A Rural Perspective on COVID-19 Responses: Access, Interdependence and Community

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Sloan ◽  
Laura Trull ◽  
Maureen Malomba ◽  
Emily Akerson ◽  
Kelly Atwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Rural Populations ◽  
Nonprofit Leadership ◽  
The Press ◽  
Economic Infrastructure ◽  
Nonprofit Education ◽  
Health Complications

Much of the press on the pandemic has been focused on urban environments where the virus was quick to spread and the numbers of cases are high. Beyond the greater risk for COVID-19-related health complications, rural populations are particularly susceptible to disruptions in the economic infrastructure of their communities. This study explores the impacts of COVID-19 on rural communities and the responses of nonprofit and other community infrastructures. Using a strengths-based approach and mixedmethods design, this qualitative research asked rural residents and nonprofit leaders about their needs, challenges, and assets as a result of COVID-19. Themes relative to access, interdependence, and community emerged from a priori categories. The research offers implications for both nonprofit education and rural nonprofit leadership.

scholarly journals Conditioning and PPP processing of smartphone GNSS measurements in realistic environments

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganga Shinghal ◽  
Sunil Bisnath
Keyword(s):  
Single Point ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Density Ratio ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Missing Measurements ◽  
Data Gaps ◽  
Point Positioning

AbstractSmartphones typically compute position using duty-cycled Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) L1 code measurements and Single Point Positioning (SPP) processing with the aid of cellular and other measurements. This internal positioning solution has an accuracy of several tens to hundreds of meters in realistic environments (handheld, vehicle dashboard, suburban, urban forested, etc.). With the advent of multi-constellation, dual-frequency GNSS chips in smartphones, along with the ability to extract raw code and carrier-phase measurements, it is possible to use Precise Point Positioning (PPP) to improve positioning without any additional equipment. This research analyses GNSS measurement quality parameters from a Xiaomi MI 8 dual-frequency smartphone in varied, realistic environments. In such environments, the system suffers from frequent phase loss-of-lock leading to data gaps. The smartphone measurements have low and irregular carrier-to-noise (C/N0) density ratio and high multipath, which leads to poor or no positioning solution. These problems are addressed by implementing a prediction technique for data gaps and a C/N0-based stochastic model for assigning realistic a priori weights to the observables in the PPP processing engine. Using these conditioning techniques, there is a 64% decrease in the horizontal positioning Root Mean Square (RMS) error and 100% positioning solution availability in sub-urban environments tested. The horizontal and 3D RMS were 20 cm and 30 cm respectively in a static open-sky environment and the horizontal RMS for the realistic kinematic scenario was 7 m with the phone on the dashboard of the car, using the SwiftNav Piksi Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) solution as reference. The PPP solution, computed using the YorkU PPP engine, also had a 5–10% percentage point more availability than the RTK solution, computed using RTKLIB software, since missing measurements in the logged file cause epoch rejection and a non-continuous solution, a problem which is solved by prediction for the PPP solution. The internal unaided positioning solution of the phone obtained from the logged NMEA (The National Marine Electronics Association) file was computed using point positioning with the aid of measurements from internal sensors. The PPP solution was 80% more accurate than the internal solution which had periodic drifts due to non-continuous computation of solution.

scholarly journals Bounding the Practical Error of Path Loss Models

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caleb Phillips ◽  
Douglas Sicker ◽  
Dirk Grunwald
Keyword(s):  
A Priori ◽  
Path Loss ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Production Networks ◽  
Modeling Error ◽  
Propagation Models ◽  
Performance Accuracy ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Standard Models ◽  
Loss Models

We seek to provide practical lower bounds on the prediction accuracy of path loss models. We describe and implement 30 propagation models of varying popularity that have been proposed over the last 70 years. Our analysis is performed using a large corpus of measurements collected on production networks operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM, 5.8 GHz UNII, and 900 MHz ISM bands in a diverse set of rural and urban environments. We find that the landscape of path loss models is precarious: typical best-case performance accuracy of these models is on the order of 12–15 dB root mean square error (RMSE) and in practice it can be much worse. Models that can be tuned with measurements and explicit data fitting approaches enable a reduction in RMSE to 8-9 dB. These bounds on modeling error appear to be relatively constant, even in differing environments and at differing frequencies. Based on our findings, we recommend the use of a few well-accepted and well-performing standard models in scenarios wherea prioripredictions are needed and argue for the use of well-validated, measurement-driven methods whenever possible.

scholarly journals Creative Thinking in Qualitative Research and Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 6-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof T. Konecki
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Journal Writing ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Phenomenological Research ◽  
The Body ◽  
Social Phenomena ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
Intellectual Capacity

I would like to present the possibility of broadening the traditional methodological and technical skills of researcher and analyst, but also the intellectual capacity of the researcher associated with combining data, categorizing, linking categories, as well as the interpretation of the causes and consequences of the emergence of certain social phenomena. Some methodologies, methods, and research techniques are more conducive to creative conceptual and interpretive solutions. Therefore, I describe the serendipity phenomenon in such methodologies as grounded theory, ethnography, phenomenological research, and contemplative inquiry. The problem of intuition in qualitative research will be also described in the paper. There will be presented also some suggestions how to be creative in qualitative research. From the review of issues of creativity in qualitative research we can derive the following conclusions: Creativity in qualitative research depends on the strength of a priori conceptualization and stiffness of the adapted methods of research and analysis. If the methodology is more flexible (as the methodology of grounded theory), the researcher can get to phenomena that he/she has not realized and which are still scantily explored in his/her field of expertise. The phenomenological and contemplative approaches allow the use of the investigator’s feelings and experience as they appear in the studied phenomena, which usually does not take place in objectifying and positivistic research. The investigator may therefore consciously use these methodologies and approaches that foster creativity. The researchers can improve their skills in thinking and creative action by doing some methodical exercises (journal writing, writing poetry as a summary of the collected data, the use of art as representation of the phenomenon, the use of meditation, observation of the body feelings, humor, etc.).

scholarly journals The Curated Food System: A Limiting Aspirational Vision of What Constitutes “Good” Food

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6157
Author(s):  
Lauri Andress ◽  
Carmen Byker Shanks ◽  
Annie Hardison-Moody ◽  
T. Elaine Prewitt ◽  
Paul Kinder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food System ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Rural Populations ◽  
System A ◽  
Production Distribution ◽  
Policies And Programs ◽  
Good Food ◽  
Distribution Of Income

In an effort to elucidate an aspirational vision for the food system and explore whether the characteristics of such a system inadvertently set unattainable standards for low-wealth rural communities, we applied discourse analysis to the following qualitative datasets: (1) interviews with food experts and advocates, (2) scholarly and grey literature, (3) industry websites, and (4) email exchanges between food advocates. The analysis revealed eight aspirational food system discourses: production, distribution, and infrastructure; healthy, organic, local food; behavioral health and education; sustainability; finance and investment; hunger relief; demand-side preferences; romanticized, community led transformations. Study findings reveal that of eight discourses, only three encompass the experiences of low-wealth rural residents. This aspirational food system may aggravate the lack of autonomy and powerlessness already experienced by low-wealth rural groups, perpetuate a sense of failure by groups who will be unable to reach the aspirational food vision, silence discourses that might question those that play a role in the inequitable distribution of income while sanctioning discourses that focus on personal or community solutions, and leave out other policy-based solutions that address issues located within the food system. Further research might explore how to draw attention to silenced discourses on the needs and preferences of low-wealth rural populations to ensure that the policies and programs promoted by food system experts mitigate poor diets caused by food insecurity. Further research is needed to inform policies and programs to mitigate food insecurity in low-wealth rural populations.

scholarly journals Factors affecting prehospital delay in rural and urban patients with stroke: a prospective survey-based study in Southwest Germany

BMC Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias N. Ungerer ◽  
Loraine Busetto ◽  
Nima H. Begli ◽  
Katharina Riehle ◽  
Jens Regula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Emergency Services ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Rural Populations ◽  
Prospective Survey ◽  
Prehospital Delay ◽  
Educational Campaigns

Abstract Background Reducing prehospital delay plays an important role in increasing the thrombolysis rate in patients with stroke. Several studies have identified predictors for presentation ≤4.5 h, but few compared these predictors in urban and rural communities. We aimed to identify predictors of timely presentation to the hospital and identify possible differences between the urban and rural populations. Methods From January to June 2017, we conducted a prospective survey of patients with stroke admitted to an urban comprehensive stroke centre (CSC) and a rural primary care centre (PCC). Predictors were identified using binary logistical regression. Predictors and patient characteristics were then compared between the CSC and PCC. Results Overall, 459 patients were included in our study. We identified hesitation before seeking help, awareness of the existence of a time-window, type of admission and having talked about stroke symptoms with friends/relatives who had previously had a stroke as the strongest predictors for presentation to the emergency room ≤4.5 h. Patients admitted to the rural PCC were more hesitant to seek help and less likely to contact emergency services, even though patients had comparable knowledge pertaining to stroke care concepts. Conclusions Patients from rural areas were more likely to be hesitant to seek help and contacted the EMS less frequently, despite similar self-awareness of having a stroke. Educational campaigns should focus on addressing these disparities in rural populations. Affected patients should also be encouraged to talk about their symptoms and take part in educational campaigns.

scholarly journals Anthropometric changes and their effects on cardiometabolic risk factors in rural populations in Brazil

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 1415-1423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiane Géa-Horta ◽  
Mark Anthony Beinner ◽  
Andrea Gazzinelli ◽  
Mariana Santos Felisbino Mendes ◽  
Gustavo Velasquez-Melendez
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Rural Populations ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Lipid Levels ◽  
Cholesterol Ratio ◽  
Hemodynamic Characteristics

Abstract This article aims to evaluate associations between anthropometric changes in five years with lipid and blood pressure levels in Brazilian rural population. This longitudinal study evaluated 387 individuals aged 18 to 75 residents of two rural communities. Demographic, lifestyle, anthropometric, biochemical and hemodynamic characteristics were assessed in 2004 and repeated in 2009. Multivariate linear regression was used. Positive change in BMI was associated with increased diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (β = 0.07; 95%CI: 0.03-0.11), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) (increase of 0.01% to 10%: β = 0.08; 95%CI: 0.02-0.14, more than 10% increase: β = 0.09; 95%CI: 0.01-0.16) and low density lipoprotein/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (LDL-C/HDL-C) (increase of 0.01% to 10%: β = 0.15; 95%CI: 0.06-0.25, more than 10% increase: β = 0.14; 95%CI: 0.02-0.25). Our results showed no association between positive changes in WC and lipid levels increase, only with blood pressure levels increase (SBP: β = 0.06; CI95%:0.02-0.10; DBP: β = 0.09; CI95%: 0.04;0.13). Positive changes in BMI are independent predictors of increased lipid and blood pressure levels and positive changes in WC of increased blood pressure.

scholarly journals Bibliometric analysis of sustainable agriculture on human rights governance approach: concept of sustainability on human rights governance

2021 ◽  
Vol 306 ◽  
pp. 02008
Author(s):  
Nita Tri Oktaviani ◽  
Eko Priyo Purnomo ◽  
Lubna Salsabila ◽  
Aqil Teguh Fathani
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Surrounding Environment ◽  
The Government

This study aims to examine social justice and human rights from the government’s perspective to promote Sustainable Development as well as from an agricultural perspective. This research method is qualitative research with literature study. literature study is carried out to find out various distances or findings that have not been found in previous research as a comparison in conducting current research. The literature findings show that some of the main topics appear most frequently based on data from Scopus, vosviewer and Nvivo12 plus. The results of this study of Global Governance of Human Rights with a total of 78 documents, but it is not comparable to the reality on the ground; namely, there are still many cases of human rights, racism and conflicts between black and white groups. Second, Global Human Rights Governance has an important role in the methodology of human rights analysis. From the perspective of global governance, the concept of sustainability is correlated with the idea of human rights such as the emergence of development in rural communities’ agricultural land which causes changes in their livelihoods as farmers which affect the economy and the surrounding environment. In the concept of SDGs, justice is one of the concepts that is of concern to the government that must be developed through a governance approach

scholarly journals Inventing Agricultural Humanities via Revitalizing New Ruralism Tea-Town in Taiwan

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (13) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Shenglin Elijah Chang ◽  
Ze-Jyun Yang ◽  
Ming-Yang Kuo ◽  
Ting-Hsiung Hsiao
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Open Access ◽  
Cultural Diversity ◽  
Publishing House ◽  
Rural Villages ◽  
Rural Revitalization ◽  
International Publishing ◽  
Open Access Article

This paper examines the most effective ways of engaging citizens to appreciate rural villages and agriculture traditions. Pondering on experiences of rural revitalizations in Asian societies, this paper proposes the concept of "participatory agricultural humanities." Participatory agricultural humanities are tools and processes engaging citizens into eco-friendly farming and land related works or events. Based on action research and qualitative research methods, we have been working with peri-urban and rural communities in Taiwan since 2009. Only embracing agricultural humanities as our values, we could re-establish eco-friendly rural developments with biodiversity and cultural diversity as a whole.Keywords: agricultural humanities; rural revitalization; participation; new ruralism.eISSN 2398-4295 © 2018. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21834/ajbes.v3i13.147

scholarly journals FUNCTION, MEANING, AND MESSAGE OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONTMENT IN THE STORY OF KEONG MAS

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adinda Bunga Utami ◽  
Nanny Sri Lestari
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Fairy Tale ◽  
Research Paradigm ◽  
Interesting Problem ◽  
Social Differences ◽  
Folk Tale ◽  
And Function ◽  
Meaning And Function

This research discusses the meaning and function of the natural environment in one folk tale that is well known in the Javanese community. This folktale is known in all circles of society, despite having social differences. An interesting problem in this folklore is the placement of functions and environmental meanings as the main elements of stories or tales. The focus of this research is to raise the function and meaning of the natural environment contained in one story of Keong Mas. This study aims to explain carefully the function and meaning of the natural environment which is the background of a fairy tale. The background story that uses the natural environment as the main object of the story often gets no attention. In the story of Keong Mas, it is precisely the setting that contains the natural environment that has functions and meanings that are very important to understand. This study uses a qualitative research paradigm procedure, which gives researchers the opportunity to interpret available data. The results of the study show that the story of Keong Mas is not just an ordinary folktale. Keong Mas folklore has a very specific story setting, which is a particular natural environment. Keong Mas or Pila ampullacea are animals that can live on land or in water. Rural communities who live on the banks of the river by cultivating crops such as rice, can find these types of animals around their environment. No wonder this animal is an inspiration to make a story in the background of the natural environment in the countryside

scholarly journals Watchtowers, Mastic Contraband and Rural Communities in the Aegean Archipelago under Ottoman Sovereignty

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 219
Author(s):  
Dimitrios G. Ierapetritis
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Archival Material ◽  
Systematic Effort ◽  
Agricultural Areas

<p>The construction of watchtowers on the islands of the Aegean Archipelago was common practice for Western peoples in the context of a systematic effort to provide military protection for agricultural areas and the populations of their rich commercial colonies. After the weakening of these colonies and the arrival of the Ottomans, the watchtowers, known as viglae, continued to operate, as they were closely associated with the socio-economic, everyday life of the region’s residents. Using the case study of the community of 21 mastic-gathering villages (Mastihohoria) of south Chios, this article aims to: a) investigate the main and secondary objectives of the Ottoman administration in maintaining the operation of the viglae; b) study the system of operation of the viglae during the period of Ottoman rule; and c) explore the maintenance of viglae during this era. This article is based on qualitative research, as it studies documents found primarily in archival material, such as notarial acts, communal decisions, and correspondence between members of the Ottoman administration and community representatives, as well as other historical, travel and geographical resources</p>

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