Equal Measure Research Articles

Development Trajectories of Two Industrial Regions in the EU Due to Different Transformation Paths—The Silesian Voivodeship in Poland and North Rhine–Westphalia in Germany

This article compares the socio-economic development of the two industrial EU regions, the Silesian Voivodeship Poland and the Düsseldorf District in North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany, in the last 20 years of the 21st century. The Ninth Cohesion Report, the EU Regional Competitiveness Index 2.0, and the two concepts of the regional development trap and just transition in the EU were used. It investigated whether the applied EU regional policy, cohesion policy, had the expected effect of strengthening sustainable growth in the regions. This article aims to compare development trajectories, identify development traps and barriers, consider the just transition in the analyzed regions, and provide recommendations for regional policy. Those heavily industrialized regions must respond to the demographic challenges of labor shortages and an aging population. In the case of the Silesia region, the indicated course of action includes labor activation of women and migration management. For both regions, improving productivity is the key. The vital economic challenges include: for the Silesian Voivodeship—strengthening innovation; for the Düsseldorf region—maintaining innovation momentum and increasing resilience. Developing skills that meet industries’ needs is essential. Regarding social cohesion, the Silesia region should focus on equality measures. On the other hand, the Düsseldorf region should strengthen social protection against poverty.

Causes of Low Turnout of Women Voters in the General Election 2018: A Case Study in Tehsil Barikot

The research study investigates the factors contributing to the low participation of female voters in the 2018 general elections in Tehsil Barikot, District Swat,through 50 unstructured interviews with political representatives and activists. Thematic analysis reveals a variety of obstacles, including cultural barriers, lack of awareness, limited women candidates, restricted polling station access, traditional social norms, gender-based discrimination, security issues, socioeconomic constraints, and more. Despite its specific focus, the study provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by women from diverse backgrounds. Recommendations sare made to address these barriers and promote greater female electoral participation, including cultural awareness campaigns, increased women candidate representation, improved access to polling stations, political education, gender equality measures, and support initiatives.

Quarter of a century of contact lens prescribing trends in Australia (2000–2024)

ABSTRACT Clinical relevance Knowledge of contact lens prescribing trends can (a) assist practitioners to benchmark their own prescribing habits, (b) help the contact lens industry understand preferred products, and (c) support academics in scholarly writings. Background This work aims to document contact lens prescribing trends in Australia over the past quarter of a century. Methods An annual survey of contact lens prescribing trends was conducted in Australia each year from 2000 to 2024, inclusive, by asking optometrists to provide information relating to 10 consecutive contact lens fits undertaken between January and March. Results Over the 25-year survey period, a total of 20,281 contact lens fits were reported. Lens wearers were 34.4 ± 14.7 years of age and 65% were female. Over the survey period, rigid lenses increased from 13% to 21% of all lens fits. Of all soft lens fits, silicone hydrogel lenses increased from 22% to 96%; soft torics increased from 24% to 30%; daily disposables increased from 7% to 63%; soft extended wear decreased from 16% to 5%; multifocals increased from 5% to 26%; and myopia control (first fit in 2011) reached 3% by 2024. Rigid lens extended wear (primarily orthokeratology) increased from 0.3% to 17% of rigid lens fits, primarily for myopia control. Multi-purpose lens care solutions are ubiquitous, and peroxide systems are seldom prescribed. Rigid lenses and monthly replacement soft lenses are largely worn full time, whereas daily disposables are worn full time and part time in equal measure. Australian and global prescribing trends are broadly consistent. Conclusions Contact lens fitting trends this century can be characterised as: soft lenses – significant increase in silicone hydrogels, daily disposables, torics and multifocals; rigid lenses – dominance of high-Dk materials, and recent resurgence in scleral and orthokeratology fits. There is little extended wear fitting. Multi-purpose care systems are ubiquitous.

Factors Constraining Women's Participation in Administrative Contracts Disputes Arbitration: Gender Equality as a Sustainable Development Goal: A Case Study of Saudi Arabia

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the factors that constrain women's participation as arbitrators in administrative contract disputes in Saudi Arabia. Theoretical Framework: Grounded in the women's arbitration theory, the article explores the factors that hinder women from arbitrating administrative contract disputes under Saudi Law to attain equality for women in the arbitration process as a sustainable development goal(SDG). Method: To achieve the study's objective, a questionnaire-based approach was used for data collection, exploring factors such as social constraints, psychological limitations, comparison with judiciary roles, male responsibility in promoting women, support for women in arbitration, and gender equality measures. Regression analysis was conducted to examine the influence of these factors on the evaluation of women’s participation in arbitration. The results showed that while psychological limitations and support for women in arbitration positively affect participation, social constraints present significant barriers. A comparison between men’s and women’s opinions reveals differing perspectives, with men emphasizing institutional support and women highlighting the need for gender equality initiatives. Results and Discussion: The results suggested that improving institutional support, addressing social constraints, and promoting gender equality are critical to advancing women’s participation in arbitration. This study provided valuable insights for policymakers and arbitration bodies, offering practical implications for advancing gender equality in Saudi Arabia, such as the need for targeted policy changes and the importance of promoting gender equality initiatives, empowering and motivating the audience to take action. Research Implications: The study's practical implications are significant, as it seeks to increase women's opportunities to serve as arbitrators in administrative contract disputes. Originality: This study contributes to the literature by its relevance, which lies in its in-depth analysis of the factors that constrain women's participation as arbitrators in administrative contract disputes to reveal their nature and contribute to the current theory in the field to bring attention to the importance of this issue in practice.

Rotating Magnetic Gravitational Trap for Storing Ultracold Neutrons

The paper proposes an experiment to measure the neutron lifetime by storing ultracold neutrons in a rotating magnetic trap. The magnetic trap is a set of NdFeB permanent magnets. By rotating the trap around a horizontal axis, it is possible to carry out gravitational capture of ultracold neutrons and their holding. A design option is presented when two traps are located in one installation on the same axis: material and magnetic. The sensitivity of the magnetic trap was assessed in comparison with the material one under equal measurement conditions. One of the factors influencing the systematic error of the experiment will be the process of neutron depolarization in a magnetic field. Therefore, the paper considers the issue of developing a magnetic system that minimizes the probability of neutron depolarization. The so-called turbine effect is also considered, which can manifest itself in a change in the energy of ultracold neutrons during rotation due to interaction with the flat faces of the trap. The proposed gravitational capture of ultracold neutrons in a magnetic trap is a fundamentally new approach that has never been implemented before. The experiment can be carried out on the ultracold neutron source under construction at the PIK reactor.

Contribution of tourism to economic development in selected European countries

The aim of the study is to explore the interplay between fundamental indicators related to tourism's contribution to economic development. These indicators encompass Total contribution to Employment, Direct contribution to Employment, Total contribution to GDP, Direct contribution to GDP, Capital Investment, and Visitor Exports - Foreign Spending. A cluster analysis of the 30 studied countries was formed based on the entropy results as a measure of equality. The research relies on data from the TTDI Index for the year 2019, as published by the World Economic Forum. The Kruskal-Wallis test highlighted the differences between the clusters. The entropy results support the the cluster analysis, as the coastal countries show the highest values of these indicators.The contribution of tourism to the European economy is imperative for countries to develop strategies for the exploitation of natural and cultural assets.The practical implications emphasize the need for greater investment and foreign spending.

Improvisational practice: engaging neurodivergent young people with addiction and mental health problems

Issues and trends in relation to substance misuse, normally develop in the transitional phase of adolescence, as young people begin looking to their peers for connection and simultaneously question the values/attitudes of their parents and other non-parental adults. Risk factors are predictors of the likelihood that an individual or group may become involved in activity leading to adverse consequences. In relation to substance misuse, it is recognised that risk and protective factors exist in equal measure within different context including within the individual, family, peer group, community and school settings. Research indicates that young people, who are neurodivergent, are at increased risk of developing problems in relation to substance use, due to their sense of otherness and potential inability to read social cues, combined with a strong desire to fit in.

The Growing Role of Women in Family Business – A Study in Mangalore City

India‟s core strength lies in a robust base of entrepreneurs who have tremendous potential in galvanizing the Indian economy and pushing it onto the road of sustained high growth. A confluence of factors such as greater flow of investments, new business opportunities, and a growing domestic market indicate that India is geared up to reinvigorate its entrepreneurial landscape. In most of the developing countries today, more and more emphasis is laid on the need for development of women and their active participation in the main stream of development process. Women have traditionally been involved in the informal economy, working in family businesses without formal position or pay and their economic contribution is often undervalued or just not mentioned at all. However, it is well recognized that any strategy aimed at economic development has to harness the potential of women in equal measure who constitute half of the world‟s population. Women entrepreneurs have an important impact on the economy, both in their ability to create jobs for themselves and to create jobs for others. Women‟s entrepreneurship development has emerged particularly in the wake of increasing globalization, with the support of progressive social, economic and political cross currents, technological advancement, and the media. This paper makes an attempt to know the growing role of women in family business and also tries to know the motivational factors of women in family business which in turn has contributed to women empowerment.

Stream flow modeling using SWAT model and performance evaluation in Adhaim watershed

https://ejuow.uowasit.edu.iq Understanding the hydrological cycle and finding data crucial for water management require a foundational understanding of basin-scale simulation. To create the most accurate stream flow modeling possible, data from the weather stations was combined with input from other maps of the research area, such as soil, land cover, land use (LCLU), and digital elevation model (DEM). Regarding Adhaim Watershed, period 2000 to 2013SWAT model calibration was done using the Sequential Uncertainty Fitting (SUFI–2) technique and the Nash–Sutcliffe simulation efficiency (NSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). This included an initial calibration from 2000/1/1 to 31/9/2009 which was then validated for 1/10/2010 to 31/12/2013 using daily streamflow values. Adhaim Watershed's whole area was determined to be 11816.82 km2. Grasslands make up 41.01% of the total area. Additionally, 28% of LCLU came from croplands and desolate regions in equal measure. A hydrological type D clay soil was discovered, along with the watershed's primary slope (0–5). The mean streamflow of Adhaim was determined to be 22.m3/????????????, and upon calibration, it was found to be 30 ????3/????????????.

Being a woman or being a mathematician: Self and external perceptions of female early career researchers in a mathematical cluster of excellence

In Germany, equality between men and women in mathematics, particularly in scientific leadership positions, is far from being achieved. This is despite to different equality measures implemented over the last few decades. Grounded in sociology of knowledge, interaction theory, and field theory, this article analyzes possible causes and mechanisms that maintain gender differences in a mathematical cluster of excellence in which gender equality is formulated as a goal and implemented in various measures. Based on 65 semi-structured interviews, the focus is on the self-perceptions of female early career researchers as mathematicians, as well as the (gendered) attributions they have to deal with by (male and female) scientists in leadership positions against the background of the specific culture in a mathematical cluster of excellence. We highlight the tensions that female early career researchers identify in being regarded as women when they want to be perceived and recognized first as mathematicians. We shed light on how this tension is connected to the discipline and (re)produced by scientists in leadership positions in their patterns of interpretation about equality (measures).

The Cross-Sectional Association of Health Literacy With Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors in the Turkish Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To meta-analytically investigate the cross-sectional association between health literacy (HL) and healthy lifestyle behaviors (HLBs) in the Turkish population. Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, DergiPark, TRDizin, and Türkiye Council of Higher Education Thesis Center. Not accessible in Turkish or English in full text; not on the Turkish population; addressed e-HL, digital HL, mobile HL or corporate HL; addressed HL in a specific context; did not seek any association between HL and HLBs. Cross-sectional studies that reported a correlation coefficient or any convertible equal statistical measure for the association between HL and HLBs. Two reviewers independently screened the articles, extracted the data from the included studies into a structured form and assessed their methodological quality. We conducted meta-analyses and reported the characteristics, outcomes, and quality assessment of studies. Of 3833 records accessed we included 52 that fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Our primary findings demonstrated positive low-to-moderate associations between HL and health-promoting behaviors (r = .32 [CI:.30-.35; I2 = .00]), HL and physical activity (r = .23 [CI:.18-.27; I2 = .12]), and HL and vaccination (r = .12 [CI:.07-.17; I2 = .00]). In contrast, HL was not significantly associated with non-smoking (r = .02 [CI:-.02-.36; I2 = .09]), healthy diet (r = .02 [CI:-.01-.06; I2 = .00]), and screening (r = .07 [CI:.04-.11; I2 = .07]). However, our sensitivity and meta-regression analysis results suggested that the association of HL with healthy diet seems to increase with age. On the other hand, we failed to find any convincing evidence of any of the included variables affecting the association between HL and all types of HLBs (r = .17, I2 = 95.81%). HL has the potential to improve the HLBs of Turkish individuals, however, there is a need for better understanding of the possible underlying determinants of the association between them.

ON THE THEORETICAL PROBLEMS OF PREDICTABILITY IN SERBIAN PALATALIZATION

The paper presents the Serbian velar palatalization: /k/ → [tʃ], /ɡ/ → [ʒ], /x/ → [ʃ]. A detailed, comprehensive description of the phenomenon will not be provided, as it is not the main task and theme of the paper. The paper demonstrates that predictability does not strictly hold „in equal measure” in phonology, contrary to what traditional grammars suggest (e.g., Klajn 2005). Even theory-specifi approaches do not address it (e.g., Starčević 2005). This is one of the foundational assumptions of the theory of Government Phonology à la Kaye et al. (1985; 1990): phonological processes are organized according to universal principles and are not arbitrary (Non-Arbitrariness Principle). Universal rules can be overridden by parametric settings, which characterize the phonology of a specific language – in this, Government Phonology shares principles parallel to those of the Minimalist Program. The task of the paper is to show when predictability is not met, through the lens of Serbian phonology, based on the aspect that shows I-U asymmetry. The paper’s implicit goal is to highlight that the strict conditions imposed on phonological theories may not necessarily account for the variations shown on the surface, and things are much more complicated than what we might assume about Universal Grammar. The paper follows the theory of Government Phonology along with Element Theory (Backley 2011), which will be essential for explaining the phenomenon.

Students’ attitudes towards and willingness to intervene in partner violence against women in Sweden

Abstract Intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) is a global public health problem, shown to be related to gender equality and to attitudes towards IPVAW. In Sweden, however, the reported prevalence of IPVAW is high, despite high levels of gender equality and a clear condemnation of such violence on the societal level. This phenomenon has been referred to as The Nordic paradox. One potential explanation for this paradox is that gender equality measures at the public level are not necessarily comparable to gender equality at a private level. One way to find out more about this is to investigate attitudes towards IPVAW at an individual level, which has so far been done to a limited extent in a Swedish context. In the current study, the aim was to investigate different aspects of attitudes to IPVAW (perceived acceptability, perceived severity, victim-blaming and ambivalent sexism) among university students in Sweden, and whether those attitudes were related to studentś willingness to intervene in cases of IPVAW. Any gender differences related to IPVAW attitudes and willingness to intervene were also examined. The respondents (n = 656, ≥18 years old) were recruited from three different universities and represented different scientific fields (e.g. social, behavioral, and technical sciences). Most of the respondents were undergraduate students and the majority were women (81%). The results showed that the students had rather non-accepting attitudes towards IPVAW overall, but viewed victims as to some extent responsible of the violence they are subjected to. There were no gender differences regarding willingness to intervene in cases of IPVAW, and attitudes to IPVAW were related to willingness to intervene. There were both similarities and differences between male and female students, in terms of how attitudes were linked to willingness to intervene. The presentation will discuss the results and their implications for future research, policy and practice. Key messages • Increased knowledge on attitudes towards IPVAW in Sweden may shed light on the Nordic paradox. • While non-accepting attitudes were found overall, gender differences and tendencies towards victim-blaming were identified.

Luo Cultural Shrines: The Hembko of Got Ramogi, Kenya

Got Ramogi in Kenya is a hill shrouded with many mysteries and awe-inspiring cultural beliefs and practices. He hill has attracted the interests of archeologists, geologists, historians, ethnographers, foresters, herbalists, worshippers, politicians and tourists in equal measure. Ramogi Ajwang’, the founder father of the Luo nation, is believed to have settled on the strategichill when his people arrived in Kenya through Uganda from the southern Sudan. The objective ofthe study was to establish the number of cultural sites and shrines (hembko) at the hill, the cultural beliefs and practices associated with them, and the spiritual significance of each shrine on the spirituality and he future of the Luo community in Kenya and the diaspora. The information discussed in his paper was obtained through internet library research using the Google search engine. Google is considered to be the most popular and the best search engine due to its advanced algorithms and vast database. The search was able to identify nine (9) cultural shrines or hembko in Dholuo. Each of these shrines had unique name and function in the cultural and spiritual heritage of the people. The Luo offered spotless animal rituals to their God Nyasaye to propitiate or placate the supernatural world for continued prosperity and posterity. Further research should be conducted on Ramogi Hill to discover even more unearthed shrines.

‘I’ve seen people on the train, like really weird people’ hauntological reflections on the fear of crime

By exploring the hauntological dimensions of fear of crime, this article proposes that this phenomenon exists as an ontological absence that manifests through the spectacle of crime’s imaginary, shaping thoughts, emotions, and movements. In so doing, we highlight fear of crime’s alignment with Fisher’s concept of the eerie – a presence that at once indicates an absence and an object that points to nothing beyond itself. Building on this foundation, we incorporate Simmel’s rendering of the Stranger and Casey’s theorization of ‘thick’ and ‘thin’ places to argue that fear of crime is not solely a reaction to crime events, but manifests as a phenomenon that circulates independently, akin to Baudrillard’s simulacra, reacting against crime’s imaginary. Woven through phenomenological experiences of place, fear of crime emerges as a stain, eliciting a strong sensory, anticipatory and often pre-reflexive response that alerts us that not all is as it seems. Fundamentally, we aim to highlight how fear remains an object that points to an absence, a phantasmagoria and an atmospheric sense of dis-ease, that can engulf us all and press upon spaces, societies and bodies in equal measure.

Investigating impacts of gender-transformative interventions in water, sanitation, and hygiene: Structural validity, internal reliability and measurement invariance of the water, sanitation, and hygiene–Gender equality measure (WASH-GEM)

Investigating impacts of gender-transformative interventions in water, sanitation, and hygiene: Structural validity, internal reliability and measurement invariance of the water, sanitation, and hygiene–Gender equality measure (WASH-GEM)

Electricity security in Uganda: Measurement and policy priorities

Reliable, accessible, affordable, and sustainable electricity systems are fundamental to modern and progressive economies. For developing societies, particularly those with fragile power generation capabilities and electricity networks, the electricity security metrics are incomparable and remain untested. A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method that follows an entropy-based weighting system is employed to quantitatively evaluate and construct an Electricity Security Index (ESI) for Uganda. Results reveal that Uganda is “moderately” electricity secure. Out of the maximum possible score of 100, a year-on-year analysis indicates that the ESI score was highest in 2007 (56) and the lowest was registered in 2015 (39). Based on the VIKOR technique, it is observed that electricity reliability contributes the most to the ESI, while electricity access contributes the least. Although expansion of electricity generation capacity is necessary, energy policies should, in equal measure, prioritize adequate investments in robust and modern transmission and distribution infrastructure. A riveting policy implication is that governance quality enhances a country's electricity system by reinforcing the other dimensions of electricity security.

Sprachsensibler Fachunterricht an „Nationalitätenschulen“ in Regionen mit autochthonen deutschen Minderheiten – Modelle und Herausforderungen

Abstract This article deals with so-called “nationality schools”, educational institutions in which the primary language of instruction generally differs from the language of the majority society. Conceptually, this applies to minority schools in regions with autochthonous German minorities, which since the 1990s have tended to develop into schools of encounter, as the proportion of autochthonous native speakers has fallen to a maximum of 5 percent of the student body. This makes the educational institutions, which are often referred to as elite schools, all the more sought-after by the majority society. The social relevance of these schools is based on a pedagogical concept that transcends national borders in education and training and makes international perspectives a matter of course in early school years. It opens up transnational educational spaces in which linguistic diversity and multilingualism are part of everyday life. Subject lessons at these schools are usually taught in the pupils’ second or foreign language and require language-sensitive subject teaching, which requires the teaching and learning of the subject matter, the educational language of the subject and the foreign language German in equal measure (Content and Language Integrated Learning). Various models are presented for locating the language of education, which illustrate the particular importance of linking language and subject learning. Only mastery of the language of education enables difficult and cognitively demanding contexts to be penetrated linguistically and information to be processed. Educational language is therefore an indispensable prerequisite and at the same time a challenge for subject teaching a second or foreign language. The article shows examples of the educational language tools that need to be taught at different levels and provides a possible structuring aid for teachers and learners by discussing the “scaffolding” model.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Cleft: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle.

This study aims to explore the tumor-stroma separation or the cleft characterizing basal cell carcinoma (BCC). In this retrospective cohort investigation, we enrolled 244 patients who received a confirmed diagnosis of BCC through histopathological examination in the period of 2019-2020 at the Pathology Laboratory of the "Sfântul Apostol Andrei" Emergency Clinical Hospital located in Galați, Romania. The identification of patients was accomplished by utilizing electronic health records, and relevant clinical, demographic, and histopathological data were retrieved from the physical database of the Pathology Laboratory. Key tumor characteristics were gathered, and an in-depth analysis of case slides was performed. The average tumor-stroma cleft's width measurement was 48.136 µm, while its respective tumor island's width was on average 952.587 µm. The cleft's width and its respective tumor island's width are dependent on the BCC subtype, just like the ratio between the tumor island's measurement and its cleft's width are, being larger in basosquamous BCC, micronodular BCC, infiltrative BCC, and morpheaform BCC. The BCC tumor islands were found to have a minimal approximately equal measurement to the tumor-stroma separation cleft, but they were always larger than the latter. Large clefts and their respective tumor islands were found in specific tumor subtypes such as basosquamous BCC, micronodular BCC, infiltrative BCC, and morpheaform BCC, but in nodular BCC also.

Celebrating the legacy and work of John Schulenberg: Answering the question "Does adolescence matter?"

Dr. John Schulenberg (1957-2023) was a brilliant and internationally recognized developmental scientist. In equal measure, he was an outstanding, dedicated, and generous mentor. Through his scholarship and mentorship, his impact on the fields of adolescent and substance use research will be deep and enduring. The overriding theme of his research was illuminating the importance of adolescence in the life course, which he referred to as "Taking the Long View" on adolescence. John's longstanding motivation for this was to answer the question: "Does adolescence matter?" This special issue, which (in addition to this introduction) includes 14 papers and 2 invited commentaries, is designed to honor his scholarship and impact. For this introduction to the special issue, we divide what it means to "Take the Long View" on adolescence into four major themes: (1) Turning points; (2) Developmental disturbances; (3) Continuity and long-term developmental connections; and (4) Heterogeneity in the age curve. We describe these four themes, consider how they connect with the overarching question "Does adolescence matter?," and discuss how the research papers included in this special issue are excellent examples of research inspired by these themes.