Concept Study Research Articles

A tutorial on aggregating evidence from conceptual replication studies using the product Bayes factor.

The product Bayes factor (PBF) synthesizes evidence for an informative hypothesis across heterogeneous replication studies. It can be used when fixed- or random effects meta-analysis fall short. For example, when effect sizes are incomparable and cannot be pooled, or when studies diverge significantly in the populations, study designs, and measures used. PBF shines as a solution for small sample meta-analyses, where the number of between-study differences is often large relative to the number of studies, precluding the use of meta-regression to account for these differences. Users should be mindful of the fact that the PBF answers a qualitatively different research question than other evidence synthesis methods. For example, whereas fixed-effect meta-analysis estimates the size of a population effect, the PBF quantifies to what extent an informative hypothesis is supported in all included studies. This tutorial paper showcases the user-friendly PBF functionality within the bain R-package. This new implementation of an existing method was validated using a simulation study, available in an Online Supplement. Results showed that PBF had a high overall accuracy, due to greater sensitivity and lower specificity, compared to random-effects meta-analysis, individual participant data meta-analysis, and vote counting. Tutorials demonstrate applications of the method on meta-analytic and individual participant data. The example datasets, based on published research, are included in bain so readers can reproduce the examples and apply the code to their own data. The PBF is a promising method for synthesizing evidence for informative hypotheses across conceptual replications that are not suitable for conventional meta-analysis.

Position of Persia on the problem of «Russian transit» in the XVI–XVII centuries: a plot about Shirvan cities

The article attempts to consider the position of the Persian Safavid state on the question of using the territory of the Muscovy empire for the development of the European-Asian relations in the period of the XVI–XVII centuries with the use of the method of diachronic analysis and historical periodization. The aforementioned problem is studied as a separate aspect of scientific topics related to the place of the then Russia in the process of the European expansion into the countries of the East. The object of the analysis is the practical activities of the Persian administrations, which had both a direct and indirect relationship to the conventional topic of «Russian transit». Nowadays the experience of the comprehensive and conceptual study of this issue is absent not only in the domestic, but also in the foreign historical science. The specific subject of the study is related to the repeated promises of official Iran to transfer control over the largest centers of the historical region of Shirvan to the Russian tsars. The source base for this work was an array of diplomatic documents on the history of Russian-Persian interstate relations of the XVI–XVII centuries. These materials, in particular, reflected Moscow’s reaction to the Safavid proposals for territorial concessions. The scientific works of Russian-speaking and foreign specialists, including the largest representatives of classical and modern historical Iranian studies, were also used. The analysis made it possible to fit the diplomatic issue about the fate of the Shirvan cities into the context of the general problem of «Russian transit». It is hypothesized that the Persian government deliberately initiated this discussion taking into account the economic potential of the Volga-Caspian trade route. It is concluded that if the appropriate agreements between the two states were reached, the Russian empire could in the future produce a certain revolution in the intercontinental trade, especially in the silk market.

Commercial Law and its Evaluation in International Law

The ease and prevalence of capital movement across international borders has led to its expansion in trade and the economy in recent years, and this may make resolving legal disputes more challenging. As a result of all these changes, national markets are becoming more and more global marketplaces, and commerce is expanding. Legal processes in this process must first be identified, and their characteristics ascertained in order to resolve legal disputes. While research has been done on qualified merchants in commercial law and related fields, no research has been done on qualified merchant requirements on an international scale. This study has, therefore, evaluated the global nature of the qualified trader under commercial law. Semiotic analysis and content analysis techniques were used in the study to evaluate conceptual studies carried out in academic settings. The research findings indicate that while certain national laws exist in the field of commercial law for eligible merchants, significant shortcomings persist in this domain, even within domestic legal frameworks. Confusion in domestic law stems from a number of factors, including the distinction made between the concepts of tradesman and merchant, the definition of "commercial enterprise," and the use of the term "part of" in reference to the requirement of operating a portion of the commercial company. International legal confusion results from inadequate representation of the qualifications of domestic and foreign traders in the legal system, which in turn affects local and national definitions of qualified traders and international activity areas. As a result, both domestically and globally, a more flexible, inclusive, and problem-solving legal strategy is needed.

Conceptual Study on Environmental toxicity as Dushi Visha as Causative Factor in Infertility & its Ayurvedic Management

Exposure to toxic substances in the environment can lead to various health problems that persist over time. These toxic substances can come from multiple sources, such as air pollution, contaminated water, and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Such toxins have hazardous effects on human health. So, one of the effect is on the Reproductive system. Environmental toxins damage normal physiological reactions related to the reproductive system. In today’s era Infertility is one of the burning issues globally. Some studies also told these environmental toxins exposure have hazardous effect on male & female reproductive system.[1] Excessive exposure to pollutants in the environment, long-term exposure of contaminated foods, Water, pesticides, industrial chemicals, toxic metals etc all of which fall under the concept of dushivisha, cause reproductive dysfunctions and infertility. One of the effects of dushivishalinked to infertility is "Kshapayetshukram" (shukramdepletion). In both the lakshana and upadrava of dushivisha, acharya sushrutha mentioned sukrakshaya.[2] So in this study an effort has been put forth to make conceptual study on environmental toxins as Dushi visha as a causative factor of Infertility& its Ayurvedic management including panchakarma & Agadyog.

What Makes the Time Tradeoff Tick? A Sociopsychological Explanation.

A theoretical interpretation of factors influencing time tradeoff (TTO) scores is lacking. In this conceptual study, we use a sociopsychological theory, terror management theory (TMT), to explain how death thoughts may play a role in the TTO method. TMT describes how respondents suppress death thoughts by invoking psychological defenses, such as self-esteem, and by bolstering cultural values. What is the relation between TMT and TTO scores? A framework is developed to link TMT to TTO scores. Predictions of the framework pertain to the directionality of relations between characteristics (e.g., being religious) affecting TTO scores. These predictions are then tested against the findings in the literature. The value "prolonging life" can be used as a linking pin between TTO and TMT as it is relevant for both TMT and TTO. It is argued that the value "prolonging life" is related to TTO scores but also to TMT defense strengths. Thus, TMT defense strengths become associated with trading. Directionality predictions of the framework were confirmed in 34 out of 39 retrospective tests (P < 0.001). Directionalities of relations between TTO scores and socioeconomic characteristics, euthanasia, subjective life expectancy, and religion were explained in terms of TMT defense strengths. Our framework offers a theory-based and parsimonious framework to think about characteristics influencing TTO scores. Terror management theory (TMT) is a sociopsychological theory about death thoughts.Several factors are known to influence TTO scores.A new framework applies TMT to TTO scores to interpret such factors.Our framework is mostly of importance to health economists studying the TTO.

Third place visits and associations with walking habit formation: an exploratory study extending Cognitive Chrono-Ethnography

ABSTRACT Third places play a crucial role in urban environments, acting as social spaces distinct from the home and workplace, contributing to citizens’ social and physical health. However, it remains unknown how they contribute to the formation of walking habits during different life phases. Therefore, this conceptual study explores the role of third places for students (n = 3), workers (n = 6), and retirees (n = 2). Building upon past studies that utilized Cognitive Chrono-Ethnography, a mixed-method approach examining people’s in-situ behaviour and decision-making processes, semi-structured interviews questioned the role of third place visits in the process of forming walking habits. The study revealed that students, workers, and retirees may display distinct patterns of walking habits. Moreover, three goal structures were identified, where walking was either considered as a primary goal alongside third place visits, as a secondary goal, or encountered as an incidental activity during third place visits. Furthermore, participants residing in areas with higher walkability were more likely to consciously engage in walking during third place visits. These findings lay the foundation for broader investigations employing the CCE methodology to consolidate and develop the findings made in this conceptual study and promote walking habit formation through third place visits.

HOLISTIC AND HUMANISTIC: AN ANALYSIS OF WOMEN HEALTH NARRATIVES IN RURAL INDIA

A female’s physical and psychological being is structured around the roles of belief systems and shared culture. The stigma around women’s health in India incorporates many factors, concepts, and theories. A woman’s diagnosis is seen as biologically biased and the medicine in itself is gender biased in practice. The reductionist approach explains an illness through the biological lens and not much favourable to women. Therefore, a holistic and humanistic approach recognises human illness as a whole concept with social, cultural, political, and personal factors. The medical humanities increase awareness of social, humanistic, and cultural dimensions around health. This paper studies two case study based out of rural India which speak comprehensively of possible prejudice and practices in the health sector. The research draws upon a conceptual study through medical humanities approach. Concluding upon the structures of biomedical discourses and how they can affect the agency of women’s bodies and being, and how gender and illness coalesce to reflect upon a woman’s suffering.

Strategic entrepreneurship in VUCA environment: the competing forces of outcome variability

Purpose Scholars have extensively studied the concept of strategic entrepreneurship (SE), shedding light on its antecedents, dynamics and outcomes. However, a notable gap exists in understanding the reliability of its performance implications, which explains the inherent risks as well as the possibility of yielding outliers (instances of exceptionally high or low performance). Addressing this gap, this study aims to present a detailed analysis of the implications of SE for the variance of resulting performance distribution. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual study uses the deductive theory-building approach to dissect the four dimensions of SE (entrepreneurial mindset, entrepreneurial leadership and culture, managing resources strategically and applying creativity and developing innovations) as presented by Ireland et al.’s (2003) model, offering theoretical propositions on how each of them influences the variability of resulting performance distribution. Findings This study demonstrates that the strategic entrepreneurship (SE) dimensions have distinct impacts on the reliability/variability of performance outcomes, acting as boosters or attenuators in the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) context. Originality/value The study uniquely links each component of SE with outcome variability in VUCA environments, thereby shifting the focus from traditional performance metrics to outcome variability. This approach complements the existing body of knowledge on the performance implications of the SE construct by integrating a previously neglected critical perspective on the reliability of resulting performance distribution. These insights allow subsequent investigation of SE’s outcomes, including explaining the likelihood of obtaining positive outlier performance or firm failure.

Conceptual Study on the Effect of Palasha Gudavarti in Post-operative Pain Management of Anorectal Surgeries

Post-operative pain management is a crucial component of recovery, particularly following anorectal surgeries, where pain can significantly hinder healing. The prevalence of postoperative pain after 24 hours of surgery is 55.3%, after 48 hours is 34.7 % and of moderate to severe post-operative pain is 13 % after 24 hours, and 11.7% after 48 hours1 .Ano rectal pathology amenable to ambulatory surgery includes anal fissures, warts, fistulas, hemorrhoids,abscess and small neoplasms. Quick recovery after ano rectal surgery can be successful only with effective post-operative pain control. Acharya Sushruta recommends the use of Yashtimadhu siddha ghritha application over the operated area2 . Additionally , he advocates the application of shoolahara dravyas and vatahara dravyas processed with ghritha to the surgical site for effective pain relief. Planning a cost effective, reliable, time tested and technically simple management is the need of this modem era. The present study explores the possible analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties of Palasha Gudavarti, offering an alternative approach to conventional pain management techniques.

Non-Shariah Compliance Risks (NCR) and the Danger of Potential Fraud in the Islamic Financial Institutions: A Conceptual Framework

This research paper is a conceptual study that aims to examine financial fraud and its relation to non-compliance to Shariah for the Islamic financial institution in Malaysia. The study is unique because it seeks to understand how deviations from Shariah guidelines could contribute to financial misconduct, examining the specific non-Shariah compliance risks that arise when the deviation of internal control fails to align with Islamic law. Utilizing quantitative methodology, this study adopts and adapts from an existing structured questionnaire survey to collect data. This study also employs Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) in its analysis of the data. The implication of this study for policymakers includes the development of an effective strategy for mitigating financial fraud and ensuring Shariah compliance, thus ensuring the integrity and reputation of the Islamic financial sectors. This will undoubtedly contribute to the stability of the economy.

Factors Affecting Green Purchase Behavior Among Undergraduate Students: A Conceptual Analysis

This study focuses on a literature review examining the factors affecting green purchase behavior among undergraduate students. In the modern world the latest technology adaptation, allows consumers to be exposed to such information about product quality and benefits to them and society before going to purchase and consume it. Therefore, many governments and manufacturers take proactive actions by producing more green and environmentally friendly products. With aggressive marketing strategies in targeting pro-environmental consumers, especially the younger generation. However, it could be one opportunity to study among undergraduate students as part of the younger generation who are commonly educated, this group could be a significant group for pro-environmental consumers. There are several factors could be studied such as environmental concern, perceived consumer effectiveness, environmental knowledge, attitude toward green products, willingness to pay, and green purchase intention. This conceptual analysis study can pave the way for developing a framework and further research analysis.

A simulation study of MR-guided proton therapy system using iron-yoked superconducting open MRI: a conceptual study.

Radiotherapy platforms integrated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been significantly successful and widely used in X-ray therapy over the previous decade. MRI provides greater soft-tissue contrast than conventional X-ray techniques, which enables more precise radiotherapy with on-couch adaptive treatment planning and direct tracking of moving tumors. The integration of MRI into a proton beam irradiation system (PBS) is still in the research stage. However, this could be beneficial as proton therapy is more sensitive to anatomical changes and organ motion. In this simulation study, we considered the integration of PBS into the 0.3-T superconducting open MRI system. Our proposed design involves proton beams traversing a hole at the center of the iron yoke, which allows for a reduced fringe field in the irradiation nozzle while maintaining a large proton scan field of the current PBS. The shape of the bipolar MRI magnets was derived to achieve a large MRI field-of-view. To monitor the beam position and size accurately while maintaining a small beam size, the beam monitor installation was redesigned from the current system. The feasibility of this system was then demonstrated by the treatment plan quality, which showed that the magnetic field did not deteriorate the plan quality from that without the magnetic field for both a rectangular target and a prostate case. Although numerous challenges remain before the proposed simulation model can be implemented in a clinical setting, the presented conceptual design could assist in the initial design for the realization of the MR-guided proton therapy.

Conceptual Design Study of a Coffee Stem Gasification Scheme in the Context of a Biorefinery

Conceptual Design Study of a Coffee Stem Gasification Scheme in the Context of a Biorefinery

Educational assessment without numbers.

Psychometrics conceptualizes a person's proficiency (or ability, or competence), in a cognitive or educational domain, as a latent numerical quantity. Yet both conceptual and empirical studies have shown that the assumption of quantitative structure for such phenomena is unlikely to be tenable. A reason why most applications of psychometrics nevertheless continue to treat them as if they were numerical quantities may be that quantification is thought to be necessary to enable measurement. This is indeed true if one regards the task of measurement as the location of a measurand at a point on the real number line (the viewpoint adopted by, for example, the representational theory of measurement, the realist theory of measurement as the discovery of ratios, and Rasch measurement theory). But this is not the only philosophically respectable way of defining the notion of measurement. This paper suggests that van Fraassen's more expansive view of measurement as, in general, location in a logical space (which could be the real continuum, as in metrological applications in the physical sciences, but could be a different mathematical structure), provides a more appropriate conceptual framework for psychometrics. Taking educational measurement as a case study, it explores what that could look like in practice, drawing on fuzzy logic and mathematical order theory. It suggests that applying this approach to the assessment of intersubjectively constructed phenomena, such as a learner's proficiency in an inherently fuzzily-defined subject area, entails recognizing the theory-dependent nature of valid representations of such phenomena, which need not be conceived of structurally as values of quantities. Finally, some connections are made between this "qualitative mathematical" theorization of educational assessment, and the application of techniques from machine learning and artificial intelligence in this area.

Talent Management in The Era of Digitalization: A Conceptual Study on Global HR Strategies

Talent Management in The Era of Digitalization: A Conceptual Study on Global HR Strategies

Pharmacy Undergraduates’ Epistemic Cognition and Medication Beliefs as Predictors of Conceptual Learning and Academic Progress

The importance of studies showing the impact of students' epistemic beliefs on their conceptual learning and academic progress is increasing. This study investigated pharmacy students’ domain-specific epistemic cognition and topic-specific beliefs related to their level of conceptual prior knowledge, learning and study progress during the first academic year. Data were collected from 125 students using a pre-test/post-test design with a multiple-choice questionnaire, an open-ended case task and a measure of domain-specific epistemic cognition and topic-specific beliefs concerning medication. The results showed that students’ prior knowledge predicted their academic performance and more sophisticated epistemic cognition was related to better conceptual understanding, faster study progress, and fewer anti-medication beliefs. Anti-medication beliefs hindered participants’ success in the case task and were related to weaker study progress. Our study shows that epistemic cognition and topic-specific beliefs play a role in students’ performance, learning, and study progress

Conceptual design study of the tritium breeding unit for verifying the long-term performance of the breeding blanket

Fusion reactors produce high-energy neutrons through the Deuterium-Tritium (DT) reaction. The long-term performance verification and structural integrity assessment of the breeding blanket under continuous plasma operation are essential for the development of Demonstration fusion power reactor (DEMO) breeding blankets. The Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) has been planning the construction of a test facility called the Integrated Breeding Test Facility (IBTF) that uses a linear accelerator as the neutron source. A solid beryllium target has been considered to generate fusion-like neutrons. A conceptual design of the Tritium Breeding Unit (TBU), which is a key component of the breeding blanket, has been carried out. This study evaluated tritium production under fusion-like conditions using factors such as the position and thickness of the graphite block, the thickness of the first wall, and the radial length of the breeding zone. The results showed that increasing graphite block thickness and optimizing the dimensions of the TBU enhanced tritium production. However, these changes affected the structural integrity of the TBU. The side wall of the TBU experienced membrane plus bending stress, which exceeded the Level C and D acceptance criteria under the assumption of In-Box LOCA. Measures were investigated to ensure structural integrity while improving tritium production of the TBU.

Interpersonal Perception of Adult Playfulness at Zero-Acquaintance: A Conceptual Replication Study of Self-Other Agreement and Consensus, and an Extension to Two Accuracy Criteria.

We replicated and extended previous research examining the accuracy of judgments of four facets of adult playfulness (Other-directed, Lighthearted, Intellectual, and Whimsical; OLIW) at zero-acquaintance. We conducted a conceptual replication study. One hundred sixty targets provided self-ratings for the OLIW facets, textual self-descriptions (≤ five sentences), daily self-ratings of playfulness for 14 consecutive days, and ratings by knowledgeable others. Six unacquainted judges provided rated targets' playfulness based on their self-descriptions. We replicated findings on trait-wise self-other agreement (SOA) and consensus and extended prior research by testing SOA for profiles of the four facets and two distinct accuracy criteria (i.e., targets' diary data and aggregates of targets' self-reports and those from knowledgeable others). All interpersonal perception indicators showed that facets of playfulness can be perceived above chance (SOA ≥ 0.26; consensus ≥ 0.29, accuracies ≥ 0.16). SOA extends from single facets to profiles, also when controlling for stereotype effects. Playfulness can be accurately observed from minimal textual information at zero acquaintance. Our study highlights the robustness of findings on the interpersonal perception of playfulness across samples and methods, and degrees of acquaintanceship. We discuss implications for playfulness in social relationships.

A Conceptual Study on Effective Teaching Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms

Creating inclusive classrooms is a crucial aspect of modern education, aiming to provide equal learning opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities and diverse learning needs. The study reviews related literature to find effective teaching strategies for an inclusive classroom. To accommodate varied learning styles and capacities, the research strongly emphasizes differentiated training. Additionally, it discusses the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, which offers a variety of interaction, representation, and expression options to improve teaching and learning initiatives. The integration of assistive technology is highlighted for its role in enabling students to access the curriculum and participate fully in classroom activities. Furthermore, as a strategy for fostering an active and encouraging learning environment in the classroom, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) is covered. The study emphasizes how significant it is to foster an inclusive, cooperative, and respectful classroom environment. This research offers a guide for teachers who are dedicated to establishing inclusive classrooms that promote the achievement of all students through a blend of theoretical concepts and real-world experiences. Therefore, this conceptual paper analyzes the importance of selecting appropriate teaching strategies to create a practical inclusive classroom.

Conceptual Study of Ethical, Legal and Professional Considerations in Counseling Assessment

Aim: This research aims to find out and reveal ethical, legal and professional considerations in assessments. Method: The method used in writing this article is a literature review. Data collection techniques by analyzing the results of previous research journals. Data analysis uses qualitative descriptive techniques. Result and Disscusions: The results of this research reveal that ethical, legal and professional considerations in counseling assessments are very important. Conclusion: Counselors must maintain client confidentiality, provide clear information, and obtain written consent. Counselors are required to comply with laws regarding data privacy and client rights, and use valid and reliable assessment tools with appropriate competence. Ensure safe, fair and beneficial services for clients.