Personal Conversations Research Articles

«Jeg har på en måte alltid gått der»

"I've Kind of Always Been There" - The Meaning of Personal Conversion Among Youth in Low Church Movements in Norway Young Christians in prayer houses and free churches in Norway are part of organizations and church communities with roots in revival movements. Historically, personal conversion has been central in these environments. By employing a mixed-method approach, combining surveys and group interviews, this article elucidates the relationship between religious socialization and conversion. The primary reason that young Christians are actively involved in a free church or prayer house is that their parents have brought them here. What role does personal choice play, and what do the church activities and practices mean for this choice? The article takes a grassroots perspective, where young people's conversion experiences and their perception of the content of this contribute to new knowledge about both young people and the revival movements in Norway.

Pastors, Preaching and Parking Lot Conversations: Clergy’s Tactics of LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Mainline Protestant Churches

ABSTRACT Mainline Protestant pastors in the United States play pivotal roles in envisioning and planning changes to local congregational practices. They are highly visible and authoritative figures who must work to avoid conflicts that could splinter their churches. Often serving politically mixed laity, pastors must balance a tension between pastoral care and their own convictions. They work to avoid what one pastor called ‘parking lot conversations’, a particularly hostile form of public confrontation with congregants, which they might encounter because of their leadership or preaching. I examine two items in pastors’ tactical toolkit that allow them to advocate for institutional transformation while maintaining congregational cohesion: weekly sermons and personal conversations with congregants. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in three congregations in Michigan – Episcopalian, Presbyterian and United Church of Christ – I focus on pastoral approaches to LGBTQ+ inclusion, an issue which can cause fraught debate in certain mainline Protestant contexts. Navigating when to voice their views and when to be less confrontational, pastors often preach obliquely about LGBTQ+ issues by mentioning the already-inclusive environments their congregations provide, arguing that this is a sure sign of the church’s commitment to Christian ideals of welcoming. This approach curbs conflict and lessens the chance disgruntled parishioners will confront them. Conversely, pastors use private conversations with congregants to leverage conflict into teachable moments that can deepen the whole community’s commitments to their church. In these conversations, pastors are much more direct about their planning around the role of the church as an inclusive space.

Reading in Uncertain Times

Reading in Uncertain Times

One more consequence from the impact of artificial light at night

Using artificial light at night gives a lot of benefits for humanity, but, at the same time, it has changed our planet significantly. However, the problem was not taken seriously until its scale became noticeable. Though, skepticism, even among many recognized researchers, is still present, although this is expressed mainly in personal conversations. But, in any way the number of studies on this topic is increasing quite rapidly. Unfortunately, a part of these publications is not qualitative, published apparently without proper review, and this can seriously distort the understanding of the problem, have an impact on other scientific research, and also complicate the search for optimal ways to solve the problem of light pollution. One of such recently published works with the title “The effect of nighttime lighting on the anatomical and physiological features of the leaves of linden, horse chestnut, and plane trees in garden-park and street plantings of Kyiv” has caused a desire to pay attention to this situation, and to prevent similar ones in the future. So, the critical review of the mentioned study is presented here.

Pricing by Using Target Cost Approach: A Field Study in the Sector of Saudian “Pharmaceutical Industry”

The pricing decision is considered one of the most important managerial decisions, due to its effect on the profitability for the short and long terms, so developing of cost systems becomes a vital matter, should be dealt with is in objectivity and scientifically to achieve the optimum decisions in this field. The increasing importance of this research study that it’s mentioned one of the modern pricing methods, known as the formal objectively cost in pricing. The study came with the aim to define and clear the reality of used price mechanism style in the field of saudy pharmaceutical industry and how much relevant or convenience to the current developments and improvements in the multiform of competitions, then rising high the used pricing methods through suggesting modern pricing formal depending on fierce price competition in the market as abase for pricing decision-making. Both hypotheses in the research study were examined in the mentioned field due to the present big and high competition. The practical data of the study have been collected through the direct watch and personal conversation. In addition to that we also design a questionnaire as well as we applied the analytical study style. The study came out with the following main results: showing main factors effecting pricing decisions and these are: customers, competitors, and cost; adopting traditional pricing methods within globalization and free trading which unable the competition within the common price in the competitive markets; target cost approach which represents a pricing method, planning profit system, and cost management in the competitive environment. The main recommendations of the study are: developing cost systems in order to improve decision making, adopting target cost approach in pricing in order to improve decisions related to pricing. The companies related to this study must create programs, and specialized developed training courses in pricing to splay its employees with the up-dates in this field.

Siberian Merchants in Mikhail M. Speransky’s Travel Diary and Letters (1819–1821)

Mikhail M. Speransky was one of the most outstanding statesman of the Russian Empire. He was the Siberian Governor-General in 1819–1821. His Siberian travel diary and correspondence cast light upon the interaction between state power and private capital during the economic and socio-cultural integration of the Eastern territories. The research objective was to reveal M. M. Speransky’s opinion about Siberian merchants, who were the most influential regional community. The analysis included M. M. Speransky’s brief diary entries and long letters to his daughter and friends, and as well as his business correspondence. M. M. Speransky believed that Siberian merchants were to play an important role in the development of regional economy and society. Numerous contacts with representatives of merchants from different Siberian cities allowed him to make observations about the moods spread in the merchant environment, the volume and features of commercial operations, their social role, etc. He also established good relations with the most prominent merchants. M. M. Speransky wrote about everyday life, culture, and economic relations of Siberian communities. He advocated the freedom of trade and despised the selfish attitude of the local administrations to the merchant class. He gathered information from different sources, including personal conversations with merchants, and developed an opinion on such important state issues as the activities of the Russian-American Company and the Russian-Chinese trade via Kyakhta. M. M. Speransky’s had a pragmatic interest in merchants and encouraged them to make charity donations for various needs.

Sustainable Rural Development through Local Cultural Heritage Capitalization—Analyzing the Cultural Tourism Potential in Rural Romanian Areas: A Case Study of Hărman Commune of Brașov Region in Romania

This paper explores the issues connected between rural sustainable development in formerly state-socialist countries and the local cultural heritage of rural areas. It pays specific attention to the potential of cultural tourism which can enhance local rural development. This paper is a case study of the Hărman commune, and this area is investigated in depth. It is one of the most important rural and cultural areas located in Brașov County of Romania, a country with an impressive cultural heritage concentrated in its rural areas. The study uses a mixed-method analysis combining quantitative and qualitative research (focus groups, interviews, oral histories, and personal conversions), participatory ethnographic observation, and logical framework analysis (LFA). The main findings of the study illustrate that the Hărman commune has an important cultural heritage which could be more capitalized on in the future through the lens of cultural tourism to ensure local sustainability and to open up new perspectives in terms of local development, connecting rural and cultural tourism with other economic activities. Furthermore, the main findings of this study represent, beyond an informative platform for the local actors in rural development, an inspiring instrument that could frame new policies in local rural sustainable development and fertile backgrounds for new debates in local rural sustainability, enriching local agendas on rural sustainable development through cultural heritage capitalization and cultural tourism.

Preoperative anxiety and need for support – A qualitative analysis in 1000 patients

ObjectivesPreoperative anxiety is prevalent, emotionally distressing for many patients, and can have harmful effects on postoperative outcomes. Despite its high prevalence, there has been little research on preoperative anxiety using qualitative methods. This study's main goal was to qualitatively examine factors that may contribute to preoperative anxiety in a large sample. MethodsIn a survey, a total of 1000 patients awaiting surgery were asked open questions i) about reasons which they associate with their preoperative anxiety and ii) which coping strategies they would prefer in addition to premedication. ResultsThe qualitative analysis indicated five overarching domains, 16 themes, and 54 subthemes of preoperative anxiety. Intra- or postoperative complications was the most common theme regarding preoperative anxiety (n = 516). Personal conversation was the most frequently desired supportive measure in addition to premedication. ConclusionsThis study indicated a considerable heterogeneity of reasons associated with preoperative anxiety based on an unbiased assessment in a large sample. The study further suggests that a personal conversation is a clinically important coping strategy in addition to premedication. Practice implicationsProviders should assess patients’ preoperative anxiety and the resulting need for support individually to offer supportive measures adapted to the patients’ needs.

GENDER FEATURES OF THE TEENAGE ATHLETES’ LIFE QUALITY AND PERSONAL ANXIETY DYNAMICS (BY THE HEALTH SCHOOL LESSONS RESULTS)

Relevance. This work is devoted to social diagnostics and social prevention of possible negative side effects of medical, social and psychological plan that occur against the background of the main training and educational processes of pubertal athletes, taking into account their gender.
 Purpose: to assess the gender characteristics of the life quality and personal anxiety (PA) dynamics of the Brothers Samurgashevs’ Rostov Region Olympic Reserve Sports School No. 35 high school students against the background of classes at the health school (HS).
 Methods: historical, pedagogical, socio-psychological, social prevention, sociological, statistical and graphic methods, as well as the method of content analysis.
 Results: after the HS classes PA decreased more than 40% overall for the sample. The decrease in PA was accompanied by an increase in QoL by almost 15%. The main PA priorities for female athletes turned out to be the following signs: “You are in danger of failure, bad luck”; “To see bad or “prophetic” dreams”; “Something is not working out for you”. Among male athletes, the initial level of PA was lower than that of female by 40.1%. The priorities of male anxiety were such signs as: “You are in danger of failure, bad luck”; “They don’t pay attention to you”; “You can’t do your homework”. After HS classes, girls most quickly eliminated PA in such areas as “Waiting for parents after their personal conversation with the school principal” and “Seeing bad or “prophetic” dreams”, and boys - “You don’t understand the teacher’s explanations”, “(They) fell silent when you approached”, “Something is not working out for you”. The initial level of QoL of young female athletes was significantly lower by 8.7% than that of young male athletes, and after training at the HS, it exceeded the corresponding indicator in the group of young male athletes by 4.7%. After classes at the HS, young male athletes noted an improvement in relations during their studies (with peers, superiors, etc.), however, in quantitative terms, this improvement was 9 times lower than in the group of young female athletes. Also, young male athletes noted an improvement in their physical condition and strengthening of skills and abilities in organizing their time, but 5 and 4 times (respectively) less pronounced than in the group of young female athletes.
 Conclusion. The results obtained can be widely disseminated in similar sports schools to ensure monitoring and bringing the level of personal anxiety and quality of life of students to age norms.

METHOD OF FACIAL SKIN REJUVENATION USING ELECTROSTIMULATION

Objectives: Purpose of the study evaluation of the cosmetic effect using patches by the company “Aganyan” for facial rejuvenation. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in 106 participants with presence of perioral wrinkles of the skin. Participants applied four patches (2 copper and 2 zinc) on the face in the area of wrinkles crosswise according to the instructions. The patches were applied for eight hours every third day for three months. Perioral wrinkles were assessed by comparing photographs at the beginning and at the end of the study for each individual case. The efficacy was assessed according to the International Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). Visual confirmation of clinical improvement was also obtained by Life Viz 3D camera pictures. Results: After analyzing the photographs taken before and after using the patch and a personal conversation with each participant, the following data were obtained from participants: • a decrease in puffiness and dark circles under the eyes was noted: 6 out of 15 men, 34 out of 91 women; • smoothing of small mimic wrinkles was noted: 24 women out of 106 people; • lifting of the face oval was noted: 14 women out of 106 people. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the GAIS procedure on M03 and M05, 2/3 of patients had significant mprovement as assessed by physician and participants according to GAIS. Most of the patients also showed significant improvement at visit M12. After analyzing the photographs taken before and after the experiment, and a personal conversation with each patient of the cosmetology profile, the following results were obtained: in 38% of patients, puffiness and dark circles under the eyes decreased, in 23% of participants fine facial wrinkles were smoothed, in 12% of participants the oval of the face was tightened. Our results suggest that patches by the company “Aganyan” can serve as a novel therapy for controlled skin rejuvenation, effective wrinkles and folds. Conclusion: The results of the studies provide a basis for concluding that the method of skin. The patches by the company “Aganyan” have proven its effectiveness through electrical stimulation with low intensity current in patients in different age groups, the study revealed a large number of positive cosmetic effects.

“Language nests”: the rebirth of the language (on the example of the Inari-Sami and Karelian languages)

Introduction. The article considers the problems of the revival of languages of small peoples. The subject of the study is the experience of linguists in the revitalization of national languages at a specific location in the Republic of Karelia (village Vedlozero) and Finland (village Inari). Materials and Methods. The material of the study is based on the data published in the monograph of the Finnish linguist A. Pasanen and taken from the speeches of N. P. Barmina, an activist of the Union of the Karelian People, obtained in the media and from her personal conversations with of the author of the article. When processing the information, the author employs such methods as comparative, analytical and synthetic. Results and Discussion. Language revitalization primarily includes such measures of language support as description of the grammatical and lexical structure of the language, fixation of phonetic features, documentation of linguistic material of folklore texts and everyday descriptions, etc. At the same time, it requires enormous efforts on individual level from the cultural and linguistic community, and on the community level from the public organizations, educational institutions and government authorities. One of the most effective ways to revive national languages is language training centers. The way they are organized and work are considered on the example of “language nests” in Finland and Karelia. Conclusion. Based on the measures to save the Finnish language by L. Kotilainen, the author of the publication proposed her own system for the preservation of national languages, which does not always require mandatory state support and funding, although in no case excludes it. In particular, it is proposed to create a network of free language webinars, to organize competitions for the best blogs made in ethno-language, the best master of words who came up with the most successful equivalent of a Russian word.

Critical Dynamics in Black and Latino Parents’ Perceptions of Childhood COVID-19 Vaccination: How the “Middle” Moves

National and state data show low adoption of childhood COVID-19 vaccinations, despite emergency use authorizations and availability. We conducted 24 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Black and Latino parents in New York City (15 in English, 9 in Spanish), who were undecided or somewhat likely to vaccinate their 5 to 11-year-old children in early 2022. The interviews explored the evolution of parental perceptions on childhood COVID-19 vaccines, and were analyzed using a matrix-driven rapid approach to thematic analysis. We present our findings as themes oriented around trust at three levels of the social ecological model. In summary, we found that structural positionality and historical traumas of participants seeded mistrust in institutions and government. This led to parental reliance on personal observations, conversations, and norms within social groups for vaccine decision-making. Our findings also describe key features of trust-building, supportive conversations that shaped the thinking of undecided parents. This study demonstrates how relational trust becomes a key factor in parental vaccine decision-making, and suggests the potential power of community ambassador models of vaccination promotion for increasing success and rebuilding trust with members of the “movable middle.”

Analysis of Illocutionary Speech Acts on 'Whatshapp' Social Media

Whatsapp is an internet-based application that has the potential to be used as a medium of This research is motivated by the use of social media among the communitywhich is expanding. One of the most popular messaging media today is WhatsApp. The author analyzes illocutionary speech acts in private WhatsApp conversations. The formulation of the problem in this research is (1) What are the forms of illocutionary speech acts that exist in Private WhatsApp conversations. (2) What is the meaning of the illocutionary speech acts found in conversations on the WhatsApp application? This study follows a pragmatic approach, the object of research is Sri Rahayu's personal WhatsApp conversations with 15 screenshots and 134 utterances. Special pragmatics in the study of speech in the form of illocutionary proposed by Searle (1969) classifies speech acts into five types, namely (1) representative speech acts, (2) directive, (3) expressive, (4) commissive, and (5) declarative . Based on the results of data analysis, it can be concluded that the form of WhasApp speech consists of: (1) The existing forms of illocutionary speech acts, namely 6 utterances of assertive speech acts, 16 directive speech acts, 4 commissive speech acts, 7 expressive speech acts utterances, and declarative speech acts as many as 2 utterances. (2) The meaning of Illocutionary Acts, which means complaining, asking, asking, proposing, warning, inviting, offering, canceling, surrendering and expressing willingness.

Neutrosophic Model to Examine the Challenges Faced by Manufacturing Businesses in Adopting Green Supply Chain Practices and to Provide Potential Solutions

Several obstacles stand in the way of companies trying to adopt green supply-chain practices. The purpose of this research is to examine the challenges faced by the industrial industry in adopting green supply chain practices and to provide potential solutions. The information for this research was gathered via in-depth, personal conversations with manufacturing sector managers who are well-versed in green supply chain practices. The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) technique was used in the evaluation phase to evaluate obstacles and assess efficient options for introducing green supply chain practices. The TOPSIS method is integrated with the neutrosophic set. The neutrosophic set is used to deal with uncertain data. This study used eight barriers to analysis and eight solutions to rank. We obtained collaboration as the best solution. To find places for improvement and garner support for sustainability efforts, it is helpful to work together with suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders.

История католической миссии в Монголии с 1992 г.

Mostly on the basis of personal observation and conversations with Catholic ecclesiastic, a picture of the missionary activity of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) in modern Mongolia is built. The historical period in the Mongolian Catholic History, starting from 1992, is designated as the «new era». Significant achievements of Catholics in the field of social service are noted. Quantitative data of the RCC in Mongolia are given. As a result, the main problems faced by Catholic missionaries in Mongolia are indicated.

THE IMPACT OF NEW ICRU95 QUANTITIES AND SPECTRUM DATA ON THE DOSIMETRIC QUANTITIES OF THE NEUTRON REFERENCE FIELDS AT PTB.

In 2020, the ICRU released a new report which includes the re-definition of the operational quantities used in radiation protection and new conversion coefficients from physical quantities to operational radiation protection quantities. An assessment of the ambient and personal dose conversion coefficients for the reference neutron fields of radionuclide sources at PTB is necessary based on these new definitions. In this work, a numerical estimation of the conversion coefficients of moderated and unmoderated 252Cf and 241Am-Be neutron sources based on ICRU57 and ICRU95 reports and using spectrum data available in the ISO 8529-1 standard and at PTB are discussed. Two numerical approaches are used for this estimation to ensure the reliability of the calculated values: a direct calculation using MCNP6, and cubic interpolation of conversion coefficients datasets written in Python. The results show large differences between the spectrum-averaged operational quantities for the current and new conversion coefficients of up to 23%. The choice of spectrum data affects conversion coefficient values by 6-8%.

Evaluation of Laryngology Fellowship Programs' Online Information

Prospective laryngology fellows have limited opportunities to learn about fellowship programs besides personal conversations with program directors and mentors. Online information about fellowships may optimize the laryngology match process. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of online information about laryngology fellowship programs through analysis of program websites and surveying current and recent laryngology fellows. The websites of 20 laryngology fellowship programs were analyzed for the presence of 18 unique criteria, previously described in the literature. A survey was distributed to current and recent fellows to determine helpful resources and improvements of fellowship websites. On average, program websites fulfilled 33% of the 18 criteria used for analysis. The criteria most often fulfilled were "program description," "case descriptions," and "fellowship director contact information." Of respondents from our survey, 47% strongly disagreed that fellowship websites helped them identify desirable programs, and 57% somewhat or strongly agreed that more detailed websites would have made identification of desirable programs easier. Fellows were most interested in finding information about program descriptions, contact information for program directors and coordinators, and current laryngology fellows. Based on our findings, laryngology fellowship program websites can improve, making the application process easier. As programs incorporate more information regarding contact information, current fellows, interviews, and case volume/descriptions on their websites, they will allow applicants to make more informed decisions and find the programs that fit them the best.

Exploring information and communication technology integration among teachers in township public primary schools

Despite significant capability deprivation existing among the teachers in historically disadvantaged schools in the Western Cape province of South Africa, information and communication technologies (ICTs) have had a significant positive effect on teaching and learning. In the case study reported on here we investigated the benefits of using ICTs by public primary school teachers in teaching and learning. Sen’s capability approach was used to frame this study. We employed a qualitative research method in which 8 teachers were involved in lesson observations and semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that, to some extent, through the teachers’ use of ICTs (commodities) in smart classrooms, the influence of personal conversion factors (ICT skills obtained through a community of practice and university training), had created the capabilities for teachers to use ICTs for curriculum delivery, although to a limited extent. Through this process, teachers benefited with specific vital achievements. From the study we recommend that holistic and annual professional development training programmes should be made mandatory for both novice and seasoned teachers.

“I Feel Your Fear”: (Counter)stories of East Asian International Doctoral Students About Awakening, Resistance, and Healing

ABSTRACT As an extension of the personal and intellectual conversations that took place in the sister-scholar group consisting of four East Asian international doctoral students from China and South Korea, in this article, we narrate and examine our (counter)stories traversing between different spaces and across time. These narratives center our racial, linguistic, social, and academic experiences and illustrate our processes of awakening, resistance, and collective healing. We used transnationalism and Asian Critical Theory as our theoretical guide, and collaborative autoethnography as our methodology. Through the canvas of (counter)stories, we (a) refuse dominant views and definitions of what it means to be Asian in the United States, (b) resist the simplistic and monolithic ways of understanding our existence and experiences as international students, and (c) challenge the academic community and broader society to develop more complex and critical social praxis regarding race, culture, and relations of power.

Via Veritatis: Learning to Trust with John Henry Newman

This work summarizes the moments in which John Henry Newman experienced a personal conversion, which led him to a greater trust in Providence. As he writes, these moments became a kind of manifestation of God’s truth in his life. The first moment occurred when, at the age of fifteen, he came to know that God was constantly with him. He grew aware of a second conversion, when he experiences the weakness and death of his sister, which compelled him to move away from the intellectual perfectionism of the evangelical faith he professed. The third moment came after the rejection of the Oxford Movement, when Newman arrived at the conclusion that it was not the Anglican Church, but the Catholic Church, that possessed all of Christian truth and tradition. Finally, the fourth moment of conversion emerged in Newman’s Catholic period, when he was confronted with the definition of papal infallibility and showed himself to be in some contradiction with the authority of the Church. These moments allowed us to define the concept of trust in Newman’s teachings and life. We follow this author in his itinerary of reflection to underline that, although in the Catholic Church trust is related to faith and is observed in pastors, this trust is never contrary nor subjected to reason.