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A review of interconnected challenges in the water–energy–food nexus : urban pollution perspective towards sustainable development
No full textThe swift growth of cities worldwide poses significant challenges in ensuring a sufficient water, energy, and food supply. The Nexus has innovated valuable systems to address these challenges. However, a crucial issue is the potential for pollution resulting from these systems, which directly and indirectly impacts public health and the overall quality of urban living. This study comprehensively reviews the interconnected challenges of the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus and various forms of pollution in cities. The primary focus of this review article is to showcase the findings of WEF nexus studies regarding various pollutions across different geographical regions and spatial scales. It aims to examine the problems resulting from these pollutions, specifically their effects on human health and urban life. It also delves into the sources of pollution as identified in these studies. Furthermore, the article will highlight the proposed solutions from the research aimed at effectively mitigating pollution in each sector studied. This article is a systematic review which analyses research sources from the Scopus database. It extensively reviewed 2463 peer-reviewed published articles and focused explicitly on articles related to the WEF nexus that discussed pollution. Our study emphasizes, firstly, raising awareness about the crucial link between the WEF nexus, pollution, urban environments, and human health among policymakers and key stakeholders, including urban planners, industry partners and municipalities. This is to promote the development of policies that encourage sustainable practices and key stakeholders. Secondly, it evaluates WEF nexus and pollution research methods and findings, aiding in identifying research gaps technological innovation and potential, as well as enhancing decision-making. Lastly, it outlines future research challenges, providing a roadmap for researchers and policymakers to advance understanding in this domain and identify opportunities for resource efficiency and collaboration between different sectors
"We need to work towards it, whatever it takes" : participation factors in the acceptability and feasibility of lung cancer screening in Australia: the perspectives of key stakeholders
No full textBackground: Low dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening, targeted at those at high-risk, has been shown to significantly reduce lung cancer mortality and detect cancers at an early stage. Practical, attitudinal and demographic factors can inhibit screening participation in high-risk populations. This study aimed to explore stakeholders’ views about barriers and enablers (determinants) to participation in lung cancer screening (LCS) in Australia. Methods: Twenty-four focus groups (range 2–5 participants) were conducted in 2021 using the Zoom platform. Participants were 84 health professionals, researchers, policy makers and program managers of current screening programs. Focus groups consisted of a structured presentation with facilitated discussion lasting about 1 hour. The content was analysed thematically and mapped to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Results: Screening determinants were identified across each stage of the proposed screening and assessment pathway. Challenges included participant factors such as encouraging participation for individuals at high-risk, whilst ensuring that access and equity issues were carefully considered in program design. The development of awareness campaigns that engaged LCS participants and health professionals, as well as streamlined referral processes for initial entry and follow-up, were strongly advocated for. Considering practical factors included the use of mobile vans in convenient locations. Conclusions: Participants reported that LCS in Australia was acceptable and feasible. Participants identified a complex set of determinants across the proposed screening and assessment pathway. Strategies that enable the best chance for program success must be identified prior to implementation of a national LCS program
Towards circularity in roads infrastructure : a critical review
No full textRoads are one of the key components to ensure modern societies’ ‘normal’ functioning. They are critical infrastructures that maintain interconnectivity among communities and promote economic growth and improvement for sustainable development. Therefore, roads play a crucial part in achieving sustainable cities and communities aligned with the 11th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). As reported within this chapter, road projects account for high CO2 emissions with significant energy and material consumption throughout their lifecycle. The implementation of circular economy (CE) practices regarding resource consumption in the different stages of road projects have been proposed by several researchers as a strategy to address the depletion of natural resources. This chapter intends to review current strategies together with enablers and barriers to implementing circularity in road infrastructure projects to reduce the depletion of natural resources. The main results show that by addressing enablers and barriers, it is possible to improve the level of CE implementation in practice, leading to more sustainable energy-saving solutions and efficient use of resources to help stakeholders in the assessment and selection of the most effective solutions for road infrastructure projects
Evolution of soil erosion and sedimentation vulnerability of Western Himalayan Lake Sukhna, India
No full textSukhna lake is an important man-made lake located at the foot of Siwalik Hills near Chandigarh. It has been used for irrigation, drinking, recreation, tourism, and biodiversity etc. The lake storage capacity is reducing owing to high rate of erosion from the lake catchment. This study was carried out to find out the recent sedimentation rate within the lake, to compute the life expectancy, and to develop conservation measures to control the sedimentation in lake. Sediment deposition profiles of the lake have been prepared to understand the sediment deposition pattern in the lake. The sediment mass balance approach has been applied to estimate rate of sedimentation in the lake during different time intervals. The sediment mass balance approach shows that the recent rate of sedimentation into the lake varies in the range of 5.15 ha-m/y to 18.30 ha-m/y with an average value of 7.01 ha-m/y during the period of 2003-2012. The computed life expectancy of the lake with the current estimated sedimentation rate is 76 years and will fill up completely with sediments by 2090. The Garde and Kothyari model predicted the sediment yield is significantly lower by 39.52%. The results indicate that the sedimentation rate has reduced from 50 ha-m/y during the 1960s to 7.01 ha-m/y during 2003-2012 due to various conservation measures such as extensive reforestation, plantation, and construction of various sediment detention structures in the lake catchment
The question of origin and beginning of Sufism
No full textThe question of origin and beginning of Sufism is problematical because the beginning obscures the origin. This statement, which draws on Heidegger’s philosophy of history, underpins the basis of the argument made in this article. We can say that Sufism began with Islam, since Sufi beliefs and practices developed from an initially ascetic and then gradually contemplative praxis that interpreted the Islamic canon in that light. Sufism is therefore not pre- Islamic and emerges for the first time within the Islamic world; its adherents have practised and lived the Sufi way as interpreted through the message of the Qur’an and the example of the Prophet. However, a question mark hangs over the origin of Sufism because its praxis is not always deemed to be aligned with Islamic orthopraxy, and upon closer analysis certain peculiarities are exposed that raise concern about external influence. As such, how do we understand the anomaly as part of Sufism? To pose the hypothesis, the beginning of Sufism is Islamic, but its origin is foreign
[In Press] Psychometric properties of the DSM-5 panic disorder dimensional scale in an Australian community sample
No full textObjective: The Panic Disorder Dimensional Scale (PD-D) was developed to provide a dimensional rating of panic disorder (PD) symptom severity alongside the traditional categorical Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PD-D in an Australian community sample. Method: Two-hundred and eighty-eight participants (72.9% female) aged 18–76 years (M = 28.28; SD = 12.08) completed the study. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that PD-D demonstrates a unidimensional factor (comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.95; Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.94; standardised root mean square residual [SRMR] = 0.04). The scale also demonstrated excellent internal consistency [α = .96 (95% CI: .95–.97); ω = 0.96 (95% CI: .95–.97)], and evidence of convergent and divergent validity. A good test–retest reliability was evident for the total PD-D score (ICC = .76, p < .001). Conclusions: The PD-D appears to be a reliable and valid measure which can be used to support diagnosis of PD in Australia. Limitations are discussed, including the use of a pre dominantly female sample and lack of clinician-informed data regarding current diagnoses
[In Press] Developing a model for the implementation of designing out waste in construction
No full textWaste mitigation is recognised as the most effective strategy for managing construction and demolition waste. Designing out Waste (DoW) is an approach aimed at reducing waste during construction and demolition by improving project planning and design. Despite its recognition, limited research has been conducted on the factors influencing the implementation of DoW in construction. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data on DoW practices, barriers, and enablers from 76 construction practitioners in New South Wales, Australia. A model was developed and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate a significant relationship between DoW practices and two key barriers: Design-related Barriers and Lack of Experience and Skills. The results also show a significant relationship between Enablers and DoW. Three significant enabling variables identified in this study, which are good communication and coordination, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and utilisation of prefabrication, precast and 3D printing. However, no moderating influence of the enablers was identified in the relationship between the barriers and DoW practices. Through the developed model, this research provides insights into implementing DoW in construction by addressing multifaceted barriers and implementing interventions for effective waste reduction
Unlimited Potential: Western Sydney's Economic Plan
Get PDFWestern Sydney stands at the precipice of unlocking its vast potential as a dynamic and diverse economic powerhouse. This region boasts an exceptionally skilled and increasingly educated population, complemented by its rich cultural tapestry. Almost half of its residents are proficient in a second language, from over 170 underscoring the unparalleled sociocultural diversity that uniquely positions Western Sydney for robust economic growth and innovation. This report provides a comprehensive regional map of the economic landscape: uncovering the untapped talent, spotlighting investment disparities, and charting the course to a brighter economic future. New data and outcomes from roundtable discussions are synthesised into actionable recommendations, developed collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders, with the aim of evolving Western Sydney from a domain of untapped promise to one of realised economic success, fostering growth and prosperity across the community
Broker roles in open innovation
No full textKnowledge brokers play a crucial role in open innovation. We use exponential random graph models and qualitative analysis of semi-structured interview data to contrast knowledge brokerage in three open innovation partnerships. Our analysis considers both tacit and explicit knowledge exchanges. Significant broker role effects occur mainly in tacit knowledge-sharing networks. This result implies that brokerage in open innovation is primarily about connecting know-how rather than know-what. We see that trust is crucial for both tacit and explicit knowledge sharing. Adding broker roles to exponential random graph models offers a more nuanced explanation of the observed network structure
Visual communication and trust in the health domain
No full textVisual communication and user trust are always challenges in the health domain where conservativeness, precision, and domain knowledge can outweigh the validity of the outcomes in the analytical methods and processes. It is crucial to provide better awareness and understanding to domain experts, model developers, and even patients who might be conscious of their condition and how a treatment or a diagnosis is decided for them. This chapter contributes a discussion on trust and its issues in health data-driven science and how trust should be associated with analytical and computational processes, which are enhanced by visualisation and interaction. We also provide brief guidance on the models and methods for improving interpretability and trust in the health domain