Practical Means Research Articles

What Makes Life Meaningful? Combinations of Meaningful Commitments Among Nonreligious and Religious Americans

Abstract Having a sense that one’s life is meaningful is related to, but distinct from, happiness, satisfaction, or living a moral life. Scholars across disciplines have investigated the role of religion in providing meaning or questioned whether religious decline prompts a crisis of meaninglessness. We use national survey data (2019, N = 1,326) to identify the overall patterns in what people find meaningful in general and how they spend time in activities understood as meaningful. We find five bundles of meaningful commitments: three focused on relationships, including one focused on a variety of family and friend relationships, one anchored by a relationship with a partner, and one anchored by a relationship with a child; one focused on ideals and lifestyle; and one that is less specialized but more prone to focus on religious commitment. We find three bundles of meaningful practices, the things people do in their daily lives that they understand as meaningful: one focused on relationships, one focused on ideals and lifestyle, and one that is less specialized but more prone to focus on religious commitments. We analyze how each bundle is associated with happiness and well-being, and how religious and nonreligious identification shape who embraces which bundle. In the conclusion, we discuss the benefits of our approach and suggest directions for future research.

Exploring the Narrated Experiences of Three International Muslim Students in a U.S. University

This study explores the narrated lived experiences of three international Muslim students in a US university. The study took place at a northeastern public university in the USA and used a narrative research methodology in which the three participants were interviewed twice and asked to share materials and artifacts. The study has two main goals: First, it enriches our understanding of the participants’ lived experiences. Second, it utilizes the participants’ narrated experiences to develop pedagogical implications for programs and professors to empower minority students, such as the Muslim student population. The findings of this study reveal that the participants needed more support from their professors and departments to increase their visibility and empower them. Such support can come from means of critical pedagogy practices that challenge mainstream students’ misconceptions and biases about their Muslim peers.

Task-Supported EFL Instruction: Integrating Students, Teacher, and Textbook Roles in a Japanese Mainstream High School Class

Today in Japan, the impetus to effect positive change on students’ use of English as a communication tool is reflected in the thrust of the Ministry of Education to promote meaningful in-class practice as highlighted in the revised high school foreign language curriculum. However, teachers face a dilemma of implementing meaningful classroom practice of English entirely without any focus on grammar or form. Fortunately, an approach which may offer a balanced opportunity to create meaningful practice while highlighting the target expression in use is Task-supported language teaching (TSLT). To better understand TSLT’s usefulness in an EFL setting, this classroom-based research explores the potential roles that students, the teacher, and the textbook play in a sociocultural approach-oriented EFL class employing TLST and how it complements a Japanese mainstream high school class. Utilizing mixed methods of sociocultural discourse analysis and self-reporting of Grade 11 (n=117) mainstream EFL learners, results indicate that: the students, talking in pairs using their L1, (1) understood difficult vocabulary, (2) managed assigned tasks, and (3) engaged in off-task dialogue; the teacher performed the roles of (1) classroom manager, (2) communicator of content, and (3) assessor and provider of feedback; and the textbook played (1) informative, (2) instructional, and (3) experiential roles in the classroom. It was also found that TLST complements a Japanese high school mainstream EFL class by (1) optimizing the limited time offered in class for students to tackle the TL; (2) aiding students in their standardized institutional exams; and (3) appealing to Japanese cultural sensibilities.

Energy characteristics for nanosecond current interrupter of semiconductor-magnetic pulse generator’s terminal stage

Introduction. A semiconductor diode based on reverse current interruption is used to increase a pulse amplitude and peak power delivered on the process load. Usually, a current interrupter is located in the last stage of semiconductor-magnetic pulse generator (SMPG) and is connected in parallel to the load. Problem. Most of publications on this topic mostly concern with analysis of physical processes in the diode structure itself within its oscillating circuit, which is separated from previous SMPG’s pulse compression stages under condition of unidirectional energy transfer from the generator to the load. In this sense, the efficiency of conversion should be determined by the joint of electromagnetic interaction between non-linear compression stages, current interrupter and process load. Goal. Develop a mathematical model of nanosecond current interrupter to determine its electrical and energy characteristics as part of a high-voltage parallel circuit with magnetic pulse compression, depending on the duration and moment of current interruption, the equivalent circuit for load resistance, and to set the most optimal modes of its operation. Methodology. In this work, it is proposed to use a comprehensive approach aimed at the study of electromagnetic processes in the SMPG circuit with a nanosecond current interrupter, which takes into account the topology of circuit, the design parameters of switching reactor, the magnetization curve, the equivalent load resistance, as well as the time parameters of power switches. Results. Analytical expressions describing the electrical and energy characteristics of the interrupter when it operating on the active load are obtained. A numerical simulation of interrupter in the SMPG’s double-loop pumping circuit is carried out, taking into account a nonlinearity of SR’s magnetization curve. Three operation modes of interrupter is described, depending on the initial moment of reverse conduction current interruption. The analysis of interrupter operation on the load with an active-capacitive component is carried out. Practical meaning. The results of the research can be applied in the development of high-voltage SMPG scheme with improved energy-dynamic parameters.

The EU regulatory data protection in the agrochemical industry: Towards a data sharing model in favour of sustainable market play and a sustainable environment

AbstractRegulatory data protection is mandated in the Agreement on the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) for two kinds of goods: medicinal products and plant protection products (PPP). In the European Union (EU), the level of their protection has been set far beyond the minimum TRIPS standards and the adopted model of protection has been, for the most part, based on temporary exclusivity. Innovative plant protection products benefit from data exclusivity combined with a compulsory data sharing regime. Data exclusivity refers to products being authorised for the first time for the market of the EU on the grounds of a complete authorisation procedure, based on submission of a full data dossier. Within the period of exclusivity, these data may not be referred to in the authorisation procedure of a generic product—an equivalent to the reference one. In this way, data exclusivity creates a period of factual monopoly for the innovative products and constitutes a sui generis intellectual property right. This paper presents the regime of regulatory data protection in the European Union law as an instrument of legal protection for innovative products in the agrochemical industry. It first analyzes the purpose and functions of regulatory data protection in EU law and in the TRIPS Agreement. Then, the rules of protection by means of data exclusivity and compulsory data sharing are examined. This allows for further considerations on the role of regulatory data protection and compulsory sharing of data in the overall legal protection for innovative products in the agrochemical industry. In view of the above, this chapter discusses both the instruments of protection for PPP regulatory data and poses several questions concerning their rules, practical meaning and possible future modifications. In particular, it is considered whether data exclusivity is the optimal regime of protection for registration data and recommend that a data sharing approach could be used instead of the data exclusivity rule, as is the case with compulsory vertebrate data sharing, to the benefit of the industry and public interest. This chapter allows for evaluation and assessment of the economic and social value of data exclusivity in said areas for fostering primary and secondary innovation, while acknowledging other vital interests such as protection of public interest and safeguarding competition in the relevant markets. Finally, this chapter maps challenges of the current model of protection and indicates areas for further consideration in both creating a coherent and balanced framework of PPP data protection and the possible extrapolation of the data sharing rules to systems of data protection for other life science products.

Are there any gains in green-tech adoption? Unearthing the beneficial outcomes of smart-sustainable practices in Nigeria and Hong Kong built environment

Implementing smart-sustainable practices (SSP) is crucial to achieving environmentally-friendly buildings and cities. Adequate awareness and understanding of its benefits and impacts are essential for maximizing its implementation. Hence, this study explores and establishes the key SSP benefits in the built environment of Hong Kong and Nigeria. Factors were identified through literature survey, then data was collected using questionnaires and analysed with various methods. The common key beneficial outcomes (BT) in both contexts relate to better design products with low environmental impact and enhancement of project quality and productivity. Three main clusters were established: sustainable design and resource management, innovation and business performance, and green initiatives and productivity. Based on the rank agreement analysis, there is high consensus between Hong Kong and Nigeria experts on two clustered BTs of green initiatives and sustainable products (57%) and project productivity and efficiency (100%). It is important to be cautious when applying these findings beyond the specific contexts of Nigeria and Hong Kong. The study findings have provided practical and objective means to predict and assess the probable impacts of SSP implementation while providing clients, contractors, policymakers, and practitioners with pragmatic tools and effective recommendations to promote the delivery of smart, sustainable projects worldwide.

Investigating the Potential of Nuclear Energy in Achieving a Carbon-Free Energy Future

This scientific paper discusses the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change. The proposed strategy is to reach net-zero emissions by transitioning to electric systems powered by low-carbon sources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric power, and nuclear energy. However, the paper also highlights the challenges of this transition, including high costs and lack of infrastructure. The paper emphasizes the need for continued research and investment in renewable energy technology and infrastructure to overcome these challenges and achieve a sustainable energy system. Additionally, the use of nuclear energy raises concerns, such as nuclear waste and proliferation, and should be considered with its benefits and drawbacks. The study assesses the feasibility of nuclear energy development in Latvia, a country in Northern Europe, and finds that Latvia is a suitable location for nuclear power facilities due to potential energy independence, low-carbon energy production, reliability, and economic benefits. The study also discusses methods of calculating electricity generation and consumption, such as measuring MWh produced by power plants, and balancing supply and demand within the country. Furthermore, the study assesses the safety of nuclear reactors, generated waste, and options for nuclear waste recycling. The transition to a carbon-free energy system is ongoing and complex, requiring multiple strategies to accelerate the transition. While the paper proposes that nuclear energy could be a practical means of supporting and backing up electricity generated by renewables, it should be noted that there are still challenges to be addressed. Some of the results presented in the paper are still based on studies, and the post-treatment of waste needs to be further clarified.

A process-sociology analysis of religious practices and Japanese martial arts

This paper uses primary and secondary sources to provide a process-sociological analysis of the relationship between religious practices and Japanese martial arts. It problematises the taken for granted role of Zen Buddhism as the sole influence on the development of Japanese martial arts. Such essential connection is inaccurate and anachronistic. Religious and martial practices developed as part of processes of sociogenesis (state formation) and psychogenesis (habitus) during three different key stages: (1) Medieval Japan (1185-1600): during this stage, warriors (bushi) progressively became the predominant rulers across the country, enforcing law by sheer force. Warriors seasoned in combat used esoteric practices (spells, magic rituals) as part of their psychological arsenal for warfare, as practical means of action. The cult of the Buddhist deity Marishiten held special interest for the bushi originating martial traditions (ryu). (2) Tokugawa shogunate (1600-1848): the pacification of the country by the central military court implied a more detached approach to martial arts by samurai. Within this milieu, the samurai acted as a retainer/bureaucrat whose main mission was to keep order in a stratified society and to serve his lord, something that Zen practices helped to incorporate in the samurai ethos. (3) Early Showa period (1926-1945): this stage featured a progressive militarisation of people and the instigation of a strong involvement towards the Japanese nation, considered as the main (symbolic) survival unit. Budo (martial arts) was connected to shinto (functioning as a ‘state religion’) and embodied the imperial bushido message. Zen provided a legitimation of violence for citizen-soldiers with a personality structure that presented self-doubts on killing someone and fear of being killed.

On Being Ed Emcees: Toward Hip-Hop Educational Leadership Theory, Research, and Praxis

ABSTRACT Advocating for the advancement of hip-hop based education, critical qualitative research, and leadership for educational equity, I explain a theory of hip-hop educational leadership and discuss findings from my hip-hopography of hip-hop educational leaders who are spoken word artists, poets, rappers, or emcees and serve as community partners inside urban high schools across the United States. Using blackout poetic transcription to analyze data, I suggest that these individuals can be called educational emcees, who invoke love as a condition for learning and engagement in their schools through a series of meaningful practices. These individuals also embody poetry and spoken word as an organic hip-hop pedagogy. Opportunities for additional qualitative research about hip-hop educational leadership and educational emcees are presented, along with implications for education leadership preparation, recruitment, and development.

Nematronics: Reciprocal Coupling between Ionic Currents and Nematic Dynamics.

Adopting a spintronics-inspired approach, we study the reciprocal coupling between ionic charge currents and nematic texture dynamics in a uniaxial nematic electrolyte. Assuming quenched fluid dynamics, we develop equations of motion analogously to spin torque and spin pumping. Based on the principle of least dissipation of energy, we derive the adiabatic "nematic torque" exerted by ionic currents on the nematic director field as well as the reciprocal motive force on ions due to the orientational dynamics of the director. We discuss several simple examples that illustrate the potential functionality of this coupling. Furthermore, using our phenomenological framework, we propose a practical means to extract the coupling strength through impedance measurements on a nematic cell. Exploring further applications based on this physics could foster the development of nematronics-nematic iontronics.

Regulation and the scope of practice of the RNA role

The nursing associate role was introduced in in 2017, and is now registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. This article looks at the importance of understanding the registered nursing associate (RNA) scope of practice. In some areas, the roles of the RNA and registered nurse have become interchangeable with detriment to patient safety. The author explores the differences between the role of a registered nurse and an RNA, the training completed by RNAs and ways in which they can free the time of the registered nurse to provide more complex nursing care. As a registrant, nursing associates are accountable for their own practice and responsible for accepting tasks, as well as delegating tasks. Again, it is important that RNAs themselves and members of the multidisciplinary team understand what this means in practice and for maintaining patient safety.

Rancang Bangun Roller Conveyor Adjustable dengan Metode Banchmarking

Abstract Technology that is increasingly rapidly developing encourages all parties to compete to create or develop better technology, and has great benefits and efficiency. In these moving activities, an efficient, practical and economical means of transport is needed to facilitate the transfer process. The objectives of this research are: 1. Applying Benchmarking method in the design of adjustable roller conveyor. 2. Analyze the function and material components, and record the advantages and disadvantages. This research was conducted using the Benchmarking method, the results of this study were in the form of product designs and products for adjustable roller conveyors as material transferers. The conclusions of this study are: 1. Design of an adjustable roller conveyor based on benchmaking with two Roller conveyor tools, this tool is very well suited and very easy in the transfer process, especially for materials that are very far away. 2. The manufacture of adjustable roller conveyors has gone through an analysis process in terms of function, and the component materials used are in accordance with the aspects that have been designed with the advantages and disadvantages made.

Spike-phase coupling patterns reveal laminar identity in primate cortex.

The cortical column is one of the fundamental computational circuits in the brain. In order to understand the role neurons in different layers of this circuit play in cortical function it is necessary to identify the boundaries that separate the laminar compartments. While histological approaches can reveal ground truth they are not a practical means of identifying cortical layers in vivo. The gold standard for identifying laminar compartments in electrophysiological recordings is current-source density (CSD) analysis. However, laminar CSD analysis requires averaging across reliably evoked responses that target the input layer in cortex, which may be difficult to generate in less well-studied cortical regions. Further, the analysis can be susceptible to noise on individual channels resulting in errors in assigning laminar boundaries. Here, we have analyzed linear array recordings in multiple cortical areas in both the common marmoset and the rhesus macaque. We describe a pattern of laminar spike-field phase relationships that reliably identifies the transition between input and deep layers in cortical recordings from multiple cortical areas in two different non-human primate species. This measure corresponds well to estimates of the location of the input layer using CSDs, but does not require averaging or specific evoked activity. Laminar identity can be estimated rapidly with as little as a minute of ongoing data and is invariant to many experimental parameters. This method may serve to validate CSD measurements that might otherwise be unreliable or to estimate laminar boundaries when other methods are not practical.

Learning by Doing: Insights from Power Market Modelling in Energy Economics Courses

Much of energy economics curricula involves the study of techno-economic aspects of energy systems with an increasing focus devoted to fostering an understanding of the interactions between innovative technologies and adaptive markets. As the interplay of these dynamics and their impacts on market equilibria and outcomes is quite complex, optimization models are well-suited to facilitate their study. This paper presents two exemplary model approaches and associated case studies, which can be employed to study market developments driving long-term adaptations in the portfolio of power-generation assets as well as scheduling problems of individual plant owners with a focus on assessing the impact of changing market conditions on the profitability of investments. The combination of these two modelling approaches constitutes an innovative means of facilitating students’ understanding of how individual decisions of different market stakeholders lead to welfare-maximizing market equilibria under the assumption of perfect competition. The models are discussed along with the experiences acquired employing them in various forms as project assignments. In summary, the integration of modelling exercises and assignments into the curriculum of energy economics courses has proven to be a practical means of reinforcing and broadening lecture material that is both interesting and rewarding for students.

Làm rõ trường hợp chỉ số lợi nhuận trên vốn chủ sở hữu âm

This study shows the difference in counting and using ROE - the financial index interested by many people - in research practice for corporate finance in Viet Nam. By logical reasonable method and being based on the concepts, this study proves the negative ROE case has no practical meaning. From that, suggests should not be counted and used this index when it has a negative value.

중국 안지놀이 유치원 교사의 놀이중심교육 실천 사례 연구

Objectives This study examines the process by which the recognition of children's right to play, which explains the practical competency of play-centered education of Chinese Anji kindergarten teachers in a meaningful way, is formed and how it is implemented in the field of play-center education.
 Methods To this end, for about three weeks from March 14, 2022, to April 2, 2022, a study was conducted in Anji County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, focusing on participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and literature data analysis. A case study was conducted at K Kindergarten.
 Results The meaning of play-center education practice for teachers at Anji K Kindergarten was defined as an ‘a teacher who constantly strives to support real play’, ‘belief in children, the core of play-center education’, ‘a compass for expanding children's exploration activities and play’, ‘going together for a long time’ was divided into 4 categories, and each of them was further divided into subcategories and presented as nomads. Specifically, first, teachers did not recognize children's right to play from the beginning and had a high competency in practicing play-centered education at K kindergarten. Second, K kindergarten teachers believe that the main character of the classroom is an infant, which is much better than the teacher thinks. They keep themselves safe in the midst of adventure and challenge and believe that all children have their own inherent speed in them. Third, teachers of K kindergarten are developing the children’ power to observe, record and through large group sharing. Fourth, one nursery school (保育员) who is in charge of cleaning and preparing meals for each class of K Kindergarten. As a kindergarten leader, constantly requested financial support necessary for education from the government and overcame difficulties to reach the current play-centered education system.
 Conclusions First, it was confirmed that the high level of play-center education practice competency of Chinese Anji kindergarten teachers was not achieved in a short period of time, but through many years of effort. Second, it was confirmed that Anji kindergarten teachers in China fully believed in children. Third, it was confirmed that Anji kindergarten teachers had enough opportunities to expand children's play and reflect on their experiences daily.

The Role of Media in Perpetuating Racial and Gender Stereotypes

By this study paper, we hope to learn more about the types of stereotypes that media and society have created, how they affect the people in society, and how we can try to get rid of them by employing logical and practical means.

Enterprise Risk Management in an Uncertain Environment

Purpose: The issue of enterprise risk management in an uncertain environment is a priority for the corporate sector to ensure liquidity and value of financial assets and operations in the selected market segment. Theoretical framework: The problem of enterprise risk management is to find an effective practice of using risk management systems that can minimize and prevent potential risks both internally and externally. Method: The article aims to analyze enterprise risk management and outline the key means of ensuring the stability of commercial activities with possible optimization of the work of functional units. An important area of the study is the identification of modern practical risk management tools and means of optimizing corporate activities in the context of global economic instability. Results and conclusion: The results of the study indicate the characteristic practices and comprehensive means of enterprise risk management to ensure its microeconomic stability. The prospects for risk management as a tool for ensuring it, as analyzed in the study, are constantly evolving and changing due to the emergence of innovative information technologies, which are one of the key tools for forecasting, modeling, and analyzing enterprise activities. Search implications: Attention is paid to the issue of the current economic environment and the quality of financial resource allocation in an unstable global economic situation. Originality/value: The obtained results of the study can be used by corporate institutions to improve their risk management policies and contribute to the stable operation of the enterprise even in the face of global uncertainty in the environment.

Holding AI to Account: Challenges for the Delivery of Trustworthy AI in Healthcare

The need for AI systems to provide explanations for their behaviour is now widely recognised as key to their adoption. In this article, we examine the problem of trustworthy AI and explore what delivering this means in practice, with a focus on healthcare applications. Work in this area typically treats trustworthy AI as a problem of Human–Computer Interaction involving the individual user and an AI system. However, we argue here that this overlooks the important part played by organisational accountability in how people reason about and trust AI in socio-technical settings. To illustrate the importance of organisational accountability, we present findings from ethnographic studies of breast cancer screening and cancer treatment planning in multidisciplinary team meetings to show how participants made themselves accountable both to each other and to the organisations of which they are members. We use these findings to enrich existing understandings of the requirements for trustworthy AI and to outline some candidate solutions to the problems of making AI accountable both to individual users and organisationally. We conclude by outlining the implications of this for future work on the development of trustworthy AI, including ways in which our proposed solutions may be re-used in different application settings.

First Observation of Protomicelles in the System with a Non-Colloidal Surfactant

A spectrophotometric study of the system heptanol—Nile red (NR)—water was carried out, where, for the first time for such studies, a non-colloidal surfactant that does not form micelles was taken as a surfactant. The dependence of the solubility of NR on the concentration of heptanol in an aqueous solution was studied. The experiments were carried out at a given chemical potential of NR, which was provided by an excess of the solid phase of NR. The existence of a solubilization effect has been theoretically and experimentally established: An increase in the solubility of NR with an increase in the concentration of heptanol in solution. It was found that heptanol protomicelles with a solubilization core as an NR molecule are formed in such a system, so that in the absence of micelles, the protomicelles take on the entire solubilization load. From the experimental data, the concentration of protomicelle formation was calculated, which can also be taken as the concentration of NR monomerization in an aqueous solution, since the formation of protomicelles prevents the dye aggregation. Based on the results obtained, the following generalizations were made: (1) non-colloidal surfactants, although they do not give micelles, are capable of forming protomicelles; and (2) non-colloidal surfactants can serve as a practical means of dye monomerization.