Unified Conceptual Model Research Articles

A Proposal for a Unifying Model of Quality Management of Healthcare.

For quality management of healthcare, various ISO-standards are important such as ISO 9001 (quality management systems), ISO 13940 (concepts of continuity of care) and ISO 21298 (functional and structural roles). For concurrent, integrated use of the standards, this paper proposes a unifying conceptual model that integrates essential elements of the standards. The model may be useful to clarify basic concepts such as collaboration, systems-and-structures and realization, as well as the interrelations between these concepts.

Determinants of Mobile Shopping Apps Continuance Intention: A Review and Proposed Conceptual Model

Mobile shopping apps have experienced significant global growth due to the widespread adoption of mobile devices in everyday life. The exponential expansion of mobile shopping app usage has brought up both opportunities and challenges for service providers. For online businesses, maintaining their current users is a vital means of gaining a competitive edge. Hence, the primary objective of this research is to develop a conceptual model to examine the factors that influence users' intention to continue using mobile shopping apps. The Expectation-Confirmation Model (ECM) and the Theory of Network Externalities offer initial foundations for developing a unified conceptual model. This research has the potential to make a substantial contribution to the understanding of factors that influence continuance intention to use mobile shopping apps. It can benefit academicians, online businesses, service providers and mobile marketing practitioners

Social connection measures for older adults living in long-term care homes: a systematic review protocol

BackgroundVarious measures have assessed social connection in long-term care (LTC) home residents. However, they use inconsistent terminology, conceptualizations, and operationalizations of social connection. In this systematic review protocol, we propose a study that will characterize measures that assess aspects of LTC home residents’ social connection using a unified conceptual model. The objectives are to (1) describe and analyze the measures and (2) evaluate their measurement properties.MethodsA literature search was conducted in MEDLINE ALL (Ovid), Embase Classic and Embase (Ovid), Emcare Nursing (Ovid), APA PsycInfo (Ovid), Scopus, CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost), AgeLine (EBSCOhost), and Sociological s (ProQuest). We will include primary research papers with no language limit, published from database inception. We will include studies of a measure of any aspect of social connection in LTC home residents that report at least one measurement property. Independently, two reviewers will screen titles and abstracts, review full-text articles against eligibility criteria, and extract data from included studies. In objective 1, we will analyze identified tools using an adapted framework method. In objective 2, we will evaluate each measure’s measurement properties using COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology. We will engage experts and stakeholders to assist with interpreting results and translating knowledge.DiscussionOur findings will inform the social connection in long-term care home residents (SONNET) study’s development of a novel, person-centered measure for social connection in LTC home settings. We will present our findings in academic and non-academic forums, including conferences, peer-reviewed journals, and other publications.Systemic review registrationProspero—“Systematic review of measures of social connection used in long-term care home research.” CRD42022303526.

A unified conceptual model of coastal response to accelerating sea level rise, Florida, U.S.A.

Aggregation of paleo-environmental data derived from geological investigations conducted on the shoreface and inner shelf of Florida's six coastal geomorphic sectors revealed a common and synchronous response to a decelerating rate of Holocene sea level rise: (1) early Holocene overstep and submergence (∼10–5 mm yr−1), (2) mid-Holocene erosional shoreface retreat (∼2 mm yr−1), and (3) late Holocene stabilization (<1 mm yr−1). Linear best-fit analysis of sea level data collected at 14 NOAA tide gauge stations distributed along the entire Florida coast indicates the rate of sea level rise has accelerated from a historical average of 3.1 mm yr−1 (<1972–2022; range 2.2 to 4.2) to 5.9 mm yr−1 (1993–2022; range 4.8 to 6.9) and 8.2 mm yr−1 during the 21st century (2003–2022; range 7.6 to 10.0). The 21st century rates vary between stations, however all fall within the range of values documented during the early Holocene; a time when Florida's coastline was rapidly transgressed. Recent studies have demonstrated that the destabilizing effects of this acceleration on Florida's coastal geomorphology and ecology are already evident. Rates of rise are expected to continue increasing and this will accelerate the pace and scale of landward translation and submergence of Florida's coastal environment.

How VR Technological Features Prompt Tourists’ Visiting Intention: An Integrated Approach

To achieve sustainable tourism, the tourism development authorities have used advanced technologies to promote destinations, attract visitors, and protect the environment. Accordingly, while the available research on tourism technologies indicates that virtual reality (VR) matters in the visit intention of potential tourists, the mechanism of their inner senses when experiencing VR technologies is overlooked. To fill in this void, this study develops a comprehensive conceptual model for investigating the influence of VR technological features on tourists’ minds, and consequently, their destination visit intention. This study integrates the technology acceptance model, stimuli-organism-response model, and flow theory into a unified conceptual model for a comprehensive understanding of tourists’ behavior. By focusing on tourists’ decision-making and behavior processes, this study sheds new light on how VR stimuli (i.e., vividness and interactivity) could translate into tourists’ attitudes and visiting intentions. This conceptual model is then tested and validated using structural equation modeling on survey data collected from 311 VR users after experiencing virtual tours designed for destinations in Vietnam. The findings indicate that virtual tours affect tourists’ psychological well-being, which translates into visiting intention. Based on the results, this study emphasizes the role of VR as a powerful marketing tool to promote a destination. Furthermore, approaches to enhance the effectiveness of VR tours, particularly, for tourism developers, are proposed. This study thus contributes to the literature in the area of VR tourism, contributing both theoretical and practical knowledge.

Utilizing a unified conceptual dynamic model for prediction of particle size of duel-matrix nanocomposites during mechanical alloying

This work focused on developing an analytical fast and reliable model to predict the morphological changes in nanocomposite powders during mechanical alloying. A conceptual dynamic model was developed and applied to predict the particle size of magnesium-based hybrid composite powder reinforced with Ti and SiC fabricated by mechanical alloying. The effect of milling time on the morphology, microstructure, and particle size of composite powders was investigated. The experimental and model predictions demonstrated that the optimal milling times varies between pure metal, duel matrix alloy and duel-matrix nanocomposite because it was obtained as 32 h for Mg milled, 16 h for Mg-30 wt% Ti and Mg- 20 wt% Ti- 10 wt% SiC nanocomposite with an average particle size 4.91 μm, 6.95 μm, and 5.38 μm, respectively. Prediction results by the CD model for the mentioned samples were equal to 5.33 μm, 6.7 μm, and 6.04 μm, respectively. By increasing the time of ball milling, the crystalline structure of SiC from changed hexagonal to cubic. Another effect of increasing time occurred on the crystallite size and caused the largest decrease, which was equal to 61.91%, to occur for composite Mg-Ti-SiC.

Attractor landscapes: a unifying conceptual model for understanding behaviour change across scales of observation

ABSTRACT Models and theories in behaviour change science are not in short supply, but they almost exclusively pertain to a particular facet of behaviour, such as automaticity or reasoned action, or to a single scale of observation such as individuals or communities. We present a highly generalisable conceptual model which is widely used in complex systems research from biology to physics, in an accessible form to behavioural scientists. The proposed model of attractor landscapes can be used to understand human behaviour change on different levels, from individuals to dyads, groups and societies. We use the model as a tool to present neglected ideas in contemporary behaviour change science, such as hysteresis and nonlinearity. The model of attractor landscapes can deepen understanding of well-known features of behaviour change (research), including short-livedness of intervention effects, problematicity of focusing on behavioural initiation while neglecting behavioural maintenance, continuum and stage models of behaviour change understood within a single accommodating framework, and the concept of resilience. We also demonstrate potential methods of analysis and outline avenues for future research.

Ethical conflict in nursing: A concept analysis.

The purpose of this paper was to clarify the concept of ethical conflict in nursing and highlight the importance of tackling this issue. Ethical conflict is on the rise in the nursing context. It is associated with the compromise of nurses' well-being and patient care. However, there is no thorough conceptual understanding of this concept. Concept analysis. Databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science and SocINDEX) were searched for studies between 1984 and 2021. Both quantitative and qualitative studies related to ethical conflict in nursing were included. Walker and Avant's method of concept analysis was used to identify the defining attributes, antecedents and consequences of the concept of ethical conflict in nursing. We followed the PRISMA-ScR checklist to report the study. Thirty studies were included for conceptualization. Defining attributes were divided into four categories: (1) emotional responses, (2) incompatible values, (3) competing interests and (4) ambiguous obligations. The antecedents were (1) ethical sensitivity, (2) negative ethical climate, (3) insufficient authority, (4) unrealistic expectations, (5) poor collaboration and (6) inadequate resources. The consequences were identified as (1) moral residue, (2) loss of identity, (3) professional burnout and (4) poor patient care. A unified conceptual model of ethical conflict in nursing shed light on the ethical issues nurses might come across in practice. Despite the fact that ethical conflict is inherently negative, we conceptualised this concept as a neutral fact and an opportunity for nursing action. The construct identification provides basis for both the development of practice and the development of staff support and education. A clearer understanding of such an important facet of nursing practice helps nurses raise awareness of ethical conflict and implement effective coping strategies to improve their well-being and patient care. This is a review article conducted by the researchers, so there is no patient or public contribution.

Stress and resilience among resettling refugee youth: An illustrative review and new applications for the family stress model

AbstractSome of the world's 84 million forcibly displaced persons (approximately half are youth under the age of 18) obtain legal refugee status, which allows them passage to resettle in new communities. Although much has been documented about experiences of stress and trauma among refugees, we know less about their resilience and coping abilities. Furthermore, a lack of an overarching theoretical framework hinders our understanding of the complete refugee experience, which includes stressors, but also significant strengths and resources. In this paper, we offer a unified conceptual model inspired by family stress, ecological systems, and resilience science that outlines hypothesized stress and resilience pathways during resettlement. We also provide an illustrative review of research from the past two decades involving both the stressors and resources influencing refugee youth during resettlement. We note critical questions that warrant future directions for investigators, particularly those pertaining to resettlement resources that promote resilience at multiple levels.

“We Need to Address the Trauma”: School Social Workers′ Views About Student and Staff Mental Health During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent school disruptions shined a spotlight on the mental health needs of young people, and the importance of schools and school social workers (SSWs) in attending to those needs. This study sought to understand SSWs’ views about mental health and trauma in relation to the pandemic and schools reopening. Data came from written responses to open-ended questions on a national survey of SSWs during June–July 2020 (Kelly et al., 2021; Watson et al., 2022). In the national survey, 450 SSWs responded to open-ended questions, providing 115 single-spaced pages of detailed qualitative comments. A unified conceptual model for a trauma-informed school was created by integrating components suggested within the literature. This conceptual model was then used to generate a theory-based coding schema. Responses mapped well onto the conceptual model. Major themes included recognition of COVID-19 and 2020 social unrest as a unique period and potentially traumatic experience; the need for a trauma-informed school response; the challenges of addressing all facets of safety during the pandemic; and the essentiality and difficulty of maintaining school-based relationships during school closures and remote learning. Results demonstrated that SSWs used and discussed key components of a trauma-informed approach. Respondents offered several recommendations for implementing trauma-informed approaches during and after the pandemic, many of which required collaboration from other school staff. Findings provide empirical support for a unified school model that integrates components of a trauma-informed approach found in the literature. We make recommendations for interpersonal, organizational, and policy adaptations schools can take to become more trauma informed.

Toward Understanding Deccan Volcanism

Large igneous provinces (LIPs) represent some of the greatest volcanic events in Earth history with significant impacts on ecosystems, including mass extinctions. However, some fundamental questions related to the eruption rate, eruption style, and vent locations for LIP lava flows remain unanswered. In this review, we use the Cretaceous–Paleogene Deccan Traps as an archetype to address these questions because they are one of the best-preserved large continental flood basalt provinces. We describe the volcanological features of the Deccan flows and the potential temporal and regional variations as well as the spatial characteristics of potential feeder dikes. Along with estimates of mean long-term eruption rates for individual Deccan lavas from paleomagnetism and Hg proxy records of ∼50–250 km3/year (erupting for tens to hundreds of years), the Deccan volcanic characteristics suggest a unified conceptual model for eruption of voluminous (&gt;1,000 km3) LIP lavas with large spatial extent (&gt;40,000 km2). We conclude by highlighting a few key open questions and challenges that can help improve our understanding of how the Deccan flows, as well as LIP flows in general, erupted and the mechanisms by which the lavas may have flowed over distances up to 1,000 km. ▪ The Deccan Traps are an archetype for addressing fundamental volcanological questions related to eruption rate, eruption style, and vent locations for large igneous province lava flows. ▪ Deccan subprovinces likely evolved as separate volcanic systems; thus, long-distance/interprovince flow correlations must be carefully assessed. ▪ The earliest eruptions came through the Narmada-Tapi rift zone followed by the establishment of a separate magmatic plumbing system by mantle plume–associated magmas. ▪ Typical Deccan eruption rates were ∼50–250 km3/year of lava. Individual eruptions lasted for a few hundred to 1,000 years and were separated by hiatuses of 3,000–6,000 years. ▪ The conspicuous absence of dikes in the Central Deccan region strongly implies long-distance surface transport of lavas in the form of flows hundreds of kilometers long.

Liability for white-collar crimes in Ukraine: Theoretical and enforcement issues

This paper raises current theoretical and practical issues related to the implementation of a comprehensive mechanism of liability for economic criminal offences in Ukraine. The purpose of this study is to identify the main problem areas in the criminal law security of economic relations and to develop conceptual advice on their elimination. The paper uses a wide range of methodological tools (including comparative, historical, systemic, Aristotelian (dogmatic), modelling), which enabled a comprehensive and critical analysis of the current state and prospects for improving the criminal regulation of economic relations in the country. The results of the study are designed to promote the development of a unified conceptual model of protection of the national economy through criminal law. It is established that the prolonged economic crisis and distortions of market relations continue to adversely affect the state and dynamics of economic crime. The author’s opinion is also argued that since criminal law measures cannot objectively have a positive effect on economic processes, they can be relied on only to eliminate certain adverse consequences of economic activity. The study substantiated that the term “criminal offences against the market economy” in the context denoting the crimes for which responsibility is prescribed by Section VII of the Special Part of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, successfully passes conditional verification for compliance with the name of this structural part of the Criminal Code. Over the past five years, Ukraine’s criminal law policy on combating crimes in the sphere of economic activity has not undergone radical changes. Finally, there are hopes for the active development of legal research to become a reliable foundation for quality law-making to optimise the statutory framework in terms of criminal law response to economic and financial torts.

Sterol uptake by the NPC system in eukaryotes: a Saccharomyces cerevisiae perspective.

Sterols are an essential component of membranes in all eukaryotic cells and the precursor of multiple indispensable cellular metabolites. After endocytotic uptake, sterols are integrated into the lysosomal membrane by the Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) system before redistribution to other membranes. The process is driven by two proteins that, together, compose the NPC system: the lysosomal sterol shuttle protein NPC2 and the membrane protein NPC1 (named NCR1 in fungi), which integrates sterols into the lysosomal membrane. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae NPC system provides a compelling model to study the molecular mechanism of sterol integration into membranes and sterol homeostasis. This review summarizes recent advances in the field, and by interpreting available structural data, we propose a unifying conceptual model for sterol loading, transfer and transport by NPC proteins.

Arc magmatism and porphyry-type ore deposition are primarily controlled by chlorine from seawater

A better understanding of magmatism and ore metal deposition at convergent plate margins is essential to the safety and benefit of society. Despite their spatial and, to a certain extent, temporal association, a direct connection between these two geologic processes is enigmatic. A detailed evaluation of available data reveals that seawater is key to the connection between these processes as it is the source of the ubiquitous, hot aqueous fluid from the subducting slab that is central to the generation of primary arc magmas and transfer or recycling of crustal materials at convergent margins. Particularly regarding the transfer of fluid-mobile elements or the so-called subduction component from the slab to arc lavas, however, the slab-derived hydrothermal fluid is perceived as weak and, thus, other transfer agents are proposed. Most petrogenetic studies also do not connect the source and transfer of metals in the spatially associated ore deposits to the same fluid. Chlorine from seawater can provide the crucial link between the two processes. The presence of Cl makes the slab-derived fluid a potent solvent not only to transfer but also to solubilize both the subduction component and ore trace metals from the slab, mantle wedge and lower-middle arc crust to arc lavas and ore deposits, respectively. Moreover, the dissolution and mobility of many elements in the Cl-rich fluid are primarily dependent upon their respective ionic potential (i.p.) values. In general, elements with cations that have low (soft cations) and high (hard cations) i.p. are mobile whereas those with in-between (intermediate cations) values are immobile in the Cl-rich fluid. Subducted sediment provides the bulk of subduction component and ore metals. These results led to the creation of a unified conceptual model claiming that the mobility, or immobility, of almost all elements in hydrothermal fluids at or near the Earth's surface is primarily dependent upon the amount of Cl in the fluids.

Vicious Circles: Violence, Vulnerability, and Climate Change

Climate change threatens core dimensions of human security, including economic prosperity, food availability, and societal stability. In recent years, war-torn regions such as Afghanistan and Yemen have harbored severe humanitarian crises, compounded by climate-related hazards. These cases epitomize the powerful but presently incompletely appreciated links between vulnerability, conflict, and climate-related impacts. In this article, we develop a unified conceptual model of these phenomena by connecting three fields of research that traditionally have had little interaction: ( a) determinants of social vulnerability to climate change, ( b) climatic drivers of armed conflict risk, and ( c) societal impacts of armed conflict. In doing so, we demonstrate how many of the conditions that shape vulnerability to climate change also increase the likelihood of climate–conflict interactions and, furthermore, that impacts from armed conflict aggravate these conditions. The end result may be a vicious circle locking affected societies in a trap of violence, vulnerability, and climate change impacts.

A Unified Conceptual Model for Data Warehouses

These days, NoSQL (Not only SQL) databases are being used as a deployment tool for Data Warehouses (DW) due to its support for dynamic and scalable data modeling capabilities. Yet, decision-makers have faced several challenges to accept it as a major choice for implementation of their DW. The most significant one among those challenges is a lack of common conceptual model and a systematic design methodology for different NoSQL databases. The objective of this paper is to resolve these challenges by proposing an ontology based formal conceptual model for NoSQL based DWs. These proposed concepts are capable of realizing the cube concepts for visualization of multi-dimensional data in NoSQL based DW solutions. In this context, two strategies are specified, implemented and illustrated using a case study for devising of the proposed conceptual model.

Towards the digital modelling of natural entities and its Pseudo-representation

ABSTRACT With the development of new methods and the tremendous progress in transducer technology, the observations and researches have become more and more stereoscopic and full-scale. In order to build the multi-source data fusion system propping up the computations, such as process evolution prediction, structure discovery and association analysis, the digital modelling of the natural entity needs to be carried out, which would help build the corresponding digital entity. In this study, the concepts and models in geoscience are introduced, and the issues overlooked in the digital modelling theories are discussed. On this basis, a unified conceptual model and its pseudo-representation (BPRModel) are built. Furthermore, the application of the model is illustrated under the research of specific natural entity, that is to say, the Earth’s magnetosphere.

Comparative Characteristics of Professional Accounting Judgments Classification Features

The article is devoted to the problem of forming a unified conceptual model for the application of professional accounting judgment. The model takes into account not only the concept, but also the prerequisites, conditions of application and the process of judgment developing along with non-standard situations on which an accountant can express his competent opinion. The methodological framework of the study is based on the scientific developments of domestic and foreign scientists regarding the classification of professional accounting judgments and their comparative characteristics. The research methodology provides for the systematization of types of accounting judgments that affect the financial and economic activities of the organization. The result of the research is the development and justification of the author’s classification of accounting judgments singling out such classification features as organizational and legal form of a business, type and scope of economic activity, financial condition and accounting standards applied, which makes it possible to determine the purpose of professional judgment of an accountant. The further specification of classes and the development of classification features of professional accounting judgment will result in perceiving this category not only as a tool for solving applied accounting problems, but also as a conceptual platform built into the structure of accounting theory. The proposals based on the study are intended for effective use of accounting judgments as a comparatively new accounting and reporting tool to generate accounting and analytical information by the specialists of accounting departments of different organizations. The system of classification decisions will most fully define the role and designation of accounting judgments in accounting practice.

Respect for human rights as a component of the construction of European identity and the Constitution of Ukraine

Introduction. The research highlights the importance of respect for human rights as one of the important factors in the construction of European identity, reveals its conceptual problems, nature and peculiarities, taking into account the fundamental values of a democratic society, as well as the differences between the processes of «European integration» and «Europeanization». The revision of the Constitution of Ukraine by confirming the European identity of the Ukrainian people and the irreversibility of the European course of Ukraine is analyzed. The above emphasizes the relevance of the chosen research topic. The aim of the article is to highlight the importance of respect for human rights in the construction of European identity, which is the result and instrument of the development of integration processes, interaction in the process of European integration. Results. The system-functional method has made it possible to comprehensively characterize the mechanisms and factors of European identity construction in combination with the disclosure of theoretical and practical aspects of the problem. By applying the comparative legal method, a comparative analysis of the new provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine and the norms of the constitutions of some EU Member States is carried out. In substantiating the theoretical conclusions, the author used formal-legal and formal-logical methods. The modern practice and doctrinal views on the issues discussed were analyzed. Conclusions. It is emphasized that the foundation of European identity is an awareness of the value and a steady respect for human rights, the creation of a comfortable environment for it at the most favorable level for life. It is noted that there is no unified conceptual model for the construction of European identity, and the presence of a significant number of approaches towards its construction influences on the effectiveness of the approaches, depending on various factors. At the same time, it is emphasized that the construction of a European identity and the search for its most appropriate conceptual model is one of the important conditions for the effective functioning of the EU, enhancing synergies between supranational and intergovernmental components of integration processes.

IoT-CANE: A unified knowledge management system for data-centric Internet of Things application systems

Identifying a suitable configuration of devices, software and infrastructures in the context of user requirements is fundamental to the success of delivering IoT applications. As possible configurations could be large in number and not all configurations are valid, a configuration knowledge representation model can provide ready-made configurations based on IoT requirements. Combining such a model within the context of a given user-oriented scenario, it is possible to automate the recommendation of solutions for deployment and long-time evolution of IoT applications. However, in the context of Cloud/Edge technologies, that may themselves exhibit significant configuration possibilities that are also dynamic in nature, a more unified approach is required. We present IoT-CANE (Context Aware recommendatioN systEm) as such a unified approach. IoT-CANE embodies a unified conceptual model capturing configuration, constraint and infrastructure features of Cloud/Edge together with IoT devices. The success of IoT-CANE is evaluated through an end-user case study.