Journal Description
Challenges
Challenges
is an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open access journal that welcomes contributions to any problem, or any aspect of the Grand Challenges facing our world and our societies today. It is published semiannually online by MDPI and addresses the pressing need to accelerate integrated cross-sectoral discourse towards collaborative solutions. inVIVO Planetary Health is affiliated with Challenges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within RePEc, and many other databases.
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision provided to authors approximately 22.2 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2021).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Latest Articles
Rapid Softness Prediction and Microbial Spoilage Visualization of Whole Tomatoes by Using Hyper/Multispectral Imaging
Challenges 2021, 12(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12020021 - 10 Aug 2021
Abstract
The choice of selecting fruit for canned whole tomatoes is driven by several quality attributes including sweetness, acidity, and softness of tomatoes. Moreover, tomatoes can be contaminated with a variety of molds during cultivation, harvest, and transportation. Conventional evaluation operations for tomato softness
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The choice of selecting fruit for canned whole tomatoes is driven by several quality attributes including sweetness, acidity, and softness of tomatoes. Moreover, tomatoes can be contaminated with a variety of molds during cultivation, harvest, and transportation. Conventional evaluation operations for tomato softness and microbial spoilage are usually time-consuming, destructive, and high-cost. One strategy for rapid tomato sorting is to utilize hyper/multispectral imaging. This paper proposes to improve on traditional broad-band infrared imaging of existing color and dirt sorters by increasing the spectral resolution of the information collected. The findings of this study will characterize the potential of the technology in terms of predicting tomato softness and identification of tomato microbial spoilage for further development by the industry.
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Open AccessArticle
Analyzing Lockdown Policies and Their Effectiveness in Romania and Hungary
Challenges 2021, 12(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12020020 - 04 Aug 2021
Abstract
There has been a debate on the efficiency of lockdown policies worldwide, and several researchers have studied this aspect by trying to implement different statistical models. The aim of the research was to compare two countries with similar lockdown policies and observe the
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There has been a debate on the efficiency of lockdown policies worldwide, and several researchers have studied this aspect by trying to implement different statistical models. The aim of the research was to compare two countries with similar lockdown policies and observe the impact of the total lockdown policy on the spread of the COVID-19 disease. Taking in consideration that the total lockdown in Romania lasted for 52 days and in Hungary for 54 days, we would like to see how the infection rate changed with every week of the lockdown by obtaining an average for every week (7 days) divided by the total lockdown days in each country. The values that we took in consideration are as follows: the daily infected cases, the daily infected cases/million, the daily cases of death and the daily cases of death/million in both countries. We tried to apply the same rule after the end of the total lockdown and observe the outcomes. The results showed that the minimum number of days to observe the effects of total lockdown and the effects after the lockdown was 21 (3 weeks) in both countries.
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(This article belongs to the Section Planetary Health)
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Open AccessArticle
What the EdTech Experience in Refugee Camps Can Teach Us in Times of School Closure. Blended Learning, Modular and Mobile Programs Are Key to Keeping Disadvantaged Learners in Education
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and
Challenges 2021, 12(2), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12020019 - 29 Jul 2021
Abstract
COVID-19 is reshaping education. UNESCO estimates that at the peak in April 2020 COVID-19 disrupted the education of 1.5 billion enrolled learners in schools and universities in 190 countries. This period of unparalleled educational interruption has prompted a rapid reaction, a move to
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COVID-19 is reshaping education. UNESCO estimates that at the peak in April 2020 COVID-19 disrupted the education of 1.5 billion enrolled learners in schools and universities in 190 countries. This period of unparalleled educational interruption has prompted a rapid reaction, a move to explore online distance learning solutions. Simultaneously, it has exposed the challenges and complexity of distance learning utilising Educational Technology (EdTech). Despite the many technological innovations, these challenges are not new to refugee learners, their educators and remote learning technology providers. In this article, the authors sought to explore frontline practitioners’ ‘lived experience’ of providing education utilising EdTech when education is disrupted by forced displacement. A small scale, explorative, qualitative study was conducted with educators in refugee camps and urban settings, in Greece, Jordan, Kenya and Rwanda, prior to the pandemic. Expert interviews revealed that EdTech programmes cannot be a stand-alone solution. Blended learning programmes that are context-specific, modular, optimised for mobile technology and delivered by trained and supported teachers are the most effective. The article ends with a reflection on how these findings can be applied globally when learning is disrupted by whatever means and lead to an equitable and sustainable recovery for all.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in Education/Higher Education during COVID-19)
Open AccessArticle
Behavioral Intention towards Dietary Diversity among Adult People Living with HIV in Public Hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia Using Theory of Planned Behavior—An Explanatory Study
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, , , , and
Challenges 2021, 12(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12020018 - 05 Jul 2021
Abstract
Dietary diversity is a crucial element of inclusive care for people living with HIV (PLWHIV). Particularly in resource-limited countries where undernutrition and food insecurity prevail, low intention and poor attitude towards diversified diets are the common challenges. The aim of this study was
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Dietary diversity is a crucial element of inclusive care for people living with HIV (PLWHIV). Particularly in resource-limited countries where undernutrition and food insecurity prevail, low intention and poor attitude towards diversified diets are the common challenges. The aim of this study was to assess the intention towards dietary diversity behavior among adult PLWHIV in Jimma Zone public hospitals, Southwest Ethiopia. A hospital-based survey study was carried out in five public institutions among 403 sampled adult PLWHIV. Data were entered into Epi-Data (The EpiData Association, Odense, Denmark) and exported to SPSS version 20 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) for analysis. Relationships among variables were assessed using correlation coefficients. A multivariable linear regression model was fitted to assess predictors of behavioral intention towards dietary diversity at p-value ≤ 0.05. The quantitative data were supplemented by qualitative data, which were collected through key informant interviews and analyzed thematically. The significant predictors of intention to use dietary diversity were attitude (β = 0.196, p < 0.01) and subjective norm (β = 0.390, p < 0.01) of the adult PLWHIV. The constructs of theory of planned behavior (TPB) independently explained the variance in intention towards dietary diversity by 25.7%. All the intermediate, proximal and distal components of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) explained the final model finding 32.2% of variance in the intention to use dietary diversity. The qualitative findings indicated that delivery of HIV care requires a sense of livelihood development, economical improvement and creating a sense of ownership for sustainable HIV care by creating behavioral change at the individual level. Conclusion: Dietary inadequacy was strongly correlated with being in the sociodemographic groups that are at heightened risk of adverse clinical outcomes. It is worthwhile to understand behavioral intention as a potential determinant of malnutrition and the Poor ART outcomes rather than symptomatic treatment of malnutrition with food by prescription.
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Open AccessArticle
Determinants of Smallholders’ Food Security Status in Kalu District, Northern Ethiopia
Challenges 2021, 12(2), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12020017 - 25 Jun 2021
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This study analyzed the determinants of rural households’ food security in the Kallu district of the Amhara region, Northern Ethiopia. The study used primary data collected from 395 randomly selected rural households. The study employed descriptive statistics and a binary logit model to
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This study analyzed the determinants of rural households’ food security in the Kallu district of the Amhara region, Northern Ethiopia. The study used primary data collected from 395 randomly selected rural households. The study employed descriptive statistics and a binary logit model to estimate the status and determinants of smallholders’ food security, respectively. Of the total sample households, 47.30% are food insecure. The binary logit model results showed that sex and education level of the household head, livestock ownership, credit access, and technology adoption have positive and significant effects on food security, while age and market distance are negatively associated with the probability to be food secure. The results suggest that improving access to marketing and financial services will contribute to improving the food security status of smallholders.
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Open AccessCommunication
Tackling Rural Health, Energy, … and Technological Issues All at Once: A Call for a Global Interdisciplinary Platform for Strengthening Rural Setting Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Challenges 2021, 12(2), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12020016 - 25 Jun 2021
Abstract
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has revealed flaws in rural settings where most people live without the necessary tools, income, and knowledge to tackle such unprecedented global challenges. Here, I argue that despite the research studies conducted on rural areas, these have not solved
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The recent COVID-19 pandemic has revealed flaws in rural settings where most people live without the necessary tools, income, and knowledge to tackle such unprecedented global challenges. Here, I argue that despite the research studies conducted on rural areas, these have not solved rising rural issues, notably poverty and illiteracy. I propound a global institute to be formed by governments that provides a platform for empowering rural communities through better training, skills, and competencies. Such global endeavour will ensure the remaining rural communities withstand future pandemics if they occur.
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Open AccessCase Report
Global Mapping of Indigenous Resilience Facing the Challenge of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Challenges 2021, 12(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010015 - 31 May 2021
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Indigenous social development scenarios must be understood as the possibility of improving the sustainability of the planet and human health in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Integrating the institutional resilience approach by learning from the experience of indigenous peoples’ informal institutions through
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Indigenous social development scenarios must be understood as the possibility of improving the sustainability of the planet and human health in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Integrating the institutional resilience approach by learning from the experience of indigenous peoples’ informal institutions through the design of public policies can be a reality. To demonstrate the potential of this premise, a case study was conducted that examined the institutional resilience of one indigenous people, whose findings under nomothetic conditions may be useful for other territories around the world. These peoples provide lessons on how they cope with adversity, the COVID-19 pandemic being one of them. Institutional resilience is a step towards reaching out to the world’s ancestral populations to learn from their knowledge. These scenarios can help us understand the implications of international policies on the capacities of nations to secure access to food and resources and, subsequently, to be better prepared for future pandemics.
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Open AccessEditorial
The Vision of Challenges, a Unique Journal in an Era of Planetary Health Challenges
Challenges 2021, 12(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010014 - 25 May 2021
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The year 2020 will never be forgotten by the global community [...]
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Open AccessCommunication
SMARTIES Project: The Survey of Needs for Municipalities and Trainers for Smart Cities
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Challenges 2021, 12(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010013 - 14 May 2021
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In an aim to contribute to already existing knowledge upon the subject of smart cities and the public sector’s wider knowledge in Europe, this study investigates the perception by the municipalities and the wider public sector, responsible for implementing smart solutions in the
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In an aim to contribute to already existing knowledge upon the subject of smart cities and the public sector’s wider knowledge in Europe, this study investigates the perception by the municipalities and the wider public sector, responsible for implementing smart solutions in the environment. The understanding of the concept of smart cities/villages by municipalities is on a low level due to the fact that the problem is too wide, not well described, solutions even wider, accompanied by the lack of experts able to offer comprehensive solutions to municipalities. The study presents factors according to the current municipalities’ knowledge (environmental awareness, knowledge and prior experience) and the existing market, of whether these factors can be said that affect the acceptance of smart cities. The public is already aware of the smart cities as a general concept, however, the study sheds light upon the established knowledge that the decision makers have in five countries, Hungary, Slovakia, Italy, Lithuania, and Denmark.
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Open AccessArticle
The Influence of Connectedness to Nature on Psychological Well-Being: Evidence from the Randomized Controlled Trial Play&Grow
by
and
Challenges 2021, 12(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010012 - 10 May 2021
Abstract
Urbanized children today have fewer opportunities to interact with nature which may lead to a greater risk of mental health problems. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate which particular changes in connectedness to nature (CN) would improve psychological well-being
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Urbanized children today have fewer opportunities to interact with nature which may lead to a greater risk of mental health problems. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate which particular changes in connectedness to nature (CN) would improve psychological well-being (PW) in young children. Six hundred and thirty-nine preschoolers (52.0% boys, age 34.9 ± 9.5 months) participated in Play&Grow, an early environmental education intervention. Children’s CN and PW were evaluated by parents before and after the program with validated measures; the CNI-PPC (four factors) and the SDQ, Strength and Difficulties questionnaire (five factors), respectively. The effectiveness of the intervention on the primary outcomes (CN, PW) as well as the relationship between them was analyzed in a repeated measures path model with intervention status as a causal predictor. Specific CN factors consistently increased ProSocial behavior and reduced Hyperactivity and Emotional problems. In summary, this study showed that the previously reported impact shifted from the total CN score to the specific CN factors. The Play&Grow intervention positively increased children’s CN and improved some aspects of psychological well-being in children which is a preliminary evidence of developmental benefits of connecting young children with nature. Our results indicate promising direction of action for the improvement of families’ psychological health.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Project Earthrise: For the World We Want to Live In (including Manuscripts from the 2020 inVIVO Planetary Health Annual Conference))
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Open AccessPerspective
Improving Mentorship and Supervision during COVID-19 to Reduce Graduate Student Anxiety and Depression Aided by an Online Commercial Platform Narrative Research Group
by
Challenges 2021, 12(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010011 - 26 Mar 2021
Cited by 2
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Before COVID-19, post-secondary learning was dominated by in-person, institution-organized meetings. With the 12 March 2020 lockdown, learning became virtual, largely dependent on commercial online platforms. Already more likely to experience anxiety and depression in relation to their research work, perhaps no students have
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Before COVID-19, post-secondary learning was dominated by in-person, institution-organized meetings. With the 12 March 2020 lockdown, learning became virtual, largely dependent on commercial online platforms. Already more likely to experience anxiety and depression in relation to their research work, perhaps no students have endured more regarding the limitations imposed by COVID-19 than graduate students concerning their mentorship and supervision. The increase in mental health issues facing graduate students has been recognized by post-secondary institutions. Programs have been devised to reduce these challenges. However, the additional attention and funds to combat depression and anxiety have not shown anticipated results. A new approach to mitigate anxiety and depression in graduate students through mentorship and supervision is warranted. Offered here is an award-winning model featuring self-directed learning in a community formed by adding together different, equal, diverse points of view rather than agreement. The approach, delivered through a commercial online platform, is non-hierarchical, and based in narrative research. The proposed model and approach are presented, discussed and limitations considered. They are offered as a promising solution to ebb the increase in anxiety and depression in graduate students—particularly in response to COVID-19.
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Open AccessViewpoint
Microbial Muses: Threads of Our Inner Wisdom
Challenges 2021, 12(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010010 - 25 Mar 2021
Cited by 1
Abstract
Spiritual journeys unveil our inner wisdom to help us navigate traumatic life events. Scientific evidence implicates a gut–immune–brain axis in our sense of self, raising the possibility that our microbial partners and hormone oxytocin offer a sense of connectedness and liberate our ancestral
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Spiritual journeys unveil our inner wisdom to help us navigate traumatic life events. Scientific evidence implicates a gut–immune–brain axis in our sense of self, raising the possibility that our microbial partners and hormone oxytocin offer a sense of connectedness and liberate our ancestral archives to sustain us during challenging times.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Project Earthrise: For the World We Want to Live In (including Manuscripts from the 2020 inVIVO Planetary Health Annual Conference))
Open AccessViewpoint
Catalyst Twenty-Twenty: Post-Traumatic Growth at Scales of Person, Place and Planet
Challenges 2021, 12(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010009 - 13 Mar 2021
Abstract
Planetary health is a broad multidisciplinary effort that attempts to address what has been described as “Anthropocene Syndrome”—the wicked, interrelated challenges of our time. These include, but are not limited to, grotesque biodiversity losses, climate change, environmental degradation, resource depletion, the global burden
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Planetary health is a broad multidisciplinary effort that attempts to address what has been described as “Anthropocene Syndrome”—the wicked, interrelated challenges of our time. These include, but are not limited to, grotesque biodiversity losses, climate change, environmental degradation, resource depletion, the global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), health inequalities, social injustices, erosion of wisdom and civility, together with the many structural underpinnings of these grand challenges. The ultimate aim of planetary health is flourishing along every link in the person, place and planet continuum. The events of “2020” have illuminated the consequences of “mass trauma” and how sub-threshold anxiety and/or depressive symptoms erase the rigid lines between mental “health” and mental “disorders”, and unmasked the systemic forms of injustice, discrimination, and oppression that have too often escaped discourse. Here, we query the ways in which post-traumatic growth research might inform the larger planetary health community, especially in the context of a global pandemic, broadening socioeconomic inequalities, a worsening climate crisis, and the rise of political authoritarianism. The available research would suggest that “2020” fulfills the trauma criteria of having a “seismic impact on the assumptive world”, and as such, provides fertile ground for post-traumatic growth. Among the many potential positive changes that might occur in response to trauma, we focus on the value of new awareness, perspective and greater wisdom.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Project Earthrise: For the World We Want to Live In (including Manuscripts from the 2020 inVIVO Planetary Health Annual Conference))
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Open AccessViewpoint
How Should We Respond to the Global Pandemic: The Need for Cultural Change
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Challenges 2021, 12(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010008 - 03 Mar 2021
Abstract
The Covid pandemic has had a terrible effect on the world and government responses have been described as “Catastrophic Moral Failure”. The approach of bioethics of developing “normative ethics” has provided frameworks on how to act but despite the fact that we knew
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The Covid pandemic has had a terrible effect on the world and government responses have been described as “Catastrophic Moral Failure”. The approach of bioethics of developing “normative ethics” has provided frameworks on how to act but despite the fact that we knew what to do to prevent the pandemic, we did not do it. In this paper I argue that ethics is culture bound: it is the stories that “we” live by. I illustrate this with examples of cultures with differing values that were developed as a result of the particular circumstances of those cultures. I then argue that after World War 2 in response to the risks of further large wars and atrocities, work was done to further establish a “global culture” and a detailed normative ethical framework was developed by negotiation through the United Nations for that “culture”. Whilst this approach has been necessary, it has not been sufficient. I argue that we need to reframe the approach as one of achieving cultural change rather than complying with ethical norms. Some societies that were unable to adapt to changed circumstances failed to survive, others failed to thrive. A similar fate awaits the whole planet if we cannot change the stories we live by.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges: 10th Anniversary)
Open AccessProject Report
State-Subsidised Housing and Architecture in 20th-Century Portugal: A Critical Review Outlining Multidisciplinary Implications
Challenges 2021, 12(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010007 - 01 Mar 2021
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Stable access to affordable quality housing is a core feature of public health principles and practices. In this report, we provide an update on the research project “Mapping Public Housing: A Critical Review of the State-subsidised Residential Architecture in Portugal (1910–1974)”
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Stable access to affordable quality housing is a core feature of public health principles and practices. In this report, we provide an update on the research project “Mapping Public Housing: A Critical Review of the State-subsidised Residential Architecture in Portugal (1910–1974)” (MdH), developed between 2016 and 2019 at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto (FAUP) in Portugal. This funded research project (PTDC/CPC-HAT/1688/2014) brought together an international and multidisciplinary team composed of architects, sociologists, historians, an economist, an anthropologist, information scientists and archivists, from different academic levels (senior researchers, postdoctoral, PhD and Master’s degree students), adopting a variety of approaches and operating in a range of different contexts. The aim of the research undertaken was to investigate the reality of social and state-subsidised housing in terms of its architecture, while, at the same time, seeking to broaden our understanding of this phenomenon and of the transition to a democratic regime. Furthermore, this research project was designed to contribute towards the development of common ground for supporting decisions in the environmental, social and economic fields relating to housing management, as well as architectural heritage management and protection. This review is based on the submitted application (2015) and final report (2020).
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Open AccessArticle
Purposeful Evaluation of Scholarship in the Open Science Era
Challenges 2021, 12(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010006 - 27 Feb 2021
Cited by 2
Abstract
In most of the world’s countries, scholarship evaluation for tenure and promotion continues to rely on conventional criteria of publications in journals of high impact factor and achievements in securing research funds. Continuing to hire and promote scholars based on these criteria exposes
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In most of the world’s countries, scholarship evaluation for tenure and promotion continues to rely on conventional criteria of publications in journals of high impact factor and achievements in securing research funds. Continuing to hire and promote scholars based on these criteria exposes universities to risk because students, directly and indirectly through government funds, are the main source of revenues for academic institutions. At the same time, talented young researchers increasingly look for professors renowned for excellence in mentoring doctoral students and early career researchers. Purposeful scholarship evaluation in the open science era needs to include all three areas of scholarly activity: research, teaching and mentoring, and service to society.
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Open AccessArticle
Seeing and Overcoming the Complexities of Intersectionality
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Challenges 2021, 12(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010005 - 05 Feb 2021
Cited by 1
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Background: Intersectionality contests that individuals have multiple characteristics in their identity that cannot be siloed or deemed exclusive to each other. Understanding and utilising an intersectional lens in organisations can increase inclusion of individuals and organisational performance. An educational package known as
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Background: Intersectionality contests that individuals have multiple characteristics in their identity that cannot be siloed or deemed exclusive to each other. Understanding and utilising an intersectional lens in organisations can increase inclusion of individuals and organisational performance. An educational package known as the Intersectionality Walk (IW) was developed by the authors, piloted, and evaluated in order to break down the commonly held descriptors of diversity silos that fragments inclusion, and to understand how various identity characteristics compound disadvantage. The paper outlines the need to transition from siloed views of diversity to a more intrinsic view of identity to achieve inclusivity. Methods: The IW was developed and trialled with a series of work-based scenarios and realistic multifaceted personas. Data collection occurred pre- and post-IW utilising a mixed methods approach. Responses to Likert scale surveys and open-ended questions were captured and analysed via inductive and grounded theory perspectives. Results: An improved awareness and understanding of individual knowledge, reflectivity and positionality relating to intersectionality and intersectional approaches was reported on completion of the IW. Furthermore, responses reported how and why organisations can approach and improve inclusivity via using intersectional approaches. Conclusions: The IW as an educational package has a positive impact and is a key linkage for all employers to build an inclusive culture and to harness the talent of all employees. Further research will occur to measure the implemented change in organisations following the IW.
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Open AccessEditorial
Acknowledgment of Reviewers of Challenges in 2020
Challenges 2021, 12(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010004 - 26 Jan 2021
Abstract
Peer review is the driving force of journal development, and reviewers are gatekeepers who ensure that Challenges maintains its standards for the high quality of its published papers [...]
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Open AccessArticle
A Model for the Spread of Infectious Diseases with Application to COVID-19
Challenges 2021, 12(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010003 - 26 Jan 2021
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Given the present pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2 virus, the authors tried fitting existing models for the daily loss of lives. Based on data reported by Worldometers on the initial stages (first wave) of the pandemic
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Given the present pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2 virus, the authors tried fitting existing models for the daily loss of lives. Based on data reported by Worldometers on the initial stages (first wave) of the pandemic for countries acquiring the disease, the authors observed that the logarithmic rendering of their data hinted the response of a first-order process to a step function input, which may be modeled by a three-parameters function, as described in this paper. This model was compared against other similar, log(N)-class of models that are non-compartmental type (such as the susceptible, infected, and removed, or SIR models), obtaining good fit and statistical comparison results, where N denotes the cumulative number of daily presumed deaths. This simple first-order response model can also be applied to bacterial and other biological growth phenomena. Here we describe the model, the numerical methods utilized for its application to actual pandemic data, and the statistical comparisons with other models which shows that our simple model is comparatively outstanding, given its simplicity. While researching the models available, the authors found other functions that can also be applied, with extra parameters, to be described in follow-on articles.
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Open AccessReview
Data Science on Industrial Data—Today’s Challenges in Brown Field Applications
Challenges 2021, 12(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010002 - 25 Jan 2021
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Much research is done on data analytics and machine learning for data coming from industrial processes. In practical approaches, one finds many pitfalls restraining the application of these modern technologies especially in brownfield applications. With this paper, we want to show state of
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Much research is done on data analytics and machine learning for data coming from industrial processes. In practical approaches, one finds many pitfalls restraining the application of these modern technologies especially in brownfield applications. With this paper, we want to show state of the art and what to expect when working with stock machines in the field. The paper is a review of literature found to cover challenges for cyber-physical production systems (CPPS) in brownfield applications. This review is combined with our own personal experience and findings gained while setting up such systems in processing and packaging machines as well as in other areas. A major focus in this paper is on data collection, which tends be more cumbersome than most people might expect. In addition, data quality for machine learning applications is a challenge once leaving the laboratory and its academic data sets. Topics here include missing ground truth or the lack of semantic description of the data. A last challenge covered is IT security and passing data through firewalls to allow for the cyber part in CPPS. However, all of these findings show that potentials of data driven production systems are strongly depending on data collection to build proclaimed new automation systems with more flexibility, improved human–machine interaction and better process-stability and thus less waste during manufacturing.
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