Author: Latest Results

Abstract

Stingless bees are a unique resource to Afrotropical ecosystems where they pollinate crops and natural vegetation, and produce honey which has medicinal powers. Studies on African stingless bees are limited partly due to difficulties in identifying them in the field. This study aimed to explore the use of nest characteristics as a simplified technique to discriminate Tanzanian stingless bee species. A total of 49 nests belonging to eight stingless bee species were studied in 15 locations. Qualitative and quantitative data on nesting sites, nest cavities, and architecture of nest entrances, brood rearing area and food storage area were collected and analyzed by comparison of means, hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis (PCA). We found that, differences in nest characteristics among stingless bee species reflected adaptations which enhanced various functions including insulation, ventilation, defense and survival. Four of the studied species were clearly separated on the dendrogram generated by Gower’s distance and PCA plot based on quantitative data of nest architecture. Qualitative data assisted the distinction of two other species which had similar nest architecture. The findings of this study suggest that nest characteristics can facilitate identification of stingless bee species in the field. We propose the development of taxonomic tools based on key nest characteristics to provide a practical and user-friendly approach which even personnel who lack scientific expertise can use to discriminate stingless bee species. Such tools would contribute to the advancement of stingless bee management, research and extension services.

Abstract

Pacific Islander communities in the USA experienced some of the most severe effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative synthesis examines the literature on Pacific Islander community responses and lessons learned from COVID-19, using a systematic search that identified 28 articles with this focus. Thematic analysis was subsequently used to classify both documented efforts by Pacific Islander communities to respond to the pandemic, as well as lessons learned and best practices from research in this area. Results revealed multiple efforts to address the pandemic, including Pacific Islander grassroots approaches, government responses, inter-sector collaboration, and research. Results further emphasized the importance of culturally and linguistically responsive outreach and messaging; partnership, engagement, and capacity building; and changes in research and policy approaches to promote health equity. Future efforts to address public health crises should make the most of Pacific Islander cultural approaches to disaster response. To achieve this, government and other organizations that work with PI communities need to support the development of the PI leadership, healthcare and research workforces, and work with Pacific Islander communities to build long-term, sustainable, and trustworthy partnerships.

Abstract

Our previous findings in the UK and Colombia show that CU traits predict later aggression specifically among children who are already aggressive. We hypothesised that this effect would be reduced in the presence of maternal praise and positivity. In a sample of 220 mothers and children from Colombia, mother–child interactions were coded for maternal praise and positivity, and mothers reported on children’s CU traits at age 3.5 and aggression at ages 3.5 and 5 years. The results show three-way interactions between CU traits, child aggression and observed parenting at age 3.5 years in the prediction of later child aggression, and two-way interactions indicating a protective effect of positive parenting in the high aggressive children. Based on our finding, it is plausible that positive parenting may modify the effect of CU traits in the highly vulnerable group of children who are already aggressive in early childhood.

Abstract

Nonprofit organizations are critical actors in the Sustainable Development Goals as they provide a wide range of social services to the community and contribute to creating a sustainable future. They must compete for funding or government contracts by showing high social performance. Among the top factors influencing social performance is capacity, and it has received considerable attention in public and nonprofit literature. Capacity refers to the resources, capabilities, and practices required to perform their functions to achieve the social mission and high social performance. However, studies concerning capacity linked with social performance remain controversial. Understanding the linkage between capacity and social performance is relevant to funders, board directors, and management as it helps them enhance organizational performance. This research aims to assess the flow of knowledge in the study field and make recommendations for future research. The study focuses on capacity of nonprofits and thoroughly reviews the literature using complementary bibliometric analysis: co-occurrence analysis of keywords, sources, and authors and bibliographic coupling analysis of documents. We conduct a systematic analysis of peer-reviewed journal articles published between 1955 and 2022. Seven significant themes emerge among the most prominent researchers: (1) the link between capacity and social performance; (2) dimensions of capacity; (3) human resource capacity linked with social performance: (4) financial capacity linked with social performance; (5) capacity building linked with social performance; (6) collaboration and capacity; and (7) factors affecting capacity–social performance. The literature on nonprofits is determined to have inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between capacity and social performance. Research on various factors influencing capacity–social performance relationships is also scarce. This article highlights major principles in the discipline and identifies significant theoretical gaps in the body of knowledge. It also outlines the conceptual foundation for the study and makes recommendations for further research. From a managerial standpoint, the study sheds light on whether capacity is linked to higher performance levels and provides policymakers with guidelines on the implications of capacity building and collaboration.

Abstract

Background

Community engagement in research has gained momentum as people have realised the importance and value it brings to research. However, a lack of standardization in the engagement approach has been reported in the literature. This systematic review aims to identify and synthesize the different engagement approaches to contextualize future implementation efforts.

Methods

The databases Patient Centred Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for English language studies published between 2008 and 2021 that focused on stakeholder involvement and phases of research engagement. Independent reviewers conducted literature search, screening, quality assessment, data extraction and analysis following previous study formats.

Results

Of the 2227 original articles retrieved, 125 were reviewed fully, of which 48 studies were included in this review. Of these 48 studies, 34 (70.8%) were health studies involving any form of engagement, while 14 (29.2%) were non-health. Most studies originated from high income countries, mainly the USA and engaged ethnic minorities, patients, disadvantaged groups and war veterans. All studies reported engagement at various levels. However, there was no standard criteria to select the type of engagement. Engagement with communities was used to develop research tools, identify research questions and harness local experiences. There were different terminologies and engagement approaches, which makes it difficult to synthesise and conceptualize the evidence.

Conclusions

Harnessing local experiences and perspectives by involving stakeholders at the earliest stage is beneficial in terms of clarifying approaches which best fits the local context. It is important to delineate between the traditional and community engagement approach.

Abstract

We explored perspectives of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) on symptom screening and population-level patient-reported outcome (PRO) data regarding common symptom trajectories in the year after diagnosis. A qualitative study of patients with mNSCLC was conducted at a Canadian tertiary cancer centre. English-speaking patients diagnosed ≥ 6 months prior to study invitation were recruited, and semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted. Patient and treatment characteristics were obtained via chart review. Anonymized interview transcripts underwent deductive-inductive coding and thematic content analysis. Among ten participants (5 (50%) females; median (range) age, 68 (56–77) years; median (range) time since diagnosis, 28.5 (6–72) months; 6 (60%) with smoking histories), six themes were identified in total. Two themes were identified regarding symptom screening: (1) screening is useful for symptom self-monitoring and disclosure to the healthcare team, (2) screening of additional quality-of-life (QOL) domains (smoking-related stigma, sexual dysfunction, and financial toxicity) is desired. Four themes were identified regarding population-level symptom trajectory PRO data: (1) data provide reassurance and motivation to engage in symptom self-management, (2) data should be disclosed after an oncologic treatment plan is developed, (3) data should be communicated via in-person discussion with accompanying patient-education resources, and (4) communication of data should include reassurance about symptom stabilization, acknowledgement of variability in patient experience, and strategies for symptom self-management. The themes and recommendations derived from the patient experience with mNSCLC provide guidance for enhanced symptom screening and utilization of population-level symptom trajectory data for patient education.

Abstract

Approximately 65% of established non-indigenous species (NIS) identified in the Great Lakes–Saint Lawrence River basin (GLSLR) since 1959 were introduced by ballast water discharges from transoceanic vessels. While the rate of new detections has sharply declined, NIS already present may spread within the system—including upstream—through secondary invasions by domestic ballast water transferred mainly by ‘laker’ vessels. Canada has mandated that all vessels loading or unloading in waters under Canadian jurisdiction in the GLSLR will need to use ballast water management systems (BWMS) by 2030. Here we used simulations informed by empirical data to investigate the expected efficacy of BWMS in reducing zooplankton and phytoplankton introductions on a per-trip basis, and the corresponding probabilities of survival and establishment related to ballast water discharges within the GLSLR. We investigated three ballast water scenarios: no treatment, full treatment, and treatment by a partially-functioning BWMS (owing to malfunctions or challenging water quality). Fully-functioning BWMS reduced community pressure by > 99% and corresponding establishment risk of NIS by 38% and 66% relative to untreated ballast discharges for zooplankton and phytoplankton, respectively. Partial treatment (modelled as a 95% reduction in organism concentrations) resulted in 10–20% reduction in per-trip probability of NIS establishment; results indicate that trips with BWMS inoperability caused by highly turbid uptake conditions may be less risky than trips with BWMS inoperability due to plankton blooms. The implementation of BWMS is expected to reduce risk of secondary spread within the GLSLR system by ballast water, even if the BWMS are subject to periodic malfunction.