Specific Goals Research Articles

Binary and Nonbinary Transgender Patient Experiences Accessing Gender-affirming Top Surgery.

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals face barriers when seeking top surgery, or bilateral mastectomies, as part of surgical transition, leading to delayed care and adverse health outcomes. Understanding differential experiences between nonbinary and binary patients is crucial for improving TGD patient care, but this distinction is seldom made in the current literature. This single-center cross-sectional mixed-methods survey study conducted between 2022 and 2023 enrolled all consecutive TGD patients undergoing top surgery. Significant differences between datasets were determined by two-sample unpaired t tests. Summative content analysis and descriptive analysis were performed for free-text responses. Thirty-seven binary and 71 nonbinary patients completed the survey. Lack of funding, long wait times within the healthcare system, and long wait times to access surgery were the three most impactful barriers for both cohorts. Nonbinary patients were more impacted by a lack of TGD-friendly surgeons and community physicians, prejudice from surgical center staff and community doctors, and employment concerns. More binary patients desired a "masculine chest" and to stop using a binder. The nonbinary group more frequently desired a "smaller chest" and had greater variability of surgical goals. Binary and nonbinary TGD patients both experience barriers to top surgery; however nonbinary patients may experience distinct barriers and have differential surgical goals. It is important to discuss specific surgery goals and offer top surgery options beyond bilateral mastectomy with nipple grafting, especially with nonbinary patients.

ГОТОВНІСТЬ МАЙБУТНІХ КЕРІВНИКІВ ЗАКЛАДІВ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ ДО ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ ІННОВАЦІЙНИХ УПРАВЛІНСЬКИХ ТЕХНОЛОГІЙ

The relevance of this article is determined by the necessity to ensure the competitiveness of educational institutions in the educational services market. Modern challenges require educational institutions to continuously improve their activities. Successful development of an educational institution is possible only through the integration of innovations that stimulate the achievement of its goals and contribute to improving the quality of education for students. This aligns with the interests of Ukrainian society, which, like any other developed society, is interested in a high level of educational services. With the growth of the educational services market and increasing competition, it is important for leaders of educational institutions to focus on searching for and implementing innovative management technologies to secure significant competitive advantages. Thus, the current market conditions and the need for competitive struggle highlight the importance of innovations for leaders, with innovative management technologies becoming key to achieving the goals of the educational institution and enhancing the quality of education. Objective: To analyze the readiness of future leaders of educational institutions to implement and apply innovative management technologies to enhance the competitiveness of their organizations in the educational services market. Methods: Study of scientific sources, legislative and normative-legal documents, surveys and interviews, case studies, SWOT analysis, expert assessments, and modeling. Results: During the study, the readiness of future educational institution leaders to implement innovative management technologies was evaluated; key barriers and challenges faced by future leaders, including limited resources, fear of change, and an insufficient level of knowledge about innovative technologies, were identified. At the same time, positive aspects were also discovered, namely a high level of motivation for learning and improvement, and readiness to introduce innovations to enhance the quality of education and adapt to modern labor market requirements. A comprehensive set of measures to increase the readiness of future leaders for innovation was developed and substantiated. This includes professional development programs, mentorship, and the creation of innovative educational spaces for experimentation and practical application of new approaches. The role of strategic planning in the successful implementation of innovative management technologies was also determined, which involves clear formulation of the mission, vision of the educational institution, as well as the development of specific goals and tasks to achieve defined results. Conclusions: This article examined the readiness of future educational institution leaders to apply innovative management technologies, which is crucial for enhancing competitiveness and the quality of educational services provided. The main barriers and challenges leaders may face when implementing innovations were identified, and methods to overcome these challenges were proposed. Special attention was given to the importance of a systematic approach and strategic planning in the process of adapting and implementing new practices in management. Developed and substantiated recommendations for focusing on innovative management practices include: enhancing the qualifications of future leaders, developing openness to change, and stimulating creativity and innovative thinking. It was determined that the successful implementation of innovative management technologies depends on a comprehensive approach that takes into account the specifics of the educational institution, the readiness of the staff for changes, and the presence of the necessary material and technical base. The findings of the study make it clear that innovative management technologies play a decisive role in forming an effective management model in modern educational institutions. Their implementation not only improves the quality of educational services but also ensures the sustainable development of educational organizations, meeting the challenges of the contemporary dynamic educational environment.

STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS OF THE PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF A NONPROFIT FESTIVAL IN BINH DUONG PROVINCE, VIETNAM

Festival stakeholders have different power levels in relation to an event, and this depends on their investment or importance to the event’s success. Governments or associations commonly organise non-profit festivals to celebrate a particular event or achieve a specific goal with less profit-making priority. As a long-established festival in Asia, the Tianhou Festival in Vietnam benefits the tourism sector and the local community. This festival is bound to the religious beliefs of local people originating from Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China, who immigrated to Vietnam and are now living in Binh Duong Province (BDP), Vietnam. Over the years, the festival’s success has intensified the socioeconomic development of Binh Duong Province. Undeniably, the festival quality can be enhanced with substantial and solicitous collaboration amongst stakeholders. Despite the contributions of such events, thus far, only a few studies have focused on the perceived benefits of non-profit-oriented events. To address this gap, the current study used the qualitative method by using semi structured interviews with key stakeholders to collect data, which were then transcribed by thematic analysis. The findings reveal that organising non-profit festivals may enhance interpersonal skills as well as bring about economic benefits, social incentives, and community cohesiveness. This research envisions the impacts of the Tianhou Festival on the stakeholders of this non-profit-oriented event. The findings of the study can provide guidelines to other key stakeholders in improving the same concept of event management in the future.

Elite track and field athletes’ perspective and experiences of osteopathic treatments: A descriptive phenomenological study

Background and objectivesDespite widespread osteopathic intervention, elite athletes' preferences for osteopathic care remain unclear, with limited evidence on musculoskeletal management. This study aimed to investigate elite track and field athletes’ perspectives on their experiences of osteopathic treatment to inform the development of integrated models of care. MethodsPurposive sampling was used during the enrolment phase. Semi-structured interviews were utilised to obtain data, and they were first piloted on two participants. A descriptive phenomenological method was used to undertake an inductive analysis of the interviews. Three following interviews were carried out to confirm data saturation. ResultsData saturation was reached with 13 participants (female = 6; male = 7). Participants’ ages ranged from 20 to 36 years old. The analysis showed 1 overarching theme, “Elite athletes look for a trusted specialised osteopath in their team to enhance their awareness and pursuit of specific goals,” 3 themes, and 17 categories. Themes were: “Elite athletes perceive the need to build a helping relationship with the osteopath based on trust”, “Elite athletes expect that the increase in body awareness influences the outcome of the osteopathic treatment leading to performance enhancement, injury prevention and biomechanical adjustments” and “Elite athletes are satisfied and feel more self-confident when they have consistent access to a specifically trained osteopath who works in an interdisciplinary team”. ConclusionResults from the present study can lead to quantitative experimental designs for efficacy studies and integrated models of care that take into account, not just organisational and social factors but also technical factors.

Kazakhstani village: the need for radical transformation

Purpose - the tendencies of development of rural areas of Kazakhstan are shown. Methods - economic analysis, statistical methods were used in analyzing the data on the number of rural population in dynamics, graphical - for structuring the information and its visual presentation. Results - the article outlines the current trends and prospects of rural settlements (RS) of the republic, considers demographic processes, economic factors, migration flows. Special attention is paid to the state support initiatives aimed at improving the living standards of rural residents. The authors highlight the stages of building up the resources of rural areas of the country in the context of the implementation of state programs, each of which has specific goals and objectives aimed at improving the lives of rural residents, reducing their outflow from rural to urban areas caused by limited employment opportunities, low standard of living, insufficient access to quality services: education, health care. It is noted that in 20 regions of Kazakhstan adapted and implemented the program "One Village - One Product" (OVOP), focused on the production of the most promising products with high market potential, the creation of sustainable value chains of agricultural products for agricultural enterprises and farmers, promoting saturation of the domestic market with high-quality competitive food products. Conclusions - solving the problems of strengthening rural areas is in direct dependence on the effective policy of the state in the sphere of agro-industrial complex. Currently, emphasis is placed on the future of the Kazakhstani village, its modern infrastructure. Organizational, managerial and economic approaches, digitalization in agriculture allows to accelerate the pace of integrated socio-economic development of RS, increase the income of the rural population, stabilize the demographic situation and increase the investment attractiveness of territories.

Tacit knowledge sharing in organizations: Evidence from a qualitative analysis of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s Agency for Visiting Affairs, Saudi Arabia

Tacit knowledge in organizations has many potential benefits. To unlock them, organizations must skillfully facilitate members’ sharing of tacit knowledge in ways that often do not apply to the sharing of explicit knowledge. The aim of this qualitative study is to clarify both the extent and the form of tacit knowledge sharing in an important Saudi Arabian ministerial agency: the Agency for Visiting Affairs in the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with eleven supervisors in the Agency for Visiting Affairs. The results of these interviews show that the interviewees and their colleagues shared tacit knowledge formally and informally. Formal approaches involved highly regimented job contexts such as job-rotation and job-training programs. Informal approaches involved casual regular gatherings and social-media platforms. Both formal and informal approaches enhanced tacit knowledge sharing within the agency. A further finding from the interviews was that rewards (e.g., employee-of-the-month designations) incentivized knowledge sharing. The study’s overall findings should give organizations in-depth insight into how they can facilitate tacit knowledge sharing in ways that align with specific organizational contexts and goals.

Understanding EMI and CLIL: Literature review

Exploring educational contexts, this literature review examines the distinctions between English Medium Instruction (EMI) and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL). While both instructional styles aim to enhance language proficiency alongside subject knowledge, they also exhibit distinct pedagogical approaches, objectives, and implementation strategies. The main emphasis of English-Medium Instruction is on delivering material, with a secondary focus on developing language skills. Content and Language Integrated Learning effectively combines subject and language goals, ensuring thorough integration of both aspects. This review meticulously analyses recent studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of the nuanced differences and similarities between EMI and CLIL. Employing a systematic approach, various academic databases, such as Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, Google Scholar, and JSTOR were exhaustively searched using targeted search terms to identify pertinent research published from 2010 to 2024. The findings illuminate various aspects of each approach, offer valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers, and highlight the implications for teacher training and institutional support. It emphasizes the importance of a profound understanding of these instructional differences to make well-informed decisions tailored to specific educational settings and goals. Such knowledge is crucial for contributing to the evolving discourse on bilingual and multilingual education strategies and enhancing educational outcomes in diverse learning environments.

ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE ACTIVITY OF RETAIL INVESTORS ON THE STOCK MARKET

The article examines the activity of a retail investor on the stock market. Issues of economic assessment of their activity and problems of increasing its effectiveness are studied. The dynamics of the share of retail investors in the total volume of trading in the stock market is analyzed. The key factors of growth of retail investors' activity in the stock market are studied. It was determined that the share of retail investors in the volume of trades on the stock market has almost doubled. The factors that caused such a powerful dynamic were analyzed. Two factors such as available investment opportunities and empowerment through information are discussed in detail. An economic assessment of the effectiveness of the activities of retail investors was carried out. The reasons for the negative results of their work on the stock market have been revealed. The importance of developing specific investment goals before starting investment activities on the stock market and adapting investment strategies to them is determined. It is suggested to use paper trading simulators that reproduce the real trading environment. It has been found to allow investors to make virtual trades and track their performance in real time. It is recommended to engage more comprehensive analytical and research platforms that provide tools for charting and price research. This has been proven to allow investors to more effectively analyze market trends, identify potential economic opportunities, and develop effective trading strategies. Possibilities of minimizing transaction costs through the use of ETFs-shares of investment funds, which are often traded on the stock exchange, are considered. As a result of the conducted research, the possibilities of further scientific research on this topic in the direction of using the latest financial programs based on artificial intelligence and comprehensive assessment of the interaction of various sectors of the stock market with their help were considered.

Effect of Literacy Skills on English Language Development of Pupils in Public Primary Schools in Rwanda: A Case of Rulindo District

The researcher's job was to examine the relationship between literacy levels and the English language proficiency development of public elementary school pupils in Rwanda's Rulindo District. The specific goals of this study were to identify the literacy skills competencies that influence the development of the English language in Rulindo District primary schools, evaluate the degree to which the application of literacy skills in Rulindo District primary schools aids in the development of the English language, and look into the relationship between the application of literacy skills and the English language development of students in Rulindo District public primary schools in Rwanda. In all, 11,461 respondents , of which 374 came from the two high schools in the Rulindo Districts, one sample from each. The respondents will be selected stratifiedly, with the aim of selecting these consciously and randomly. The results were assessed using SPSS version 21, and interpretations were based on the replies from the respondents. With respect to the first goal, the results indicate that 81.4% strongly agreed and 8.6% agreed that literacy instruction in writing has the potential to influence the development of the English language; 68.6% strongly agreed and 11.4% agreed that literacy instruction in reading has an effect on the English language development; and 81.4% strongly agreed and 8.6% agreed that literacy instruction in listening can influence the English language development, In the end, 5.7% and 90% of respondents, respectively, agreed and strongly agreed that speaking literacy skills can influence how well an English language is developed. A learner's comprehension of the English language indicates their level of English development, according to 66.8% of respondents strongly agreeing and 9.3% disagreeing, 74.8% strongly agreeing and 12.0% disagreeing, and 83.1% strongly agreeing and 7.3% disagreeing, with regards to the second goal of the study. Finally, 90.7% strongly agreed and 6.0% agreed that a person's degree of English proficiency is demonstrated by their ability to follow a discussion in the language. The study found a high correlation between the use of literacy skills and the growth of pupils' English language in public elementary schools in Rwanda's Rulindo District. How well students are developing their English language skills can be seen in the correlation matrix between the independent variables (writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills) and the dependent variables (the ability to follow discussions in English, the ability to express ideas in English, and improved class participation). Ultimately, they demonstrate positive significance as the p-value is smaller than 0.05. According to the report, improving literacy and English language proficiency in Rwandan public elementary schools would need a multipronged approach. It is recommended that aspiring educators pursue ongoing professional development in addition to training. Curriculum design should give priority to the development of vocabulary, writing skills, reading comprehension, and phonics. Language learning should make advantage of digital resources, which should also be dispersed efficiently. Differentiated training should be adjusted, and interactive teaching strategies should be used, to meet a variety of learning needs. Parental and community involvement is also crucial. Formative and summative evaluations have to be utilized to monitor progress. Classrooms should have resources available, and regular monitoring and assessment can identify students' strengths and areas for improvement.

Integrated value–based project management in the Malaysian construction industry

Value Management (VM) is a structured approach to maximising a project’s value by analysing its functions, materials, and costs to meet objectives at the lowest cost without compromising quality, performance, or functionality. In Malaysia’s construction industry, VM has significantly enhanced project outcomes. However, VM faces challenges despite its benefits due to limited awareness, knowledge barriers, and a gap between theory and practice. Although many practitioners recognise VM’s advantages, there remains a need for a deeper understanding of the VM process and how to apply necessary project management (PM) activities for project success. This study addresses the gap in understanding how PM activities can be integrated with VM to enhance project performance in the Malaysian construction industry. PM involves planning, organising, and controlling resources to achieve specific goals within set constraints, using knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to successfully execute projects and deliver desired outcomes. The study employed a qualitative method, including interviews with eleven professionals and practitioners in Malaysia’s construction industry, to identify PM activities that can be incorporated into the VM process. Thematic analysis using Atlas.ti revealed that PM and VM share similar objectives in ensuring project performance. The study illustrates the benefits of incorporating PM operations into VM by highlighting the relationships between PM and VM, such as better collaboration, better resource management, and improved project outcomes. By providing practitioners with a framework to apply PM techniques within the VM process, our findings contribute to the innovation of VM concepts, enhancing project performance, and bridging the theory-practice gap in the Malaysian construction sector.

Waste Management, Waste Indicators and the Relationship with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A Systematic Literature Review

Waste management plays an important role in sustainable development. The innovative management of waste results in minimizing the adverse effects of climate change, and social and economic sustainability. The creation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations in 2015 was an important step toward environmental sustainability, whereby the 17 goals focus on strengthening the means of implementing and revitalizing the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. This research paper applies a systematic literature review using the PRISMA methodology to analyze different published research papers and research reports mainly focused on waste management and its relationship with the SDGs. This paper extensively discusses the context of waste management, SDGs, waste indicators in SDGs, and the relationship between SDGs and waste management. This paper also widely discusses the aspects of waste management regarding SDGs. The results are further divided into two sub-categories, including descriptive results, which elaborate the different approaches that are used to review the literature for this paper, and thematic results, which include the key results and discussions of different aspects of this paper. The analysis of different published research papers and research reports mainly focuses on waste management and its relationship with the SDGs. This study presents a discussion of (1) the detailed context of waste management about SDGs, (2) the waste indicators in SDGs and (3) the relationship between waste management and SDGs. This study suggests future possible areas of research by extending the regional boundaries, increasing the number of papers, focusing on more specific SDG goals and targets and studying case studies based on the specific targets and indicators.

Influence of Learning Commitment and Parental Involvement on Self-regulated Learning of Senior High School Students

This study investigated the influence of learning commitment and parental involvement on the self-regulated learning of senior high school students of Biñan Integrated National High School, SY 2021-2022. A descriptive correlational research design sought to establish findings to be used as a foundation for a self-regulated learning model that can be adopted in the advent of face-to-face learning in the new normal. The findings indicated that the students indicated a strong learning commitment, a high level of parental involvement, and a high level of self-regulated learning. As significant relationships between variables were regressed, the resulting model revealed that learning commitment, as an individual predictor, has the most substantial positive influence on all dimensions of self-regulated learning. The combined effect of parental involvement negated the influence of learning commitment on dimensions of self-regulated learning in terms of environment structuring, task strategies and help-seeking strategies. Coordinating time and vitality through self-regulated learning will result in a more compelling and fulfilling encounter, which may boost self-efficacy and inspiration. The study provides an adoptable model to optimize self-regulated learning, which is a skill set that may be taught and may be able to assist students in setting specific goals for themselves and evaluating their progress. Students who can self-regulate are more proactive and less reactive in their learning.

Work of ART: Profiling the First 100 Patients Discharged Home From an Acute Hospital with the Active Recovery Team (ART)

Abstract Background The Active Recovery Team (ART) is a new therapy lead rehabilitation team that offers supported discharge and admission avoidance from a large acute hospital. This interdisciplinary team consists of a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, medical social worker and two therapy assistants. ART accepts referrals from all services within the hospital including the emergency department. Methods As ART is a new service, a retrospective audit of the first 100 patients who discharged on the pathway was completed. Demographics included age, sex, referring specialty, presenting complaint, frailty (measured by the Clinical Frailty Score) and level of input received. ART use the coding of low, medium and high intensity to describe the intervention provided based on dosage (visits) and complexity. Results Most (67%) of the group were female and mean age was 77 years. Only 8% were pre-frail (CFS 0-3), 86% were living with mild to moderate frailty (CFS 4-6) and 6% considered severely frail (CFS 7-9). The type of intervention patients received was 31% low, 33% medium and 36% high intensity. Referrals came from a range of specialties, but the highest percentage of referrals were from emergency medicine (29%), medicine (20%), orthopaedics (18%) and geriatric medicine (16%). Most (53%) initially presented post a fall at home. Most frequent reason for ART referral (78%) was that the patient was discharging home not at their functional baseline but had potential to an achieve a specific goal(s) with further input (most frequently within domains of mobility indoors/outdoors, transfers, stairs and activities of daily living). Conclusion This is an effective pathway that improves the transition from hospital to home. ART offer patients an opportunity for further rehabilitation at home with continuity of care from the acute hospital. Future work will examine the impact of ART on length of stay, readmission rate and explore patient satisfaction with this service.

Commercial milk formula marketing entry points: setting the course of infant and young child feeding trajectories

BackgroundThere is a limited understanding of the dynamic influences that shape infant and young child feeding (IYCF) decisions over time. We conducted an innovative qualitative study to reconstruct IYCF trajectories across early life course phases, in the context of the socioecological model (SEM) and the commercial determinants of IYCF.MethodsWomen of different socioeconomic status were interviewed in two large metropolitan areas in Mexico. Our specific goal was to allow us to better understand if and how the commercial milk formula (CMF) marketing influenced breastfeeding decisions in a complex dynamic way involving the individual, relational, community and societal levels.ResultsHospitals, health professionals, and interactions with social media were key category entry points throughout the prenatal, perinatal, early infancy period and beyond. The CMF industry interfered by engaging a wide array of actors across the different layers of the SEM, most prominently the health care system and the workplace. Through its marketing strategies the CMF operates subconsciously and its messages are most effective when health institutions, health care providers, workplace spaces and social norms are weak in their support for breastfeeding.ConclusionsThe cases in our study highlight how, together with a weak breastfeeding counseling system, and health professionals who lack training in breastfeeding and normal infant behavior, lead to the opportunity for CMF marketing to shape infant feeding, and ultimately to the decision to feed formulas that some mothers were not planning to use and cannot afford.

The Top 5 Can't-Miss Sport Supplements.

Background/Objectives: Sports supplements have become popular among fitness enthusiasts for enhancing the adaptive response to exercise. This review analyzes five of the most effective ergogenic aids: creatine, beta-alanine, nitrates, caffeine, and protein. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of the literature with a focus on the sport supplements with the most robust evidence for efficacy and safety. Results: Creatine, one of the most studied ergogenic aids, increases phosphocreatine stores in skeletal muscles, improving ATP production during high-intensity exercises like sprinting and weightlifting. Studies show creatine supplementation enhances skeletal muscle mass, strength/power, and muscular endurance. The typical dosage is 3-5 g per day and is safe for long-term use. Beta-alanine, when combined with the amino acid histidine, elevates intramuscular carnosine, which acts as a buffer in skeletal muscles and delays fatigue during high-intensity exercise by neutralizing hydrogen ions. Individuals usually take 2-6 g daily in divided doses to minimize paresthesia. Research shows significant performance improvements in activities lasting 1-4 min. Nitrates, found in beetroot juice, enhance aerobic performance by increasing oxygen delivery to muscles, enhancing endurance, and reducing oxygen cost during exercise. The recommended dosage is approximately 500 milligrams taken 2-3 h before exercise. Caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant, reduces perceived pain while enhancing focus and alertness. Effective doses range from 3 to 6 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, typically consumed an hour before exercise. Protein supplementation supports muscle repair, growth, and recovery, especially after resistance training. The recommended intake for exercise-trained men and women varies depending on their specific goals. Concluions: In summary, creatine, beta-alanine, nitrates, caffeine, and protein are the best ergogenic aids, with strong evidence supporting their efficacy and safety.

УПРАВЛІННЯ ЗМІНАМИ: СТРАТЕГІЧНИЙ ВИМІР

The article examines the influence of the external environment on change strategies. The factors causing the need for changes in modern organizations are characterized, in particular technological, economic and socio-cultural transformations. Differences between external and internal causes of changes are highlighted. External factors include factors that arise in the external environment, including changes in the market, technologies, legislation, and others. Internal causes are related to the implementation of the strategy, the culture of the organization and the actions of its personnel. Change is defined as a transformation process that can be a reaction to external or internal influences, carried out at different levels and in different spheres: economic, social, technological. Particular attention is paid to the concept of strategic changes, which are systematic and planned in nature, involve deep transformations, and may include the reorganization of business processes, a change in the development strategy, the introduction of new technologies or cultural changes aimed at achieving specific (strategic) goals of the organization. Types of strategic change are described: adaptation to small changes, reconstruction as rapid transformations, evolution as gradual development, and revolution, which involves radical changes to achieve new goals. It is emphasized that organizations that are able to adapt to economic, technological, socio-cultural and other changes have significantly greater chances of success and competitiveness in the market. The article discusses strategies for implementing changes that include a prescriptive approach that provides quick responses to crisis situations; a negotiated approach to reducing resistance; normative strategy for increasing the responsibility of personnel; an analytical approach focused on making informed decisions based on data, and an action-oriented strategy that allows for incremental experimentation. The strategic continuum (according to J. Kotter and L. Shlesinger) is considered as a means of choosing a change strategy.

Violence Against Parents by Adult Children: A Systematic Literature Review of Empirical Studies.

Violence against parents by adult children is the abuse of physical, psychological, social, or economic power committed by a grown-up child against his/her parent or foster parent with the intention of achieving a specific goal such as control, subordination, economic gains, or internal satisfaction. It encompasses physical, psychological, sexual, and financial violence, neglect, and property crime. This paper aims to systematically review the literature on violence against parents by adult children. With the use of a range of keywords, the databases Web of Science, SAGE, SpringerLink, Taylor and Francis online, PubMed, EBSCOhost, JSTOR, ProQuest Ebook Central, PsycInfo, Routledge, and Science Direct were reviewed according to the PRISMA Statement. A review of the literature by key authors and contributions using the snowball method followed. The inclusion criteria were empirical journal papers and books published in English between 1990 and 2023 that address violence against parents by adult children. Exclusion criteria included reviews, commentaries, abstracts, and any publications that address the subject topic in a language other than English. The searches returned 39 relevant contributions. Four common themes emerged across the field: the prevalence and characteristics of violence against parents by adult children, parents' responses and experiences of violence by adult children, social perceptions of (older) parent abuse, and consequences and prevention of violence against parents by adult children. Findings of the literature review show that violence against parents is an under-researched phenomenon and points to the need for further research, including the prevention, detection, consequences, and treatment of such violence.

Sustainable Business Models: An Empirical Analysis of Environmental Sustainability in Leading Manufacturing Companies

This study thoroughly investigates the role of sustainable business models in enhancing environmental sustainability in leading manufacturing companies. Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we empirically analyse the integration of sustainability goals into corporate strategies. This study identifies sustainable business models based on an analysis of the sustainability reports published on the website, examining the strategies and action plans declared by 30 companies that are leaders in the sustainability industry, according to their Dow Jones Sustainability Index World (DJSI World) and S&P Global ESG Scores. The strategies considered are aligned with the following specific sustainability development goals: 6 (water security); 7 (renewable energy); 12 (responsible consumption and production); and 13 (climate action). The dataset contains several variables, each reflecting a particular facet of a company’s environmental sustainability, as follows: energy consumption; greenhouse gas emissions; waste management strategies; and water conservation initiatives. We use a multidimensional data analysis technique called multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). After using MCA, we use a hierarchical clustering algorithm with the aim of classifying the different companies. Our findings underscore the presence of seven clusters of companies. Compared to the well-established literature on the topic of sustainable business, the innovative contribution of this study is linked to the identification of reaction time as a strategic variable explaining the different sustainable business models. The study makes it clear that the different business models are linked to reaction time to strategic alignment with environmental objectives. The country in which the company is based is also important. This study provides practical insights for companies aiming to align their practices with SDGs. In fact, the time variable provides important information in this regard and makes it possible to identify different approaches to sustainability as well as strong and weak sustainable business models; the former are characterised by a medium long-term strategic orientation towards environmental sustainability, which can be interpreted as the desire to undertake more solid and structured environmental sustainability strategies.

Reverse periodization in ultratrail: The road to the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships of an elite female ultrarunner

Introduction and Purpose Traditionally, linear periodization has been widely applied to endurance training programs, whereas reverse periodization has been often used for shorter endurance events (Clemente-Suárez et al., 2015; Clemente-Suárez et al., 2018; Clemente-Suárez & Ramos-Campo, 2019) and fitness (Prestes et al., 2009). The aim of this study was to describe the training characteristics of a Spanish high-level female ultrarunner in her preparation to the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships using a reverse linear periodization model. Methods Day-by-day data training of 1 study subject for 29 weeks (from November 2022 to June 2023) was retrospectively analyzed. Training form (endurance, strength or complementary sessions), intensity (low-, moderate-, and high-intensity training), intensity distribution, exercise endurance mode (cycling, elliptical, running or trail running) and specific exercise mode goal session (running uphill, running flat, running downhill, hiking or mixed) were considered. Specific sessions, key competitions, tapering, hypoxia period and periodization were also analyzed. Results An average training of 8 hr and 53 min per week, covering 87.2 km and 3,755 m of altitude gain, was completed. The hardest week consisted of 14 hr and 58 min, 145 km, and 7,552 m of altitude gain. Distribution percentage of the training form of total training time was ~60% of running, ~17% cross training (mainly road cycling) and ~11% of strength training. Intensity distribution varied considering specificity and characteristics of the main races, progressing from more polarized to pyramidal pattern distribution. Moreover, running volume increased during the preparation period and more specific sessions and with mixed specific exercise modes was realized close to the main races, with the longest trail run of 4 hr 18 min of duration. Training in hypoxia was also completed, and tapering started 12 days before the world championship. In addition to the World Championship, National Championship races were held during the preparation period, where a 4th and a 3rd place in the Marathon (February 2023) and Ultratrail (April 2023) National Championships, respectively, was achieved. Discussion Reverse periodization has been successfully implemented in an elite female ultrarunner, finishing 11th in the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. Reverse periodization was planned and completed, mainly considering volume and tendency of distribution, going from a polarized pattern to a pyramidal one. Moreover, overall planning and key sessions progressed in specificity, developing more rolling-hill trail runs, longer trail runs, longer longest trail run of the week, and more specific exercise modes (i.e. more hiking and mixed sessions vs flats runs) along the macrocycle. Conclusion Training specificity in trail running, considering race intensity, exercise mode and race characteristics (i.e., elevation gain and distance) progressed during the macrocycle. Reverse periodization can be successfully implemented in ultratrail running by focusing on specific training and race demands, especially close to the main races.

The Impact of Self-Efficacy on Performance Management in Malaysia's Public Sector

This study investigates the impact of self-efficacy on performance management within Malaysia's public sector. Grounded in goal-setting theory, which posits that specific and challenging goals enhance motivation and performance, this research examines how self-efficacy—the belief in one's ability to execute tasks, influences performance outcomes. Conducted through qualitative in-depth interview sessions with selected participants who are from Tier 1 and Tier 2 staff of the Federal Government of Malaysia, this study provides an in-depth analysis of the relationship between self-efficacy and performance management practices. The study examines how self-efficacy influences performance management in Malaysia's public sector. Several key findings have arisen from merging the High-Performance Cycle model with Bandura's self-efficacy theory. The findings emphasize the importance of self-efficacy in improving performance management strategies. Integrating self-efficacy with the High-Performance Cycle model yields concrete solutions for increasing leadership effectiveness and organizational performance. Investing in self-efficacy through focused interventions, coaching, and self-care can greatly improve performance management and help organizations reach their goals more efficiently.