High Aspirations Research Articles

Chapter Fifteen. France: High Ambitions, Reduced Influence

Chapter Fifteen. France: High Ambitions, Reduced Influence

Self-Determination Components as Predictors of Job Performance Among Secondary School Teachers in Ebonyi State

The study examined self-determination components as predictors of job performance among secondary school teachers in Ebonyi State. The study used the correlation research design. Three research questions and three corresponding hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study comprised all 6, 121 teachers in the 226 public secondary schools in Ebonyi State. The simple random sampling technique was used to draw 399 teachers as sample for the study. Two self-designed instrument (questionnaire) titled Self-Determination Scale (SDS), and Teachers’ Tasks Performance Scale (TTPS) were used to collect data for the study. The Cronbach Alpha was used to determine the reliability of the instruments; the reliability coefficients obtained were .92 and .88 respectively. The research question was answered using simple regression while hypotheses were tested with regression analysis. The finding of the study revealed that self-determination components (competence, autonomy and relatedness,) significantly predict job performance of teachers in public secondary schools in Ebonyi State. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that teachers should take their career direction very seriously by being committed and dedicated in other to achieve high aspiration. Keywords: Self-determination, Competence, Autonomy, Relatedness and Teachers’ Job Performance.

Bringing Realism to the Idealism of Small States: Norway and Atrocity Prevention at the UN Security Council

ABSTRACT This article examines Norway’s approach to the responsibility to protect (R2P) norm and atrocity prevention during its term on the UN Security Council (2021–22). Because it is a small state with high ambitions for its international human rights and humanitarian profile, one might expect Norway to be a strong defender of the R2P norm, in line with the idea that small states are often norm entrepreneurs. However, this article argues that prioritizing R2P and atrocity prevention norms in the Security Council may conflict with other Norwegian foreign policy interests such as peace diplomacy and consensus building. Indeed, in its approach to its Security Council seat, Norway prioritised agendas that fit a neutral, diplomatic approach to conflict prevention and civilian protection. Taking a pragmatic approach to problem solving in the Council was a strategy that served Norwegian interests. In a time when extremely tense global relations hamper the Security Council’s work, small states may not find it in their interest to take strong and outspoken positions on the gravest human rights abuses. Advocates of the R2P norm should look to other institutions to secure international involvement in atrocity prevention and promote R2P.

The paths of career aspiration for intern nursing students: A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis

AimThis study was conducted to explore the combination of different conditional variables that led to high career aspiration of intern nursing students. BackgroundA severe shortage of nurses exists nationwide, and nurses’ low career aspiration contribute to high turnover rates and hinder the high-quality development of the nursing field. Nursing students undergoing clinical practice will become the backbone of future nursing staff. Enhancing their career aspiration is crucial for developing nursing career education and stabilizing the nursing team. DesignThis was a cross-sectional study. Using the cluster sampling method, 521 intern nursing students from Henan and Anhui in China were selected as participants from December 2023 to January 2024. MethodsThis study employed the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to explore the configuration for paths of leading to high career aspiration among intern nursing students. General information questionnaires, career aspiration scale, clinical practice maladjustment scale, self-reflection and insight scale were used as measures in this study. ResultsThe results showed that students’ origin, professional attitude, GPA, self-reflection and insight, relationship with preceptors and clinical practice maladjustment have a combined effect on career aspiration. This study found that eight configuration combined into four models could explain 75.9 % of high-level career aspiration (solution consistency = 0.786; solution coverage = 0.759). ConclusionThe level of career aspiration among intern nursing students is the result of the combination of different conditional variables. Using a configurational perspective to intervene in nursing students with various characteristics is expected to enhance the career aspiration of intern nursing students.

Manifestation of national identity in the socio-political values of student youth

The problem of national identity is one of the most controversial, not losing scientific and socio-political relevance for many centuries. National identity is based on a system of value guidelines that unites individuals into a single historical, cultural and social community. The formation of national self-awareness occurs in the process of internalization by an individual of the value system of his country. At the same time, the self-perception of belonging to a certain nation is not predetermined by formal citizenship and is not given once and for all; throughout the life of an individual there is the possibility of choice and change of national identity. This choice is inevitable when the country’s value guidelines change. The modern period in Russian history, and indeed the whole world, is a kind of bifurcation point; the values of the globalizing world, the so-called Western values, come into conflict with traditional Russian values. For the preservation of Russian national identity, the choice of young people is of particular importance. The future of the country depends on what value guidelines form the basis of the national self-determination of today's Russian youth. The article presents the results of a study of the relationship between socio-political values and the choice of national identity of Russian students. It is not by chance that students are identified as the object of observation. As the avant-garde, the most educated part of young people with high ambitions and a desire for social independence, students are the most receptive to change. For the analysis, empirical data from a study by the Center for Political Science of the Institute of Socio-Political Research of FCTAS RAS “Students of Russia: civic culture and life strategies” were used. Using the method of factor analysis, based on the results of an empirical study, three basic types of identity were identified: “Russian, person of his city”, “person of the world, the Internet”, “Asian”. It has been proven that the prevailing type of student identity is closely related to his socio-political attitudes and guidelines. The types that differ most in their views are “Russian, person of the city” and “person of the world, the Internet.” The first type is characterized by pronounced positive assessments of Russia's situation on the world stage, optimistic forecasts for the development of both the economy and the development of the country as a whole in 10-15 years. Representatives of this type see the main national idea in the unity of the peoples of Russia in order to revive the country as a great power. Representatives of the “person of the world, Internet” type are characterized by less positive assessments of the present and future of Russia. The main national idea for them is to create a legal and modern democratic state, the path of development is a free market economy. Among the values, such concepts as human rights, freedom and democracy are more significantly represented. But the most important difference between the second type is the pronounced migration sentiment.

COVID-19, school closures and the retreat from educational aspirations.

As a shared external shock, the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) impacted health and well-being around the world. Mitigation strategies employed in many locations included school closures and travel restrictions. These strategies directly impacted educational access and opportunities and created economic stressors for families. This study examines how these direct impacts also altered educational aspirations for children and adolescents, an important predictor of educational attainment. We estimate multilevel regression models using two waves of data, collected in 2017-18 and 2020-21, from 1294 children and adolescents (Mean age = 13.1, SD = 2.8; 50.3% female) in Jalisco, Mexico, and 2201 children and adolescents (Mean age = 14.7, SD = 2.6; 49.1% female) in Chitwan Nepal. We examine changes in educational aspirations between the two waves (pre- and post-COVID-19 onset). Initial aspirations are positively associated with household wealth, caregiver education, and prior commitment to education. Multilevel regression models predicting changes in educational aspirations demonstrate these resources are important for maintaining high educational aspirations. But children and adolescents in households that experienced more economic loss following the external shock of the pandemic had lowered aspirations over time. Disruptions to schooling and economic shocks to households curtailed educational aspirations among children and adolescents in a similar way in two disparate settings. These results raise concerns about the educational attainment of children in the face of external shocks and the possibility that educational progress will stall in low resourced environments among the most vulnerable youth.

Implementation of the Protection Policy for Children and Women

Sexual violence against children is one of the serious problems facing the government today. Socially child protection is a joint effort and action from all social strata, different positions and different roles. They are very aware of the importance of children for the future of the homeland and the nation. As a young generation who have high aspirations for the country, future leaders of the country, and a source of hope for the previous generation, they need the widest possible opportunity to grow and develop mentally, physically and physically. This research approach uses descriptive or data collection using published or perish databases from Google Scholar to produce 640 documents. UU no. 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection also explains that Child Protection is all activities to guarantee children and their rights so that they can live, grow, develop and participate optimally in accordance with human dignity and status and receive protection from violence and discrimination. But unfortunately in its application often experience obstacles and obstacles, both caused by internal factors and external factors. This can be seen from the increase in cases of child abuse which are increasing every year. The issued policies are hampered in terms of implementation, even though several bodies have been formed such as KPAI (Indonesian National Commission for Child Protection) and P2TP2A.

The paradoxical nature of greening transportation: an analysis of tensions in buyer–supplier dyads

PurposeContradictory sustainability priorities and perspectives among supply chain actors in greening transportation can be challenging. Several of these contradictions can be described as paradoxes (i.e. interests that are logical in themselves, but become irrational when perceived together). The aim of this study is to increase the understanding of paradoxical tensions hampering the greening of transportation in transport buyer–supplier dyads.Design/methodology/approachA case study method targeting greening transportation in two transport buyer–supplier dyads was applied, followed by an analysis with a point-of-departure in paradox theory.FindingsTensions related to performing, belonging, learning and organizing paradoxes in greening transportation were identified. These tensions arise as a consequence of actions, perspectives and other tensions, within three identified loci in individual companies and in dyads.Research limitations/implicationsBy identifying examples of tensions through the lens of paradoxes in a particular setting, this study provides an increased understanding of why the transition toward green transportation goes slow, despite the high ambitions of involved actors. The suggested framework provides a novel contribution to the literature that further increases the understanding of tensions, by providing additional insights into where tensions arise and how actions, perspectives and tensions in one place of a locus spectrum can disseminate along that spectrum.Originality/valueThis study is original because it applies paradox theory and the four categories of performing, belonging, learning and organizing within the field of greening transportation, and in particular as a lens to study interactions between different actors.

Health impact of policies to reduce agriculture-related air pollutants in the UK: The relative contribution of change in PM2.5 exposure and diets to morbidity and mortality

Food systems can negatively impact health outcomes through unhealthy diets and indirectly through ammonia emissions originating from agricultural production, which contribute to air pollution and consequently cardiovascular and respiratory health outcomes. In the UK, ammonia emissions from agriculture have not declined in the same way as other air pollutants in recent years. We applied a novel integrated modelling framework to assess the health impacts from six ammonia reduction scenarios to 2030: two agriculture scenarios – a “Current trends” scenario projecting current mitigation measures to reflect a low ambition future, and “High ambition mitigation” based on measures included in the Climate Change Committee's Balanced Pathway to Net Zero; three dietary scenarios – a “Business as usual” based on past trajectories, “Fiscal” applying 20% tax on meat and dairy and 20% subsidy on fruit and vegetables, and “Innovation” applying a 30% switch to plant-based alternatives; one combination of “High ambition mitigation” and “Innovation”. Compared to “Current trends”, the “High ambition mitigation” scenario would result in a reduction in premature mortality of 13,000, increase life years by 90,000 and reduce incidence of respiratory diseases by 270,000 cases over a 30 year period. Compared to Business as Usual, the dietary scenarios would reduce the number of premature deaths by 65,000 and 550,000–600,000 life years gained over 30 years, with most of the benefits gained by reducing ischemic heart disease (incidence reduction: 190,000). The “High ambition combination” would lead to 67,000 deaths averted, 536,000 incidence reductions and 650,000 life-years gained. For all scenarios, older age groups and those living in lower income households would experience the greatest benefits, because of higher underlying mortality rates or higher levels of risk factors. Our study shows that combining mitigation policies targeting agricultural production systems with diet-related policies would lead to significant reductions in emissions and improvement in health outcomes.

Swallowing hydrodynamics visualization and aspiration quantification in a patient-specific pharyngolaryngeal model with varying epiglottis inversions

Impaired swallowing, or dysphagia, significantly affects patients' well-being and health. Nearly half of the patients with head and neck cancers experience dysphagia or aspiration following radiation therapy or surgery. However, current dysphagia management approaches are primarily symptom-based rather than etiology-specific, owing to a lack of clear understanding of aspiration mechanisms. This study aimed to understand the mechanisms of aspiration in an anatomically accurate pharyngolaryngeal model at different epiglottis angles. A biomechanical swallowing model was developed using transparent casts, and liquid flow dynamics were visualized using fluorescent dye from side and back views. Two liquids and two dispensing conditions were evaluated for their roles in aspiration. The results demonstrated distinct flow dynamics between water and a 1 ​% w/v methylcellulose aqueous solution and, to a lesser extent, between fast and slow dispensing for the same liquid. Three frequent aspiration sites were identified, including the interarytenoid notch, the cuneiform tubercular recess, and the vallecula, corresponding to aspiration mechanisms of notch overflow, recess overflow, and creeping flow, respectively. The angle of the epiglottis influenced flow dynamics in at least three ways: by facilitating gravity-assisted fluid movement, redistributing flow through the gap between the epiglottis tip and pharyngeal wall, and affecting creeping flow via the angle between the epiglottis base and hypopharynx. Slow dispensing of water to the anterior oropharynx resulted in a significantly high aspiration rate with a downward tilted epiglottis due to concurrent tubercle-recess overflow and vallecular creeping flow. The biomechanical model can serve as a testing platform for better understanding aspiration mechanisms and developing etiology-based strategies before and after treatments for head and neck cancers.

“Échale ganas, tú puedes”: Latinx/a/o Parents Supporting Students’ College Aspirations During COVID-19

ABSTRACT This paper demonstrates how Latinx/a/o parents drew on various forms of capital to support their children’s college application, choice, and transition during the pandemic. Latinx/a/o parents encouraged and supported their children by maintaining high college aspirations despite COVID-19 concerns, entrusting their children with their college choice decisions despite sometimes conflicting with their own, and supporting their children in their college transition through consejos and encouragement. This study contributes to the literature by centering Latinx/a/o parents’ counternarratives that highlight their ongoing commitment to supporting students’ college aspirations despite deficit notions exacerbated by the pandemic.

Robotics uncharted: When hazardous-duty robots met the Fukushima nuclear disaster (2011–2015)

The Fukushima nuclear disaster of 11 March 2011, created a hazardous environment for both residents and rescue workers. The proficient use of robotic technology to assist with disaster mitigation and intense research into this genre of robotics had been proposed as a pivotal substitute for endangering disaster workers in disaster response. However, despite the high expectations and aspirations of Japan’s competitive robotics industry, the technological and political problems surrounding the use of robots were severe. Robot-enabled disaster management can only materialize through effective policy direction by the government. This paper explores the problems of using robots in disaster management since Japan’s launch of a nuclear disaster-response robot project in the 1980s.

Ambitious, misaligned, or uncertain? The occupational and educational aspirations of immigrant-origin youth in Germany

ABSTRACT Immigrant-origin students often hold higher educational aspirations than native-origin peers, accounting for socioeconomic status and school grades. The consequences of this ‘Immigrant Aspiration Paradox’ (IAP) on their socioeconomic attainment are debated. Although individuals’ occupational aspirations and how they compare with their educational aspirations (i.e. their alignment) also affect status attainment, they are understudied in the IAP literature. We contribute to the debate on the benefits of the IAP by investigating immigrant-native gaps in the level, (mis)alignment, and (un)certainty of teenage occupational and educational aspirations and their consequences on educational attainment in Germany. First, we describe immigrant-native gaps in teenage aspirations. Then, we investigate whether these differences mediate immigrant-native gaps in upper secondary attainment and tertiary enrollment. In line with the immigrant optimism theory, Asian-origin and Turkish-origin students are more likely to hold aligned high aspirations. On average, immigrant-origin students are less likely to have aligned low aspirations compared to native-origin students, and equally likely to hold misaligned or uncertain aspirations. We find that students from most immigrant-origin groups have a higher upper secondary attainment and tertiary enrollment than native-origin students, net of controls. Large portions of these advantages are mediated by the aspirations of immigrant-origin students, which we interpret as evidence of the benefits of the IAP.

Preoperative gastric volume assessment using ultrasound in cerebral palsy pediatric patients: a prospective observational study

BackgroundAlthough cerebral palsy is a risk factor for aspiration, there is insufficient research on residual gastric volume after preoperative fasting in children with cerebral palsy. We evaluated the incidence of a full stomach by ultrasound assessment of the gastric volume in children with cerebral palsy who underwent orthopedic surgery after preoperative fasting. MethodsThe patients fasted for 8 h for solid foods and 2 h for clear liquids. We obtained the gastric antral cross-sectional area using ultrasound in the semi-recumbent and right lateral decubitus positions. A calculated stomach volume > 1.5 mL.kg−1 was considered as full, which poses a high aspiration risk. The primary outcome was the incidence of full stomach, and the secondary outcomes were the qualitative gastric volume, correlation of disease severity categorized according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System with the residual gastric volume, gastric volume per body weight, and qualitative gastric volume. ResultsThirty-seven pediatric patients with cerebral palsy, scheduled for elective orthopedic surgery, were included for analysis. Full-stomach status was observed in none, and the gastric volume per body weight was 0.5 (0.4–0.7) mL.kg−1. No significant differences were observed in the residual gastric volume (p = 0.114), gastric volume per body weight (p = 0.117), or qualitative grade of gastric volume (p = 0.642) in relation to disease severities. ConclusionChildren with cerebral palsy who fasted preoperatively had empty or nearly empty stomachs. Further studies are required to determine the optimal fasting duration for such children.

P-716 What do Africans know about their fertility? A systematic literature review exploring fertility knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour among African population groups

Abstract Study question What is the knowledge, attitude, and behaviour regarding fertility, among African population groups? Summary answer Fertility knowledge and uptake of treatment options for infertility were found to be sub-optimal while the attitude towards fertility were mixed. What is known already Infertility affects 1 in 6 couples worldwide according to the WHO, with some evidence of higher incidence among the African population. Health policies have highlighted the importance of optimising fertility through better knowledge and, recently, there has been a concerted effort from several stakeholders to improve fertility-education. An important component of doing this effectively is to understand the current status and identify gaps. Most studies on this topic, however, have focused on high-income countries. This study aimed to assess current patterns of fertility knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour; and identify improvement opportunities but with a focus on the African population group. Study design, size, duration Global Health, MEDLINE, Web of Science PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar databases were systematically searched for articles published between 2000 and 2023. Articles covering fertility knowledge, attitude and practices were included if they had been conducted in Africa and were published in an English language peer-reviewed journal. Participants/materials, setting, methods Articles were extracted and reviewed independently by two researchers. Content was analysed and categorised thematically. Quality assessment of studies were conducted. Main results and the role of chance The systematic search yielded 1939 articles and 25 articles were included, studies were from Nigeria, South Africa, Gambia, Egypt, Kenya. Overall, the reviewed studies showed that Africans place a high value on their fertility and have high aspirations towards parenthood, with childbearing being perceived as fulfilment or destiny. Knowledge and understanding of ART and treatment options was found to be low in studies assessed. There was also low knowledge of age-related fertility decline and low understanding of the menstrual cycle and ovulation. Although the attitude towards infertility and assisted reproductive technology was mixed, there is more openness within the higher-socioeconomic demographics, although generally sub-optimal. Overall studies also highlighted several myths and misinformation about ART. There were important factors influencing behaviour: such as the importance of being married, having a steady income, and safe-housing. Some studies also highlighted that cultural beliefs and religion also play an important role. Research findings showed that there is stigma associated with childlessness in many African communities. Although some studies reported attributing infertility to fate or destiny, most remain open to treatment through various methods, ranging from ART to herbalist and spiritual intervention, with some considering prayer a method of treatment. Limitations, reasons for caution This study focused on fertility knowledge, attitude and practices of Africans which has implications for generalisability among wider population groups. From our quality assessment, some of the studies in the systematic review had methodological limitations. Wider implications of the findings While strategies and policies to improve fertility awareness are being deployed, it is important to consider the needs of lower- and middle-income countries. Findings can inform government policies aiming to improve education, minimise ART costs, improve health-equity and access; ultimately allowing people to achieve their desired family-building intentions. Trial registration number not applicable

The Effect of the Logical-Emotional Imagination and the Formation of Responsibility Methods in Developing Emotional Confidence among University Students

The university student’s feeling of a decline in his emotional confidence will lead him to psychological and behavioral problems, the results of which will ultimately be educational, especially during his relationship with his classmates, his professors, and the academic courses required of him. This is certainly due to his low self-esteem, because high self-esteem leads the student to feel comfortable and reassured academically, which makes him possess disciplined academic emotional abilities and skills and high ambition in order to achieve better satisfactory educational achievements in the future.

Implementation of Perkasal Policy Number 38 of 2021 Regarding the Acceptance of Cadets and Cadets of the AL Navy Academy in a Gender Perspective

This research will examine the implementation of Policy Perkasal Number 38 of 2021 regarding the Admission of Cadets at the Indonesian Navy Academy (Akademi TNI AL) from a gender perspective. It will also explore the challenges faced in the implementation and efforts to overcome these challenges within the framework of Policy Perkasal Number 38 of 2021. The research will focus on the selection process of male and female cadets according to the mentioned policy. The research methodology employed in this study is descriptive qualitative research. Data collection methods include interviews, observations, and literature reviews. The theoretical framework used in this research is the policy implementation theory according to Mazmanian and Paul A. Sabatier. The findings of the research indicate that the implementation of this policy has not yet achieved gender equality and justice. Technical constraints and societal views that do not support equality remain significant challenges. The policy lacks clear objectives to prevent gender discrimination. Socio-economic conditions in Indonesia also influence the acceptance of male and female cadets. Factors affecting policy implementation involve ambiguity in gender-based quotas, lack of socialization, limited involvement of female soldiers in structural positions, high aspirations to enter non-military higher education institutions, decreasing interest in becoming civil servants, minimal facilities, heavy curriculum burdens, and a shortage of human resources. Recommendations include establishing clear gender-based admission quotas, intensifying socialization efforts related to Policy Perkasal Number 38 of 2021, increasing the involvement of female soldiers in structural positions, adjusting the military education concept to the social context of women, and improving training facilities for prospective Indonesian Navy soldiers.

Factors Affecting Academic Resilience During Crises: Cases of Secondary School Students in Phuket, Thailand

Academic resilience is crucial in today’s crisis-prone society. This qualitative study explored the factors that shaped academic resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen the global literature on resilience and postpandemic policy and practice in education. This study adopted a multiple-case study design, with the application of replication logic and data collection via semistructured interviews. The case studies featured interviews with three academically resilient students in Phuket and nine relevant informants, including parents, homeroom teachers, and local stakeholders. These interviews covered various factors surrounding personal qualities, families, peer groups, schools and teachers, communities and cultures, and the pandemic. Through thematic analysis, seven overarching themes emerged from the data: (1) achievement-oriented characteristics, (2) high aspirations, (3) COVID-19-driven adaptability, (4) self-directed learning in the use of online resources, (5) healthy family functioning, (6) role models, and (7) social support in the context of a giving culture.

Agrivoltaic System: Current and Future Water, Energy, Food, and Land (WEFL) Needs in Benin, West Africa

Water, energy, and food are essential for all humans and require land use. In a land-limited country with high ambitions for solar PV and a growing population, balancing land use for energy and food is necessary to avoid sectorial competition and minimise pressure on land resources. Agrivoltaics, an integrated approach combining energy and food production on the same land, can help to provide clean water, clean and affordable energy, and quality food for the growing population. This innovative approach to the water-energy-food-land nexus (WEFL) has been experimented with and attracted greater research interest and acceptance in many countries, mainly in the North but not so much in Africa. Agrivoltaics is relatively new in West Africa, and minimal research and development have been conducted within the region. As a desk-based study, this paper reviews the WEFL state in Benin and discusses how agrivoltaics could be an asset for current and future WEFL to improve sustainable development in Benin.

The Power and Roots of Aspirations

Abstract Aspirations have become a common theme in empirical economics studies but there is no unified understanding of the range of outcomes they influence, the factors that shape them, and how to measure them. We survey this growing literature. We argue that there is compelling evidence to consider aspirations as a useful lens to analyze human behavior and development outcomes, at the individual and aggregate levels, in poorer and richer countries. The empirical evidence aligns with the theory that high aspirations can lead individuals to achieve better educational, labor market, and other outcomes and can contribute to making countries more equal and prosperous. The empirical evidence also confirms that the mix of social and circumstantial factors shaping aspirations tends to hinder the aspirations of the disadvantaged—such as the poor, immigrants, and women—and can contribute to vicious circles of poverty, high inequality, low social mobility, and low growth. However, high aspirations should not be considered an end in themselves as they can backfire, with deleterious effects, if unmatched with opportunities. Further, we argue that definitional and measurement issues can affect the understanding of the topic and that studies should more explicitly describe their measures of aspirations to ensure that divergent underlying concepts are not mistaken.