bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social network analysis applications in sustainable construction and built environment management: a review
Authors: Hewa Welege Nandun Madhusanka , Pan Wei , Kumaraswamy Mohan
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Applications of social network analysis (SNA) are evidently popular amongst scholars for mapping stakeholder and other relational networks in improving the sustainability of construction activities and the resulting built environment. Nevertheless, the literature reveals a lack of thorough understanding of optimal SNA applications in this field. Therefore, this paper aims to convey a comprehensive critical review of past applications of SNA in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

95 relevant journal papers were initially identified from the “Web of Science” database and a bibliometric analysis was carried out using the “VOS Viewer” software. The subsequent in-depth review of the SNA methods, focussed on 24 specifically relevant papers selected from these aforesaid 95 papers.

Findings

A significant growth of publications in this field was identified after 2014, especially related to topics on stakeholder management. “Journal of Cleaner Production”, “International Journal of Project Management” and “Sustainability” were identified as the most productive sources in this field, with the majority of publications from China. Interviews and questionnaires were the popular data collection methods while SNA “Centrality” measures were utilised in over 70% of the studies. Furthermore, potential areas were noted, to improve the mapping and thereby provide useful information to managers who could influence relevant networks and consequentially better sustainability outcomes, including those enhanced by collaborative networks.

Originality/value

Closer collaboration has been found to help enhance sustainability in construction and built environment, hence attracting research interest amongst scholars on how best to enable this. SNA is established as a significant methodological approach to analysing interrelationships and collaborative potential in general. In a pioneering application here, this paper initiates the drawing together of findings from relevant literature to provide useful insights for future researchers to comprehensively identify, compare and contrast the applications of SNA techniques in construction and built environment management from a sustainability viewpoint.
Climatic conditions and the resilience of buildings along Lagos coastline
Authors: Faremi Olajide Julius , Ajayi Oluranti Olupolola , Zakariyyah Kudirat Ibilola , Adenuga Olumide Afolarin
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The study investigates the extent to which defects in coastline buildings are influenced by the climatic conditions within the coastal zones.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted both desk study and field survey. The primary data for the study were collected through a cross-sectional survey of facilities and maintenance managers of randomly selected coastline buildings. Of the 120 self-administered structured questionnaires, 102 were successfully retrieved representing an 85% response rate. Data collected were analysed using charts, relative prevalence index and Spearman's rho correlation visualization technique.

Findings

Saltwater intrusion, ocean overflow, extreme rainfall, debris flow, floods and droughts are the prevalent climatic conditions along the coastline. Steel corrosion, foundation settlement, spalling of concrete and fading of finishes are prevalent defects in coastline buildings. The result shows a positive significant correlation between climatic conditions and defects in coastline buildings.

Research limitations/implications

The study compliments literature on buildings resilience and maintenance management, and also provides a basis for streamlining future research on coastline buildings.

Practical implications

The results provide information on climatic conditions and prevalent defects that should be considered during the design and construction of coastline buildings. The information provided could assist construction stakeholders in improving the resilience of coastline buildings.

Originality/value

The study established that coastline buildings are vulnerable to a rapid rate of defect and deterioration which threatens the sustainability of coastline cities. It suggests measures that could improve the resilience of the elements and components of coastline buildings and consequently enhance the safety of life and property, and improve the physical and economic performance of coastline buildings.
Living-transforming disaster relief shelter: a conceptual approach for sustainable post-disaster housing
Authors: Ghanbarzadeh Ghomi Sara , Wedawatta Gayan , Ginige Kanchana , Ingirige Bingunath
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of post-disaster housing reconstruction projects, propose the conceptual living-transforming disaster relief shelter (LTFDR-shelter) approach where temporary shelter is incrementally transformed into a more permanent dwelling by using living technologies and investigate its applicability to provide sustainable post-disaster housing following natural-hazard-induced disasters.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey with 120 household recipients of three Sri Lankan post-disaster housing projects was employed to explore how the post-disaster housing projects have performed against the occupants' expectations. Furthermore, the new proposed LTFDR-shelter conceptual approach's applicability to address the existing issues found in the study was investigated.

Findings

The paper evaluates and identifies the physical and technical, and socio-economic performance issues of post-disaster housing and discusses the applicability of the proposed LTFDR-shelter conceptual approach as an efficient tool to adequately improve the identified factors integrating three phases of relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction employing living technology.

Research limitations/implications

Although the study's scope was limited to the occupant view of the performance of post-disaster housing in Sri Lanka, the findings and conceptual LTFDR-shelter approach could be of particular relevance to other developing countries affected by similar disasters. Further research is recommended to investigate and develop this concept in depth.

Originality/value

This study lays the conceptual foundation for a new theoretical approach in post-disaster housing, which encourages more interdisciplinary collaborations and empirical investigations that potentially enhance post-disaster housing performance and facilitates the application of living technology in the built environment.
An enhanced spatial smoothing algorithm for coherent signals DOA estimation
Authors: Qi Bingbing , Liu Dunge
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The existing dimensionality reduction algorithms suffer serious performance degradation under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) owing to the presence of noise. To address these problems, an enhanced spatial smoothing scheme is proposed that exploits the subarray time-space correlation matrices to reconstruct the data matrix to overcome this weakness. This method uses the strong correlation of signal and the weak correlation of noise in time and space domains, which improves the noise suppression ability.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an enhanced spatial smoothing method is proposed. By using the strong correlation of signal and the weak correlation of noise, the time-space smoothed array covariance matrix based on the subarray time-space correlation matrices is constructed to improve the noise suppression ability. Compared with the existing Toeplitz matrix reconstruction and spatial smoothing methods, the proposed method improves the DOA estimation performance at low SNR.

Findings

Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that compared with the existing dimensionality reduction processing algorithms, the proposed method improves the DOA estimation performance in cases with a low SNR. Furthermore, in cases where the DOAs between the coherent sources are closely spaced and the snapshot number is low, our proposed method significantly improves the performance of the DOA estimation performance.

Originality/value

The proposed method improves the DOA estimation performance at low SNR. In particular, for the cases with a low SNR, the proposed method provides a better RMSE. The convergence of the proposed method is also faster than other methods for the low number of snapshots. Our analysis also confirms that in cases where the DOAs between the coherent sources are closely spaced, the proposed method achieves a much higher angular resolution than that of the other methods.
Learning from plants: a new framework to approach water-harvesting design concepts
Authors: Jalali Sara , Aliabadi Morteza , Mahdavinejad Mohammadjavad
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper's main objective is to focus on the water-harvesting ability of plants and try to implement a solution-based method to outline a plant-inspired design framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The current paper aims to provide a step-by-step approach to the biological-inspired design by looking deeply at plants' mechanisms and features to harvest water and conduct a method to learn them in an organized way.

Findings

In addition to the proposed framework, the fundamental water-harvesting principles of plants including increasing condensation, reducing transpiration and facilitating transportation have been extracted by investigating several adaptable plants. The relevant factors related to each of these three principles are introduced and can potentially ease the process of bio-inspiration as it contributes to the findability and understandability of a particular biologic strategy. As a result, this framework can be used to the formation of novel designs in different disciplines. In this process, the development of an architectural design concept is presented as an example.

Originality/value

The current global issue about the shortage of water leads researchers to learn adaptability from nature and increase the demands of using bio-inspired strategies. The novelty of this study is to introduce a water-harvesting design path, which has been presented using a four-step-plant-to-design process. Learning from plants' water-harvesting strategies will contribute to efficiency in different disciplines. The findings of this study have important implications for developing bio-inspired water-harvesting materials and systems. Moreover, the findings add substantially to the understanding of water-harvesting architecture and play an important role in bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Conditions for spin-off creation at Swiss universities of applied sciences – a gender sensitive approach
Authors: Schneider Noemi , Blaese Richard , Liebig Brigitte
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The promotion of research-based entrepreneurship is considered a crucial task for universities and policymakers in many Western countries. Research has shown that the university environment plays a decisive role in the spin-off activities of researchers. Although the number of science-based spin-offs has increased in recent years, women are still an exception when it comes to developing spin-off ventures. In turn, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the university environment that supports entrepreneurship from a gender perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the theoretical framework of the “Entrepreneurial University,” this contribution examines the formal and informal conditions for academic entrepreneurship using the example of Swiss universities of applied sciences (UAS). Based on a cross-sectional dataset of 1,551 researchers from various disciplines who were surveyed in 2019, linear regressions and logistic regression models were used to test gender-specific differences in the perception of organizational conditions concerning the entrepreneurial exploitation of research.

Findings

The results demonstrated significant differences in the perception of formal and informal conditions in higher education. First, they show gender differences in the perception of informal entrepreneurial support in universities; in particular, female researchers received less informal support for spin-off projects. For example, women hardly viewed commercial use of research and development knowledge as a career option and considered the existence of entrepreneurial role models at universities to be low. Second, further analyses highlighted that also formal support offerings were less known among female researchers.

Originality/value

The study highlights organizational barriers for female researchers regarding the development of spin-off creation at UAS, including the different formal and informal conditions for female academics in comparison to their male counterparts.
Lesson Study in initial training: an interdisciplinary academic experience. A case study in Spain
Authors: Mayorga Fernández María José , Peña Trapero Noemí , De La Rosa Moreno Lourdes
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper focuses on analysis of the incorporation of a Lesson Study cycle within the university training proposal, as a teaching strategy in initial training in the Infant Education Degree.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research was conducted through a case study methodology.

Findings

Proposing training strategies based on this methodology encourages both the reconstruction of future teachers' practical knowledge and also adequate professional development from initial training.

Research limitations/implications

The main constraint in the study was the cost-benefit ratio, since this experience has required significant practical and emotional dedication by the people involved, while the expected results have only been partially evident in the students. This would seem to imply that the strategy requires continuity over time in order for future education professionals to take it fully on board.

Practical implications

More continuity in such experiences would be required in order to fully analyse their actual value. To this end, the experiences need to be more closely related to the university curriculum, and there must be greater coordination between the subjects in order to ensure a holistic approach to LS.

Originality/value

This article sets out an LS experience as a collaborative action-research strategy that promotes the reconstruction of students' practical knowledge and their professional development in initial training.
Heritage interpretation, conflict and reconciliation in East Asia: global issues in microcosm
Authors: Logan William
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Despite being the intellectual foundation on which the notion of heritage is built and a critical element in all programmes aimed at heritage protection, interpretation as a concept and practice is not well understood or used.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores the reasons for and consequences of heritage interpretation as a concept and practice not being well understood using case studies within the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) heritage arena in East Asia.

Findings

The paper shows how heritage interpretation impacts both positively and negatively on nation-building within states and the shaping of international relations between states. It identifies heritage interpretation approaches that might help to achieve reconciliation between peoples recently engaged in international conflicts. These concerns are not confined to East Asia but apply across the world.

Originality/value

The discussion draws together the three principal forms of heritage in UNESCO's global project: heritage places, protected under the World Heritage Convention; living or embodied heritage, safeguarded under the Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention and documentary heritage preserved under the Memory of the World Program. Suggestions are made as to how the organizations and agencies charged with heritage protection should and could modify their interpretation policies and procedures to help remediate existing negative impacts and avoid creating new tensions in future.
Religious tolerance, cultural, local wisdom and reliability in the Great Mosque building of Mataram Kotagede Yogyakarta
Authors: Sedayu Agung , Gautama Achmad Gat , Rahmah Sukmayati , Setiono Arief Rakhman
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study assesses the level of user importance to the building components of the Great Mosque of Mataram Kotagede Yogyakarta. The building components are the excellence and reliability of the mosque as a cultural and religious heritage in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses the qualitative and quantitative method. The qualitative method was conducted with contextual and conceptual studies on the comparative history of the Great Mosque of Mataram Kotagede. The quantitative method collected respondent perceptions using questionnaire.

Findings

The results generate ten building components that the highest important component is the aesthetics appearance of the building, while the least important component is the tomb area. Other components consist of the ornaments and building elements, outdoor circulation, indoor circulation, landscapes and parks, the wall surrounding the mosque and its area, mosque furniture, ablution facilities and lavatories, and access from the mosque area to surrounding areas.

Originality/value

The conservation maintains the sustainability of the physical and non-physical aspects of the mosque building. The physical aspects include aesthetics and reliability of building, while the non-physical aspects consist of historical values, heritage, symbols, socio-culture, local wisdom and religious tolerance.
The determinants of real estate prices in a European context: a four-level analysis
Authors: Cunha Antonio M. , Lobão Júlio
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper explores the real estate price determinants at four geographical levels: in the European Union as a whole, in the 28 European Union countries, in one European Union country (Portugal) and in 25 Portuguese metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors run two time series regression models and two panel data regression models with observations of potential real estate price determinants and House Price Indices collected from Eurostat.

Findings

The results show that price determinants, such as gross domestic product (GDP), interest rates, housing starts and tourism, are statistically significant, but not in all the four geographical levels of analysis. The results also confirm the autoregressive characteristic of real estate prices, with the last period price change being the most important determinant of current period real estate price change.

Practical implications

Forecasting real estate prices can be made more effective by knowing that each geographical level of analysis implies different price determinants and that momentum is an important determinant in real estate returns.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first study to develop and test a real estate price equilibrium model at several different geographical levels of the same political space.
Fiscal adjustments, income inequality and economic growth: an empirical analysis of Japanese prefectures
Authors: Kako Ouraga Patricia
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper investigates the joint relationship between economic growth, income inequality and fiscal adjustments using a panel of 47 Japanese prefectures from 1998 to 2017.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess jointly fiscal adjustment impacts on growth and inequality and to take into account the interdependence between these variables, the authors use a simultaneous equation model and estimate it by using the three-stage least squares estimation method.

Findings

The results show evidence of a trade-off between growth and inequality through fiscal adjustments. They reveal that first, fiscal adjustments have contractionary effects on growth. Second, they highlight the disparity between urban and rural taxpayers. Third, they provide evidence of a trade-off between fiscal adjustments and inequality through the labor market.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the literature, the composition of fiscal adjustments is a crucial factor in analyzing fiscal adjustment impacts on economic growth and income inequality. The authors do not consider this aspect in the analysis; however, fiscal policy outcomes variables are included as a workaround for this.

Practical implications

These results suggest that authorities favor expenditure-based adjustments as they are less contractionary on the economy. Moreover, they should finance public expenditures through a tax on capital in order to mitigate fiscal adjustment impacts on inequality while promoting growth.

Originality/value

The paper is novel in testing the existence of a trade-off between economic growth and income inequality through fiscal adjustments at a sub-national level with an additional focus on urban and rural regions.
How interactivity and vividness influence consumer virtual reality shopping experience: the mediating role of telepresence
Authors: Kim Jung-Hwan , Kim Minjeong , Park Minjung , Yoo Jungmin
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of interactivity and vividness on perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment and their consequent impacts on consumer behavioral responses in a retail furniture VR store context. Considering the lack of VR empirical research, the indirect effect of interactivity and vividness on perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment through telepresence and the moderating effect of consumer previous experience with VR are also included.

Design/methodology/approach

A commercial IKEA VR store was chosen for the study. Head-mounted display (HMD) VR headsets were employed for the VR shopping experience. The study was conducted at a laboratory at a large university in the southeastern United States. A total of 146 college students participated in the study.

Findings

Vividness had significant positive effects on perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment, which in turn influenced attitude towards VR and behavioral intentions. Interactivity did not have positive impacts on perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment. However, it indirectly affected perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment through telepresence. The findings also proved the moderating effect of consumer previous VR experience between interactivity and perceived usefulness and between interactivity and perceived enjoyment. The relationship between attitude and behavioral intentions was also positive.

Originality/value

Notwithstanding the benefits of VR in relation to its utilitarian, hedonic, and behavioral values, little is known about consumers' responses towards the usage of VR as a shopping tool. The present study can be considered as a starting point in understanding the usefulness of VR from consumer and managerial perspectives. The findings of VR indicated in the study will help practitioners understand the urgency of adopting VR in a retail setting.
Brand-specific transactional leadership: the effects of brand-building behaviors on employee-based brand equity in the insurance industry
Authors: Maleki Minbashrazgah Morteza , Bagheri Garbollagh Hooshmand , Varmaghani Maryam
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The concept of employee-based brand equity (EBBE) has been the center of scholars' attention in the field of marketing and brand management. The brand is one of the most valuable intangible assets of any organization. This research is a novel step in examining the brand-specific transactional leadership role in implementing the new approach of brand-building behaviors (BBBs) and EBBE.

Design/methodology/approach

The statistical population of the current study is employees of five major insurance companies in Semnan city of Iran. Using the classified random sampling method, 136 employees of these insurance firms were chosen. Likert-based questionnaires were used to collect data. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze research data.

Findings

Findings show that brand-specific transactional leadership affects participation and retention positively and significantly. Also, the variables of participation, in-role brand-building behavior (IRBBB) and retention, have a positive and significant effect on the EBBE. However, no significant relationship has been found between brand-specific transactional leadership and the IRBBB.

Research limitations/implications

The study was bound by access to firms and managers' availability. On the other hand, this research is a cross-sectional study, and its data have been collected in a certain period of time, while longitudinal research can provide a richer result. Future research can benefit from the impact of brand-specific transactional leadership and brand evangelism.

Practical implications

When selecting brand leaders, manager training programs need to evaluate whether a candidate has brand-specific transactional leadership traits that will enhance the successful internalization of brand values and improve EBBE.

Originality/value

Brand-specific transactional leadership increases employee responsibility and a greater desire to engage in citizenship behaviors. In addition, using partnerships to influence customer supportive behaviors creates a good image of the company and its services in the minds of customers. Also, this research is a novel step in examining the brand-specific transactional leadership role in implementing the new approach of BBBs and EBBE.
Towards professional and ethical balance: insights into application strategy on media literacy education
Authors: Huda Miftachul , Hashim Azmil
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Media literacy education is knowingly contributed to give insights in facilitating the interaction and communication, and thus enabling to understand the way we look at the world around us. However, the challenging issues emerged around need to take serious consent towards engaging the professional and ethical balance in the context of application strategy on media literacy education. This paper attempts to examine in addressing the ability with substantial foundation to recognize and understand between its benefit and its impacts assigned with analysing and evaluating the media engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes the theoretical framework guideline with particular emphasis on empowering both professional and ethical dimensions relating to the media literacy and education to be keenly adhered to as a golden rule in media literacy, education and practice.

Findings

The findings reveal that such a marriage between the ethical dimensions and professional skills would promote the good of individuals, groups and broader society by addressing the inherent negative effects of media technology and practice. Consequently, the model would contribute to broader societal goodness and peaceful coexistence.

Originality/value

The professional and ethical balance being proposed here is necessary to reconsider the way and manner along with media technology tools utilized across different cultures with expressing the purpose of promoting appropriate and wise usage for the sustainable positive benefit of mankind at all times.
Augmented reality technology in the libraries of universities of medical sciences: identifying the application, advantages and challenges and presenting a model
Authors: Dalili Saleh Malihe , Salami Maryam , Soheili Faramarz , Ziaei Soraya
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to present a model for the use of augmented reality (AR) in the libraries of universities of medical sciences. The goal was to introduce the applications, advantages, opportunities and challenges of AR.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a qualitative approach, had an applied goal and was based on data theory. The statistical population comprised 20 experts in the field of AR, and the data were collected based on in-depth semi-structured interviews until achieving theoretical saturation. A model was proposed after open coding and the formation of the main categories, and the use of AR in the development of libraries of medical universities was discussed.

Findings

The category of application consisted of strengthening education, promoting users' information literacy, finding resources, user guidance, gamification, educational justice, helping management, enriching resources, providing new services and economic savings. The advantages were library services, sociocultural excellence, educational level, software potential and helping the librarian. The challenges were technical, economic and cultural barriers. Libraries can attract many users by enacting effective policies, using technology and enriching the content of resources. AR can greatly assist library management and improve the librarians' and users' professional activities.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study was that some experts could not participate in the interviews.

Originality/value

The results of this study are beneficial for managers, librarians, students and researchers. The use of AR in libraries is essential for achieving fourth-generation libraries. AR will be a necessity for the libraries of medical universities.
STEM undergraduate students: library use, perceptions and GPA
Authors: Scoulas Jung Mi
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine if differences exist in undergraduate students' library use, perceptions and grade point average (GPA) among science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and non-STEM disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study used data from the 2018 student survey. Among 2,277 students who completed the survey (response rate = 8%), only undergraduate students (n = 1,265) were selected for this study because the current study aims to examine the differences between STEM and non-STEM undergraduate students.

Findings

The findings from a Mann–Whitney U test revealed that STEM respondents perceived specific library resources (subject and course guide, library instructions and library workshops) as slightly less than non-STEM respondents. The results from ANOVA demonstrated that the mean scores in GPA for STEM respondents who never used online library, journals and databases were lower than respondents who used those library resources, regardless of STEM and non-STEM disciplines.

Originality/value

Revisiting the data collected and analyzing specific user groups will be valuable to academic libraries because this study will provide academic librarians with a deeper understanding of specific user needs and perceptions of library resources and services.
Flavor of rapeseed oil: An overview of odorants, analytical techniques, and impact of treatment
Authors: Zhang Youfeng , Wu Yuqi , Chen Sirui , Yang Binbin , Zhang Hui , Wang Xingguo , Granvogl Michael , Jin Qingzhe
Published: June 2021

As one of the three major vegetable oils in the world, rapeseed oil is appreciated for its high nutritional value and characteristic flavor. Flavor is an essential attribute, determining rapeseed oil quality and consumer acceptance. The present manuscript provides a systematic literature review of recent advances and knowledge on the flavor of rapeseed oil, which focuses on aroma‐active as well as off‐flavor compounds, flavor analysis techniques (i.e., extraction, qualitative, quantitative, sensory, and chemometric methods), and effects of treatments (storage, dehulling, roasting, microwave, flavoring with herbs, refining, and oil heating) on flavor from sensory and molecular perspectives. One hundred thirty‐seven odorants found in rapeseed oil from literature are listed and possible formation pathways of some key aroma‐active compounds are also proposed. Future flavor analysis techniques will evolve toward time‐saving, portability, real‐time monitoring, and visualization, which aims to obtain a “complete” flavor profile of rapeseed oil. The changes of volatile compounds in rapeseed oil under different treatments are summarized in this view. Studies to elucidate the influence of different treatments on the formation of aroma‐active compounds are needed to get a deeper understanding of factors leading to the variations of rapeseed oil flavor.
Comparison of severe on‐farm injuries to older and younger persons in New South Wales (2012‐2016)
Authors: Walker Jarrod , Lower Tony , Peachey Kerri‐Lynn
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To assess and compare rates of severe on‐farm injury for older (> 50 years) and younger (15‐49 years) cohorts, on NSW farms.

Design

Descriptive retrospective epidemiological study of the New South Wales Trauma Registry (Institute of Trauma and Injury Management ‐ ITIM) for persons injured on a farm.

Setting

New South Wales, Australia.

Participants

Cases involving persons (≥15 years), with data on the NSW Trauma Registry (2012‐16).

Main outcome measures

Comparison of injury rates and severity between younger (15‐49 years) and older (50+ years) cohorts over the 2012‐16 period based on Injury Severity Scores (ISS).

Results

Older males are injured at a rate that is roughly 18% higher than younger males and 13% higher than the overall injury rate. Older individuals also have significantly longer hospital stays post‐injury (P = 0.01), with this being most pronounced for older men (P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in ISS demonstrated between the age cohorts (P = 0.64), except for younger women having higher median ISS than their older female counterparts (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Overall, the general trends displayed support the contention that older males are more likely to incur a severe on‐farm injury than their younger counterparts. This provides support for a preventative focus targeting older farmers in NSW.
Prescribing of long‐acting reversible contraception by general practice registrars across different rural regions of Australia: A cross‐sectional analysis of the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training Study data
Authors: Turner Rachel , Tapley Amanda , Sweeney Sally , Davey Andrew , van Driel Mieke , Morgan Simon , Spike Neil , FitzGerald Kristen , Magin Parker
Published: June 2021

Objective

To describe the pattern of prescribing long‐acting reversible contraception by Australian general practitioner registrars across different classifications of rurality/urbanicity.

Methods

A study nested within the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training ongoing cohort study of Australian general practitioner registrars’ in‐consultation experience.

Design

A cross‐sectional analysis of Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training data collected 2010‐2017. Type of contraception prescribed by general practitioner registrars to women aged 12‐55 for contraception‐related indications was documented. Chi‐square statistical analysis was performed to assess association of specific long‐acting reversible contraception methods with rurality/urbanicity.

Setting/Participants

General practitioner registrars enrolled in the Australian General Practice Training program in regional training providers/organisations participating in Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training.

Main outcome measures

Long‐acting reversible contraception was defined as etonogestrel implant, copper intrauterine device, levonorgestrel intrauterine device and medroxyprogesterone injection.

Results

In all 1737 registrars recorded 4073 registrar rounds of data from 2010 to 2017 (response rate 96%). Type of long‐acting reversible contraception prescribed differed significantly across Australian Statistical Geography Standards classification of rurality (Pearson’s χ2 = 17, P = .002). Women living in outer regional/remote/very remote regions are prescribed proportionately more medroxyprogesterone injection and less levonorgestrel intrauterine device compared to major cities/inner regional areas.

Conclusions

Long‐acting reversible contraception methods prescribed differ across different classifications of rurality. Women living in more rural/remote regions might have access difficulties for the levonorgestrel intrauterine device.
Incentives for smoking cessation in a rural pharmacy setting: The Tobacco Free Communities program
Authors: Breen Rachel J. , Frandsen Mai , Ferguson Stuart G.
Published: June 2021

Objective

Investigate the smoking‐related outcomes and feasibility of a pharmacy‐led financial incentive program for smoking cessation.

Design

Multi‐site single‐arm trial of the Tobacco Free Communities program.

Setting

Community pharmacies within the Glamorgan Spring Bay (Site 1) and George Town (Site 2) municipalities of Tasmania.

Participants

Adult smokers. Based on funding, the recruitment target was 76 smokers.

Interventions

Pharmacy staff provided quitting advice through 7 sessions over 3 months. At 6 sessions, abstinent participants (no cigarettes in the previous week and expired carbon monoxide ≤4 ppm) were rewarded with AU$50 vouchers.

Main outcome measures

Smoking‐related outcomes were decreased smoking (self‐reported cigarettes per day and carbon monoxide levels) and abstinence rates. Feasibility outcomes were meeting the recruitment target, participant retention and participants' views of the program (measured by interview data from Site 2).

Results

Ninety individuals enrolled. Sixty‐two participants were included in analyses; remaining participants were excluded from analyses because they did not consent to use of their data within this study or had carbon monoxide ≤4 ppm at enrolment. Smoking (carbon monoxide and cigarettes per day) significantly decreased between enrolment and the first financial incentive session. Twelve participants (19.35%) were abstinent at the end of the program. Yet retention was poor; only 13 participants (20.97%) attended all sessions. Interviews suggested participants found the program beneficial.

Conclusions

Providing financial incentive within rural community pharmacies could be a viable method of encouraging smoking reductions and quit attempts. Additional work is needed to increase retention and compare effects to usual care pharmacy practices.
Prevalence and risk factors associated with alcohol consumption among indigenous people in Sabah Borneo Island
Authors: Abd Rashid Rusdi Bin , Mohd Daud Mohd Nazri Bin , Guad Rhanye Mac , Gan Siew Hua , Wan Husin Wan Azlinda Irnee Binti , Giloi Nelbon , Danaee Mahmoud , Said Mas Ayu Binti , Lin MMED Constance Liew Sat , Bulan Ramy , Manah Abdul Marsudi Bin , Hashim Azirah Binti , Seghatoleslam Taherehbeygom , Habil Mohamad Hussain
Published: June 2021

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of alcohol use among a cohort of population in Sabah.

Design

This is a prospective, cohort study involving rural community residents.

Setting

Rural community resident at Bingkor, Keningau, Sabah.

Participants

363 individuals aged 13 years old and above.

Intervention

Community‐based participatory research to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with alcohol use.

Main outcome measures

Measurement of alcohol use using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and assessment of psychiatric morbidity using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) questionnaires.

Results

Most alcohol drinkers aged between 36‐45 years old, followed by 26‐35 years old and 46‐55 years old. Interestingly, there are almost similar female to male ratio. Most were Kadazan‐Dusun ethnic, non‐Muslims, and married. Although only less than a third of the participants received tertiary education, the majority were working. Based on the findings, being a male, non‐Muslim and having an obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) (current) posed a significantly higher risk of alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

A worryingly high prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption among the locals is reported. There is a need for population‐wide intervention towards preventive measures based on the identified risk factors for hazardous alcohol use.
Paediatric off‐road vehicle injury in rural and regional Australia
Authors: Mulligan Christopher S. , Adams Susan , Soundappan Soundappan S. V. , Albanese Bianca , Brown Julie
Published: June 2021

Objective

Off‐road riding of quad bikes and motorcycles is common among children across rural and remote Australia, but is a significant source of injury and hospitalisation. An in‐depth analysis of paediatric off‐road vehicle crashes was undertaken to inform injury prevention countermeasures by characterising injury patterns and sources of injury.

Design

This is a prospective in‐depth case series.

Participants

Participants are children aged 16 and under who have been hospitalised due to injury sustained from the use of an off‐road motorcycle or quad bike in New South Wales, Australia.

Interventions

Crash investigation techniques (medical data, structured interview, vehicle and crash site inspection) were used to ascertain details of the crash event, protective gear, injury information and contributory factors.

Results

Thirty children were recruited, 27 boys and 3 girls, ranging in age from 4 to 16 years, having crashed on off‐road motorcycles (n = 27) or quads (n = 3). Most (73.3%) were participating in unstructured social riding. A total of 67 separate injuries were observed, with overall Injury Severity Scores between 1 and 35. There were high rates of wearing helmets and motorcycle‐specific garments. The most commonly injured areas were the upper and lower extremities. The most common sources of injury were from impacting the ground, obstacles/other riders or the vehicle.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the patterns of riding and injury in rural paediatric off‐road vehicle riders, occurring despite high rates of helmet/protective gear use. This underscores the need for investigation into the injury mitigation and fit properties of protective gear and the inherent risks for physically and developmentally maturing children.
Use of a quality improvement strategy to increase drug and alcohol consultation and care opportunities for mental health inpatients in rural and remote New South Wales
Authors: Kealy‐Bateman Warren , Christian Namrata , Wetton Rebecca , Bruce Billy‐Jo , Rowe Deborah , McIntyre Sharon
Published: June 2021

Problem

Mental health inpatients have high rates of co‐morbid substance use disorders which may exceed 50% in addition to the presenting complaint(s). Treating teams may prioritise, and substance use disorders are often not addressed.

Setting

Dubbo inpatient mental health units.

Key measures for improvement

Rates of drug and alcohol consult of inpatients.

Design

Retrospective audit of all inpatient records for mental health units at Dubbo Hospital (May‐October period 2018 and 2019) following the intervention. Qualitative reflections of clinical staff were also included.

Strategies for change

From early 2019, the problem was communicated with staff via education and open discussion. Modelling of the expected numbers of referral was understood as manageable within existing resources. The agenda of the morning meeting then always included an item that asked all team members to identify and refer a person if they needed drug and alcohol care.

Effect of change

Consultation by the drug and alcohol clinical nurse consultant increased from 48 of 228 (21%) patients in the 2018 period to 83 of 232 (35.8%) patients in the 2019 period.

Lessons learnt

The community and inpatient multidisciplinary team can correctly inform and increase drug and alcohol referral for mental health inpatients.
Rural pharmacists and stakeholders perspectives of expanded pharmacy practice: A descriptive study
Authors: Taylor Selina Maree , Cairns Alice , Glass Beverley D
Published: June 2021

Objective

To explore pharmacist and stakeholder perspectives of pharmacists providing expanded services in rural community pharmacies.

Design

A descriptive qualitative study with an ethnographic lens of rural culture collected data via in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with stakeholder representatives and rural and remote pharmacists.

Setting

Regional, rural and remote practice settings as defined by the Modified Monash Model MM3‐MM7.

Participants

Twelve rural or remote pharmacists and eight stakeholder representatives from various government and professional organisations participated in the study.

Main outcome measure

Macro‐, meso‐ and micro‐level perspectives of pharmacists providing expanded pharmacy services in rural community pharmacies.

Result

At the macro‐level, both pharmacists and stakeholders agreed that governance is needed to clarify the terms used to describe expanded practice as a first step to developing an expanded practice framework. The meso‐level revealed that pharmacist participants expected expanded practice to improve rural pharmacist recruitment and retention through improved professional satisfaction. The importance of effective collaboration and coordination with other health care providers in a community was described by pharmacists and stakeholders to ensure success of expanded services. All participants agreed that sustainability of these services relied on appropriate remuneration. At the micro‐level, expanded pharmacy services are expected to save consumers’ time and money as patients are redirected into appropriate health care settings.

Conclusion

Enablers and barriers across policy, health professional, consumer and community levels need to be addressed in order to design and develop sustainable expanded pharmacy services to improve health service provision in rural and remote communities.
“You don't look American”
Authors: LEE CHRISTINE
Published: June 2021

According to some recent analyses, the ethnographic encounter takes place between a complicit, colonialist, white discipline and “natives” who are colonized and implicitly nonwhite. But by insisting that anthropology is an inherently white discipline, such binary frameworks ultimately recenter Westernness and whiteness, reinforcing the centrality of Western and white anthropology. In doing so, they conflate phenotypic and structural whiteness, flatten out how anthropological whiteness compels nonwhite bodies to adopt a white habitus, and obfuscate the shifting, unstable role played by phenotype in this process. For anthropologists of color, even those born and trained in the West, the whiteness of anthropology is variable, context‐dependent, and unevenly distributed. This is illustrated with vignettes from ethnographic work in Peru, a country where racialization has typically been framed in terms of a white‐indigenous binary, and as operating like class rather than determined through descent or phenotype. [race, whiteness, ethnography, Asian American, Peru, Andes]
Beastly identification in India
Authors: MATHUR NAYANIKA
Published: June 2021

How does a big cat in India come to be identified as the one guilty of preying on humans? Indian conservationist law stipulates that the big cat must be identified before it is hunted down. But as I demonstrate ethnographically, there is no possible means of establishing the correct identity of a big cat before it is killed. Through an account of the impossibility of beastly identification, this article demonstrates the limits of both bureaucratic action and conservation in the government of big cats. What operates, instead, is a form of knowing the nonhuman Other, a knowing that is localized, personalized, affective, and momentary. Such forms of knowledge and living‐besides are called for by the Anthropocene. Indeed, an analytic potential of the Anthropocene lies in rendering untenable the continual disciplinary sequestering of the nonhuman and environmental from the political, bureaucratic, and legal. [bureaucracy, nonhuman animals, conservation, identification, government, Anthropocene, India]