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Commitments to improve food environments in Western Australia: A review of local government public health plans
No full textObjective: Food environments are significant drivers of obesity and diet-related diseases, making them key targets for interventions that support healthier food choices. The role of Local Government Authorities (LGAs) is pivotal in shaping community food environments. However, the specific intervention commitments of these authorities remain unclear. The aim of this study was to identify Western Australian (WA) LGA commitments to improve food environments, as specified in their Local Public Health Plans (LPHPs).
Methods: Between July and October 2023, all WA LGA (n = 139) websites were reviewed to identify publicly available LPHPs. All commitments relating to food environments were identified, summarised and thematically analysed using a document analysis methodology.
Results: Thirty-five percent of LGAs (n = 48) had publicly available LPHPs. Within these LPHPs, there were 11 food environment-related focus areas containing a total of 412 commitments. All LPHPs addressed at least two focus areas; the most prevalent being alcohol reduction (n = 44; 92%), food quality and safety (n = 43; 90%) and healthy food/drink policy or provision in LGA settings (n = 37; 77%). Overall, the commitments within each focus area lacked clarity and a clear strategy for how they would be achieved and evaluated.
Conclusion: It is commendable that WA LGAs are committed to enhancing food environments through their LPHPs. For their efforts to be successful, ensuring LPHPs are well-informed, adequately resourced and supported is essential.
So What? Without increased support for LGAs to deliver on their LPHP commitments, food environment advancements may be limited. Future research should assess the implementation of LGA LPHP commitments and subsequent impacts
An innovative NH2-UiO-66/NH2-MIL-125 MOF-on-MOF structure to improve the performance and antifouling properties of ultrafiltration membranes
Full text linkThe careful design of distinctive membrane layers with specific pore structures is a crucial aspect of membrane fabrication. Previous efforts in metal–organic framework (MOF) based membranes have predominantly employed a single MOF material for improving membrane resistance to fouling due to microplastics and proteins. Here, a novel, highly specialised ultrafiltration (UF) membrane is developed through the in-situ growth of NH2-UiO-66 on the NH2-MIL-125 (MOF-on-MOF) crystals to improve membranes’ performance such as pure water flux (PWF), rejection, and antifouling properties. The developed membranes displayed multidimensional pores, leading to a significant enhancement in fouling resistance while achieving remarkable improvements in water flux. The improved MOF-on-MOF UF membranes showed increased PWF from 247 (controlled membrane) to 401 L.m−2.h−1 while maintaining rejection rates above the 94 % threshold. The MOF-on-MOF particles displayed a strong hydrophilic nature and a higher negative surface charge compared to the individual MOFs due to synergistic effect of both MOFs. That, together with their interconnected structure, contributed to their significant impact on the membranes’ performance and antifouling properties. Given that the MOF-on-MOF integration with UF membranes has not been extensively explored in existing literature, the outcome of this study offers new insights into the dynamics of these interactions and the potential to enhance these intricate membrane structures for more effective separation and purification processes
Boardroom dissent: An integrative review and future research agenda
Full text linkResearch Question/Issue: Scholars and practitioners view boardroom dissent as central to the functioning of boards of directors. However, there is a lack of consensus on what dissent is, who is involved, when and where it happens, and whether it is a behavioral or cognitive phenomenon. This conceptual unclarity and related fragmentation of empirical results call for an integrative literature review to build a coherent agenda for future research. Research Findings/Results: A content-analysis of 73 articles published between 1997 and 2023 reveals three distinct research clusters that explore the empirical phenomenon: (1) dissent as expressed through voting, (2) dissent as diverging views, and (3) dissent as behavior in and around the boardroom. Three overarching challenges hamper the advancement of the field: (1) conceptual inconsistencies, (2) several methodological challenges, and (3) a need for further theorizing connected to boardroom dissent. Theoretical Implications: We propose a novel working definition for boardroom dissent to inspire new work related to its constituent parts and to facilitate advancing its measurement. In combination with alternative methods, it stands to advance the boardroom dissent literature. Furthermore, there is a need for future research to integrate competing explanations theorizing how boardroom dissent relates to outcomes at different levels and to examine how boundary conditions constrain these relationships. Practitioner/Policy Implications: The article provides new nuances to reflect on boardroom dissent and related behaviors. The review highlights that there is no one-size-fits-all approach automatically resulting in positive outcomes
Nurse by numbers: The impact of early warning systems on nurses\u27 higher-order thinking, a quantitative study
Full text linkAim: To evaluate registered nurses\u27 perceptions of whether the mandated use of the early warning system vital signs tool impacts the development of nurses\u27 higher-order thinking skills. Design: A concurrent mixed methods study design. Method: Using an online survey, registered nurses\u27 perceptions were elucidated on whether early warning system algorithmic tools affected the development of their higher-order thinking. Likert-type matrix questions with additional qualitative fields were used to obtain information on nurse\u27s perceptions of the tool\u27s usefulness, clinical confidence in using the tool, compliance with escalation protocols, work environment and perceived compliance barriers. Results: Most of the 305 (91%) participants included in the analysis had more than 5 years of nursing experience. Most nurses supported the early warning tool and were happy to comply with escalation protocols if the early warning score concurred with their assessment of the patient (63.6%). When the score and the nurse\u27s higher-order thinking did not align, some had the confidence to override the escalation protocol (40.0%), while others omitted (69.4%) or inaccurately documented vital signs (63.3%) to achieve the desired score. Very few nurses (3.6%) believe using early warning tools did not impede the development of higher-order thinking. Conclusion: Although experienced nurses appreciate the support of early warning tools, most value patient safety above the tools and rely on their higher-order thinking. The sustained development and use of nurses\u27 higher-order thinking should be encouraged, possibly by adding a critical thinking criterion to existing algorithmic tools. Impact: The study has implications for all nurses who utilize algorithmic tools, such as early warning systems, in their practice. Relying heavily on algorithmic tools risks impeding the development of higher-order thinking. Most experienced nurses prioritize their higher-order thinking in decision-making but believe early warning tools can impede higher-order thinking. Patient or Public Contribution: Registered nurses participated as survey respondents
The combined role of sexual selection and socioeconomic environment in explaining everyday risk-taking behavior in human males
Full text linkSexual selection theory predicts that males, especially in their prime reproductive years, are more risk-prone than females. Risk-taking is a means to convey mate quality or “good genes” to members of the opposite sex or competitive ability to members of the same sex. Therefore, risk-taking should be more common in the presence of potential mates (intersexual selection or female choice) or in the presence of male competitors (intrasexual selection or male–male competition). Risk-taking can also be situated within a life history/ecological perspective, according to which environmental unpredictability promotes more present-oriented and risky behavioral strategies. Therefore, people living in areas of low socioeconomic status are predicted to be more risk-prone. We conducted an observational study on risk-taking in two everyday situations: crossing the road and riding a bicycle. A total of 1,030 participants, 906 road-crossers and 124 cyclists, were recorded at various intersections throughout Perth, Western Australia. In line with predictions from sexual selection, males were more likely to cross a road in high-risk conditions and to ride a bicycle without wearing a helmet. These behaviors were also most common in younger adult males. Female and male onlookers had no effect on male risk-taking, which suggests that norm adherence is a more powerful force than sexual selection in shaping risk-related behaviors. Area-level socioeconomic status was strongly associated with the frequency of risk-taking, implying that environmental stressors can affect risk attitude. Elucidating the ultimate drivers behind everyday risk-taking has important practical implications for risk intervention strategies. The results of an observational study show that young males were the demographic group that was most likely to take risks in everyday situation (crossing the road and riding a bicycle). We also found that people in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas engaged in risk-taking more frequently than people in areas of higher socioeconomic status. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved
Becoming singular: Musical identity construction and maintenance through the lens of identity process theory
Full text linkThis study uses identity process theory to understand the social–psychological processes that motivate individuals to construct an identity in which music, singing, and singing teaching feature prominently. We conducted reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 10 Australian singing teachers (with an average age 60) to understand how they enacted identity principles that motivate identity construction and maintenance. Findings were captured in two themes: (1) ‘It has just been music’: Living a musical life is my destiny; (2) ‘I know my value’: Achieving goals in music and teaching is motivating. Participants’ consistent musical engagement across the lifespan satisfied the identity principles of continuity and positive distinctiveness. The identity principles of self-efficacy and self-esteem were satisfied through the social connections created with peers and through teaching singing; participants derived self-worth from celebrating and contributing to the success of others. Teaching singing was a way to become ‘singular’, that is, distinctive, and distinctively valued by the self and others. This article provides an example of how identity process theory can be applied in musical identities research to uncover new insights into the psychological processes of identity construction, with implications for understanding identity resilience and musical engagement across the lifespan
Clinical is the pinnacle: Nurse academics\u27 perspectives and opinions of their students undertaking mental health clinical placements
Full text linkClinical placements form an integral and important part of preregistration nursing student learning. The theory–practice gap has been identified as problematic, with clinical experience being a key strategy to address this. Despite this, the perceptions of nurse academics teaching preregistration mental health nursing regarding clinical placements have not been widely explored. To garner perspectives and experiences of mental health clinical placements from nurse academics teaching mental health nursing to preregistration nursing students. A descriptive qualitative study involving 19 nurse academics from 13 metropolitan and regional Australian universities, who were involved in the design and delivery of preregistration mental health nursing content. Data were analysed thematically. The study adhered to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). Participants reported that inappropriate clinical placements generate negative student experiences. Furthermore, mental health placements in nonspecialist settings such as medical-surgical or aged care compromised student learning and posed a barrier to linking theory to practice. Increasing meaningful and appropriate mental health clinical placements in nurse education requires investment and support from multiple stakeholders. Nurse academics are crucial stakeholders in terms of understanding the impact of mental health clinical placements. Appropriate mental health clinical placements are central to effective comprehensive nurse education. Academics teaching mental health in preregistration curricula are significant stakeholders, and their informed perceptions are central to compel change
Four overlooked errors in ROC analysis: How to prevent and avoid
Full text linkDiagnostic tests are frequently applied within clinical practice to assist with disease diagnosis, differential diagnosis, disease grading and prognosis evaluation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis is one common approach for analysing discriminative performance of a diagnostic test, where it can determine the optimal cut-off value with the best diagnostic performance.1 However, as a majority of clinicians are non-statisticians, several errors have been observed in clinical research when applying ROC curves. These errors may be misleading in the selection of diagnostic tests and disease diagnosis, thus adding to patient burden. To address these errors, clinicians do not need a deep understanding of the intricate mathematical formulas of ROC analysis, but should develop basic knowledge and skills to prevent or avoid commonly overlooked mistakes. This article aims to guide clinicians to avoid common pitfalls in ROC analysis
Interdisciplinary research among tourism, public health, and global health: A promising stream focusing on populations with suboptimal health status
Full text linkResearch suggests that approximately 75% of the world\u27s population suffers from suboptimal health status, meaning these individuals often feel unwell but have no clearly diagnosable conditions. Suboptimal health status, originating from traditional Chinese medicine, signifies an intermediate state between health and disease. Tourism has been deemed beneficial for personal health and general well-being. More recently, it has been proposed as a non-pharmacological intervention for individuals with dementia, given its potential contributions to health promotion and disease prevention/treatment. Yet, the tourism literature has paid scarce attention to populations with suboptimal health status, even as an aging society becomes inevitable. This paper critically discusses research and knowledge gaps in the tourism and health literature. It also outlines opportunities to enhance personal health through the lens of tourism, ideally with objective evidence collected via interdisciplinary studies
Planetary health and Indigenous sovereignty: Exploring the theory of change of the Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) network in Western Australia
Full text linkThis paper outlines the theory of change which underpins the Western Australian (WA) hub of the Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) network. HEAL is an Australian national research initiative that aims to address the health impacts of climate and environmental change. The WA hub\u27s theory of change is focused on improving the health and well-being of the planet and people, including children, through centring Indigenous sovereignty, voices and ways of knowing and being in research, policy development and service provision. The WA hub also recognises it is essential for place-based, community-led solutions, which strengthens responses to climate and environmental change, grounding mitigation and adaptation efforts in local priorities, knowledges and relationships. To action its theory of change, the HEAL WA hub has embraced Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR), which positions Aboriginal elders, people with diverse lived experiences, young people, community organisations and policy makers as co-researchers. This weaving together of different ways of knowing, grounded in holistic, relational and multigenerational worldviews, enables community members to lead change and hold decision-making power at all stages of research. Through CBPAR, researchers, community members and organisations, policy-makers and service providers build and foster meaningful relationships and collaborate to co-design, implement and translate research. Young people and children are a vital part of the work, and their voices and priorities are integrated in all phases of the work to ensure intergenerational justice and vision also guides practice. This ensures HEAL WA can affect targeted, research-driven and equitable community-led change both now and for generations to come