Essential Dimensions Research Articles

Les dimensions incarnée et interpersonnelle de la compassion

ObjectiveThe aim of this paper is to review current conceptualizations, assessment measures, and operationalizations of compassion (towards self and others) in order to propose a new theoretically grounded, empirically driven, unified notion of compassion towards self and others. In previous papers published in the Annales Médico-Psychologiques (Khoury, Dionne, & Grégoire, 2019; Khoury, Grégoire, & Dionne, 2020), we conceptualized mindfulness as being both “embodied” and “embedded” in the interpersonal and social context. Drawing on psychological, neurological, and neurophysiological evidence, this article extends these two essential dimensions (embodied and embedded/interpersonal) to compassion for self and others. MethodIn order to investigate the current conceptualizations, measurements, operationalizations of compassion towards self and others, we conducted a thorough qualitative review of theoretical and empirical papers pertaining to compassion from both Eastern Buddhist traditions and Western-based approaches. We put a particular emphasis on neurological and neurophysiological evidence. Different Buddhist and Western conceptualizations of compassion towards self and others are presented, critically reviewed, compared, and discussed and common affective, cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal components are drawn from these diverse conceptualizations. In addition, assessment measures of compassion towards self and others are presented along with their psychometric qualities and limitations. Multiple compassion-based interventions and programs are also presented and discussed. The role of the body in compassion towards self and others and more specifically the bidirectional mind-body connection is highlighted through the analysis of clinical, behavioral, and neuroscientific research findings. Empirical findings supporting the embodiment of compassion are thoroughly presented and linked to the proposed conceptualization of compassion towards self and others. Finally, we discuss the implications of the new conceptualization of compassion towards self and others as well as the limitations of this conceptualization and future research directions. Results and discussionTheoretical and empirical findings suggest that compassion has both top-down (cognitive) and bottom-up (emotional, somatosensory) dimensions and more precisely can be an integration (convergence) of both dimensions. In addition, the physical body seems to be central in the etiology, development, and expression of compassion. Moreover, neurophysiological evidence suggests that compassion can be behaviorally reinforced. Taken together, this suggests that compassion can be viewed as embodied and can be operationalized as a cognitive, emotional, and behavioral skill/ability that involves both self and others, therefore is embedded in the interpersonal/social context. Similar to mindfulness, compassion can therefore, be considered and integrated state of mind involving emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components. Mindfulness and compassion might also share neurophysiological commonalities, through the integration of top-down and bottom-up processes and the activation of specific vagal pathways as was proposed by the Polyvagal Theory. However, more research is warranted to delineate commonalities and differences between these two contemplative practices. ConclusionsThe new notion of embodied and embedded compassion integrates different conceptualizations of compassion by grounding compassion in common affective, cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal processes across different conceptualizations. This notion has important implications in conceptualizing and measuring compassion and in devising and validating new compassion-based interventions. Therefore, this notion should be taken in consideration in conducting future research on compassion towards self and others.

A State-Level Socioeconomic Data Collection of the United States for COVID-19 Research

The outbreak of COVID-19 from late 2019 not only threatens the health and lives of humankind but impacts public policies, economic activities, and human behavior patterns significantly. To understand the impact and better prepare for future outbreaks, socioeconomic factors play significant roles in (1) determinant analysis with health care, environmental exposure and health behavior; (2) human mobility analyses driven by policies; (3) economic pressure and recovery analyses for decision making; and (4) short to long term social impact analysis for equity, justice and diversity. To support these analyses for rapid impact responses, state level socioeconomic factors for the United States of America (USA) are collected and integrated into topic-based indicators, including (1) the daily quantitative policy stringency index; (2) dynamic economic indices with multiple time frequency of GDP, international trade, personal income, employment, the housing market, and others; (3) the socioeconomic determinant baseline of the demographic, housing financial situation and medical resources. This paper introduces the measurements and metadata of relevant socioeconomic data collection, along with the sharing platform, data warehouse framework and quality control strategies. Different from existing COVID-19 related data products, this collection recognized the geospatial and dynamic factor as essential dimensions of epidemiologic research and scaled down the spatial resolution of socioeconomic data collection from country level to state level of the USA with a standard data format and high quality.

РЕВІТАЛІЗАЦІЯ МІСТА: СУТНІСТЬ ТА КЛЮЧОВІ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ

The general articulation of the issue and its connection with the important research and practice tasks. The application of urban revitalization in the national territorial development policy requires a proper scientific justification. The key role is played thereby by the definition of basic concepts forming the subject area for managerial influence. The disclosure of their content allows to expand more explicitly on approaches to the implementation of relevant policy.The analysis of the recent publications regarding the issues this article deals with; identification of parts of the general problem that have not been previously addressed. Theoretical issues regarding the urban revitalization have not yet achieved thorough scientific study. It should be noted that in the national science of public administration there is no complex scientific research devoted to substantiation of urban revitalization. However, in the course of the world scientific thought evolution in this direction the modern understanding of the urban revitalization, particularities of this process and expected results were formed.The purpose (the objective) of this article. The article clarifies the essence and concept of the urban revitalization, defines its essential dimensions and key characteristics.The key results and the background. The extensive terminology in the field of the urban revitalization is considered, which differs in individual states, but is similar in semantic meaning of terms. Provisions concerning the spatial, economic, social, cultural, ecological, public administration dimensions of urban revitalization are revealed. Its object, which consists of all or part of the degraded territory with a high degree of territorial concentration of negative phenomena of spatial, economic or other nature, is substantiated. The crucial importance of management activities of public sector institutions in the process of urban revitalization is proved, in particular, the involvement and coordination of all stakeholders, identification of urban crisis developments, searching for innovative solutions for their solving, preparation and implementation of relevant projects and programs.Conclusions and the prospects of the further research. The main characteristics of urban revitalization are formulated concerning the characteristics of the negative factor accumulation in degraded urban areas; orientation of urban revitalization on creation of preconditions for sustainable territory development; complex and long-term nature of this process; the role of local governments, as well as instruments of public participation and public-private partnership. Prospects for further investigations in this direction include the study of the process of formation and implementation of public policy of urban revitalization.

Aspects of the European natural gas market in the dynamic context of global energy resources

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the structural changes of the European natural gas market through the lenses of the dynamic economic relations between European Union and its biggest energy supplier, Russia. The economic and political aspects are two essential dimensions to understand the measures taken by the EU in order to assure their security of supplies and at the same time to observe the Russian capacities to maximize their profits driven from its vast energy resources. Otherwise Russia is experiencing some difficulties in increasing its export shares on the European gas market, owing to several geopolitical challenges. Nevertheless, the relation between these two blocks could be defined as one of interdependence and symbiosis due to the evolution of the energy trade agreements. We attempt to identify those different market fundamentals and economic processes that have led to the mismatch between the crescent liberalisation in the EU gas sector and the Russian approach to energy market governance.

The promise of sustainability for Iowa

First paragraphs: I was first attracted to graduate school in sociol­ogy in part to help me understand the nagging question of why some people work hard and yet remain poor. When extrapolated to the community level, I was puzzled by why some communities seem to grow and thrive and yet others decline and stagnate. I wish this book had been available during my graduate training. Two essential dimensions of community eco­nomic development are the natural resource base of the community and the qualities of the work­force, what is often referred to as the human capi­tal of local residents. Jeopardizing either the re­source base or failing to invest in people generally diminishes the opportunities for economic devel­opment. Likewise, spoil the environment and it becomes less attractive to live in and those who can migrate elsewhere. Failing to invest in educa­tion and skill training often results in a marginal­ized population that cannot fully engage in the growth and development of the community. . . .

The Role of Mestiza Consciousness in Three Dimensions of Educational Expectations:A Self-Narrative of Borderland Pedagogy

ABSTRACT This manuscript examines the ways that a Queer Chicana teacher’s multiple identities and perceptions of race, gender, and sexuality shape her efforts to disrupt colonial models of education in the United States. Through a self-narrativization research design, the authors explore three essential dimensions of educational expectations (dispositional, ethical, and pedagogical) and illuminate concrete examples underpinning the concept of borderland pedagogy and the ways the teacher’s Queer and Chicana identities served as a source of strength to redefine the classroom. In doing so, this work has implications for educators to reexamine social justice dispositions and the ethical practice of classroom expectations of diverse students.

Iniciativas de Destinos Turísticos Inteligentes na Cidade de Natal-RN: Uma Abordagem Qualitativa

The objective of this research is to analyze the initiatives of Smart Tourism Destination [STD] present in Natal city, RN, Brazil. The study is based on the model of State Society for the Management of Innovation and Tourism Technologies (SEGITTUR), Spain, in which there are four dimensions to be developed to consolidate destinations as STD: Innovation, Technology, Universal Accessibility and Sustainability. Data collection used a semi-structured interview script with ten open questions applied to managers and researchers from the public and private sectors of the city. Documentary analysis of the Master Plan of Natal was also carried out, showing elements of Accessibility and to a lesser extent notion of Sustainability and Innovation. The interviews showed that Natal has incipient initiatives of Technology, Innovation and Accessibility, but it needs more projects of Sustainability to consolidate as STD. It deserves the attention of stakeholders in improving initiatives and acting together so that the essential dimensions are evolved in the city.

Effectiveness of Quality of Service towards Commitment of Suppliers with Reference to SME’s in Automobile Industry

Service quality is a focused evaluation that reflects the vendor's perception of specific dimensions of service. Though there is a problem with the automobile industry Covid-19 pandemic the sector may grow further in near future. The main objective is to examine the essential dimensions of service quality i.e. RATER- Reliability, assurance, tangibles, empathy and responsiveness of SME’s in the automobile industry and its effect on vendor’s satisfaction and to find out the perception of suppliers towards supply chain with the companies. For this, a sample of 50 was collected from the respondents were percentage analysis, Descriptive statistics, Multiple regression, Kruskal Wallis test, and one-way ANOVA were used as tools to analyse the data. The conclusion is that dimensional factors level of acceptance towards sourcing products from a limited number of suppliers, level of acceptance towards establishing clear criteria, and level of acceptance towards Suppliers collaborating with suppliers in materials are taken for decision making process of the study. It also reveals that while taking a decision on these dimensions the factor frequency of making supply should be taken for decision making process of the study.

Online Peer Assessment in a First Cycle University Degree – Which Challenges?

Authenticity and transparency constitute two essential dimensions in the digital assessment of competences. Authenticity emphasises the importance of the complexity inherent to online assessment tasks related to real life contexts and are recognised as relevant by students, teachers and potential employers. Transparency has to do with the students’ involvement in the assessment tasks, through the democratisation and knowledge of the used strategies. Self-, co- and peer assessment are powerful instruments in the transparency operationalisation. The current study presents the peer assessment (PA) implementation process in a first cycle university degree curricular unit, in online context. The study was planned according to the following purposes: (a) to identify peer assessment potentialities and constraints in first cycle university degrees; (b) to analyse the questions that are brought forward among students by the application of a scoring rubric; (c) to reflect on the obtained results, aiming at the improvement of the implementation process and its applicability to other curricular units. In this essay, the authors present and discuss the obtained results, and propose recommendations to improve the quality of the peer assessment process.

Taxonomy of Educational Problems in Support of Readiness for the Implementation of Minimum Competency Assessment and Character Survey in Elementary Schools

This study aims to determine the essential dimensions of primary school education problems in Sintang district based on their types and aspects to analyze the readiness to implement the minimum competency assessment and character survey in 2021 with a focus on two main study dimensions, namely the main problems of education and the dimensions of readiness to implement the minimum competency assessment policy and character survey. The data was collected by combining qualitative and quantitative approaches through the implementation of a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and a questionnaire. The FGD was attended by supervisors, school principals and elementary school teachers. Meanwhile, the questionnaire was filled in by elementary school teachers who were spread over some elementary schools in several sub-districts of Sintang district. Qualitative data analysis used taxonomic analysis techniques (taxonomy analysis) and interactive analysis from Miles and Huberman. Meanwhile, the quantitative analysis uses descriptive statistical analysis. The results showed that the taxonomy of educational problems in supporting the readiness to implement the minimum competency assessment and character survey in elementary schools in Sintang district was seen from the teacher dimensions regarding shortages and uneven distribution. In the curriculum dimension, it is considered that changes are too fast so that it becomes a source of confusion for some teachers, and in the learning process that has not made good use of information and communication technology tools. In the leadership and management dimension, the implementation of discipline and transparency is still low. In the dimension of school readiness towards implementing minimum competency assessment policies and character surveys in 2021, especially concerning the principal who not yet optimal initiative to encourage teacher involvement to find out and explore new policies and less proactive teachers in seeking information or increasing knowledge related to minimum competency assessment policies and character surveys through various available sources of information.

Fatigue crack growth material parameters- based on prototype pipe bend test and comparison with conventional parameters

An experimental study has been performed on a representative prototype-sized pipe bend made of SS 316 LN material to generate the relevant material parameters required for fatigue crack growth (FCG) simulation. Traditionally, FCG numerical simulation material parameters are generated based on specimen level test. In the literature there are many prototype pipe bend test results can be found. However, this paper takes a new look for generating FCG material parameters based on prototype-sized pipe bend test results.A semi-elliptical shaped pre-cracked pipe bend is used for the crack growth studies. Advancement of the crack profile has been measured in a periodic interval of cyclic testing, and the essential crack dimensions are derived to extract the FCG material parameters. FCG response curve derived, based on the prototype sized pipe bend test result, is well below the similar response curve obtained from the conventional material properties. The major reason behind this difference in FCG response is attributed to the influence of the residual stress locked during pipe bend fabrication. Based on these findings, it is recommended to adopt the material parameters derived based on the component-level test for more accurate prediction. Further studies are required to generalise the role of fabrication assisted effects in the material parameters in the case of prototype sized components.

Temporal arbitrage, fragmented rush, and opportunistic behaviors: The labor politics of time in the platform economy

This article examines how on-demand service workers on digital platforms make and live their time in the case of China’s food delivery industry. Using ethnographic data, the study elucidated multiple facets of couriers’ temporality in their struggle to meet the exacting delivery time imposed by platforms while moving through biased urban spaces as marginalized temporal subjects. It is argued that a new temporal order, referred to as temporal arbitrage in this study, has been normalized in the recent platform economy. It shifts the customer’s cultural expectation to on-demand service at the expense of an increasingly hectic tempo for the workers. We demonstrate the mundane, and sometimes opportunistic, tactics deployed by workers to reconstruct their temporality. The article connects the workers’ temporality to the urban spaces, digital work process, and socioeconomic structures. It fills an important research gap by addressing the under-explored yet essential temporal dimensions in the expanding “just-in-time” labor force.

Transmission or ‘creative fidelity’? The institutional communicator’s role in the Church today

The role of the institutional communicator in the Church today has a special relevance derived from the credibility crisis suffered by this institution. A greatly increased awareness to this theme leads to the discovery of profound and essential dimensions of this role, which are discussed in this article. The focus is on the credibility of the communicator, who, on one hand is called to take full responsibility for what he says, but on the other hand speaks in the name of and through a collective subject—the Church or one of its specific constituent parts—that doesn’t always receive much appreciation from its numerous audiences; it is actually often perceived to be “biased” as an institution, it is widely opposed and criticized. An in-depth analysis regarding the role of credibility from a sociological point of view is illustrated by the application of the three roles identified by Erving Goffman—animator, author and principal—to the figure of the institutional communicator, underlining his responsibilities as communication co-leader. A comparison with the concept of translator as a mediator illuminates other characteristics of the communicator, and functions as a basis to comment on some of the virtues (both personal and professional), which he must possess, enhancing both his credibility and efficiency. The application of the concept of creative fidelity (fidélité créatrice) from the French philosopher Gabriel Marcel, together with the interrelation between comprehension and exposition in a comprehensible manner (hermeneutics and creativity), highlights the necessity of reconsidering the importance of communication and of the communicator within the decision-making process.

Organizational culture for training transfer: the mediating role of motivation

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effect of motivation to transfer training in between five dimensions of organizational culture and training transfer.Design/methodology/approachThis paper followed a positivist epistemology to understand the factors associated with training transfer. The descriptive and causal research design was used for data analysis. A proportionate stratified random sample of 150 faculties responded to a self-administered questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed to examine the hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that motivation to transfer training partially mediates the relationship between the four dimensions of organizational culture (i.e. job challenge, communication, innovation and social cohesion) and training transfer. Further, the results also show the relation between trust and training transfer is fully mediated by the motivation to transfer training.Practical implicationsFor better training transfer higher education sector ought to consider organizational related factors such as organizational culture, rather than only focusing on individual-related factors. The education sector would have strengthened each dimension of organizational culture to motivate the faculties for training transfer.Originality/valueOrganizational culture dimensions (job challenge, communication, trust, innovation and social cohesion) are the essential dimensions for training transfer which are less prioritized despite their importance.

Factors affecting the frequency of citation of an article

The relevance of citations is clear since they constitute a substantial part of most bibliometric indicators. The aims of the present paper are to identify several factors associated with obtaining citations to explain these and, finally, to offer authors a number of useful suggestions. Those studies that have had the greatest influence on science are also those that are most frequently cited. The essential factor leading to a study being cited is that it should make a significant contribution to the advance of science; that is, the relevance of the research. But other essential dimensions exist: Accessibility; Dissemination; Scientific authority. Other predictive factors allow us to predict the number of citations a document may receive: Prior production by the authors; Structural context of the work; Scientific trends; Validity/Obsolescence (expiry) of results; Quality of formal aspects; Theoretical context of the study; Types of work. Finally, some ways are suggested to improve the citations of their works and thus contribute to a wider dissemination and development of science.

“The Latter-Day General Grant”: Forceful Federal Power and Civil Rights

AbstractProgress toward racial equality requires the engagement of the American state, centered in the presidency and the executive branch, and in fact is not possible without the state's direct and forceful intervention. The key to this transformation is what we call “Forceful Federalism,” a multidimensional understanding of the American state. Forceful Federalism has four essential dimensions: standard-setting, coercion, associationalism, and fiscal authority. These four processes rise and fall over time, each charting its own history and unfolding according to its own logic. These processes usually work against each other. But occasionally they align with each other so that the state can pursue and achieve even difficult and challenging policy aims in a focused way. We sketch the outlines of Forceful Federalism and demonstrate its explanatory power with a case study of Forceful Federalism in action: James Meredith's integration of the University of Mississippi in 1962. The Meredith case exemplifies the convergence of the four dimensions of Forceful Federalism and marks the first time the modern American state was thus mobilized on behalf of civil rights. The case offers suggestive evidence that Forceful Federalism was a necessary condition for the emergence of the Civil Rights State.

Broadening our Sight: Considering Patient-Provider Therapeutic Alliances to Improve Health Care

Two decades of research on patient experiences and patient-centered care has assumed that positive outcomes result from therapeutic alliances between patients and their professional care providers, yet therapeutic alliance has rarely been defined or measured. As more research reveals problems with patient experiences and reduced well-being among professional care providers, a closer examination of patient-provider relationships is warranted. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the attributes of a therapeutic alliance in health care from the patient’s perspective, then to identify quantitative measures that capture the full construct. We conducted conceptual analysis studies: (1) survey of therapeutic alliance dimensions by academic content experts (n=24); (2) two patient focus groups (n= 9; n=13); (3) a systematic review of measures of therapeutic alliance and its essential dimensions across three databases using the PRISMA guidelines. Of 2449 articles initially identified, 52 articles were retained for review after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Constructs measured were mapped onto the therapeutic alliance dimensions derived from this study’s preceding qualitative work. Analysis found no measures that captured all of the therapeutic alliance dimensions. “Shared Mind” was the most frequently measured construct (n=27 unique measures). “Full Presence/Authenticity” was identified by patients and content experts as being key for strong alliances, yet there was little published research on this construct. Broadening our sight for better health care necessitates considering the core patient-provider relationship and how it impacts both patient and care provider outcomes.

'Can you please hold my hand too, not only my breast?' The experiences of Muslim women from Turkish and Moroccan descent giving birth in maternity wards in Belgium.

To reach nuanced understanding of the perinatal experiences of ethnic minority women from Turkish and Moroccan descent giving birth in maternity wards in Belgium thereby gaining insight into the underlying challenges of providing intercultural care for ethnic minority persons in a hospital setting. A qualitative study design was used by conducting In-depth interviews with 24 women from Turkish and Moroccan descent who gave birth during the past three years in maternity wards in Flanders, Belgium. The interviews were analysed using a Grounded Theory Approach. This study shows that the women's care experiences were shaped by the care interactions with their caregivers, more specifically on the attention that was given by the caregivers towards two essential dimensions of the care relationship, viz. Ereignis (attention to what happens) and Erlebnis (attention to how it happens). These two dimensions were interrelated in four different ways, which defined the women's care experiences as being either 'uncaring', 'protocolized', 'embraced' or 'ambiguous'. Moreover, these experiences were fundamentally embedded within the women's cultural context, which has to be understood as a relational process in which an emotional and moral meaning was given to the women's care expectations, interactions and interpretations of care. The findings reveal that the quality of intercultural care depends on the nature and quality of care interactions between ethnic minority patients and caregivers much more than on the way in which cultural questions and tensions are being handled or dealt with in a practical way. As such, the importance of establishing a meaningful care relationship should be the priority when providing intercultural care. In this, a shift in perspective on 'culture' from being an 'individual culture-in-isolation' towards an understanding of culture as being inter-relational and emerging from within these care relationships is necessary.

Training of human resources for universal health: strategic actions from academic institutions

RESUMENEl desafío de avanzar hacia la materialización del derecho a la salud para todos a través de la estrategia para el acceso y la cobertura universal de salud (salud universal) requiere de múltiples condiciones y acciones. Una de ellas es contar con trabajadores de la salud suficientes, bien distribuidos y con las competencias y motivación que hagan posible la transformación de los servicios de salud y proporcionen respuestas integrales y de calidad a las personas y sus comunidades. Este artículo, producto del diálogo de académicos de diversos centros universitarios de las Américas, reflexiona y enfatiza cuatro dimensiones esenciales: la planificación, la formación interprofesional, la misión o responsabilidad social de los centros formadores y el uso de modelos de docencia-servicio-investigación. Estas dimensiones deben ser atendidas para una formación integral de profesionales de salud que contribuyan a hacer factible la salud universal.

GST fraud prevention to ensure business sustainability: a Malaysian case study

PurposeThis study provides in-depth explanation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud prevention towards sustainability business.Design/methodology/approachThis study applies a qualitative research method, i.e. case study, to address the specific research objective.FindingsThe finding revealed a GST prevention model towards sustainable business. The finding shows that it is pertinent for the government to set preventive strategies in order to retain sustainable income for the government. Two essential dimensions emerged in the findings to support preventive strategies, namely macro- and micro-level measures.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study provide managers, investors and policymakers with evidence to what extent GST fraud could be minimize in order to safeguard government source of revenue and retain sustainable business in a country. As GST is an important source of revenue for the government, it is thus crucial to prevent fraud from occurring.Originality/valuePast studies have primarily focused on GST implementation from the perspective of service tax effectiveness and efficiency. However, this study examined the impact of GST fraud to determine measures that could ensure service tax sustainability using preventive strategies, in turn, introducing to the existing literature on indirect tax.