Reciprocal Benefits Research Articles

Age-Friendly Approaches and Old-Age Exclusion: A Cross-City Analysis

Developing ‘Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (AFCC)’ has become a key part of policies aimed at improving the quality of life of older people in urban areas. Despite this development, there is evidence of rising inequalities among urban elders, and little known about the potential and limitations of the age-friendly model to reduce old-age exclusion. This article addresses this research gap by comparing how Brussels, Dublin, and Manchester, as three members of the Global Network of AFCC, have responded to social exclusion in later life. The article combines data from document analysis and stakeholder interviews to examine: first, the age-friendly approach and the goal of reducing social exclusion; and second, barriers to developing age-friendly policies as a means of addressing exclusion. The paper suggests that there are reciprocal benefits in linking age-friendly and social exclusion agendas for producing new ways of combatting unequal experiences of ageing in cities.

Reciprocal Benefits of Engaging Undergraduate Researchers in Conducting a Systematic Literature Review

Purpose This project used a reflective practice framework to examine outcomes of an undergraduate student–faculty collaborative research project. The project examined benefits of undergraduate contributions to a large-scale systematic review and explore benefits to the students. Conclusions Throughout a large literature search process, two student researchers documented their reflections, including field notes and written reflections about their personal learning. Students completed searches of articles about speech and language impairments associated with right hemisphere damage. In the process, a repository of articles was created for further examination by a writing committee of the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences. Student accuracy in identifying potential articles that met inclusion criteria was measured by comparing student inclusions to those identified by committee members. Authors examined student reflection outcomes in the context of existing research about student–faculty collaborative research outcomes. Broad-based student outcomes included improvements in understanding the research process, collaboration skills, and confidence, along with opportunities to network/disseminate findings, focus career interests, and foster continued interest in research. Outcomes specific to the project included an increase in topic knowledge and increased accuracy in identifying articles that met inclusion criteria. The two undergraduate student researchers were able to search and identify potential articles for the systematic review. This provided an opportunity to become more proficient in searching databases and interpreting articles. Beyond direct contributions to the systematic review project, both undergraduates reported growth as student learners, researchers, and future clinicians. The students also report ongoing interests in research and considering academic careers.

Evaluation of Selection Methods for Resistance to a Specialist Insect Pest of Squash (Cucurbita pepo)

Plant varieties resistant to insect pests are a critical component of integrated pest management, but challenges associated with plant breeding for insect resistance, such as a long breeding cycle duration and low trait heritability, slow progress in the field. In this study, we tested two novel selection schemes to improve genetic gain for resistance to the major pest, the striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum), in squash (Cucurbita pepo, e.g., zucchini). First, we tested an indirect selection scheme using a proxy insect with correlated resistance phenotypes, Trichoplusia ni, in place of the seasonally available A. vittatum. We found that while resistance to herbivory by T. ni was heritable, there was no reciprocal benefit for resistance to A. vittatum. Second, we tested genomic selection, a method that allows for selection without phenotyping every generation, for both resistance to A. vittatum directly and resistance to the proxy T. ni. Although there was moderate genomic predictive ability, we did not observe realized gains from selection in field trials. Overall, strategies that minimize investment in direct phenotyping, leverage efficiencies from phenotyping correlated traits, and shorten breeding cycle duration are needed to develop insect resistant varieties, and this study provides examples and empirical data of two such approaches deployed in an applied breeding program.

Community-Based Participatory Research and Human-Centered Design Principles to Advance Hearing Health Equity.

Inclusive and equitable research is an ethical imperative. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) as well as human-centered design are approaches that center partnership between community members and academic researchers. Together, academic-community research teams iteratively study community priorities, collaboratively develop ethical study designs, and co-create innovations that are accessible and meaningful to the community partners while advancing science. The foundation of the CBPR approach is reliant on its core principles of equity, colearning, shared power in decision-making, reciprocity, and mutual benefit. While the CBPR approach has been used extensively in public health and other areas of healthcare research, the approach is relatively new to audiology, otolaryngology, and hearing health research. The purpose of the present article is to advance an understanding of the CBPR approach, along with principles from human-centered design, in the context of research aimed to advance equity and access in hearing healthcare. The literature is reviewed to provide an introduction for auditory scientists to the CBPR approach and human-centered design, including discussion of the underlying principles of CBPR and where it fits along a community-engaged continuum, theoretical and evaluation frameworks, as well as applications within auditory research. Recent applications of CBPR have been framed broadly within the theoretical positions of the socioecological model for a systems-level approach to community-engaged research and the Health Services Utilization model within health services and disparities research using CBPR. Utilizing human-centered design strategies can work in tandem with a CBPR approach to engage a wide range of people in the research process and move toward the development of innovative yet feasible solutions. Leveraging the principles of CBPR is an intricate and dynamic process, may not be a fit for some topics, some researchers' skillsets, and may be beyond some projects' resources. When implemented skillfully and authentically, CBPR can be of benefit by elevating and empowering community voices and cultural perspectives historically marginalized in society and underrepresented within research. With a focus on health equity, this review of CBPR in the study of hearing healthcare emphasizes how this approach to research can help to advance inclusion, diversity, and access to innovation.

Being a trained volunteer Peer Supporter for carers of people living with dementia in Norway: Reciprocal benefits and challenges.

This qualitative, exploratory study aimed to investigate the perception of benefits and the challenges of Peer Support services to carers of people with dementia. Four focus group interviews were conducted with volunteer Peer Supporters (n=40)-all former carers-on their experience of supporting such carers. One overriding theme was of making the carers' path smoother by giving the possibility for free time and reflection, and three themes summarised their experience: 'filling the gap between health care and everyday life challenges', 'importance of mutual and unique experience based on skills and knowledge' and 'the importance of setting limits'. The findings showed that voluntary work is valuable to both carers and Peer Supporters. Peer Supporters' experiences as former carers are valuable. They offer the opportunity to engage in mutually supportive relationships with carers based on shared experience and similar interests by contributing to a better management of everyday life. Being able to see positive changes in carers' lives, guarding their privacy and providing them with free time were important for volunteers in gaining enjoyment and satisfaction over time. Enabling recovery and reflection might be crucial for carers to avoid burnout. How to recruit, support Peer Supporters and incorporate them in the formal healthcare system will be of great interest in the future.

Better off alone? New insights in the symbiotic relationship between the flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis and the microalgae Tetraselmis convolutae

The acoel flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis lives in obligatory symbiosis with the microalgal chlorophyte Tetraselmis convolutae. Although this interaction has been studied for more than a century, little is known on the potential reciprocal benefits of both partners, a subject that is still controversial. In order to provide new insights into this question, we have compared the photophysiology of the free-living microalgae to the symbiotic form in the flatworm, both acclimated at different light irradiances. Photosynthesis – Irradiance curves showed that the free-living T. convolutae had greater photosynthetic performance (i.e., oxygen production rates, ability to harvest light) than their symbiotic form, regardless of the light acclimation. However, they were affected by photoinhibition under high irradiances, which did not happen for the symbiotic form. The resistance of symbiotic microalgae to photoinhibition were corroborated by pigment analyses, which evidenced the induction of photoprotective mechanisms such as xanthophyll cycle as well as lutein and β-carotene accumulation. These processes were induced even under low light acclimation and exacerbated upon high light acclimation, suggesting a global stress situation for the symbiotic microalgae. We hypothesize that the internal conditions in the sub-epidermal zone of the flatworm (e.g., osmotic and pH), as well as the phototaxis toward high light imposed by the worm in its environment, would be major reasons for this chronic stress situation. Overall, our study suggests that the relationship between S. roscoffensis and T. convolutae may be a farming strategy in favor of the flatworm rather than a symbiosis with mutual benefits.

Maximizing the academic nursing model in the era of COVID-19 and beyond

Maximizing the academic nursing model in the era of COVID-19 and beyond

International Convention to Decrease Conflict Between Energy Supply and Environmental Protection

The relationship between economic development, energy consumption and environmental issues is complex. However, energy law is based on reciprocal benefits for governments while environmental law is based on common interests and erga omnes. Studies have shown that despite the implementation of several energy and environmental conventions at international levels, the situation of global environmental conditions is critical. Different concepts and conflicting interests between the energy supply system and environmental protection have led to poor implementation of some conventions. The present study examined some existing rules and regulations on energy and the environment and identified the strengths and weaknesses of the descriptive-analytic method. The purpose of investigating these conventions is to decrease the weaknesses and increase their strengths. The strengths can then be used for environmental concerns and international obligations of states under the rules of erga omnes to protect the environment and sovereignty of states for jurisdictional and energy management within national boundaries. The investigations revealed the characteristics of an international convention to decrease conflicts of interest between the energy supply system and environmental protection. In addition, two facilitator mechanisms are proposed for effective implementation of the international convention on energy and the environment.

PROSEDUR ADMINISTRASI PENJUALAN PADA USAHA JAYA TEKNIKA JAKARTA BARAT

Abstract- Many factors in addition to promotional efforts, including in terms of service, price matching, also part of the leadership of the company to follow sales orders that are still open. Usaha Jaya Teknika is a company engaged in the sale bearing activities associated with the sale. In bearing sales companies, the administration is required to support continuation of work productivity. One support ing of the labor productivity is sales administration, because sales are very important role among other activities. Customers most influential people in sale s , because of the customer and the sales process will occur reciprocal relationship mutual benefit . By this author tries to make the final administrative procedures regarding the sale of Usaha Jaya Teknika, West Jakarta. Therefore, the administra tive procedures are very important for the customer sales , because sales administrative procedures to facilitate the sales order. With the sales of structured procedure the customers will be fulfilled. KeyWord s : Administrative Procedures, Sales

Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Reciprocity – A Study of Selected Companies

The concept of business ethics and CSR has been developed or adopted widely by the business/companies in the recent years and it has its specific impact on the development of the country and also the welfare of the organisations. The prominent reciprocal benefits that these two concepts can bring needs to be studied. The thought behind these two concepts is to show some responsibilities of the company towards the society, by uplifting the morals of the members of the company and around the company. Here the company not only focuses on the profit but also takes measures to invest for the betterment of the society. The paper addresses the concept of business ethics and CSR in the context in relation to selected diverse companies based on the perspectives of the employees working in the companies. We examined if and how the surveyed companies implemented the ethical code in their business practice; and what benefits flowed there from. The second question assayed if the implementation of CSR brought about any significant change in the business turnover. The results show that business ethics and CSR are very important for the organisations’ growth and success. Specifically they consider business ethics to lead benefit to employees, customers and societal relationship, along with better goodwill and reputation and can generate customer loyalty. A firm and good customer relation can be framed to benefit the company that considers itself responsible for the development of the society. Inferences of findings and research are finally drawn.

Insurance Customers' Expectations for Sharing Health Data: Qualitative Survey Study.

BackgroundInsurance organizations are essential stakeholders in health care ecosystems. For addressing future health care needs, insurance companies require access to health data to deliver preventative and proactive digital health services to customers. However, extant research is limited in examining the conditions that incentivize health data sharing.ObjectiveThis study aimed to (1) identify the expectations of insurance customers when sharing health data, (2) determine the perceived intrinsic value of health data, and (3) explore the conditions that aid in incentivizing health data sharing in the relationship between an insurance organization and its customer.MethodsA Web-based survey was distributed to randomly selected customers from a Finnish insurance organization through email. A single open-text answer was used for a qualitative data analysis through inductive coding, followed by a thematic analysis. Furthermore, the 4 constructs of commitment, power, reciprocity, and trust from the social exchange theory (SET) were applied as a framework.ResultsFrom the 5000 customers invited to participate, we received 452 surveys (response rate: 9.0%). Customer characteristics were found to reflect customer demographics. Of the 452 surveys, 48 (10.6%) open-text responses were skipped by the customer, 57 (12.6%) customers had no expectations from sharing health data, and 44 (9.7%) customers preferred to abstain from a data sharing relationship. Using the SET framework, we found that customers expected different conditions to be fulfilled by their insurance provider based on the commitment, power, reciprocity, and trust constructs. Of the 452 customers who completed the surveys, 64 (14.2%) customers required that the insurance organization meets their data treatment expectations (commitment). Overall, 4.9% (22/452) of customers were concerned about their health data being used against them to profile their health, to increase insurance prices, or to deny health insurance claims (power). A total of 28.5% (129/452) of customers expected some form of benefit, such as personalized digital health services, and 29.9% (135/452) of customers expected finance-related compensation (reciprocity). Furthermore, 7.5% (34/452) of customers expected some form of empathy from the insurance organization through enhanced transparency or an emotional connection (trust).ConclusionsTo aid in the design and development of digital health services, insurance organizations need to address the customers’ expectations when sharing their health data. We established the expectations of customers in the social exchange of health data and explored the perceived values of data as intangible goods. Actions by the insurance organization should aim to increase trust through a culture of transparency, commitment to treat health data in a prescribed manner, provide reciprocal benefits through digital health services that customers deem valuable, and assuage fears of health data being used to prevent providing insurance coverage or increase costs.

International Student Mentor Development Study

Peer mentorship programs are promoted as reciprocal, where both mentors and mentees benefit; however, the majority of qualitative research focuses on the positive outcomes for mentees, while few (Haggard et al., 2011; Heirdsfield et al., 2008) focus on the experiences and positive outcomes for mentors. International student peer mentorship programs help mentors develop leadership, intercultural communication, and professional skills as they help others and interact with students from different cultures and backgrounds (Haggard et al., 2011).
 This research study is going to fill the gap and contribute to international higher education by focusing on student peer mentors’ self-experience and how they value their roles. The research project specifically seeks to address the following questions: How do student mentors perceive and value the experiences of being peer mentors for international students? How does the international student peer mentor program contribute to mentors’ development?

Antecedents and gains of user participation in social media in Taiwan

Social media provide a wide array of interactive functions which allow users to share and comment on content and personal status. While considerable work has been done on identifying factors which influence social media usage intention, few studies have empirically examined factors which cause users to share content, related group behaviors, and consequences of social media participation. This study develops an integrated model to explore these research questions. The proposed model is empirically evaluated using survey data collected from 389 social media users. Results suggest that altruism, expected reciprocal benefit and expected relationship are significant determinants of knowledge sharing intention. We-intention is determined by factors such as social norms, online self-presentation, social identity and knowledge sharing intention. Moreover, users obtain social support and social capital through social media participation. The findings may provide useful insights for social media platform managers and marketers.

‘Giving back and getting on with my life’: Peer mentoring, desistance and recovery of ex-offenders

Peer work and peer mentoring are dynamic social processes that have reciprocal benefits for both mentor and mentee in tackling issues around reoffending and substance misuse. Narratives of peer mentors and desistance were collected from probation peer mentors, Criminal Justice Drugs Team mentors and health trainers, to explore identity transformation and how the criminal justice system supports ex-offenders in desistance. Criminal justice practitioners were also interviewed to explore the importance of relational support networks. Themes that emerged from the research include the transformative potential of peer work and how peer workers can become role models for other offenders. Peer workers are ‘experts by experience’, using personal narratives of desistance to inspire hope in others. Influential criminal justice personnel are key to this process. Peer work can be the start of building a desisting identity, acting as a ‘hook for change’. Peer workers are given spaces within criminal justice organisations to work, which fosters a sense of purpose, belonging, trust and responsibility. Seeing ex-offenders from a strengths-based perspective is integral to supporting ex-offender transition. However, peer workers are inconsistently validated by criminal justice personnel, which can impede their desistance, placing them in a liminal position.

Moderate parasitoidism on pollinators contributes to population oscillations and increases species diversity in the fig-fig wasp community

Whether species diversity contributes to the ecosystem stability has been one of the most heated arguments in community ecology. Potentially different contributions of different ecosystem species have not been explicitly taken into account. With fig species and their associated fig wasp community as model system, we bring community structure into the “diversity-stability” debate by establishing the fig-fig wasp food web model. The simulations of our model indicated that wasp diversity was promoted by population density of the parasitoids of the pollinating wasps, and that top-down control from the parasitoids regulated community diversity and stability. Moreover, only moderate parasitoidism on the pollinators resulted in the regular/irregular oscillatory coexistence in the fig-fig wasp community. Increases in the wasp diversity could increase community stability when biodiversity of fig wasps was low, while population chaos would maintain wasp diversity in the fig-fig wasp system. Our theoretical predictions are consistent with the newest experimental study on the fig-fig wasp system, which showed that loss of top-down control (parasitoidism on the pollinators) resulted in a change in the balance of reciprocal benefits, thereby changing food web complexity.

The governance of genomic biobank research in Africa: reframing the regulatory tilt

Genomic biobank research has experienced exponential growth in recent years. It represents a real opportunity to remedy global health inequity that has seen limited investment in diseases affecting populations from low- and middle-income countries. Previous research in Africa was limited to so-called parachute research, whereby samples were taken from local populations for use in high-income countries with no local oversight or use of the sample. These exploitative practices must be guarded against, but the current regulation of genomic research in Africa adopts a precautionary approach that at times is restrictive in nature. We argue that the regulation and oversight of genomic biobank research should guard against exploitative research, but in a manner that promotes reciprocal benefit and not restrictive research practices. To achieve this, there must be a rebalancing of the regulatory tilt.

How the social dimension of fitness apps can enhance and undermine wellbeing

PurposeWhile the positive health benefits of fitness apps, which motivate and track physical exercise, are widely acknowledged, the adverse connection between these technologies and wellbeing has received little attention. The purpose of this paper is to determine how the social dimensions of fitness apps predict the type of passion (harmonious and obsessive) one has for physical exercise, and what the resulting positive and negative implications are for wellbeing.Design/methodology/approachDrawing from the theoretical frameworks of social influence and the dual model of passion (DMP), this study develops a model depicting how fitness apps relate to the causes and consequences of harmonious and obsessive passion for exercise. Survey data were collected from 272 fitness app using cyclists and analysed with partial least squares structural equation modelling techniques.FindingsDifferent social influence aspects of fitness apps appeal to different types of exercisers. A harmonious passion for physical exercise is predicted by the positive reciprocal benefits attained from one’s fitness app community, while an obsessive passion is predicted by positive recognition. In turn, a harmonious passion for exercise is negatively associated with life burnout, while an obsessive passion strongly affirms that relationship. In addition, the relationship between social influence and life burnout is fully mediated by the type of passion a fitness app user possesses.Originality/valueUnderpinned by the DMP, the study provides a theoretical framework explaining how the use of fitness apps can result in opposing wellness outcomes.

Under the radar: General practitioners' experiences of directly employed care workers for older people.

The Care Act 2014 allows eligible people with care and support needs to access funding directly from local authorities in England. Such funds may be used to employ care workers. Others may employ care workers using their own or family resources. This study explores the working relationships, views and experiences of General Practitioner (GP) about older people's directly employed care workers (DECWs). Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 GPs in England, identified by convenience sampling of research networks and snowballing methods. Data were analysed thematically. Three overarching themes were identified: (a) anxieties about the identity of the DECW, and their relationship to their employer; (b) experiences of relationship-based care, and; (c) tasks carried out by DECWs. Identity mattered because DECWs can appear as an unknown participant in consultations, raising questions about consent, and prompting thoughts about elder abuse. Uncertainty about identity made documentation of DECWs' details in electronic medical records and care plans problematic. Case examples of relational care illustrated the benefits of reciprocity between older person and their employee who sometimes provided continuity of care and care co-ordination for their employer. Participants were alert to the risks of exploitation and insecurity for DECWs whose tasks were thought to span household and personal care, transport assistance and health-related activities. The involvement of DECWs in maintaining older people's health raises questions about the support they receive from health professionals. In conclusion DECWs are well placed to monitor older people's health, provide continuity of care and undertake certain healthcare tasks. GPs envisaged such workers as potentially valuable assets in community-based care for an ageing population. They called for skills training for this workforce and the development of protocols for delegation of health tasks and safeguarding of vulnerable older people. Older people employing care workers and those advising or supporting them should address communications with health providers in employment contracts and job descriptions.

Applying Service System Framework to Not-for-Profit Sector: A Case of Akhuwat Foundation

Service is now considered as the basis of exchange and defined as “the use and application of competencies and knowledge for mutual benefits”. In the current stream of development, service systems emerge as widely accepted, interesting and logical area to study the concepts related to service interactions. Service systems are dynamic entities which interact with each other and integrate their resources to co-create value. This paper characterizes Akhuwat Foundation Microfinance project as a Service System with the application of service system framework developed by Lyon and Tracy. The purpose of the study is to evaluate Akhuwat microfinance project to understand its service activities and to define business exchanges from the perspective of reciprocal benefits. Assuming the interprevitist assumptions, a qualitative approach was adopted and data was gathered through in-depth interviews with the employees of Akhuwat microfinance project. Data analysis revealed that Akhuwat microfinance is in fact, a true representation of a service system. Their objectives, processes, control and performances are service oriented. The main focus of transactions with donors, borrowers and other network partners is poverty alleviation, financial empowerment and a sustainable society. This paper motivates future researchers to apply the service system framework in other sectors, and characterize organizations that are, in its true essence service oriented.

The Relationship between Motivations and Nurses' Intention to Share Knowledge.

Background:This study intended to examine the association between the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and knowledge sharing intentions among the nursing staff.Materials and Methods:It was a descriptive-correlational study, and the population included 860 nurses, working in Al-Zahra hospital, from whom a sample of 275 subjects were selected through convenience sampling method. The intrinsic motivation was composed of two sub-instruments, namely, the public recognition instrument (covering 3 items) and reciprocity instrument (covering 3 items), while extrinsic motivation included a knowledge self-efficacy instrument and an altruism instrument with 3 and 4 items, respectively. Moreover, knowledge sharing intention itself was evaluated a by 4-item inventory. Once the content validity, face validity, and construct validity (using confirmatory factor analysis), as well as the reliability (Cronbach's alpha) were confirmed, the model was analyzed through the partial least square technique.Results:There was a statistically significant association between both the intrinsic motivation and knowledge sharing intention (t = 14.95, p < 0.01,) and extrinsic motivation and knowledge sharing intention (t = 3.07, p < 0.01). Moreover, it was found that knowledge sharing intention was positively associated with public recognition (t = 3.98, p < 0.01), knowledge self-efficacy (t = 3.17, p < 0.01), and altruism (t = 11.44, p < 0.01). However, the association between the reciprocal benefits and intention to knowledge sharing was not supported (t = 1.77, p < 0.05).Conclusions:The results indicate that both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, including public recognition, altruism, and knowledge self-efficacy perceptions can be used to encourage knowledge-sharing practices among the nurses.