scholarly journals Laying the Groundwork for Raising Awareness on Water Related Issues with a Socio-Hydrogeological Approach: The Inle Lake Case Study (Southern Shan State, Myanmar)

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 2434
Author(s):  
Viviana Re ◽  
Myat Mon Thin ◽  
Chiara Tringali ◽  
Mya Mya ◽  
Enrico Destefanis ◽  
...  

Translating scientific findings into concrete action for (ground)water protection should be fundamental component of any hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical assessment, thus ensuring that scientific outcomes have a positive impact in the real world. To this purpose, understanding the water-related issues and the perceived criticalities by the water users is an asset, especially for earth scientists who are often the first contact with local communities during in situ measurements. By presenting the results of a socio-hydrogeological assessment in the Inle Lake area, this paper aims at demonstrating the feasibility and added value of this approach. In conjunction with groundwater sampling, public engagement activities were conducted by administering semi-structured interviews at a household level in each monitoring site. Hydrogeochemical data show that groundwater is characterized by an elevated hardness and by the presence of trace metals in solution due to the low redox potential. The work provides suggestions on how to translate the hydrogeochemical information associated to (i) the impact of climate change on water supply and availability, and (ii) the presence of geogenic groundwater contamination (Fe, Mn, As) into accessible information for local communities and water users’ associations. Sharing knowledge and promoting capacity building would also help to assess the reasons for the discrepancy between self-reported perception of groundwater quality (e.g., hardness) and analytical results.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Austad ◽  
Michel Juarez ◽  
Hannah Shryer ◽  
Patricia L. Hibberd ◽  
Mari-Lynn Drainoni ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Global disparities in maternal mortality could be reduced by universal facility delivery. Yet, deficiencies in the quality of care prevent some mothers from seeking facility-based obstetric care. Obstetric care navigators (OCNs) are a new form of lay health workers that combine elements of continuous labor support and care navigation to promote obstetric referrals. Here we report qualitative results from the pilot OCN project implemented in Indigenous villages in the Guatemalan central highlands. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 mothers who received OCN accompaniment and 13 staff—namely physicians, nurses, and social workers—of the main public hospital in the pilot’s catchment area (Chimaltenango). Interviews queried OCN’s impact on patient and hospital staff experience and understanding of intended OCN roles. Audiorecorded interviews were transcribed, coded, and underwent content analysis. Results Maternal fear of surgical intervention, disrespectful and abusive treatment, and linguistic barriers were principal deterrents of care seeking. Physicians and nurses reported cultural barriers, opposition from family, and inadequate hospital resources as challenges to providing care to Indigenous mothers. Patient and hospital staff identified four valuable services offered by OCNs: emotional support, patient advocacy, facilitation of patient-provider communication, and care coordination. While patients and most physicians felt that OCNs had an overwhelmingly positive impact, nurses felt their effort would be better directed toward traditional nursing tasks. Conclusions Many barriers to maternity care exist for Indigenous mothers in Guatemala. OCNs can improve mothers’ experiences in public hospitals and reduce limitations faced by providers. However, broader buy-in from hospital staff—especially nurses—appears critical to program success. Future research should focus on measuring the impact of obstetric care navigation on key clinical outcomes (cesarean delivery) and mothers’ future care seeking behavior.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishaq Salim Al-Naabi

In light of contemporary pedagogical methods, the flipped classroom has been recognised as an effective pedagogy in English as a Foreign Language (EFL). This study employed a quasi-experimental one-group research design to investigate the impact of flipped learning on Omani EFL learners’ grammar and to examine students’ perceptions on the flipped classroom. An intact group of students (n=28) enrolled at the foundation programme in Arab Open University-Oman was randomly selected. Seven videos on English grammar were developed and shared with the students prior to the class. A varaiety of activities were conducted in the class following task-based language teaching. Students met for 8 lessons over the period of 8 weeks. Pre-test, post-test and semi-structured interviews were used in the study. The findings indicated that flipped learning had a positive impact on students’ understanding and usage of English grammar. Students’ perceptions on the flipped approach were positive. The study also provided pedagogical insights for the flipped classroom and recommendations for future research. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1147
Author(s):  
Yanhui Xie ◽  
Min Chen ◽  
Jiancheng Shi ◽  
Shuiyong Fan ◽  
Jing He ◽  
...  

The Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) mounted on the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (NPP) satellite can provide both temperature and humidity information for a weather prediction model. Based on the rapid-refresh multi-scale analysis and prediction system—short-term (RMAPS-ST), we investigated the impact of ATMS radiance data assimilation on strong rainfall forecasts. Two groups of experiments were conducted to forecast heavy precipitation over North China between 18 July and 20 July 2016. The initial conditions and forecast results from the two groups of experiments have been compared and evaluated against observations. In comparison with the first group of experiments that only assimilated conventional observations, some added value can be obtained for the initial conditions of temperature, humidity, and wind fields after assimilating ATMS radiance observations in the system. For the forecast results with the assimilation of ATMS radiances, the score skills of quantitative forecast rainfall have been improved when verified against the observed rainfall. The Heidke skill score (HSS) skills of 6-h accumulated precipitation in the 24-h forecasts were overall increased, more prominently so for the heavy rainfall above 25 mm in the 0–6 h of forecasts. Assimilating ATMS radiance data reduced the false alarm ratio of quantitative precipitation forecasting in the 0–12 h of the forecast range and thus improved the threat scores for the heavy rainfall storm. Furthermore, the assimilation of ATMS radiances improved the spatial distribution of hourly rainfall forecast with observations compared with that of the first group of experiments, and the mean absolute error was reduced in the 10-h lead time of forecasts. The inclusion of ATMS radiances provided more information for the vertical structure of features in the temperature and moisture profiles, which had an indirect positive impact on the forecasts of the heavy rainfall in the RMAPS-ST system. However, the deviation in the location of the heavy rainfall center requires future work.


2020 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002632
Author(s):  
Philippa Tollow ◽  
Jane Ogden ◽  
Candida S McCabe ◽  
Diana Harcourt

ObjectivesExisting research has established the importance of appearance concerns for individuals with cancer and identified appearance as an important factor in dying with dignity. No research, however, has explored in depth the role of appearance in the experiences of individuals who have incurable cancer. This research aims to explore patients’ experiences and perspectives in relation to the role of appearance issues in adults with incurable cancer.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 adults with incurable cancer (20 women, 4 men; mean age 54.5, SD 11.32).ResultsThematic analysis generated three themes: ‘Identity: Embodying Cancer’, ‘Communication: Wearing your illness’ and ‘Support: Holistic Care’. Appearance was felt to be an important element of identity, which was often dominated by cancer, leading to feelings of separation from the participant’s previous self. Appearance changes also influenced the way in which individuals communicated with their external world, forcing discussion of their diagnosis, and increasing focus on their cancer, with participants having to manage the emotional impact of this on loved ones, as well as the impact on their legacy. Finally, participants highlighted the positive impact of appearance-related support in their well-being and identified peer connections and refocusing on the self as key elements of such support.ConclusionsAppearance changes play an important role in the experiences of individuals with incurable cancer with regards to both identity and communication and challenged participants’ ability to maintain normalcy. Further psychosocial support relating to appearance concerns was considered necessary to promote dignity and provide truly holistic patient care.


10.28945/2158 ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 017-038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitra Theodosiadou ◽  
Angelos Konstantinidis

Electronic portfolios (e-portfolios) have a positive impact on the learning process in a broad range of educational sectors and on learners of all ages. Yet because most e-portfolio-related studies are about their implementation in higher education, this type of research is less usual in the early childhood context, and there is no available research for Greek schools. This study aims to investigate the impact of e-portfolios on learning in a Greek primary school and to provide a resource regarding the educational benefits of e-portfolio in primary education. To do that, it employs the qualitative naturalistic method to collect data, along with mixed methods which were used to achieve triangulation and strengthen confidence in the outcomes. Participants in the research were fourteen 8-year-old pupils, and one of the researchers was their regular teacher. Data evaluation revealed that the e-portfolio added value in pupils’ learning, acted as a medium to involve parents, promoted pupils’ self-esteem, and was acknowledged as a valuable assessment tool and a challenge for the school community. Based on the experience of the e-portfolio implementation, the authors provide some suggestions that would possibly help researchers and primary school teachers adopt and develop e-portfolio systems in their particular settings.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-90
Author(s):  
Juan-Luis Klein ◽  
Diane-Gabrielle Tremblay ◽  
Laurent Sauvage ◽  
Leila Ghaffari ◽  
Wilfredo Angulo

This article focuses on cultural and creative activities and the development of local communities. Several studies on North America, Europe and Latin America have shown that this type of activity may have a positive impact on the local economy and living environments, and in particular on the sense of territorial belonging and on relations between citizens. In this text, we propose a reading of the impact of neighborhood cultural initiatives in the context of local socio-economic development based on a set of indicators of the local cultural vitality of a neighborhood. The empirical research was carried out in Montreal, namely on two boroughs: Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie and Sud-Ouest.


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2425-2433
Author(s):  
Ahmed Mohsen Juda ◽  
Abdul Rahim Ahmad ◽  
Mohammed Sabri Haron

As a matter of fact, the existence of the oil fields and the work of the oil companies in the residential areas have an impact on the style and standard of living of the local communities and the consequential change in society. The problem, in this research, represents the big rise in the illiteracy rate, the falling level of education and the high unemployment rate in the local communities that are found in Al Gharraf oil field. The most important objectives of the research is to identify the main methods and procedures carried out by Petronas which help the local communities in Al Garraf oil field so as to ensure the development of their skills through learning and building of their own abilities through the establishment of Al Gharraf vocational training center. The study adopts the analytical descriptive approach by identifying the problem and find out the impact of Petronas which is subjected to the analysis by the interview and the questionnaire form .They were distributed in the study area.The most important results that have been reached that the presence of Petronas and the establishment of Al Gharraf vocational training center have  a positive impact on the development of people skills to ensure that they are qualified for work in Petronas Company or its members or the rehabilitation and education of individuals toward getting a certain craft and helping to start a particular work.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Netti Nurlenawati

ABSTRAK Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menggambarkan persepsi masyarakat terhadap keberadaan Universitas Buana Perjuangan (UBP) Karawang serta menganalisis dampak berdirinya UBP Karawang terhadap peluang-peluang usaha di sekitar kampus. Penelitian ini merupakan deskriptif kualitatif yang bertujuan untuk menggambarkan fenomena secara kualitatif yang terdapat di lokasi penelitian. Penelitian ini menggunakan studi kasus tunggal (Single Case Study). Penelitian dilaksanakan di lokasi sekitar kampus UBP Karawang (radius 500 m), Desa Puseurjaya dan Sirnabaya dan Sirnabaya Kecamatan Telukjambe Timur Karawang. Dengan penentuan sampel menggunakan Purposive Sampling.. Responden terdiri dari para pedagang di sekitar kampus UBP Karawang, tokoh masyarakat, serta unsur pimpinan UBP Karawang. Sedangkan waktu penelitian mulai bulan Januari sampai dengan Agustus 2017. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa keberadaan perguruan tinggi di Puseurjaya dan Sirnabaya memberikan dampak yang positif bagi masyarakat umum yaitu pertama membuka peluang usaha sehingga banyak tenaga kerja yang terserap, baik itu membuka usaha sendiri maupun bekerja pada pengusaha lain. Kedua memunculkan motivasi bagi anak-anak setempat untuk melanjutkan pendidikan pada jenjang tertinggi, sehingga pada akhirnya nanti dapat membangun daerahnya. Walaupun peluang untuk usaha di sekitar kampus UBP Karawang sangat besar, tetapi belum dimanfaatkan oleh masyarakat setempat. Kendala yang dihadapi oleh masyarakat setempat berupa rendahnya motivasi, kurangnya keberanian menanggung resiko serta kurangnya permodalan sehingga tidak dapat bersaing dengan pengusaha pendatang. Kata Kunci: dampak, perguruan tinggi, peluang usaha, masyarakat sekitar kampus. ABSTRACT THE IMPACT OF UNIVERSITY EXISTENCE IN IMPROVING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES The objective of this research is to describe the perception of communities towards the existence of Universitas Buana Perjuangan (UBP) Karawang and to analyze the impact of UBP Karawang’s establishment in improving business opportunities around the campus. This is a descriptive-qualitative research aimed to describe the phenomenon that exists in the research location qualitatively. The research uses a single case study. The research was done around the location of UBP campus (radius of 500 m), Puseurjaya village and Sirnabaya sub-district East Telukjambe Karawang using pusposive sampling. The respondents consisted of merchants around the campus, public figures, and high officials of UBP Karawang. The research was done from January to August 2017. The result of the research suggested that the existence of a university in Puseurjaya and Sirnabaya gives a positive impact for the general communities. Firstly, giving business opportunities such that a lot of manpower are needed, either to open one’s own business of work for another entrepreneur. Secondly, giving the local children motivation to continue to higher education so that they can develop their region in the future. Although the business opportunities around UBP Karawang campus is very big, they still cannot be utilized fully by the local community. The problem faced by the local community consisting of low motivation, lacking courage to take risk, and lacking fund so that they cannot compete with the entrepreneurs that come from outside of the region. Keywords: impact, university, business opportunity, communities around university


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 209-217
Author(s):  
Sergi Gonzalez ◽  
Alfons Callado ◽  
Mauricia Martínez ◽  
Benito Elvira

Abstract. Kilometric-resolution Ensemble Prediction Systems (EPSs) will be the new state-of-the-art forecasting tools for short-range prediction in the following decade. Their value will be even greater in Antarctica due to the increasingly demanding weather forecasts for logistic services. During the 2018–2019 austral summer (1 December–31 March), coinciding with the Southern Hemisphere Special Observation Period of the Year of Polar Prediction (YOPP), the 2.5 km AEMET-γSREPS was operationally integrated over the Antarctic Peninsula. In particular, the Antarctic version of γSREPS comes up with crossing four non-hydrostatic convection-permitting NWP models at 2.5 km with three global NWP driving models as boundary conditions. The γSREPS forecasting system has been validated in comparison with ECMWF EPS. It is concluded that γSREPS has an added value to ECMWF EPS due to both its higher resolution and its multi-boundary conditions and multi-NWP model approach. γSREPS performance has a positive impact on logistic activities at research stations and its design may contribute to polar prediction research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (6) ◽  
pp. 107-122
Author(s):  
KRASNIKOVA Nataliya ◽  
DZYAD Olena ◽  
HRECHYN Kyrylo

Background. Today, the information and communications technology (ICT) sector is one of the most dynamic sectors of the world economy. Since IT services are the second largest export sector in Ukraine, the study of the impact of international trade in ICT services on economic growth becomes relevant. Analysis of recent research and publications. Numerous papers have shown the positive impact of international trade in ICT goods and services on production volumes, employment and productivity of national economies. In particular, UNCTAD data show that the ICT services sector shows an increase in employment and international trade in all geographical regions and provides most of the added value in the ICT sector. The aim of the article is to study the impact of international trade in ICT services on the development of economies of different levels of development, taking into account national policies of ICT sector, and to develop recommendations for Ukrainian policy of ICT sector, taking into account the experience of analyzed countries. Materials and methods. The information base for the study was data from UNCTAD, OECD, Eurostat, and the State Statistics Service of Ukraine. Methods of statistical, structural, regression, comparative analysis are used. Results. Regression analysis was used to identify the relationship between GDP and the volume of exports and imports of ICT services in the analyzed countries. The results showed that in order to ensure economic development through trade in ICT services, countries need to pursue a stimulating policy, which includes measures in three main areas: support for innovation (R&D funding and startup ecosystems); education and training of ICT specialists; and support for investments in ICT services (through preferential taxation and grant schemes). Conclusion. In order to support the growth of the national IT industry, the Ukrainian government is proposed to legalize existing schemes of cooperation of IT companies with private individuals, to avoid additional regulation of the industry, and to develop schemes to financially support innovation in science and business.


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