scholarly journals Towards a Comprehensive Understanding of Fertility: The Model of Dyadic Pathways

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uta Brehm ◽  
Norbert F. Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Planned Behaviour ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Real Life ◽  
The Body ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Future Fertility ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Individual Self ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Relevant Factors

In this theoretical contribution, we propose a comprehensive and integrative heuristic model to explain fertility, the Model of Dyadic Pathways (MDP). We show how existing models such as the Theory of Planned Behaviour often do not withstand empirical challenges, especially not individual self-reports in qualitative studies. Furthermore, existing models vary in their premises and foci, resulting in a collection of models which do not necessarily align with or supplement one another. For these reasons, these heuristic models have been widely criticised and, in practice, pieced together according to the research question and tradition of the researcher. Against this backdrop, we establish the MDP to reconnect theory with reality and to unify a variety of approaches. The MDP is grounded on the dyad of partners as the prevalent basis of fertility. It integrates reasoned and unreasoned fertility behaviour, the impact of individual- and couple-level life course, soci(et)al conditions, and the body as an “actor”. The model explicitly accounts for the variety of different real-life pathways that lead to fertility. It thereby encourages researchers to, first, consider all potentially relevant factors and their mechanisms and, second, think of fertility and its measurement as a multilinear process. Based on the presented elements a comprehensive model of fertility must cover, we suggest ways to improve surveys accordingly. Furthermore, we elaborate on the contributions and challenges the MDP presents to future fertility research.

Behaviour of Pigeon Excreta on Masonry Surfaces

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk HR Spennemann ◽  
Melissa Pike ◽  
Maggie J Watson
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Building Material ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Real Life ◽  
The Body ◽  
Individual Bird ◽  
Bird Droppings ◽  
Pigeon Droppings ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Pigeon droppings are implicated in spoiling and decay of buildings. Several studies have examined the effects and chemistry of accumulations of pigeon droppings under highly localised pigeon roosts. Scant information exists on the impact caused by individual pigeon droppings at perch sites, even though these constitute the majority of bird use in urban areas. This study experimentally examined the processes that affect masonry immediately after pigeon excreta have been voided from the body and what effects discrete, fresh pigeon droppings have on different kinds of sandstone. The experiments demonstrated the susceptibility of freshly deposited excreta to environmental conditions (relative humidity and precipitation). In real-life situations, with pigeon excreta deposited on window ledges, cornices and parapets, the majority of damage would occur within the first two weeks of deposition. After that, the majority of individual droppings would have either dissolved or desiccated to such a degree that they would have rolled off. Much of the observed staining is superficial. While individual bird droppings make a building look dirty, even for months at a time, the effect on the building material is not substantial unless other factors come into play such as colonisation of the excreta by mould or leaching of salts from the excreta.

The Impact of an Inpatient Treatment on the Psychodynamic and Symptomatology in Couples Concordant for Substance Use: An Exploratory Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aksel Hansen ◽  
Stefan Brokatzky ◽  
Benjamin Kraus ◽  
Kai Thomas ◽  
Christina Sternbauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Brief Symptom Inventory ◽  
The Body ◽  
Inpatient Setting ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Much literature deals with patients who use drugs and have partners who are drug-free. However, concordant couples, in which both partners are consuming drugs, are sparsely examined in the literature. This might be due to the fact, that couples are rarely treated together in healthcare services. Despite that fact we propose that it is feasible and clinically meaningful to treat concordant couples in the same ward. Consequently, this study pursues the goal to expand the body of knowledge in the treatment of concordant couples investigating the research question: is it feasible, clinically and prognostically meaningful to treat these patients in the same ward? Method: This exploratory study included five concordant couples (ten patients), which were simultaneously treated between August 2013 and November 2014 in a specialised substance use ward at the Psychiatric Hospital Münsterlingen, Switzerland. All patients passed through a psychodynamic characterisation based on the OPD-II interview and the Structured Interview for Personality Organization. Symptom load was measured with the Brief Symptom Inventory at admission and termination of treatment. We calculated comparisons at the individual level using t-tests for paired samples. Results: We showed that it is feasible and clinically meaningful to treat couples concordant for substance use in the same ward. The psychodynamic characterization of the five concordant couples revealed recurring patterns of collusion, involving divided roles between dependence and independence, caregiving and neediness, activity and passivity, control and submission, strength and deficiency as well as superiority and inferiority. The patients didn´t change significantly on the BSI between pre- to post-treatment, although men (d = 1.64) benefited to a greater extent than women (d = 0.10). Conclusion: Treating concordant couples together in the same inpatient setting is unusual, but feasible and clinically useful, because it makes it possible to take into account the couples dynamics in the treatment.

Women entrepreneurship and sustainable development: select case studies from the sustainable energy sector

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritika Mahajan ◽  
Kaushik Ranjan Bandyopadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
The Body ◽  
Women Entrepreneurship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it discusses the role of entrepreneurship, in general, and women entrepreneurship, in particular, in advancing the cause of sustainable development. Future research directions that emerge from the body of knowledge that the paper relied upon have been identified. Second, it presents unique cases of eight women-led enterprises in energy sector spread across three continents, namely, Asia, Africa and the USA; identifies the constraints and opportunities, analyses the business models and their impact on the quality of life pointers to demonstrate the role of women-led enterprises in sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach The paper combines a schematic review of literature at the interface of entrepreneurship and sustainable development coupled with select relevant case studies addressing the interface. The real-life case studies, which are consciously chosen and compiled from secondary data sources, complement and testify the insights drawn from the schematic literature review. The framework for analyzing the case studies is designed around multidimensional drivers and factors that steer the women-led enterprises. Findings The paper identified the need to look at entrepreneurship through the gendered lens not only for studying entrepreneurship as a discipline, in general, but also to gauge whether the inclusion of women as entrepreneurs is actually advancing the cause of sustainable development. Besides analyzing real-life case studies of accomplished women entrepreneurs to gauge their motivations and mindsets, the process of identification of pain points, identifying differentiating and innovative features, or studying the impact on society, economy and environment, the paper eventually created a schematic framework of key enablers, constraints and strategic response of women entrepreneurs. Originality/value Given the dearth of adequate theoretical and empirical contributions on the study of effectuation, mindsets and drivers of how women entrepreneurship steers the process of sustainable development, the paper is an endeavour in that direction.

Investigation into the feasibility of inductively coupled antenna for use in smart clothing

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minyoung Suh ◽  
Katherine E. Carroll ◽  
Edward Grant ◽  
William Oxenham
Keyword(s):  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Relative Displacement ◽  
The Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Smart Clothing ◽  
Antenna Performance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This research investigated the feasibility of using an inductively coupled antenna as the basis of applying a systems approach to smart clothing. In order to simulate real-life situations, the impact of the distortions and relative displacement of different fabric layers (with affixed antennas) on the signal quality was assessed. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – A spiral antenna was printed on different fabric substrates. Obstructive conditions of the inductively coupled fabric layers were investigated to find out how much influence these conditions had on transmission performance. Reflected signals and transmitted signals were observed, while fabric antennas were subjected to displacement (distance and dislocation) or deformation (stretching and bending). The threshold of physical obstacles was estimated based on statistical analyses. Findings – The limits of physical conditions that enable proper wireless transmission were estimated up to ∼2 cm for both distance and dislocation, and ∼0.24 K for bending deformation. The antenna performance remained within an acceptable level of 20 percent transmission up to 10 percent fabric stretch. Based on well-established performance metrics used in clothing environment on the body, which employs 2-5 cm of ease, the results imply that the inductively coupled antennas may be suitable for use in smart clothing. Originality/value – This research demonstrates that the use of inductively coupled antennas on multiple clothing layers could offer the basis of a new “wireless” system approach to smart clothing. This would not only result in performance benefits, but would also significantly improve the aesthetics of smart clothing which should result in new markets for such products.

scholarly journals The Relevance Of Discretionary Disclosures: Predictive Value Versus Feedback Value

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
William Wilcox ◽  
Kevin Berry ◽  
David J. Quirin ◽  
Jeffrey J. Quirin
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
The Body ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Endogenous Variable ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Role Of Information ◽  
Corporate Information

This study contributes to the body of literature examining the role of discretionary disclosures. The primary theoretical contribution is a distinction between predictive value and feedback value. We use the Ohlson Model and examine the role of information as an endogenous variable in modeling the impact of disclosures on returns, which is a key methodological contribution to this stream of literature. Using a sample of 121 firms from the AIMR’s Corporate Information Committee for 1982-1994 we find that the expanded firm disclosures did possess predictive value, but they did not possess significant feedback value. These results have important policy implications since the relative costs and benefits of disclosures with predictive value differ from those with feedback value.

scholarly journals Organisational competence vs transferability of knowledge in cluster organisations and technology parks

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-98
Author(s):  
Anna Maria Lis ◽  
Jolanta Žemgulienė
Keyword(s):  
Content Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Creation ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Industrial Clusters ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Knowledge Resources ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Main Paper ◽  
Technology Parks ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe main paper aims to evaluate the impact of organisational competence on knowledge and information flows within cluster organisations and technology parks, with particular emphasis on innovative content knowledge. The paper addresses the research question: “What set of competencies of cooperating companies allows access to information and knowledge in cluster and parks structures?” The authors report their findings from a quantitative study carried out in four cluster organisations and three technology parks functioning in Poland. The research sample covered a total of 269 enterprises: 132 cluster members and 137 park tenants. The primary method of data collection was a survey questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using the interdependence of variables, ANOVA, and logistic regression. The research showed that the surveyed enterprises from both analysed groups preferred cooperation with partners of a similar level of competence development and the same or complementary scope of competence. This set of competencies of cooperating organisations also guaranteed better access to information and knowledge resources, including confidential information and new knowledge. This study additionally indicated that the knowledge creation activities performed by the cooperating cluster organisations depended on the proximity of the competencies of organisations as well as on the nature of the information, disseminated within the cluster organisations. The theoretical contribution is related to the results obtained by analysing the phenomenon of information and knowledge dissemination in cluster and park structures, revealing the impact made by the competence proximity of cooperating organisations on the access to this such resources. Thus, the findings supplement the state-of-the-art knowledge of the concept of industrial clusters by presenting a broader view on cooperation developed in geographical proximity, based on a set of various partner competencies.

scholarly journals The Impact of Context-Based Capabilities on the Type of Communication of Spaces

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 1415
Author(s):  
Mojgan Khakpour ◽  
Guilda Daghighi Masoule ◽  
Mehrdad Amirnejad Mojdehi
Keyword(s):  
Research Method ◽  
Research Question ◽  
The Body ◽  
Traditional Architecture ◽  
Spatial Continuity ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Analytical Research ◽  
Physical Elements ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Perceiving an architectural work requires a comprehensive understanding of its context, since the context has a direct impact on both the body and the activities. This recognition can be examined from two aspects: the study of natural and geographical conditions and human-based conditions which include the symbolic, religious-cultural, historical, social, and economic values. What has been considered through this article was the effect of these factors on the type of communication between the spaces. Due to the climate and cultural characteristics across Guilan province, it seems that the spaces from their public realm- that is from the neighbourhood spaces to their most exclusive parts- include rooms and closed spaces that have such continuity which was created by the elements of the boundary between these spaces. These elements link the spaces together and lead to a hierarchy of activities. The research question is whether the relationship between spaces and spatial continuity in traditional architecture of Rasht is influenced by the capabilities of the context or not? This is a descriptive-analytical research, which used a qualitative research method. Data collection was carried out by using desk research method   and field observations. The data was analysed through content analysis and independent of numerical documentation within an analogy process. With respect to the effect of filed capabilities on the traditional architecture in Rasht city, first a sample of buildings was selected and the physical elements contributing to continuity of the space have been studied. Then, the effect of the context-based capabilities on them was considered. It was found that these capabilities contributed to formation of the physical elements and behavioural patterns which itself can affect the type of relationship between space and its continuity within old urban tissues of Rasht, including the sensory continuity and the physical continuity between the spaces.

An essay on life, care and death in the Brave New World after 1984

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-331
Author(s):  
Cornelia Klinger
Keyword(s):  
Technological Development ◽  
Private Life ◽  
The Body ◽  
George Orwell ◽  
Symbolic Order ◽  
Global Culture ◽  
Philosophical Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
The Impact

Purpose In order to explore the impact of the recent wave of a technological revolution on global culture and society, the purpose of this paper is to re-read the two most outstanding dystopian novels of the mid-twentieth century. George Orwell and Aldous Huxley observe and anticipate technological development in relation to questions of human nature and culture, individual identity and close relationships, matters of care, privacy and private life. The totalitarian regimes both authors experienced in their time have disappeared, yet today the two fields of high technology that fueled their fantasy are reaching levels of development to surpass Orwell’s and Huxley’s daunting visions. Design/methodology/approach This paper approaches the recent innovations in the information and communication technology as well as the upsurge of life sciences and bio-technology from a philosophical perspective, considering their impact on the social structure (division of labor, distribution of wealth) as well as on the symbolic order of advanced industrial societies (the sign and the body, life and death). Findings Taking up Michel Foucault’s distinction between ancient sovereign rule and modern biopolitics, the author suggests discerning a third stage of domination: bio economics plus culture industries. In contrast to the two previous forms of domination, this new regime does not endeavor to suppress but to foster and unleash life. Therefore, it instigates less resistance and opposition but meets with more approval and compliance. Domination in this neoliberal-libertarian guise may prove not less dangerous than the former totalitarian variant. It forces the author to re-think ways of resistance and critique. Originality/value This paper makes a theoretical contribution to the analysis of care, society and democracy.

scholarly journals The Impact of Preservice and New Teachers’ Involvement in Simulation Workshop and Their Perceptions about the Concept of Conflict in Education

10.28945/4247 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 105-120
Author(s):  
Esmael A. Salman ◽  
Amtiaz Fattum
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Classroom Management ◽  
Conflict Management ◽  
New Teachers ◽  
Research Question ◽  
The Body ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Conflict Situations ◽  
Simulation Center ◽  
The Impact

Aim/Purpose: In the modern world, simulation has become a new phenomenon in education, which conveys new and innovative ideas of curriculum, instruction, and classroom management. It makes certain of Aristotle’s words when he said that “The things we have to learn before we do them, we must learn by doing them”. One might think that simulation in education is one of these technologies. This study examined preservice and new teachers’ perceptions about the con-cept of conflict and educational conflict management in a simulation workshop conducted at the Academic Arab College’s Simulation Center in Haifa, Israel. Background: Simulation engages learners in “deep learning” and empowers their understanding. In other words, simulation provides an alternative real world experience. As part of our work at the Educational Simulation Center in the Arab Academic College in Haifa, Israel, we examined the performance and contribution of educators who visit the center and participate in educational conflict management simulation workshops. Methodology: A mixed methods study was conducted. A total of 237 participants of preservice teachers from diverse professions were divided into 15 groups to examine the research question: How does the experience of participating in a simulation workshop affect preservice teachers’ perception about the concept of conflict? Contribution: This study seeks to contribute to simulation and conflict management in education. This contribution to the body of literature can help researchers, scholars, students, and education technology professionals to advance simulation research studies. Findings: The study findings indicate that there is a high degree of satisfaction (more than 90%) among preservice teachers in participating in the workshop. It also indicates a positive and significant change in participants’ perceptions of the concept of conflict and the management of conflict situations. Recommendations for Practitioners: In light of the study findings, it is recommended that new teachers be exposed to simulation workshops with a variety of scenarios dealing with different conflict situations. This exposure could contribute to their professional development and conduct in a more efficient and convenient manner in schools.

The Impact of Shariah Governance and Corporate Governance on the Risk Management Practices: Evidence from Local and Foreign Islamic Banks in Malaysia

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Sabri Embi ◽  
Zurina Shafii
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
T Test ◽  
The Body ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Shariah Governance ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of Shariah governance and corporate governance (CG) on the risk management practices (RMPs) of local Islamic banks and foreign Islamic banks operating in Malaysia. The Shariah governance comprises the Shariah review (SR) and Shariah audit (SA) variables. The study also evaluates the level of RMPs, CG, SR, and SA between these two type of banks. With the aid of SPSS version 20, the items for RMPs, CG, SR, and SA were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA). From the PCA, one component or factor was extracted each for the CG, SR, and RMPs while another two factors were extracted for the SA. Primary data was collected using a self-administered survey questionnaire. The questionnaire covers four aspects ; CG, SR, SA, and RMPs. The data received from the 300 usable questionnaires were subjected to correlation and regression analyses as well as an independent t-test. The result of correlation analysis shows that all the four variables have large positive correlations with each other indicating a strong and significant relationship between them. From the regression analysis undertaken, CG, SR, and SA together explained 52.3 percent of the RMPs and CG emerged as the most influential variable that impacts the RMPs. The independent t-test carried out shows that there were significant differences in the CG and SA between the local and foreign Islamic banks. However, there were no significant differences between the two types of the bank in relation to SR and RMPs. The study has contributed to the body of knowledge and is beneficial to academicians, industry players, regulators, and other stakeholders.

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