Chance For Change Research Articles

Circular Economy Resources - Operationalization of restraints and optimization of choices

Purpose of the study: The article presents a preliminary analysis of the available and collected statistical data as part of the Research Project: SUPB. RN.23.108, ID: 108, which is intended to serve as a starting point for further research on circular economy. The aim of the analysis will be to diagnose the “hotspots” so that a proper analysis in the next year of research will allow the author to find targeted solutions and formulate recommendations.
 Methodology: This article reviews the available literature. Items compatible with the author's research topics have been selected, supplemented with other sources, the most important of which are listed in the bibliography. Therefore, a preliminary analysis of existing data (secondary studies) was used as a method.
 Main Findings: A preliminary analysis of the indicators allowed us to draw general conclusions. First, it is necessary to further tighten the legal provisions in the field of environmental protection, while at the same time defining the precise timeframe for each of the stages. Secondly, it is necessary to develop the sources of financing for the activities undertaken. Thirdly, there is no chance for change without an increase in consumer environmental awareness. Fourth, you can't make changes and make the right choices in the short term. 
 Applications of the study: The content of the article may be useful to a wide audience interested in the subject matter being studied. It is also extremely important for the author of the article, as it is a starting point for further scientific research. In addition, the subject matter and information provided will be used at the Jan Kochanowski University during practical meetings/classes with students.
 Novelty/Originality of the study: In the article, the author emphasized several important elements of an extremely difficult puzzle, which is a well-functioning circular economy system. It focused on several key areas: better use of scarce resources, minimization of waste, reduction of overexploitation of the natural environment. Without such actions, she believes, civilization will move towards self-destruction at an alarmingly fast pace. Faced with a choice: costly exploitation of new resources or recovery and recycling, as a way to reduce the devastation of the natural environment and minimize the costs associated with obtaining new sources and areas for exploitation, the author presented the scale of the problem and legal constraints (imposing the need to make a specific choice), in force in selected EU countries.

Two-stage stochastic programming approach for gas allocation network under uncertainty

Pipelines enable enormous amounts of various products (fluids) to be transported from supply nodes to demand nodes. They have traditionally been recognized as the most efficient and secure method of transferring gases. Uncertainties in the parameters may develop in the actual world for a variety of reasons which reduces the efficiency of the gas allocation network (GAN). The amount of available gas cannot be forecasted exactly due to the uncertainty in gas supply and shared usage by other demands. Design of GAN is carried out in a two stage manner: installation and operation. During operation, there is always a chance of change in number of sources or demands than that of initial design phase. In this paper, to deal with such discrete uncertainties, a two-stage stochastic programming approach for GAN is developed. The first stage represents the installation and commissioning of supplying nodes in order to satisfy the demands, and the second stage represents the actual allocation network under different available supply stations scenarios. Illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the proposed solution procedure and annualized investment for the examples are calculated. The calculated annualized investment is 12%, 28% and 38% less than the worst case solutions. Result explains the benefits of the model in reducing investment costs while incorporating such discrete uncertainties.

Restorative clinical supervision: a chance for change but are we ready?

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses are experiencing increasing stress, burnout and mental health problems. The Advocating and Educating for Quality ImProvement (A-EQUIP) model of clinical supervision aims to support staff wellbeing, promote positive work cultures and improve patient care. Although a growing body of empirical evidence supports the positive impact of clinical supervision, several individual and organisational barriers may impede the implementation of A-EQUIP in practice. Organisational culture, staffing and workforce pressures all affect employees' ability to engage with supervision, and organisations and clinical leaders must consciously work to sustain lasting change.

The 2021 federal German election: A gender and intersectional analysis

On 26 September 2021, Germans elected the 20th Bundestag. This election was special in many ways. The article analyses the electoral campaign, voting behaviour, turnout, and the formation of a new coalition government by using a gender and intersectional lens. Against the conceptual background of descriptive, substantive, and symbolic representation, we outline the implications of the election for gender and intersectional politics in the new German Bundestag and the government. In descriptive and symbolic terms, we find higher numbers of women (and of minorities) in the Bundestag and its leadership as well as in government; in substantive terms, we observe the presence of ‘critical actors’ and the commitment to progressive politics in the new ‘Ampel’ coalition. Hence, we see at least a chance for change in several key policy areas and social progress in the next 4 years.

Greek preschool teacher’s views about language activities in early childhood education during Covid‑19. A chance for change?

The aim of this research is to investigate the views of preschool teachers about their "readiness" for e-learning, the barriers they had faced while using it in early childhood education, the teaching practices during distance learning of language, and the transformations that had to be done in these, their effectiveness, and finally the utilization of the digital tools in the teaching of language after their return to the real classes. Views from ten Greek preschool teachers were collected with semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The results showed that teachers had no "readiness" for distance education and some students have fewer opportunities than others to learn and conquer some skills at home during distance learning. Furthermore, during distance learning the oral language was cultivated naturally and effortlessly, while the cultivation of the written language encountered significant difficulties due to the mediation of the digital tools, according to teachers. But as they seem to acknowledge the power of digital tools, they overcome their initial embarrassment and set aside the difficulties they encountered. Indeed, teachers seem to acknowledge this e-learning teaching experience supplied them with technological skills that could be utilized in similar situations. However, they highlight the need for training in distance learning and mainly how they could effectively integrate the technology in class./ Keywords: teaching of language, preschool education, teachers’ opinions, pandemic, distance learning, online learning

Head Lice Infestation in Schoolchildren, in Poland-Is There a Chance for Change?

Pediculosis capitis is a current and neglected health issue worldwide. The lack of screening programs contributes to the marginalization of the problem and delays therapeutic measures. Our study aimed to analyze the occurrence of this parasitosis in primary schools in Poland and to determine factors contributing to the persistence of its foci. The research tools were two questionnaires: one for primary school children and the other for school managers. While children answered questions about the epidemiology of pediculosis capitis and expressed their opinion on the hygienic condition of infested persons, the school directors were asked about the occurrence of head lice in schools, preventive measures, and institutions supporting schools in combating the infestation. The survey covered the period 2014–2018. Pediculosis capitis was reported in 87.5% of the schools. The greatest number of cases was reported in the group of 6–9 year-olds (68%). Among 4970 children, 16.7% had no knowledge of head lice; however, 57.1% wanted to increase their awareness of the problem. Campaigns on lice were conducted mainly as a result of emerging pediculosis capitis cases, and most schools could not rely on institutional support. Screening programs and preventive educational campaigns should be part of pediculosis capitis control in Poland.

Book Review: A Chance for Change: Head Start and Mississippi’s Black Freedom Struggle by C. R. Sanders

Book Review: <i>A Chance for Change: Head Start and Mississippi’s Black Freedom Struggle</i> by C. R. Sanders

Post COVID-19 teleworking and car use intentions. Evidence from large scale GPS-tracking and survey data in the Netherlands

This study examines the changes in teleworking during the lockdown in April 2020 and the intention to change commuting behaviour after COVID-19 in the Netherlands. Survey data of 1,515 Dutch employees and large-scale smartphone-based GPS-data of the same participants before and during COVID-19 is used. The probability of increasing teleworking during COVID-19 is estimated using an ordinal logistic regression model, considering sociodemographic characteristics, the initial travel behaviour and the initial work situation as determining factors. Two binary logistic regression models are developed to analyse whether employees expect to continue teleworking after the COVID-19 pandemic and whether they will decrease car use for commuting. Both models consider teleworking and car use intentions in the context of behavioural changes during COVID-19. The main factors that influenced teleworking during the lockdown are job characteristics. Office workers and teaching staff were more likely to increase the amount of time spent working from home and showed a higher chance of changes in daily commuting routines. After COVID-19, office workers expect to increase teleworking. The results suggest that employees with a relatively large change in teleworking during the early lockdown expect to work from home more frequently after COVID-19. This effect is strengthened further by positive experiences with teleworking (i.e. more pleasure and higher productivity) and supporting policy measures by the employer, such as sufficient ICT facilities. The main conclusion related to intended changes in mode choice is that car use for commuting is expected to decrease after COVID-19, mostly because of an increase in teleworking.

CULTURAL-SOCIOLOGICAL CHANGE OF PARADIGMS IN SOCIAL WORK

There is a lot of discussion about social work, its forms, and whether social work is needed. If so, then in its existing or a different form? Often, only subjective thoughts or practical experiences are presented. They are subjective because, by pointing out the unfavorable situation, they describe a certain unidentifiable barrier, a shortcoming in building this profession, which social work has not been able to overcome in the past long period. As if we were wasting our chances of change. The performance of social work still has a socialist flavor, and therefore the Western models adopted in our country since the end of 1980's have not met with legislative support. This situation was partly caused by the fact that we took over "a little of each corner", without complexity, as if the richer competencies remained somewhere at the border crossing between Kittsee and Bratislava. It is not possible to compare the beginnings of social care in our country, which began elsewhere in the world in the '30-'40s, because, for ideological reasons, there was a certain effort to discredit some issues, together with other deviant problems. These ideological motivations have already disappeared but were replaced by economic reasons, which continued to prevent social care from undergoing a change of opinion and structure. Evidence of these shortcomings is also the fact that no government has so far embarked on the creation of family social policy, as if this situation suited all actors. Within the EU, considerable financial support comes to the social area, but it disappears in the wallets of non-profit organizations, often without control, and that is why there is no such systematic change. Even very beneficial projects in various "non-profit" organizations work only until the allocated funds are spent, and after the expiration of the time required for the existence of the project by the EU, the project falls into oblivion, and those organizations often apply for a completely different project. Research data is missing for a systemic change. Without the available research data, we cannot even expect a change in paradigms, so we continue to lag behind the more developed part of the world in this area.

Cultural Policy in Germany – Chance for Change?

The Corona pandemic is still ongoing and has changed almost all areas of economic, social and cultural life—perhaps even lastingly, it is not yet possible to say. The music sector, in all its diversity, also suffers from the current restrictions. In this statement dealing with cultural policy in Germany, I discuss the need to distribute public funding for culture differently. In the last few months, it has become clear that it is above all the non-publicly financed free popular culture scene that suffers most from the restrictive effects (for example, bans on appearances). The publicly funded (music-)cultural sector, on the other hand, can continue to plan the future—without any guarantee as to how it will run. The Corona pandemic should have been a time to bring institutional and independent scenes closer together in order to create something new both artistically and organizationally.

Social work for tomorrow in the new normal

The world has been struggling with COVID-19 for more than 18 months. One wave after another, the pandemic not only makes people infected and sick as we have seen many people die. The virus and its multiple variants have changed our life patterns and interpersonal interactions all over the world. There are no handshakes, no hugs and no smiles (as your face is covered by a mask) in our daily lives. Instead, we have been facing ‘lockdown’ and work from home, as well as social distancing and compulsory quarantine. In addition, all kinds of gatherings, such as religious services, wedding banquets and funerals, are limited to a minimum level of attendance and participation. Travelling to other countries has become just a dream. All we can do is stay local. Face-to-face schooling is replaced by online learning and teaching sessions. Life planning and programme scheduling are disturbed by unexpected uncertainties. It seems that we can do nothing but only wait for another wave of the pandemic. Yet our hope and love for humanity still come to the surface. Learning from the history of the Spanish Flu more than a hundred years ago, what follows the pandemic is always economic recession, social reform, revolutions and even wars. However, life must go on, we have no choice but to live with the challenges. Challenges can be a trauma or a chance for change; it depends on how we perceive, present and persist.

An Old/New Vision of Europe. National Responsibility and Cultural Otherness in Emine Sevgi Özdamar’s Play Perikizi

Emine Sevgi Özdamar’s play Perikizi (2010) is a particularly significant migration story because of its shrewd exploration of European integration, specifically in Germany. The protagonist is a girl who undertakes an adventurous journey from Turkey to Europe in order to realize her dream of becoming an actress. The play thus delves into the problem of integration in Europe from both the internal and external perspective of a young woman from a country whose culture and history are deeply intertwined with Europe’s, but are exotic enough to represent the cultural ‘other’ in the eyes of every European. I focus on an issue that is a golden thread throughout the play: the connection between genocide, nationalism and xenophobia, a thematic complex told from the perspective of a character who discovers the chance for change on her journey from East to West. I demonstrate that Perikizi’s journey highlights some structural parallels between East and West with respect to these issues. The play opens up a space in which national responsibility and the relationship with cultural otherness are problematized through different aesthetic strategies. At the end, it depicts a vision of Europe that is an alternative to a past, and a present, of nationalist and racist crimes.

Mediality: the cultural-symbolic sphere of social practice

Abstract At least since the practical complexity of media landscapes is growing, the theoretical complexity of media communication has to be widened (horizon and frame) and deepened (focus) — especially when fulfilling the mission and the quality of science: generating complexity on a level of logical theory towards a subject that is not an object by itself but a culturally programmed metaphor of description: communication, culture, society etc. The complexity of communication, media or society is not a character of those constructs themselves but a complexity of thinking, in practice hopefully reduced, in theory hopefully produced. Facing communication (more) as a cultural performance of humanness and of social practice and facing media (more hermeneutically than technically) demands to conceptualize those constructs as models of knowledge, as culturally programs in search of mindful meaning and meaningful relevance of social /societal life. Therefore, there is need of a shifting paradigm from functional, objectivist concepts to hermeneutically open concepts — not only, but also to generate a wider frame of analysis and interpretation of social and cultural change referred through the mediality character of communication and society. So called social media are not new media but show the possibility as well the challenge and chance of change of media orders. Of course, that demands other (new) competence concepts of social practice.

Community pharmacy and primary health care in Sweden - at a crossroads

The overall goal of Swedish health care is good health and equitable care for the whole population. The responsibility for health is shared by the central government, the regions, and the municipalities. Primary care accounts for approximately 20 percent of all expenditures on health care. About 16% of all physicians work in primary health. The regions have also employed a large number of clinical pharmacists, usually hospital-based, but many perform a variety of different primary care services, the most common of which is patient medication reviews. Swedish primary health care is at a crossroads facing extensive challenges, due to changes in demography and demanding financial conditions. These changes necessitate large transformations in health services and delivery. Current Government inquiries have primarily focused on two ways to meet the challenges; a shift towards more local care requiring a transfer of resources from hospital care, and a further development of structured digi-physical care, that is both digital (“online doctors”) and physical accessibility of care. While primary care at present is undergoing processes of change, community pharmacy has done so during the past decade since the re-regulation of the Swedish pharmacy market. A monopoly was replaced by a competitive system, where five pharmacy chains now share most of the market, a competition that has made community pharmacy very commercialized. A number of different, promising primary care services are being offered, but they are usually delivered on a small scale due to a lack of remuneration and philosophy of providers. Priority is given to sales and fast dispensing of prescriptions, often with a minimum of counseling. Reflecting primary health care, community pharmacy in Sweden is at a crossroads but currently has a golden opportunity to choose a route of collaboration with primary health care in its current transformation into more local and digi-physical care. A major challenge is that primary health care inquires, strategic plans, and national policy documents usually do not include community pharmacy as a partner. Hence, community pharmacy have to be proactive and seize this chance of changes in primary health policy and organization in order to become an important link in the chain of health care delivery, or there is a significant risk that it will predominantly remain a retail business.

Community pharmacy and primary health care in Sweden - at a crossroads.

The overall goal of Swedish health care is good health and equitable care for the whole population. The responsibility for health is shared by the central government, the regions, and the municipalities. Primary care accounts for approximately 20 percent of all expenditures on health care. About 16% of all physicians work in primary health. The regions have also employed a large number of clinical pharmacists, usually hospital-based, but many perform a variety of different primary care services, the most common of which is patient medication reviews. Swedish primary health care is at a crossroads facing extensive challenges, due to changes in demography and demanding financial conditions. These changes necessitate large transformations in health services and delivery. Current Government inquiries have primarily focused on two ways to meet the challenges; a shift towards more local care requiring a transfer of resources from hospital care, and a further development of structured digi-physical care, that is both digital (“online doctors”) and physical accessibility of care. While primary care at present is undergoing processes of change, community pharmacy has done so during the past decade since the re-regulation of the Swedish pharmacy market. A monopoly was replaced by a competitive system, where five pharmacy chains now share most of the market, a competition that has made community pharmacy very commercialized. A number of different, promising primary care services are being offered, but they are usually delivered on a small scale due to a lack of remuneration and philosophy of providers. Priority is given to sales and fast dispensing of prescriptions, often with a minimum of counseling. Reflecting primary health care, community pharmacy in Sweden is at a crossroads but currently has a golden opportunity to choose a route of collaboration with primary health care in its current transformation into more local and digi-physical care. A major challenge is that primary health care inquires, strategic plans, and national policy documents usually do not include community pharmacy as a partner. Hence, community pharmacy have to be proactive and seize this chance of changes in primary health policy and organization in order to become an important link in the chain of health care delivery, or there is a significant risk that it will predominantly remain a retail business.

PREVENTIVE PROGRAM TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE IN RISK OF OSTEOPOROSIS - SHARED SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Osteoporosis is a disease of serious medical and social significance. Despite existing knowledge, ongoing scientific research and disease prevention initiatives, the high morbidity and associated risks of fracture continue to be a cause of disability, impaired quality of life and high mortality. These are strong enough motives for the Osteoporosis problem to be the subject of attention, both in medical and scientific circles, as well as for those interested and responsible for their health. The acquired knowledge of motor and nutritional regimes applied in life would delay and even prevent the consequences of the inevitable physiological changes associated with advancing age. The prognosis for increasing average life expectancy in developed countries is inevitably associated with a significant increase in the incidence of osteoporosis. Early prevention of osteoporosis is a condition for reducing the health consequences of the disease. In this regard, Trakia University - Stara Zagora, Bulgaria was qualified for financing a research project with the main performer Medical College - Stara Zagora, with a two years term of implementation. The theme of the project was "Developing a preventive program to improve the quality of life of individuals at risk of osteoporosis". The work program contained ten main tasks: (1) Forming a group of women to be surveyed. The condition for inclusion was that they were over 45 years of age, occupying professions in which the work process is mainly in a static posture of the body, N = 255; (2) Making a questionnaire of 48 questions, grouped in 5 sections: motor activity, nutrition, pathological processes and changes in the musculoskeletal system, past and present conditions and diseases and medications received, with influence on calcium metabolism; (3) Determining the contingent of people at risk for osteoporosis, selected on the basis of the answers from the survey N = 85; (4) Conducting clinical laboratory tests for serum levels of Vitamin D, Osteokalcin and B Crross Laps; (5) Measurement of bone density by ultrasonic osteodensitometry with the SONOST 3000 apparatus; (6) Determining the extent of existing pain by completing the Pain Scale; (7) Development and implementation of a kinesitherapy program with exercises and recommendations for physical activity; (8) Improvement of health knowledge and culture of osteoporosis risk women contingent. For this purpose, two types of leaflets with health education content were developed: “Briefly on osteoporosis - how it affects the quality of human life and is there any chance of change” and “ Nutrition in osteoporosis ”; (9) Promoting the results obtained in the implementation of the work program of the research project; (10) Participation of members of the research team in the annual European Public Health WEEK, 13-17 May 2019, an initiative supported by the European Commission and the World Health Organization. The purpose of this paper is to inform about the experience and the implemented activities of the Scientific project of MK, Tr.U, as well as its participation in the European Public Health Week.

In-vitro propagation, organic farming and comparative phytochemical evaluation of Curculigo Orchioides Gaertn. (Musali)

Medicinal plants belong to the oldest known health care products that have been used by mankind all over the world in the form of folklore medicine, traditional medicines or ethnic medicines. But due to the over dependence of herbal drug industry on the plant population, wild source became depleted. Several drugs became endangered while some others had been in the verge of extinction. Musali (Curculigo orchioides) is such a plant which is facing a threat of extinction. These plants can be produced by different methods. The main 2 methods for the propagation of plants will come under the following headings viz; Conventional way of propagation and Non-conventional way of propagation (In Vitro propagation). If a small change in climate and temperature is affecting the chemical composition of plants, then obviously there may be chances for change in the same while propagating it through different techniques. In this study the preliminary analytical profile of the three samples were done in order to know whether the organic and In Vitro variety can be replaced with the wild. As Musali (Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.) is a drug used in several formulations and Musali Khadiradi Kashayam is one among the important one used for the reproductive problems. So the formulation also needs to be analysed in order to know whether the variation in cultivation techniques will affect the physicochemical and chromatographic parameters.

Storiepossibili (possible stories): Measuring social networks and designing scenarios to address new urban questions

Storiepossibili was developed in a research frame with the aim of identifying a “new urban question”; that is to say, the emergence of new issues and problems of the contemporary urban; among them, social cohesion and sustainable development appear to be at risk and the focus of renewed attention. In such a framework, how can design help decision-makers and innovators to understand such unprecedented questions and react to support the potentiality of the new social settings? Storiepossibili is a “research within research” that answers this issue, developed by the Design Department of Politecnico di Milano. The Design discipline has often been used as a key lever in the transformation of urban places to respond to the rising needs of contemporary society. Our cities see the growing demand for places where people can cultivate a sense of wellbeing, share their daily life and get closer to other inhabitants. Storiepossibili is an open repository of positive social innovation practices, both in the micro and macro scale: stories of people, organizations and enterprises which trust in the chance of change as something possible, even viral.Keywords: design for social innovation, Social Network Analysis, scenario building, social trends, decision making.

The application and its effect of life skills program in sport

Purpose This study was to investigate the systematic application of the life skills program and its effects in a sport setting. Methods Participants were 14 college students(8 males and 6 females) majoring in Taekwondo. Survey tools were utilized to measure items of life skills and journals. Data analyses were conducted by using Excel program and inductive content analysis. Results First, life skills in this study consisted of goal setting, self-talk, imagery, cognitive restructuring. Life skills program has undergone a procedure, such as the introduction, training, development, application, and evaluation. Second, the average scores of life skill variables have been changed according to measured points. Specifically, the average scores of goal setting and self-talk were highly increased over time and the average score of imagery indicated gradual rising line. The average score of negative thought was slightly reduced over time. Third, regarding effects of this program, participants’ responses were categorized into six components; performance enhancement, positive thoughts, chances of change, goal setting, struggling efforts, and motivation formation. Further, participants stated this program was a great opportunity to develop these components. Conclusion The application of life skills program in sport settings will contribute to participants’ life span developmental change in cognitions, emotions, and behavior.

A Chance for Change: Head Start and Mississippi's Black Freedom Struggle

A Chance for Change: Head Start and Mississippi's Black Freedom Struggle