Marcela Pizzi, John Chalmers, Daniel Bunout, Paulina Osorio, Viviana Fernández, Macarena Cusato, Valentina Avendaño and Karen Rivera
This paper aims to describe an evaluation instrument designed to detect physical barriers and risks in basic activities of daily living (BADLs) performance by senior citizens and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe an evaluation instrument designed to detect physical barriers and risks in basic activities of daily living (BADLs) performance by senior citizens and presents findings obtained in a representative sample of older persons living in housing programs provided by the State of Chile. Its aim is to develop an objective instrument which can serve as reference point for housing adaptations and improvement or for the use in new designs, appropriate to the changing functional capacities of this age group.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is broadly framed in an ecological perspective. It draws on an empirical study, observing older people's BADLs performance in selected State provided housing in the Santiago area. The approach includes some quantitative but mainly qualitative aspects from a descriptive, explanatory and cross sectional perspective. Objective observation of functional BADLs performance, as well as subjective users' perspectives, is compared.
Findings
State housing design is significant in BADLs performance, limiting functionality in one third of associated operations observed. These mainly concerned demanding reaching requirements associated with height, but also extended to other inadequacies in design or lack of elements in different situations, which act as barriers or bring potential risks.
Research limitations/implications
Heterogeneity in the functional conditions of older people regardless of age and gender, as well as different housing types makes it difficult to develop standardized recommendations, requiring a tailored approach in the case of adaptations, thus limiting coverage. Further research should be carried out after performing corrective adaptations to evaluate the impact of these interventions.
Practical implications
The paper prompts a reassessment, by State housing providers, of the architectural design of housing types for older people as well as the adaptation of existing units to extend independence in time rather than undermine it.
Social implications
The study of the effects of architectural design of housing on older people's independence when performing BADLs is underdeveloped and should be increased in order to promote a better quality of life for this age group through a more friendly and inclusive environment.
Originality/value
This research attempts to generate an objective instrument, useful to provide evidence for architects, designers and policy makers and suitable to be applied in other housing contexts in order to improve the habitat and older people's quality of life.
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Victoria Valdebenito, Isabel Benjumeda, Valentina Hadler and Sofía Guzmán
Although our understanding of mental health and well-being is continually evolving, certain populations such as individuals deprived of liberty remain understudied and…
Abstract
Purpose
Although our understanding of mental health and well-being is continually evolving, certain populations such as individuals deprived of liberty remain understudied and stigmatized. Despite ongoing research in various countries, mental health exploration in Chile lags behind nations like the USA. Recognizing this gap, this study aims to address this disparity by analyzing subjective well-being and mental health levels within a Chilean prison setting in the postpandemic context.
Design/methodology/approach
Design was nonexperimental, cross-sectional, descriptive and relational using quantitative techniques. Data was collected using Ryff and brief DASS-21 scales into three different sections of the studied prison. In total, 97 people participated. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis.
Findings
Levels of subjective well-being range from mild to low, with best scores in environmental mastery and worst in autonomy. Women obtained best scores on purpose in life and positive relations with others. Mental health levels measured in terms of anxiety, depression and stress showed worst levels in males. A positive correlation was observed between mental health and substance use and between mental health and violence.
Research limitations/implications
Answers depend on the victim's report, which is biased by its interpretation, along with fearing consequences from the answers and distrust in authorities. This can lead to altered (unrealistic) values in relation to substance use, violence suffered and levels of subjective well-being, among others. Another limitation is the number of participants of this study, along with the fact that it was carried out in only one penitentiary center in Chile.
Practical implications
A challenge and a practical implication of this study is the need to do more work to promote mental health and well-being. Specifically, within this limited context where survey can send bias responses, a challenge is to work and promote mental health from a gender a perspective.
Social implications
Results presented here also highlight the relevance of studying in depth prisoners’ mental health, considering gender differences across well-being and mental health variables. Moreover, it shows the importance and urgence to advance in respecting human rights, as democratic and diverse societies, and in terms of ethical aspects linked to research of this type in vulnerable populations like prisoners.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the understanding on the intricated interplay between subjective well-being, mental health and various factors within prison environments, offering valuable insights for targeted interventions and policy considerations.
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D. Divya, Bhasi Marath and M.B. Santosh Kumar
This study aims to bring awareness to the developing of fault detection systems using the data collected from sensor devices/physical devices of various systems for predictive…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to bring awareness to the developing of fault detection systems using the data collected from sensor devices/physical devices of various systems for predictive maintenance. Opportunities and challenges in developing anomaly detection algorithms for predictive maintenance and unexplored areas in this context are also discussed.
Design/methodology/approach
For conducting a systematic review on the state-of-the-art algorithms in fault detection for predictive maintenance, review papers from the years 2017–2021 available in the Scopus database were selected. A total of 93 papers were chosen. They are classified under electrical and electronics, civil and constructions, automobile, production and mechanical. In addition to this, the paper provides a detailed discussion of various fault-detection algorithms that can be categorised under supervised, semi-supervised, unsupervised learning and traditional statistical method along with an analysis of various forms of anomalies prevalent across different sectors of industry.
Findings
Based on the literature reviewed, seven propositions with a focus on the following areas are presented: need for a uniform framework while scaling the number of sensors; the need for identification of erroneous parameters; why there is a need for new algorithms based on unsupervised and semi-supervised learning; the importance of ensemble learning and data fusion algorithms; the necessity of automatic fault diagnostic systems; concerns about multiple fault detection; and cost-effective fault detection. These propositions shed light on the unsolved issues of predictive maintenance using fault detection algorithms. A novel architecture based on the methodologies and propositions gives more clarity for the reader to further explore in this area.
Originality/value
Papers for this study were selected from the Scopus database for predictive maintenance in the field of fault detection. Review papers published in this area deal only with methods used to detect anomalies, whereas this paper attempts to establish a link between different industrial domains and the methods used in each industry that uses fault detection for predictive maintenance.
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Ram A. Cnaan, Ganesh Bhat, Lucas C.P.M. Meijs and Femida Handy
This article aims to examine the history, mechanisms, interconnectedness and effectiveness of the jasmine-growing enterprise in coastal Karnataka. This article investigates the…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to examine the history, mechanisms, interconnectedness and effectiveness of the jasmine-growing enterprise in coastal Karnataka. This article investigates the formation and ongoing successful operation of a community enterprise that is locally originated and administered. The case of the jasmine flower growers in coastal Karnataka is a case of small-scale growers who for 75 years have operated a long-standing local community-based enterprise. Using trust, repeated interactions and efficient mechanisms of pricing and distribution, this enterprise has prevented poverty among its participants for three generations.
Design/methodology/approach
This article provides a descriptive analysis of the enterprise as well as results from an empirical study of 700 growers. The article used cluster analysis of local villages to represent the 7,000 participating households.
Findings
Studying local growers who are the producers of the flowers and who are living off of it, this article found a high level of satisfaction and trust towards those running the enterprise. For many people in the region, this ongoing enterprise is the difference between poverty and hunger and living well.
Research limitations/implications
The article is based on one local community that is lucky to have a desired resource (one type of jasmine flower) coveted by many users.
Practical implications
Combined, this article provides an account of a unique and successful sustainable enterprise, initiated and run at the grassroots level, which serves as a model for future economic development. In addition, it lists the features that are most relevant for the ongoing success of the enterprise and suggests how a new social and economic development project can learn from this enterprise.
Originality/value
This is an amazing enterprise that was not studied before and can be a role model for many adaptations.