading use of environmental claims to market non-eco-friendly products, a growing concern as environmentally conscious consumers seek eco-friendly options. This study aims to identify factors that allow the detection of “greenwashing” practices in Colombian companies across various industrial sectors holding certifications such as ISO14001, the Colombian environmental seal, the district environmental excellence program, or international/regional environmental certifications. We employed a quantitative, cross-sectional methodology using three machine learning algorithms (Decision Tree Classification, Random Forest, Logistic Regression) and the double machine learning technique to identify causal effects and significant variables. Additionally, a greenwashing indicator was formulated, considering two variables: (a) Presence of a comprehensive solid waste management plan, and (b) Presence of a water usage and conservation program. Our findings reveal substantial variations in the adoption of environmental management practices across diverse industrial sectors and regions in Colombia. It is noteworthy that our research emphasizes that: (i) companies with an environmental contingency plan and a monitoring program are less likely to engage in greenwashing; (ii) expenses for personnel dedicated to environmental protection activities and the investment and expenses related to air and climate protection also reduce the likelihood of greenwashing; (iii) companies in the manufacturing of non-metallic mineral products sector are more likely to engage in greenwashing. It was also found that a significant proportion of Colombian industrial companies with environmental certifications do not fully embrace sustainable practices, implying limited effectiveness of environmental certifications in the country (56,09%). This research contributes to the taxonomy of greenwashing by delving into various types identified in the literature. It sheds light on selective disclosure, emphasizing that mere certification without tangible actions can constitute greenwashing. The broadened concept of decoupling now includes not only meeting shareholder expectations but also failing to meet those set by certifications. Attention deflection involves diverting focus toward certifications rather than real investments in environmental practices. Deceptive manipulation occurs when certifications create a misleading perception without concrete actions. Additionally, dubious authorizations and labels are revealed, showcasing the vulnerability of eco-labels to fraud. The study enriches existing categories, viewing certifications as potential instruments for greenwashing, reinforcing the need for substantial, measurable actions to validate sustainability claims.

The unaccounted effects of digital transformation: participatory accountability in a humanitarian organisation

PurposeThis study explores the evolving dynamics of participatory accountability within humanitarian contexts, where digitally connected crisis-affected populations demand better accountability from aid organisations, and as a result, shift traditional hierarchies and relationships between humanitarian agencies and beneficiaries.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a case study approach, focussing on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to investigate how participatory accountability manifests outside formal practices and re-emerges in social media spaces. The study analyses internal organisational challenges and explores the implications of digital platforms on humanitarian practices. The authors employ Chouliaraki and Georgiou's (2015, 2019, 2022) networks of mediation, particularly intermediation and transmediation, to understand how digital expressions translate to offline contexts and reshape meanings and actions.FindingsThe study reveals that social media platforms enable beneficiaries to demand participatory accountability beyond traditional practices, democratising humanitarian response and challenging power structures. These effects are multifaceted, introducing enhanced democratic and inclusive humanitarian aid as well as new vulnerabilities. Digital intermediaries and gatekeepers play pivotal roles in curating and disseminating crisis-affected voices, which, when transmediated, result in nuanced meanings and understandings. Positive effects include capturing the potential of digital networks for democratic aid, while negative effects give rise to moral responsibilities, necessitating proactive measures from the ICRC.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by highlighting the impact of digital technology, particularly social media, on participatory accountability. It expands the understanding of the evolving landscape of accountability within the humanitarian sector and offers critical insights into the complexities and dual purposes of participatory accountability in contexts of resistance. Employing Chouliaraki and Georgiou's networks of mediation adds depth to the understanding of digital technology's role in shaping participatory practices and introduces the concept of transmediation as a bridge between digital expressions and tangible actions.

Protecting Frontline Nurses: What will it take? A review of policy, practice and lessons learned from High Consequence Infectious Diseases like Ebola and COVID-19

The significance of failing to protect frontline health workers, especially nurses cannot be overstated. Inadequate personal protection, psychosocial support and emergency training put our frontline of defense in jeopardy. When comparing death by occupation early evidence showed that nurses constituted the largest percentage of health workforce deaths. Other severe consequences like high levels of resignation, burnout and other signs of mental distress are a warning that health systems require fundamental change to protect and retain our frontline of health security. This is equally true in settings with both high and lower resources. Those at the frontlines pay a heavy price responding to infectious disease outbreaks, but it does not have to be. This paper outlines key issues and potential strategies to ensure our health workers have the right environment, competence, tools, and support to protect themselves and society when needed most. Using an umbrella review, this paper sought to review the extant literature and identify the best way forward. Failure to learn from recent events such as the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic could further exacerbate health worker shortages and our collective ability to prevent, detect and respond effectively. Protecting frontline health workers requires a multi-faceted approach including well-defined policies, adoption of best practices and continuous learning. The focus should move from broad policies and benchmarks to specific, tangible actions, including standard guidelines and protocols that use an All-Hazards Approach. Taking concrete steps to improve protection with national and local accountability that ensures adequate safety standards will be key. Moreover, continuous learning and investment in health system strengthening are needed. The return on investment in preparedness and protection are clear. COVID-19 has shown the devastating economic and social impact of failing to be prepared. Investment is needed in innovation, including new personal protective equipment (PPE) technology, resilient supply chains that move beyond “just-in time” procurements, and competency-based experiential learning that simulates complex emergencies, in “real world” settings as much as is possible. Learning from history, including nursing pioneers, is essential. Outbreaks begin in communities. Close community engagement and understanding of the social determinants of health for which those on the margins pay the heaviest price is central to nursing. Since this paper focuses on protection of frontline health workers, it would be remiss not to revisit nursing’s role in caregiving. This paper presents examples from 19th and 20th century nursing leaders who developed community- and person-centered models of care, led the development of hygiene and sanitation standards and examples which highlight the critical role of nurses at the frontlines. Nursing has historically been community- and person-centered. Serving as the communities’ first line of healthcare, nursing pioneers like Florence Nightengale and Lillian Wald offer guidance which is still valuable in our modern, highly connected world. Applying lessons from both our recent and past experiences to develop robust systems for health workforce protection and preparedness is a health security priority. Now, as COVID-19 becomes an endemic disease for which an effective vaccine is available, is the time to harness these lessons learned, develop more robust standards and accountability for emergency protection and health workforce protection, without which history will repeat itself.

Co-creating Ethical Space in wildlife conservation: a case study of moose (Mooz; Alces alces) research and monitoring in the Robinson Huron Treaty region (Ontario, Canada)

The strengths of Indigenous Knowledges and need for reconciliation are increasingly recognized within conservation, leading to a rise in collaborative, cross-cultural research initiatives. As both a cultural keystone and important harvest species, moose are of value to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples, presenting an opportunity to pursue moose monitoring strategies that embrace the strengths of Indigenous and Western knowledges. While various frameworks provide theoretical direction on how to do so, few resources outline how to apply them in practice. Leaning on guidance of the Ethical Space framework, we explored the meaning and application of value-based approaches in the context of moose monitoring in central Ontario through semi-structured interviews with First Nation communities, the Ontario provincial crown government, and academic researchers. Collectively, 20 core values were identified to be important when bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners together, coupled with a range of tangible actions necessary for fostering Ethical Space. Values and actions reflected three main themes: an emphasis on the long term, the importance of building and maintaining relationships, and the ability to evolve and adapt over time. Insights from this research provide tools and guidance for others interested in enacting Ethical Space in the context of cross-cultural wildlife monitoring and research.

Empowerment of Islamic Ethics and Javanese Hindu Ethics in the Formation of National Character

This research seeks to examine the strengthening of Islamic and Hindu ethics in Java, playing a pivotal role in shaping the character of Javanese society and extending influence to the broader Indonesian community. Given the dominance of Javanese traditions, particularly in societal behavior, the empowerment process unfolds through interconnection and transformation within religious activities. This process brings forth the inherent genius of the local Javanese populace, fostering a religious dimension. This empowerment occurs by emphasizing the concentration of feelings (rasa) as the basis for behavior and the objectification of Javanese people's religious beliefs. The analysis methodology adopts content analysis with a comparative approach and an anthropolinguistic perspective. The goal of this methodological approach is to unveil the mechanism for cultivating profound self-awareness in relation to others, translating acquired knowledge (kaweruh) into tangible actions as a religious model. The resulting model of religious objectification represents the local genius and behavioral characteristics of Javanese Muslims. The study reveals that the features of religious objectification, expressing the truths inherited from ancestors, transform into local wisdom with an Islamic or Hindu religious essence. This transformation is indicated by three key Javanese cultural values: harmony, functional structure, and transcendental aspects. The applicability of these three values, especially for the Surakarta and Yogyakarta areas, also serves as an identity for the ethos of religious harmony and a factor in forming the behavioral character of Javanese Muslims and may extend to influence the Indonesian people in general.

Perspective of Hadith in Halal Industry

Halal industry is a unique industry such that it is directly tied to shariah, rendering all regulations, procedures, and conduct must clearly be based on the Islamic sources of knowledge namely the Qur’an and Hadith. While many discourses on halal focused on the Qur’anic teachings, less were discussed from the point of view of the Hadith. This is regrettable as hadith provides solutions and best practices in various scenarios in life. Thus, this study aims to collate and provide a discourse of hadith surrounding the halal industry. It also aims to identify the elements of Maqasid framework within these collated hadith and finally develop formative theories and principles. The study employs a narrative literature review combined with Maqasid methodology. A selection of hadith related to halal industry with brief discourse is presented based on the Global Islamic Index - seven sectors of halal industry. Finally, through the collated hadith, the relationship between halal industry and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) was critically evaluated. It was found that many of these values are already embedded within Islamic teachings. Embracing ESG principles in the halal industry can bring about substantial benefits towards promoting ethical and sustainable behavior. However, it is imperative that these principles go beyond mere rhetoric and are put into practice through tangible actions.

Self Management Special Interest Group Workshop: Opportunity to explore the impact and lessons learned of person centred and community centred self management and co-production as vital components of health and social care integration and transformation. 

The Self Management Special Interest Group (SIG) aims to facilitate collaboration across sectors and countries to enhance our understanding, adoption and evaluation of self management and co-production and continually ask “what needs to be done in order that everyone is able to self manage on their terms?
 The SIG and workshop session is for people with lived experience, practitioners, managers, researchers, students, policy makers and health economists engaged in planning, designing, delivering and evaluating self management and co-production principles and approaches to engage, empower and enable people centred integrated care in different health and care systems.
 The concepts and reality of self management and self-care have increased in importance and practice throughout the pandemic and its recovery. As systems transformation is progressed through co-designing and reforming services at all levels self management is supporting people to live their lives better, on their own terms.
 Self management supports and encourages people living with long tern conditions to access information and to develop skills to find out what’s right for their own conditions, most importantly, right for them through being:
 
 Better informed about their conditions(s)
 Better prepared for everyday changes
 Better supported when they need it
 
 Outcomes
 
 The SIG workshop presents the opportunity for participants to network, share and celebrate self management learning, evaluation and impact. •Participants explore their goals for self management and how these can be connected or shared to improve and enhance self management support and person and community centred approaches globally.
 Exploring and translating the learning and themes shared into tangible actions in their own contexts.
 
 Session Plan
 
 Welcome and session introduction
 Icebreaker: invite participants to introduce themselves in small groups (in person and online) in small groups and answer ‘to me self management is …..’
 Four themed case studies will be shared
 Facilitated small group discussions
 
 oWhat are the key messages for you and your context
 oHow can these key messages be translated into your action planning
 oParticipants will be invited to make one small action that they will implement in their own context. Action will be captured in the chat box and through large labels which will be added to the ICIC23 self management tree
 
 Each group will feedback one key point which will be captured live through flipchart and chat box
 
 At the end of the session, we will capture feedback, key themes and the self management tree actions and develop a SIG blog and plan for the next Integrated Care Matters Self Management and Co-production webinar in 2023.

ASSESSING THE QUALITY OF CHATGPT RESPONSES TO DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS’ QUESTIONS POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Abstract ChatGPT, an innovative, dialogue-based large-scale artificial intelligent model that responds to complex natural language inquiries, holds great promise to improve dementia caregivers’ quality of life by providing high-quality responses to meet their information needs. However, limited evidence exists on the quality of ChatGPT responses. This exploratory study aimed to address this gap. We first selected 25 social media posts, verified in our NIH-funded project (R56AG075770) as being representative of dementia caregivers’ needs for information about daily care for memory loss and confusion. We then collected ChatGPT responses in March 2023 and assessed their quality using a 4-item rating scale (1 point for each item; scoring range: 0-4; higher score indicates higher quality). This scale includes (1) Factual: Response contained no inaccurate or false information; (2) Interpretation: Response adequately interpreted the poster’s main need and correctly disregarded non-priority details; (3) Application: Response included both educational information and tangible actions; and (4) Synthesis: Response included follow-up actions (e.g., referrals). Three clinicians, each with 15+ years of experience with dementia caregivers, independently rated the responses. All raters agreed on the ratings for 22 (88%) responses initially; disagreements centered on responses’ comprehensiveness and specificity. After reconciliation, all raters agreed on the ratings: 3 (12%) responses received 3 points and 22 (88%) received 4 points, suggesting high quality. Study limitations included small sample, posts representing only one type of information wanted by caregivers, and potential ceiling effect of the rating scale. In our larger project, we will address these limitations and systematically assess ChatGPT responses.

Environmental Concerns, Sustainable Consumption, and COVID-19 Fear in Online Consumers: A Research Exploration

As a conceptual paper, this study examines the nuanced relationships between consumers’ environmental orientations (egoistic, altruistic, and biospheric) and their sustainable consumption patterns, particularly emphasizing the prevailing influence of COVID-19 fear. Utilizing a targeted survey approach, responses from online Taiwanese and Thai consumers are gathered and analyzed through a Structural Equation Model, incorporating diverse analytical avenues such as path, mediation, moderation, and multi-group analyses. The study aims to describe prosocial consumers by their distinct environmental concerns and subsequent sustainable consumption behaviors. Furthermore, the study sheds light on how the COVID-19 pandemic has modulated the dynamic between environmental considerations and tangible sustainable consumption actions. In a post-pandemic setting, the study contributes to academic discourse by highlighting the confluence of environmental consciousness and sustainable consumption. It also provides pragmatic implications for businesses, directing them towards eco-centric product offerings and cultivating a deeper ecological awareness among consumers, fostering sustainable purchase intention and behaviors.

Transforming healthcare leadership: Integrating sponsorship ideals into pipeline development

Black women,1 Hispanic women2 and other traditionally marginalised workers tend to be concentrated in the most labour-intensive, lowest-paid jobs in healthcare, underscoring the need for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts by health and hospital systems to include a significant focus on creating pipelines and pathways for professional advancement within administration and executive leadership roles. University of Chicago Medicine (UCM), a leading research hospital system, recently launched a pilot sponsorship programme, designed by members of an employee resource group for women of colour, to increase exposure to growth opportunities for women employees of colour and to elevate awareness among white male senior leaders of their workplace experiences. By establishing a structured, professionally mediated and metrics-backed sponsorship programme pilot, UCM was able to formally support a process through which hospital leaders were: (1) made aware of the effect of structural racism on their workforce and workplace; and (2) given the tools and directives necessary to transform their own views on allyship and convert them into tangible actions to increase visibility and opportunities for women of colour within the pilot. The broader objective of this initiative and others like it is to increase Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) diversity representation among senior leaders at UCM from 28 per cent in FY2023 to 35 per cent in FY2025, reflecting the hospital’s vision to have more leaders who are representative of the community in which the hospital serves on Chicago’s South Side.

A 13‐step framework for better integration of streamlined conservation research

AbstractThe rise of integrated conservation research underscores its pivotal role in raising global environmental concerns, making it an attractive research subject from numerous perspectives. This general interest in integrated research is positive in that it provides an interdisciplinary approach with important innovations, encompassing a variety of fields, in opposition to considering conservation as an “afterthought” of ecological results. The current challenge is to organize research findings in a consistent, streamlined process that effectively supports and influences world biodiversity conservation. Disciplines once deemed unrelated to conservation science, such as social sciences, are now being incorporated into conservation research, and there is a pressing need to unify these diverse areas into a cohesive process to enhance the coverage of this growing field. It is also vital to acknowledge that each focal population unit (e.g., species, taxa, clade, etc.) may have specific requirements. Here, I propose a 13‐step framework that aims to integrate a comprehensive range of conservation research fields, from traditional ecology and behavior to inclusive mitigation plans, policy recommendations, and monitoring processes, ensuring that conservation research results are translated into tangible conservation actions. Integrating research‐based conservation results will facilitate the required coordinated effort from scientists, government agencies, the general public, and relevant sections of the private sector, thereby reinforcing the foundations to support conservation initiatives. This manuscript defines a procedure to address the conservation research requirements of specific focal population units (e.g., species, taxa, clade, population, etc.). It emphasizes the need for a consistent and streamlined process integrating all research fields, aiming to increase the breadth of knowledge essential for generating actionable conservation research results. The process supports clearly defined goal‐driven objectives that can be readily adopted by organizations interested in actionable conservation research results at varying levels. Nevertheless, conservation measures can be taken at any stage within the process, recognizing that achieving all research outcomes is a resource‐intensive optimum.

Unsettling the Conversation on Trans Rights

This article argues that trans rights are trapped within settler frameworks of gender and rights, therefore making them incompatible with and in opposition to Indigenous lifeways. Starting with the premise that engagement with the settler state is not benign, the authors argue that trans rights-based organizing diverts and thwarts the potential for solidarity work with Indigenous struggles for freedom and is inherently limited in its potential to secure Indigenous futurity. The authors hope that trans studies and collective struggles organized around gender embrace anti-colonial and anti-racist praxis to result in tangible and discursive outcomes to bolster Indigenous cultural continuity and land-based connections. The authors use this article to call for a collective movement toward gender self-determination that is sensitive and reflexive of settler colonialism and produces tangible decolonial actions that will benefit the lives of Indigenous Two-Spirit, trans, and nonbinary people and align with movements for Indigenous self-determination. Queer and trans settlers are urged to begin a process of accountability and to engage a decolonial praxis to support Indigenous decolonization in all its forms—fighting for land claims, defending water and land rights, and supporting the resurgence of Indigenous erotics and gender formations. To be truly decolonial we suggest that trans political organizing moves beyond the settler framework of rights and toward Indigenous solidarity in politics, practices, and shared struggles, foregrounding anti-colonial, anti-racist, and pro-Indigenous values.

Governments can nudge household solar energy adoption: Evidence from a field experiment in Switzerland

The use of photovoltaic (PV) systems on residential buildings is a key element in the societal transition to renewable energies. However, despite economic and ecological benefits, many homeowners struggle to adopt PV due to technical complexity, administrative burden, and cognitive biases such as inertia. There is also a lack of research on this issue and on how interventions informed by behavioral science could help increase adoption. We address this gap in the literature by conducting a preregistered field experiment involving 600 homeowners in Switzerland, testing whether two types of personalized behavioral interventions, one based on prosocial motives and one focusing on self-interest, lead to tangible actions towards PV adoption. The results from our pilot study show that both interventions substantially increase adoption behavior compared to a control group and a group that received only general information on PV. The intervention focusing on self-interest, which highlighted homeowners' missed revenues in the past year and thereby invoked loss aversion, yielded the largest effect. In summary, our study contributes to a better understanding of how public organizations can use behavioral interventions to promote renewables without large subsidies.

Siti Walidah, Gender Equality and Modernist Islamic Women's Movement in Indonesia: A Critical History

This study delves into Siti Walidah’s journey as a gender equality pioneer within the ‘Aisyiyah movement, utilizing four research methods: heuristic research for source collection, source criticism for source validation, interpretation employing sociological and anthropological approaches, and historiography for systematic reporting. Findings reveal that Walidah’s family and marriage to Ahmad Dahlan strongly influenced her commitment to gender equality. Dahlan played a significant role in forming views and experiences that gave birth to ideas and tangible actions in the gender equality movement. Walidah pioneered the gender equality movement by establishing places of education: launching the Sapa Tresna association (1914), ‘Aisyiyah (1917), Internaat (1919), Musholla ‘Aisyiyah (1922) which became tools for building gender equality by providing opportunities and programmes for women to obtain equal educational rights as men. She played a pioneering role in empowering women within ‘Aisyiyah, leading its congresses, and departed from religious values to advocate for gender equality through the ‘Aisyiyah organization formed in 1917, solidifying her legacy as Indonesia’s first gender equality advocate.

Content planning for a social networking site of scientific journal

More and more academic journals are using social media these days. Social media activity requires planning, and the effectiveness of attracting the target audience depends on how well the content is selected. This paper discusses how to develop a content plan for a social networking scientific journal. The basic concepts are disclosed: content, content plan, target audience, tangible and intangible actions of the target audience. The results of a sociological survey of potential target audience of scientific journal are given. The majority of survey participants indicated that they would like to see the content of the social network of a scientific journal to be more diverse and attractive. To increase diversity and attractiveness it is proposed to divide the content in the social network of a scientific journal according to three objectives: to broadcast the values of the journal, to demonstrate the expertise of the editorial board, to sell the services of the journal. With the proposed content builder, scientific journal editors can start and maintain a successful social media campaign and effectively engage with the target audience.

Biofilm Formation and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Clinical Isolates from Two Healthcare Facilities in Zaria

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a public health challenge worldwide. There is a huge global concern about the increased drug- resistant S. aureus and the development of multiple resistance to several drugs. A well-designed surveillance study has been found to be a fundamental approach in the control of antimicrobial resistance.
 Objective: This study investigated the biofilm formation and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus aureus from two healthcare facilities in Zaria.
 Methods: A total of 200 presumptive Staphylococcal isolates from clinical specimens were collected and identified by conventional methods. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were tested against a panel of antibiotics using the modified Kirby- Bauer disk diffusion method, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were tested using cefoxitin disk, and Micro broth dilution method for Vancomycin Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The biofilmforming ability of the isolates were analyzed quantitatively using the microtitre plate method.
 Results: Of the 200 presumptive staphylococcal isolates, 22(11%) were Staphylococcus aureus. The antibiotic resistance pattern of the isolates shows high resistance to tigecycline (100%), vancomycin (100%), clindamycin (40.9%), and tetracycline (40.9). The occurrence of MRSA in this study was 18.8% and MDR (was 68.2%). The biofilm-forming ability of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates is; weak biofilm formers 16 (72.7%), moderate biofilm formers 5 (22.7%), and strong biofilm former 1 (4.5%).
 Conclusion: There is need for more research to ascertain the relationship between biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. Close monitoring of antimicrobial resistance is necessary as it helps to design tangible actions that will yield the greatest impact to control the spread of resistant organisms.

The Concept of Water Exaltation in The Subak

Objective: A contribution to a better understanding of Balinese subak farming rituals through symbolic and mythological analysis of the water breeding and preservation concept. The symbolism and mythology in the concept of water exhalation in subak ritual as a visual communication of humans, God, and the environment will be examined in this qualitative descriptive study with an ethnographic approach. Method: The implementation of THK philosophy as the foundation for a high spirit of cooperation, as well as the existence of ritual activities as a unifying element for members of the subak organization, has the potential to sustain the subak existence. Meanwhile, in the Balinese people's cosmos, natural, religious, and cultural attributes are interconnected through the traditional and Subak systems, and their properties are still fully functional. They have even lasted for thousands of years. Result: Farming rituals in Subak are forms of nonverbal communication that have manifested as tangible symbolic actions involving interpretations and perspectives on the lives of the Balinese agricultural community. Balinese farmers perform several rituals during one rice planting cycle. Conclusion: The mapag Toya ritual is part of religious practice as a concept of exaltation and preserving water as a source of life, a symbol of purity, a means of cleaning, a means of expelling disease, and a means of communication that connects humans with the Creator and ancestors.

The future of the U.S. safety & health workforce: Opportunities for academic diversity, equity, and inclusion through a leak-proof career pathway

Introduction: In this commentary, we explore safety and health career pathways in the U.S. and discuss the future of work through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We address occupational safety and health inequities, including underrepresentation of racial and ethnic groups in academic disciplines, which impacts workers' safety and the future of work. We introduce the Accessibility, Sustainability, and Knowledge-Generation (ASK) framework to broaden minority participation in occupational safety and health (OSH) education. Method: The ASK framework integrates insights from learned experiences, research literature, accreditation knowledge, and community feedback to identify strategies for dismantling barriers to workforce diversity and promoting equitable participation and access to opportunities in OSH education. We conducted a US based survey to gain insights into the minority experience and the role of students, faculty, and academia in mitigating disparities and creating pathways of opportunities. Results: The survey results highlight the need for pedagogic improvements in OSH academic programs to attract more minorities. The appreciation of cultural competence across universities and changes to current systemic funding mechanisms are identified as crucial factors. We acknowledge that existing interventions have been less effective due to a lack of tangible actions. However, we emphasize that solutions exist, and meaningful support is required to drive change. Conclusions: The study underscores the importance of addressing occupational safety and health inequities and the underrepresentation of minority groups in OSH education. The ASK framework provides a comprehensive approach to broaden minority participation and promote diversity in the field. Pedagogic improvements, cultural competence, and changes to funding mechanisms are necessary steps to attract and retain underrepresented minorities in OSH academic programs. Practical Applications: The findings of this study have practical implications for institutions and stakeholders involved in occupational safety and health education. It emphasizes the need for proactive strategies to attract and support underrepresented minority students and faculty. Promoting cultural competence and making changes to funding mechanisms can contribute to creating more equitable and inclusive pathways for diverse groups in OSH education. Tangible actions and meaningful support are essential for driving change and achieving workforce diversity and equity.