Combining methods to conduct a systematic review and propose a conceptual and theoretical framework in socio-environmental research.

This study aims to present a combination of methods and propose robust theoretical and conceptual frameworks for solving socio-environmental issues. This proposal included the Problem, Intervention, Context, and Outcome (PICO) framework and Protocol and Reporting result with Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Analysis framework, and develop (PSALSAR) method through SODIP steps: (i) Systematic review and meta-analysis defining the study from guiding questions; (ii) Open-source related to software and data; (iii) Data visualization and design information; (iv) Identification of gaps, challenges and trends through automation and lexicometric analysis; and (v) Proposal of theoretical and conceptual frameworks. This proposal defines the steps as support to combine and systematize information necessary to facilitate the production of this type of document using open-access software in the visualization and design of information. All these steps are replicable and essential to propose a conceptual and theoretical framework to contribute to the construction of knowledge in socio-environmental research and to propose solutions by filling in the gaps. In summary, this combination of methods shows:•The use of SODIP steps provides robustness and efficiency in carrying out review studies, facilitating the way to propose theoretical or conceptual frameworks.•Choosing to use open-source tools is essential for better evaluation and visualization of qualitative and quantitative data in review studies.•The combination of methods and data in the systematic review (scientific, political documents. and databases) supports the proposal of robust theoretical and conceptual frameworks.

Improving Adherence to Physical Therapy in the Development of Serious Games: Conceptual Framework Design Study.

BACKGROUND: Insufficient levels of treatment adherence can have adverse effects on the outcomes of physical rehabilitation. To address this issue, alternative approaches to traditional therapies, such as serious games, have been designed to enhance adherence. Nevertheless, there remain gaps in the development of serious games concerning the effective implementation of motivation, engagement, and the enhancement of treatment adherence. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to design a conceptual framework for the development of serious games that incorporate essential adherence factors to enhance patient compliance with physical rehabilitation programs. METHODS: We formulated a conceptual framework using iterative techniques inspired by a conceptual framework analysis. Initially, we conducted a comprehensive literature review, concentrating on the critical adherence factors in physical rehabilitation. Subsequently, we identified, categorized, integrated, and synthesized the concepts derived from the literature review to construct the conceptual framework. RESULTS: The framework resembles a road map, comprising 3 distinct phases. In the initial phase, the patient's characteristics are identified through an initial exploration. The second phase involves the development of a serious game, with a focus on enhancing treatment adherence by integrating the key adherence factors identified. The third phase revolves around the evaluation of the serious game. These phases are underpinned by 2 overarching themes, namely, a user-centered design and the GameFlow model. CONCLUSIONS: The conceptual framework offers a detailed, step-by-step guide for creating serious games that incorporate essential adherence factors, thereby contributing to improved adherence in the physical rehabilitation process. To establish its validity, further evaluations of this framework across various physical rehabilitation programs and user groups are necessary.

Agile meeting method for building intelligent decision support systems.

In this article, we present an agile method based on a cycle of meetings that guides the construction of intelligent decision support systems. This method presents the phases of initiation, analysis and planning, negotiation, control and intelligent decision support. A cycle represents a passage through all the phases of the method, where as the execution of a phase means that all the planned meetings were held. Each meeting lasted 15 min, and input and output were composed of artifacts that supported the evolution of each meeting. In the initial phase, a meeting was held with everyone with the cards for the survey of the requirements and the construction of the 3D graph to represent the size. In IT meetings, artifacts, forms and tables were used to define the first packages. In the analysis and planning phases, the objectives by key results form were used. In the negotiation, we use the structural sets form. In the control phase, we have the configuration artifact and its control graph. Finally, in intelligent decision support, we use the essential questions form. The method serves as a guide for building intelligent decision support systems that can help with problems like determining whether or not to sign a contract.•In the initial phase, cards for requirement gathering together with a complexity graph and Board Requirements by Layers and Key Person supported the organization of development packages.•In the control phase, the input structures enabled the creation of a continuous control artifact. Furthermore, the control chart showed what is in scope and is part of ongoing control.•The intelligent decision support phase guaranteed the refinement of requirements, which brought intelligence criteria to the development packages and gave them their unique characteristics.

Routinizing the Use of Evidence in Policy - What Is Needed? Comment on "Sustaining Knowledge Translation Practices: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis".

In their study of sustaining knowledge translation (KT) practices, Borst et al found that this process is an interplay of: (i) constructing and extending networks, (ii) creating contexts that support KT practices, and (iii) understanding how actors create, maintain, and disrupt institutions. Their article is an important contribution to the body of research promoting KT. In this commentary we reflect on the convergences and differences between the concepts of 'sustaining' and 'institutionalizing' KT, highlighting domains and processes related to the institutionalization, providing an analysis of KT landscape in Brazil and making a case for the need to increase countries' routine use of evidence.

Evolução e tendência de estudos sobre governo eletrônico: mapeamento da área - de 1992 a 2018 / Evolución y tendencia de los estudios sobre gobierno electrónico: mapeo del área - de 1992 a 2018 / Evolution and trend of studies on e-government: mapping the area - from 1992 to 2018

Resumo O tema governo eletrônico (e-gov) aparece com frequência nos círculos acadêmicos, profissionais e políticos; consequentemente, o número de trabalhos publicados sobre a temática tem se ampliado. Nesse contexto, com o presente trabalho pretende-se analisar a evolução e a tendência dos estudos na área de governo eletrônico, com o objetivo de identificar a produção científica desta, por meio da análise de artigos científicos publicados em periódicos, indexados na base de dados Web of Science (WoS) de 1992 a 2018. Para tanto, foram analisados 1.516 artigos científicos publicados em periódicos por meio do software SciMAT. As análises possibilitaram identificar padrões como: frequência de estudos por ano, principais periódicos e autores no campo, assim como os trabalhos mais citados nos artigos constantes da amostra aqui considerada. Além disso, foi realizada uma análise de cocitação de palavras, que permitiu evidenciar os principais temas de pesquisa por período, bem como a evolução do campo de estudo. Os resultados indicam um crescimento das publicações sobre e-gov e o desenvolvimento de diferentes frentes de análise. Os principais temas que indicam tendências para estudos futuros voltados ao e-gov são: social media, technology acceptance model (TAM), transparency, acceptance e information system.

Resumen El tema del gobierno electrónico (e-gov) aparece con frecuencia en los círculos académicos, profesionales y políticos y, como consecuencia, el número de artículos sobre el tema ha ido en aumento. En este sentido, este texto se propone analizar la evolución y tendencia de los estudios en el área de gobierno electrónico, con el objetivo de identificar la producción científica en esta área, a partir del análisis de artículos científicos publicados en revistas indexadas en la Web de Science (WoS) de 1992 a 2018. Para ello, se analizaron 1.516 artículos científicos publicados en revistas utilizando el software SciMAT. Los análisis permitieron identificar patrones como frecuencia de estudios por año, principales revistas y autores en el campo, así como los trabajos más citados en los artículos de la muestra aquí considerada. Además, se realizó un análisis de cocitación de palabras, que permitió destacar los principales temas de investigación por período, así como la evolución del campo de estudio. Los resultados indican un aumento de publicaciones sobre e-gov y el desarrollo de diferentes frentes de análisis. Las redes sociales, el modelo de aceptación de la tecnología, la transparencia, la aceptación y el sistema de información son los principales temas que presentan tendencias para futuros estudios enfocados en e-gov.

Abstract The topic of electronic government (e-gov) frequently appears in academic, professional, and political circles. Consequently, the number of papers published on the subject has increased. This text analyzes the evolution and trend of studies on electronic government to identify scientific production based on the analysis of scientific articles published in journals, indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) from 1992 to 2018. We analyzed 1.516 scientific articles published in journals using the SciMAT software. We identified patterns such as frequency of studies per year, main journals and authors in the field, and the most cited works. Word citation analysis was also carried out, which made it possible to highlight the main research themes by period and the evolution of the field of study. The results indicate an increase in publications about e-gov and the development of different analysis fronts. Social media, technology acceptance model (TAM), transparency, acceptance, and information system are the main themes that indicate trends for future studies focused on e-gov.

Supermarkets in Cyberspace: A Conceptual Framework to Capture the Influence of Online Food Retail Environments on Consumer Behavior.

The rapid increase in online shopping and the extension of online food purchase and delivery services to federal nutrition program participants highlight the need for a conceptual framework capturing the influence of online food retail environments on consumer behaviors. This study aims to develop such a conceptual framework. To achieve this, mixed methods were used, including: (1) a literature review and development of an initial framework; (2) key informant interviews; (3) pilot testing and refinement of the draft framework; and (4) a group discussion with experts to establish content validity. The resulting framework captures both consumer- and retailer-level influences across the entire shopping journey, as well as the broader social, community, and policy context. It identifies important factors such as consumer demographic characteristics, preferences, past behaviors, and retailer policies and practices. The framework also emphasizes the dynamic nature of personalized marketing by retailers and customizable website content, and captures equity and transparency in retailer policies and practices. The framework draws from multiple disciplines, providing a foundation for understanding the impact of online food retail on dietary behaviors. It can be utilized to inform public health interventions, retailer practices, and governmental policies for creating healthy and equitable online food retail environments.

Pathways to positive scenarios for the Amazon forest in Pará state, Brazil / Caminhos de cenários positivos para a floresta Amazônica no estado do Pará, Brasil

Abstract: Infrastructure projects and agriculture expansion are increasingly threatening forest conservation in Pará state (Brazil). It becomes necessary to address the implications of these activities on the Amazon complex socio-ecological system, considering both material and non-material aspects of Nature´s Contributions to People (NCP). Multiple studies developed future scenarios for the Amazon, but only a few have focused on discussing positive futures derived from policies and interventions based on conservation and human well-being. Here, we aim at understanding the drivers of forest cover change to produce positive scenarios for the future of the Amazon forest in Pará state. By using the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) conceptual framework, we identified as direct drivers of forest cover change: (i) roads construction; (ii) forest degradation; (iii) hydropower projects; (iv) urban expansion; (v) agriculture and pasture expansion; (vi) rural land occupation; (vii) mining; (viii) climate change. As indirect drivers we identified: (i) energy demand; (ii) population growth; (iii) land prices; (iv) commodity demand; (v) consumption behavior. The development of conservation strategies in the borders of deforested areas is needed given the high demand for Nature´s Contributions to People supply. We also propose policies to address the main drivers of forest cover change, influencing land management and consumption behavior in the state. At last, we envision future positive scenarios that would emerge from policy applications and sustainable actions. Based on our study, we discuss the importance of social learning for developing pathways leading to positive futures that consider the integrity and development of both ecological and social systems.

Resumo: Projetos de infraestrutura e expansão agrícola estão cada vez mais ameaçando a conservação florestal no estado do Pará (Brasil). Assim, torna-se necessário abordar as implicações dessas atividades no complexo sistema sócio ecológico da Amazônia, considerando aspectos materiais e não materiais das Contribuições da Natureza para as Pessoas (NCP).Vários estudos desenvolveram cenários para o futuro da floresta Amazônica, porém poucos foram aqueles focados em discutir futuros positivos, derivados da aplicação de políticas e de intervenções baseadas em estratégias de conservação e de sustentabilidade. Neste trabalho buscamos entender os principais fatores determinantes da mudança na cobertura florestal no estado do Pará, de forma a produzir cenários positivos para o futuro da floresta amazônica nesse estado. A partir da estrutura conceitual proposta pela Plataforma Intergovernamental sobre Biodiversidade e Serviços Ecossistêmicos (IPBES) identificamos as principais pressões diretas e indiretas que influenciam na perda de floresta no estado, e os articulamos em um modelo conceitual. As pressões diretas identificadas foram: (i) construção de estradas; (ii) degradação florestal; (iii) projetos para construção de hidrelétricas; (iv) expansão urbana; (v) expansão da agricultura e da pecuária; (vi) ocupação de terras rurais; (vii) mineração; (viii) mudanças climáticas. As pressões indiretas identificadas foram: (i) demanda por energia; (ii) crescimento populacional; (iii) preços da terra; (iv) demanda por commodities; (v) hábitos de consumo. Assim, evidenciamos a importância do desenvolvimento de estratégias de conservação nas áreas de fronteiras de desmatamento devido à alta demanda e oferta por Contribuições da Natureza para as Pessoas (NCPs). Foram propostas políticas para influenciar mudança no gerenciamento da terra e nos hábitos de consumo de forma a abordar os principais fatores de mudança da cobertura florestal no estado. Por fim, nós construímos cenários futuros positivos que emergiriam da aplicação de políticas e ações voltadas para sustentabilidade da natureza e dos serviços ecossistêmicos. Com base em nossa avaliação, enfatizamos a importância do aprendizado social para que possam ser discutidos os caminhos que levam a futuros positivos, que consideram a integridade e o desenvolvimento tanto dos sistemas sociais quanto dos sistemas ecológicos..

To the bone: Comment on "I wanted a skeleton they brought a prince": A qualitative investigation of factors mediating the implementation of a Performance Based Incentive program in Malawi.

Recently, McMahon and colleagues set out to build on a widely-used fidelity framework, assessing the role of moderating factors during the implementation of performance-based financing programs in Malawi. Their attempt draws again the attention to the importance of approaching real word implementation issues from a theoretical perspective. It also highlights the importance of fidelity assessment within process evaluation of health programs. In this comment we argue that theoretical developments in the field of implementation science in global health would benefit from an accurate understanding of existing conceptual frameworks as well as from taking into account all contemporary contributions.

A modified theoretical framework to assess implementation fidelity of adaptive public health interventions.

BACKGROUND: One of the major debates in implementation research turns around fidelity and adaptation. Fidelity is the degree to which an intervention is implemented as intended by its developers. It is meant to ensure that the intervention maintains its intended effects. Adaptation is the process of implementers or users bringing changes to the original design of an intervention. Depending on the nature of the modifications brought, adaptation could either be potentially positive or could carry the risk of threatening the theoretical basis of the intervention, resulting in a negative effect on expected outcomes. Adaptive interventions are those for which adaptation is allowed or even encouraged. Classical fidelity dimensions and conceptual frameworks do not address the issue of how to adapt an intervention while still maintaining its effectiveness. DISCUSSION: We support the idea that fidelity and adaptation co-exist and that adaptations can impact either positively or negatively on the intervention's effectiveness. For adaptive interventions, research should answer the question how an adequate fidelity-adaptation balance can be reached. One way to address this issue is by looking systematically at the aspects of an intervention that are being adapted. We conducted fidelity research on the implementation of an empowerment strategy for dengue prevention in Cuba. In view of the adaptive nature of the strategy, we anticipated that the classical fidelity dimensions would be of limited use for assessing adaptations. The typology we used in the assessment-implemented, not-implemented, modified, or added components of the strategy-also had limitations. It did not allow us to answer the question which of the modifications introduced in the strategy contributed to or distracted from outcomes. We confronted our empirical research with existing literature on fidelity, and as a result, considered that the framework for implementation fidelity proposed by Carroll et al. in 2007 could potentially meet our concerns. We propose modifications to the framework to assess both fidelity and adaptation. The modified Carroll et al.'s framework we propose may permit a comprehensive assessment of the implementation fidelity-adaptation balance required when implementing adaptive interventions, but more empirical research is needed to validate it.

Drinking Water Quality Governance: A Comparative Case Study of Brazil, Ecuador, and Malawi.

Human health is greatly affected by inadequate access to sufficient and safe drinking water, especially in low and middle-income countries. Drinking water governance improvements may be one way to better drinking water quality. Over the past decade, many projects and international organizations have been dedicated to water governance; however, water governance in the drinking water sector is understudied and how to improve water governance remains unclear. We analyze drinking water governance challenges in three countries-Brazil, Ecuador, and Malawi-as perceived by government, service providers, and civil society organizations. A mixed methods approach was used: a clustering model was used for country selection and qualitative semi-structured interviews were used with direct observation in data collection. The clustering model integrated political, economic, social and environmental variables that impact water sector performance, to group countries. Brazil, Ecuador and Malawi were selected with the model so as to enhance the generalizability of the results. This comparative case study is important because similar challenges are identified in the drinking water sectors of each country; while, the countries represent diverse socio-economic and political contexts, and the selection process provides generalizability to our results. We find that access to safe water could be improved if certain water governance challenges were addressed: coordination and data sharing between ministries that deal with drinking water services; monitoring and enforcement of water quality laws; and sufficient technical capacity to improve administrative and technical management of water services at the local level. From an analysis of our field research, we also developed a conceptual framework that identifies policy levers that could be used to influence governance of drinking water quality on national and sub-national levels, and the relationships between these levers.

Intra and inter-annual structure of zooplankton communities in floodplain lakes: a long-term ecological research study

Water flow management has significantly changed the natural dynamic of floods, which are responsible for the structure and dynamic of aquatic communities in river-floodplain systems. With the aim to elaborate a conceptual framework that describes the main ecological factors associated with zooplankton community structure in the Upper Paraná River, we investigated the mechanisms that regulate the communities structure and their response to inter-annual and hydro-sedimentological variations in the floodplain and the biological factors associated with species abundance in those communities. For this we conducted samplings every six months (potamophase in March and limnophase in September) to characterize intra and inter-annual variations in community structure between 2000 and 2008. The intra-annual differences on the species richness, abundance, Shannon diversity index, and evenness, were conducted using Bayesian procedures to show probabilistic predictions of the data fit to main variation sources. Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS), multi-response permutation procedure (MRPP), and indicator species analysis (IndVal) were run to assess and characterize the seasonality of the community structure. During high water (potamophase), hydrologic connectivity favoured exchange and dispersal of species in some lakes, increasing local diversity; during low water (limnophase), higher local productivity favoured opportunistic taxa, increasing species dominance and decreasing local diversity. Food resources and density of small-size fish were biological factors associated with the seasonal dynamic of the zooplankton community; these factors were dependent on hydrosedimentological phase (potamophase or limnophase). Water levels and limnological modifications related to water flow management have promoted replacement and impoverishment of aquatic biota in affected lakes and have indicated the ecological importance of a natural dynamic flood, which displays regular flood pulses. The conceptual model presented encompassed interactions between diverse environmental variables to more understandable mechanisms of the main sources of community variation.

El manejo del régimen de inundación ha cambiado de manera significativa la dinámica natural de las inundaciones, que son responsables de la estructura y dinámica de las comunidades acuáticas en sistemas río-planicie de inundación. En este sentido, investigamos cómo la estructura de las comunidades zooplanctónicas responde a variaciones estacionales e interanuales en los sistemas de llanura de inundación, y los factores biológicos asociados con la abundancia de especies de las comunidades zooplanctonicas. Elaboramos también, un marco conceptual que describe los principales factores ecológicos asociados con la estructura de las comunidades para los sistemas del Alto río Paraná. Para ello se realizaron muestreos cada seis meses (potamophase en marzo y en septiembre limnophase) para caracterizar las variaciones intra e interanuales en la estructura de la comunidad entre 2000 y 2008. Las diferencias estacionales de la riqueza de especies, abundancia, índice de diversidad de Shannon y equitatividad, se llevaron a cabo utilizando procedimientos Bayesianos para mostrar predicciones probabilísticas de los datos ajustados para las principales fuentes variación. Análisis de ordenamiento no-métrico multi-dimensional (NDMS); procedimientos de permutación de respuestas múltiples (MRPP) y análisis de especies indicadoras (IndVal) fueron utilizados para evaluar y clasificar la estacionalidad de la estructura de la comunidad. Durante aguas altas (potamofase), la conectividad hidrológica favoreció el intercambio y dispersión de las especies en algunas lagunas, incrementando la diversidad local; durante aguas bajas (limnofase), la alta productividad local favoreció los táxones oportunistas, incrementando las especies dominante y disminuyendo la diversidad local. La disponibilidad de recursos alimenticios y la densidad de pequeños peces fueron los factores biológicos asociados con la dinámica estacional de la comunidad zooplanctonica; los cuales dependen de la fase hidrosedimentológica (potamofase o limnofase). Modificaciones del régimen hidrológico y limnológico relacionados con el manejo de inundación han promovido el reemplazo y empobrecimiento de la biota acuática, en las lagunas sin conexión afectadas, enfatizando así la importancia ecológica de la dinámica natural de inundaciones, que presenta pulsos regulares de inundación. El modelo conceptual que se presenta abarca desde interacciones entre diversas variables ambientales hasta mecanismos más comprensibles de las principales fuentes de variación de la comunidad.

Conceituando e medindo segurança alimentar e nutricional / Conceptualizing and measuring food and nutrition security

Apresenta-se um marco conceitual interdisciplinar de segurança alimentar e nutricional no qual identificam-se determinantes nos níveis macrossocioeconômico, regional-local e domiciliar. Insegurança alimentar e nutricional é vista como tendo consequências para a saúde e o bem-estar, que podem expressar-se ou não em consequências físico-biológicas, como por exemplo baixo peso e/ou carências nutricionais. As implicações de tal perspectiva para questões de mensuração são abordadas. É apresentado um resumo comparativo de indicadores frequentemente usados para mensuração de segurança alimentar, com enfoque especial na Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar, que foi usada na Pesquisa Nacional de Amostras por Domicílio - 2004. A história do desenvolvimento da escala nos Estados Unidos e a sua validação no Brasil estão descritas. Caracterizada como uma medida direta de insegurança alimentar em nível domiciliar, esta escala psicométrica pode ser usada em conjunto com indicadores e instrumentos de mensuração de diversas áreas, para aprofundar a compreensão desse fenômeno complexo.

An interdisciplinary conceptual framework of food security is presented that identifies determinants at the macro-socioeconomic, regional-local, and household levels. Food insecurity is described as having consequences for health and well-being that may or may not be expressed in the form of physical-biological consequences such as underweight or nutritional deficiencies. The implications of this perspective for measurement of food security are addressed. A comparative review of indicators commonly used to assess food security is presented, with special focus on the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, which was included in the 2004 National Household Survey (PNAD). The history of the development of the scale in the U.S. and its validation in Brazil are described. Characterized as a direct measure of household food insecurity, this psychometric scale can be used together with indicators and measurement instruments from diverse fields to broaden understanding of this complex phenomenon.

Intellectual disability: an approach from the health sciences perspective: [review]

Intellectual disability (ID) is a complex condition that has not aroused very much interest in the health sciences and medical fields. As a result, a large part of the responsibility for caring for individuals with ID has fallen in the areas of education, social services and volunteering. Nevertheless, intellectual disability is a very significant health problem, whether because of its prevalence, the costs to the public health system, the families and society in general or due to related health complications. ID should be a priority area of study and action in the health field. This article reviews the conceptual, diagnostic and etiological problems that affect intellectual disability, as well as factors related with the health of the persons who are affected. In addition, some recommendations are outlined for improving health care for this population group.

La discapacidad intelectual (DI) es una condición compleja que no ha despertado gran interés en el campo médico y en el de las ciencias de la salud. Como consecuencia, gran parte de la responsabilidad del cuidado de los individuos con DI ha recaído en las áreas de la educación, el servicio social y el voluntariado. Sin embargo, la discapacidad intelectual es un problema de salud muy significativo, ya sea por su prevalencia, por los costos para el sistema de salud pública, para las familias y para la sociedad en general o debido a las complicaciones de salud relacionadas con ella. La DI debería ser un área de estudio y de acción prioritaria en el campo de la salud. Este artículo revisa los problemas conceptuales, diagnósticos y etiológicos que afectan a la discapacidad intelectual, así como los factores relacionados con la salud de las personas afectadas. Además se delinean algunas recomendaciones para mejorar el cuidado de la salud en este grupo de población.