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Social Aspects (social + aspect)
Selected AbstractsUrodynamics, the supine empty bladder stress test, and incontinence severity,,§NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 7 2010Charles W. Nager Abstract Aims Determine whether urodynamic measures of urethral function [(valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP), maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP), functional urethral length (FUL)] and the results of the supine empty bladder stress test (SEBST) correlate with each other and with subjective and objective measures of urinary incontinence (UI). Methods Data were collected preoperatively from subjects enrolled in a multicenter surgical trial of mid-urethral slings. Subjective measures included questionnaire scores from the Medical Epidemiological and Social Aspects of Aging Questionnaire, Urogenital Distress Inventory, and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire. Objective measures included a 24-hr pad weight test, incontinence episode frequency on a 3-day voiding diary, and a SEBST. Results Five hundred ninety-seven women enrolled. Three hundred seventy-two women had valid VLPP values; 539 had valid MUCP/FUL values. Subjective measures of severity had weak to moderate correlation with each other (r,=,0.25,0.43) and with objective measures of severity (r,=,,0.06 to 0.45). VLPP and MUCP had moderate correlation with each other (r,=,0.36, ,<,0.001). Urodynamic measures of urethral function had little or no correlation with subjective or objective measures of severity. Subjects with a positive SEBST had more subjective and objective severity measures compared to the negative SEBST group, but they did not have significantly different VLPP and MUCP values. Conclusions VLPP and MUCP have moderate correlation with each other, but each had little or no correlation with subjective or objective measures of severity or with the results of the SEBST. This data suggests that the urodynamic measures of urethral function are not related to subjective or objective measures of UI severity. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:1306,1311, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Mixed incontinence: Comparing definitions in women having stress incontinence surgery,,§¶NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 4 2009Linda Brubaker Abstract Objective To develop an empirically derived definition of mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) for use in incontinence outcomes research. Methods Participants in a randomized trial comparing the fascial sling and. Burch colposuspension were assessed using standardized measures including the Medical, Epidemiologic and Social Aspects of Aging (MESA), UI questionnaire, the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI), 3-day urinary diary and urodynamic studies (UDS). Participants were required to have stress incontinence with a MESA stress subscale score,>,MESA urge subscale score. Several definitions of MUI were considered. Logistic and linear regression analysis methods were used to predict clinical outcomes based on the different MUI definitions. Analyses were carried out using SAS (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, Version 9.1). Statistical significance was defined at P -value <0.05. Results In 655 participants, the proportion of women with MUI varied from 8.3% to 93.3% depending on the MUI definition All definitions were associated with severity as measured by the frequency of incontinence episodes at baseline; however little of the variability was explained by any single definition. No strict cut-off value for these baseline measures was identified to predict clinical outcomes. Conclusions These MUI definitions do not adequately categorize clinically relevant UI subgroups. For research reporting, MUI subcomponents of stress and urge UI should be described separately rather than as a single dimension. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:268,273, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The Cancer Pain Inventory: preliminary development and validationPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 7 2010Teresa L. Deshields Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a Cancer Pain Inventory (CPI) that measures cancer patients' beliefs and concerns about pain. This paper describes development and pilot testing of a preliminary version of the CPI and describes its psychometric properties including its reliability and validity relative to established pain measures. Methods: Subjects were recruited from inpatient and outpatient oncology services of an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. Participants completed the 50 potential CPI items and these standard measures,Orientation-Memory-Concentration Test, Survey of Pain Attitudes, Brief Pain Inventory, Pain Disability Index, and Center for Epidemiological Studies,Depression Scale. The magnitude and significance of associations between the CPI and the other measures were examined. Results: Of 366 patients who were eligible and agreed to participate in the study, 262 completed the questionnaires. Principal components analyses were used to select items most appropriate for retention in the preliminary version of the CPI and to describe its factor structure. Based on the content of items that loaded on each factor, the five factors were labeled as Catastrophizing, Interference with Functioning, Stoicism, Social Aspects, and Concerns about Pain Medication. Correlations between the CPI and other measures supported construct validity of the five CPI factors. Conclusions: The results supported the validity of the CPI as a measure of five constructs relevant to the experience of pain in the cancer setting. The results also underscored the presence of unique features of cancer-related pain that clearly differ from commonly recognized dimensions of chronic, non-cancer-related pain. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Daily assessment of coping in patients with gastrointestinal cancerPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Elisabet Wasteson Ninety-five patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer participated in a study concerning stressful events, coping and emotional well-being. Participants were either potentially cured (n=62) after radical surgery or non-cured (n=33). For a period of 1 week, close to being informed about their diagnosis, they performed daily recordings of stressful events, the distress occasioned by these events and their perception of control over them, coping, worry and happiness/sadness. Anxiety and depression were assessed by a single retrospective assessment at the end of the week (Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale). The most commonly recorded stressful events were ,Somatic aspects' and ,Everyday concerns'. ,Somatic aspects', ,Social aspects' and ,Other consequences of the disease' were rated as most bothersome. Patients perceived that they had the highest degree of control over ,Returning home after hospital stay', whereas ,Contact with the medical services' was assigned low control. The most commonly used coping strategies were ,Acceptance' and ,Relaxation', and the least used was ,Religion'. Significant positive correlations between the occurrence of stressful events and the use of coping strategies were demonstrated between ,Somatic Aspects' and ,Acceptance'/,Direct Action', and between ,Social Aspects' and ,Seeking Social Support'. Daily assessment of stress-coping relationships represents a promising approach to the understanding of adaptation among cancer patients. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Social aspect of sustainable packagingPACKAGING TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Issue 6 2010Norbisimi Nordin Abstract Sustainability is one of the ,buzz' words that is highly discussed in the area of packaging nowadays. For many product manufacturing business, incorporation of sustainability principles into their business practice can only be visualized by others in the end product through packaging. Besides the criteria, underlying concepts and principles, most discussions towards achieving goals for sustainable packaging are focused on details of models and practices adopted by the industry, and the effectiveness and practicality of these practices in balancing the economic profits and environmental benefits. While the economic and environmental bases of packaging sustainability have been examined and discussed in great detail, the same is not true of social consideration. Although the success of sustainable packaging development actually relies on both technological development and social considerations, many of the social aspects of sustainable packaging are often overlooked. Although many companies have been putting the efforts and initiatives to elevate sustainability from an abstract goal into an immediate priority, relatively little is known about the consumers' insights of packaging sustainability. Recognizing the consumers as the final arbiter of the success of sustainable packaging, this paper will explore consumers' perceptions on the sustainable packaging concept, their perceptions of the impact to the environment and discuss factors that drive consumers' preferences and purchase decision. Discussion and information gathered in this paper is aimed to stimulate understanding on the importance of the social dimension of packaging sustainability and its role in supporting the efforts to improve sustainability practice. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Daily assessment of coping in patients with gastrointestinal cancerPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Elisabet Wasteson Ninety-five patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer participated in a study concerning stressful events, coping and emotional well-being. Participants were either potentially cured (n=62) after radical surgery or non-cured (n=33). For a period of 1 week, close to being informed about their diagnosis, they performed daily recordings of stressful events, the distress occasioned by these events and their perception of control over them, coping, worry and happiness/sadness. Anxiety and depression were assessed by a single retrospective assessment at the end of the week (Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale). The most commonly recorded stressful events were ,Somatic aspects' and ,Everyday concerns'. ,Somatic aspects', ,Social aspects' and ,Other consequences of the disease' were rated as most bothersome. Patients perceived that they had the highest degree of control over ,Returning home after hospital stay', whereas ,Contact with the medical services' was assigned low control. The most commonly used coping strategies were ,Acceptance' and ,Relaxation', and the least used was ,Religion'. Significant positive correlations between the occurrence of stressful events and the use of coping strategies were demonstrated between ,Somatic Aspects' and ,Acceptance'/,Direct Action', and between ,Social Aspects' and ,Seeking Social Support'. Daily assessment of stress-coping relationships represents a promising approach to the understanding of adaptation among cancer patients. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Achieving Integrative, Collaborative Ecosystem ManagementCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2006HEATHER L. KEOUGH beneficios sociales y ecológicos; gestión; participación pública; toma de decisiones cooperativa Abstract:,Although numerous principles have been identified as being important for successfully integrating social and ecological factors in collaborative management, few authors have illustrated how these principles are used and why they are effective. On the basis of a review of the ecosystem management and collaboration literature, we identified eight factors important for integrative, collaborative ecosystem management,integrated and balanced goals, inclusive public involvement, stakeholder influence, consensus group approach, collaborative stewardship, monitoring and adaptive management, multidisciplinary data, and economic incentives. We examined four cases of successful ecosystem management to illustrate how the factors were incorporated and discuss the role they played in each case's success. The cases illustrate that balancing social and ecosystem sustainability goals is possible. Collaborative efforts resulted in part from factors aimed at making plans economically feasible and from meaningful stakeholder participation in ongoing management. It also required participation in monitoring programs to ensure stakeholder interests were protected and management efforts were focused on agreed-upon goals. Data collection efforts were not all-inclusive and systematic; rather, they addressed the ecological, economic, and social aspects of key issues as they emerged over time. Economic considerations appear to be broader than simply providing economic incentives; stakeholders seem willing to trade some economic value for recreational or environmental benefits. The cases demonstrate that it is not idealistic to believe integrative, collaborative ecosystem management is possible in field applications. Resumen:,Aunque numerosos principios han sido identificados como importantes para la integración exitosa de factores sociales y ecológicos en la gestión cooperativa, pocos autores han ilustrado como son utilizados estos principios y porque son efectivos. Con base en una revisión de la literatura sobre gestión de ecosistemas y colaboración, identificamos cinco factores,metas integradas y balanceadas, inclusive participación pública, influencia de grupos de interés, estrategia de consenso en el grupo, gestión cooperativa, gestión adaptativa y monitoreo, datos multidisciplinarios e incentivos económicos,que son importantes para la gestión integradora y cooperativa de ecosistemas. Examinamos cuatro casos de gestión exitosa de ecosistemas para ilustrar como fueron incorporados los factores y discutimos el papel que jugaron en el éxito de cada caso. Los casos ilustran que el balance de metas de sustentabilidad social y ecológica es posible. En parte, los esfuerzos cooperativos resultaron de factores orientados a hacer que los planes fueran económicamente viables y de la participación significativa de grupos de interés en la gestión en curso. También se requirió la participación en programas de monitoreo para asegurar que los intereses de los grupos fueran protegidos y los esfuerzos de gestión se enfocaran en las metas acordadas. No todos los esfuerzos de recolecta de datos fueron incluyentes y sistemáticos, más bien, eran dirigidos a los aspectos ecológicos, económicos y sociales de temas clave a medida que emergían. Las consideraciones económicas parecen ser más amplias que simplemente proporcionar incentivos económicos, los grupos de interés parecen dispuestos a cambiar algo de valor económico por beneficios recreativos o ambientales. Los casos demuestran que no es idealista pensar que es posible aplicar la gestión integradora y cooperativa de ecosistemas en el campo. [source] The Swiss Federal Dairy Research StationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Max Rüegg The Federal Dairy Research Station (FAM) was established at the beginning of the last century. It is one of six agricultural research stations of the Swiss Department of Agriculture and the leading national research institute in dairy technology and consulting. It is part of the Swiss Centre of Competence for Animal Production and Foods of Animal Origin. Its mission is to improve the competitive position of the Swiss milk producers and dairy industry. The institute is organized into three functional areas corresponding to its well-established core competencies: (1) production of raw milk cheese and microorganisms for fermentation, (2) knowledge transfer and consultation for the dairy industry and beekeeping, and (3) testing of, and providing expertise on dairy and bee products. Research work is carried out using a multidisciplinary approach in a matrix organization. Two product- and customer-orientated technology units and one unit for consulting, contractual work and other services for the dairy industry are supported in their projects by three scientific and technical units (microbiology; chemistry, physics and sensory analysis; engineering and production) as well as by a unit offering central services. The 4-year research programmes are based on the strategic goals of the agricultural policy as well as on the current needs of the dairy industry. An advisory board oversees the preparation and execution of the projects. FAM is connected to an international network for both scientific work and supervisory tasks. Work is carried out within the background of the political strategy of a sustainable development including economic, ecological and social aspects. A primary research focus is therefore the avoidance of excessive processing of milk and dairy products, and keeping products natural and free of residues by applying only minimal, unavoidable treatments and additives. [source] Vitiligo: the historical curse of depigmentationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2007George W. M. Millington BSC Vitiligo has been mentioned in the tomes of every major religion, with its first description dating back more than 3000 years, to the earliest Vedic and Egyptian texts. Despite this ancient recognition, confusion with disorders such as leprosy has been a problem throughout the ages. This has lead to the stigmatization of vitiligo sufferers. This is a social problem that is still widespread in some, but not all, parts of the world. The ancients also practiced phototherapy for vitiligo. This practice only became common in the Western world with development of psoralen plus ultraviolet A and later ultraviolet B phototherapy in the latter half of the 20th century. In this article, the history of vitiligo up until the end of the 20th century is outlined, covering medical, scientific, and social aspects. [source] Gender in elderly suicide: analysis of coroners inquests of 200 cases of elderly suicide in Cheshire 1989,2001INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 12 2003Emad Salib Abstract Objectives The aim of this study is to review gender differences in elderly suicide in relation to specific social aspects of the suicidal process and health care contact before death. Such information may have practical value in identifying and targeting vulnerable elderly in whom suicide may be potentially preventable. Methods Data were extracted from the records of coroner's inquests into all reported suicide of persons aged 60 and over, in Cheshire over a period of 13 years 1989,2001. The Coroner's office covers the whole county of Cheshire (population 1,000,000). Results Men were less likely to have been known to psychiatric services (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.4 95% 0.2,0.6) and with less frequently reported history of previous attempted suicide compared to women (OR 0.5 95% Confidence Intervals [CI] 0.2,1). All deceased from ethnic minorities were men, none of whom had been known to psychiatric services. There was no significant difference between women and men in relation to, physical or psychiatric morbidity, GP contact prior to suicide, intimation of intent or living alone. Of suicide victims not known to services a surprisingly high proportion of 38% and 16% were found to have psychiatric morbidity in men and women respectively. Conclusion Suicide is an important problem in the elderly with gender playing an important part in their social behaviour but a high proportion of the deceased were not known to local services. Primary Care professionals have an important role to play in reducing elderly suicide as most contact with the health service in elderly suicide seem to be with GPs. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Incentives for International Migration of Scientists and Engineers to JapanINTERNATIONAL MIGRATION, Issue 4 2009Yukiko Murakami Many developed countries, welcome foreign talent, and Japan is no exception. The Japanese government has developed programmes for expanding the acceptance of foreign labour in specialized and technical fields, in order to compete with foreign nations in the global economy and accommodate the highly specialized domestic industrial structure. This paper focuses on scientists and engineers (S&E) as a component of the highly skilled labour force, and examines their incentives for migrating to Japan, which is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. According to a survey conducted in 2004, the majority of S&E working in Japan migrated from Asian nations, and many obtained their doctoral degrees in Japan and continued to stay in the country to work. Key incentives for migration are Japan's high level of science and technology, opportunities to acquire cutting-edge knowledge, and prospects for improving performance in an environment with large budgets, superior equipment and facilities, and good quality human resources. In particular, the technological environment is influential for S&E from countries with a significant technological gap when compared with Japan. However, this does not mean that S&E are indifferent to monetary rewards. The salary gap, which is considered to be a major factor in international mobility in to traditional economic theory, has also proven to be a significant incentive, particularly for S&E from countries where the gap in gross domestic product (GDP) per capita compared with Japan is large. In addition, cultural and social aspects of Japan attract mainly young S&E. The attractiveness of Japanese culture, opportunities to learn the Japanese language, and chances to build a network of personal contacts are important incentives for migration. This study presents some policy implications for countries competing over capable S&E. [source] Multi-criteria analysis procedure for sustainable mobility evaluation in urban areasJOURNAL OF ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION, Issue 4 2009Vânia Barcellos Gouvêa Campos This paper proposes a procedure to evaluate sustainable mobility in urban areas. A set of indicators according to three dimensions of sustainability, i.e., environment, economics, and social aspects, are proposed to evaluate mobility in urban areas. The sustainable mobility evaluation is based on an Index calculated through a weighted multi-criteria combination procedure. A group of specialists in Brazil was involved in the development of the Index by defining the weights for the criteria. An application of the methodology in the city of Belo Horizonte, capital of the State of Minas Gerais, with 2.24 million inhabitants, is presented to validate the methodology. [source] The Perceived Fairness of Layoff Practices,JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 8 2003Monica A. Hemingway Policy capturing was used to identify layoff practices having the greatest impact on the perceived fairness of layoffs. Full-time employees (N = 23) rated the fairness of 100 hypothetical layoffs incorporating each of 12 layoff practices reflecting different approaches to organizational justice. Managerial consistency in implementing layoffs, an unbiased layoff policy, and the size of severance packages had the strongest influence on fairness judgments. These results suggest that practices reflecting structural aspects of justice play the greatest role in layoff fairness perceptions, whereas practices consistent with social aspects of justice may be relatively less important. [source] Interprofessional education: the interface of nursing and social workJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 1-2 2010Engle Angela Chan Aims., To examine the influence of interdisciplinary seminars on undergraduate nursing and social work students' perceptions of their learning. Background., Collaboration is considered to be important for health professionals in working towards good patient care, and interdisciplinary education is seen as one way of addressing this need for greater collaboration and team work. Today's health professionals are dealing with an increasing number of older and chronically ill patients. The biopsychosocial dimensions inherent in such chronic illnesses bring about a closer working relationship between the nursing and social work professions to foster good patient care. No local research in Hong Kong, however, has looked specifically at how these two professions can develop their collaborative skills and qualities through interdisciplinary education. Design., Mixed methods design. Method., Data from questionnaires, videotape recordings of the sessions and follow-up phone interviews were used for quantitative and qualitative analyses. Results., The findings revealed three themes: an increased awareness of each other's professional values and personal judgement, a recognition of each other's disciplinary knowledge emphases and more, and an appreciation for, and learning about each other's roles for future collaboration. Conclusions., Whilst, it is usual to identify health professionals as non-judgemental, it is also important to recognise the existence of their personal and professional values and beliefs that shape their decision-making. Equally beneficial for students is their reported understanding of the other discipline's emphasis on the physical or social aspects of care, and the interrelationships and complementary values that lead to students' appreciation of each other's roles and the possibility for their future collaboration in the holistic care of patients. Relevance to clinical practice., The sharing of each other's knowledge and their appreciation of the corresponding roles enhanced students' decision-making capacity and the extension of the holistic approach beyond one profession, which is essential for good patient care. [source] Social enrichment by virtual characters , differential benefitsJOURNAL OF COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING, Issue 6 2005A. Gulz Abstract It is frequently held forth, within the area of virtual pedagogical characters, that such characters are beneficial for learning as they strengthen the social dimension of electronic learning environments. This article presents more details on this proposal together with a survey of corresponding empirical evidence. In addition, materials from a recently conducted empirical study are presented. Ninety school children, 12,15-year-old, were asked (i) to grade the idea of virtual characters in electronic learning environments and (ii) to chose between a strictly task-oriented, socially ,shallow' and a more socially oriented pedagogical character. The participants were also asked to articulate the reasons behind their answers, and to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues. The results of the study, as well as of several of the studies reviewed, indicate that responses and attitudes towards social aspects of virtual pedagogical characters are highly divergent. In particular, the notion that social dimensions of virtual characters increase learners' motivation and engagement may be less generally applicable in a student population than is sometimes hypothesized. An ensuing design guideline suggests interface solutions with an emphasis on flexibility regarding social orientation and communicative style in virtual characters. [source] Smart Labels for Waste and Resource ManagementJOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2008An Integrated Assessment Summary This article explores the potential of RFID (radio frequency identification device) for improving the current waste and resource management system in Switzerland. It presents the following three possible options for utilizing RFID tags to support waste management processes: "at source automation" (using a "smart" trash can), "end of pipe I" (combination of the current system with an additional separation of recyclables before incineration), and "end of pipe II" (replacement of the current recycling infrastructure by sorting at the incineration plant). These options tackle the waste and resource management chain during different processes (i.e., waste generation, waste separation, and treatment). Based on an MFA (material flow analysis), we performed a multicriteria assessment of these options with experts from the waste management sector. The assessment of ten experts in the waste management field regarding the proposed options for batteries and electrical appliances showed that, from an ecological perspective, the implementation of RFID in waste management would be desirable and would lead to an improvement in the current recycling rate in Switzerland for the goods studied. From an economic perspective, new investments would be required in the range of 1 to 5 times the maintenance costs of the current separate collection system. From a social perspective, the utilization of RFID tags in the waste management process was ambiguous. In particular, the end of pipe II option would, on the one hand, significantly improve convenience for consumers. On the other hand, experts see privacy and, what is more, social responsibility as being under threat. The experts considered the ecological and social aspects to be more relevant than the economic ones, preferring the end of pipe I option over the other options and the status quo. [source] The Coffee Shop: Social and Physical factors Influencing Place AttachmentJOURNAL OF INTERIOR DESIGN, Issue 3 2006Lisa Waxman Ph.D ABSTRACT This study explored the characteristics that encourage gathering behavior and contribute to place attachment in selected coffee shops in the context of literature suggesting social gathering places contribute to social capital. These gathering places, with the potential to enhance community in this manner, have been called third places. The study was qualitative in nature and included the research techniques of visual documentation, observation and behavioral mapping, interview, and survey. A transactional approach to this study was chosen to better understand the meaning of the person-environment relationship. Each coffee shop was observed for twenty-five hours for a total of seventy-five hours. Eighteen interviews were conducted and surveys were collected from 94 patrons to reveal patron attitudes toward the physical and social aspects of the coffee shop as well as their feelings regarding the community in which they live. The key findings regarding the physical characteristics showed the top five design considerations included: cleanliness, appealing aroma, adequate lighting, comfortable furniture, and a view to the outside. A number of themes emerged related to people, their activities, and their feelings and attitudes regarding the coffee shop. Each coffee shop was found to have a unique social climate and culture related to sense of belonging, territoriality and ownership, productivity and personal growth, opportunity for socialization, support and networking, and sense of community. Regarding feelings of community, survey findings from coffee shops patrons showed a positive correlation between length of patronage and their sense of attachment to their community. [source] Cultural Diversity: Reflections of the First Asian-Pacific Regional Congress of IASSIDJOURNAL OF POLICY AND PRACTICE IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 3-4 2005Kuo-yu Wang Abstract, The author makes the point that there were two aims for considering cultural and social aspects with respect to the extant research on inellectual disabilities. The first is to compare how different societies perceive the value of life for people with intellectual disabilities and to recognize the presence of basic societal traditional values. The second is to raise the awareness and perception of the differences evident in various societies' policies toward their populations of persons with intellectual disabilities and to focus on the reality of daily life for people with intellectual disabilities. These two facets, cultural diversity and national social aspects, were foundational to the structure of the 2005 Asia-Pacific IASSID conference program, both by how these themes were integrated into the keynote addresses and focal presentations, and how they were promoted through the social program and delegate activities. Within this context, the author describes how these themes, addressed at the conference, could be used to help develop a better understanding of how cultural differences affect research. [source] Navigating Rough Waters: An Overview of Psychological Aspects of SurrogacyJOURNAL OF SOCIAL ISSUES, Issue 1 2005Janice C. Ciccarelli This article provides an overview of the social and psychological aspects surrounding the surrogacy process including attitudes about surrogacy, perceptions and problems of surrogate mothers and intended/social parents, and questions concerning children resulting from contractual parenting. Review of the literature on contractual parenting reveals a wealth of discussion about the ethical, moral, legal, and psychological implications, but limited empirical data on the psychological and social aspects. Future research can provide empirical evidence as a foundation for counseling at all phases of the surrogacy process. [source] Feminist Epistemology, Contextualism, and Philosophical SkepticismMETAPHILOSOPHY, Issue 5 2009EVELYN BRISTER Abstract: This essay explores the relation between feminist epistemology and the problem of philosophical skepticism. Even though feminist epistemology has not typically focused on skepticism as a problem, I argue that a feminist contextualist epistemology may solve many of the difficulties facing recent contextualist responses to skepticism. Philosophical skepticism appears to succeed in casting doubt on the very possibility of knowledge by shifting our attention to abnormal contexts. I argue that this shift in context constitutes an attempt to exercise unearned social and epistemic power and that it should be resisted on epistemic and pragmatic grounds. I conclude that skepticism is a problem that feminists can and should take up as they address the social aspects of traditional epistemological problems. [source] Mining and sustainable development: considerations for minerals supplyNATURAL RESOURCES FORUM, Issue 4 2001Ian B. Lambert Abstract Sustainable development involves meeting the needs of human societies while maintaining viable biological and physical Earth systems. The needs include minerals: metals, fuels, industrial and construction materials. There will continue to be considerable demand for virgin mineral resources, even if levels of recycling and efficiency of use are optimal, and rates of population growth and globalisation decrease significantly. This article aims to stimulate debate on strategic issues for minerals supply. While the world has considerable stocks of mineral resources overall, international considerations of the environmental and social aspects of sustainable development are beginning to result in limitations on where mining will be conducted and what types of deposits will be mined. Current and emerging trends favour large mines in parts of the world where mining can be conducted within acceptable limits of environmental and social impact. Finding new deposits that meet such criteria will be all the more challenging given a disturbing global decline in the rate of discovery of major economic resources over the last decade, and the decreasing land area available for exploration and mining. To attract responsible exploration and mining, governments of mining nations will need to provide: regional-scale geo-scientific datasets as required to attract and guide future generations of exploration; resource access through multiple and sequential land use regimes, and frameworks for dealing with indigenous peoples' issues; and arrangements for consideration of mining proposals and regulation of mines that ensure responsible management of environmental and social issues. The minerals industry will need to continue to pursue advances in technologies for exploration, mining, processing, waste management and rehabilitation, and in public reporting of environmental and social performance. [source] The Global System of FinanceAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS AND SOCIOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Niklas Luhmann for Theoretical Keystones, Scanning Talcott Parsons In the last decades, revolutionary changes in financial markets, instruments, and institutions have stimulated empirical and theoretical investigations into the interaction of the financial and the "real" side of economic systems. While a considerable body of empirical investigations seems to provide evidence of positive correlations between stock market development and economic growth, there is no consensus in other social sciences as to whether there are two-way linkages, and if so, how to conceive a possible mechanism of interaction. Particularly, the hypergrowth and ubiquity of financial markets has triggered controversial debates on how to understand today's economic landscape. With the objective of clarifying the relationship between finance and economy, this article restructures the present debate through the lenses of Talcott Parsons's and Niklas Luhmann's theories of social systems. Basic system-theoretical ideas on social aspects of finance and economy as well as on uncertainty and risk hint at new insights into the global system of finance that might go far beyond explanatory models of causality. [source] Social aspect of sustainable packagingPACKAGING TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Issue 6 2010Norbisimi Nordin Abstract Sustainability is one of the ,buzz' words that is highly discussed in the area of packaging nowadays. For many product manufacturing business, incorporation of sustainability principles into their business practice can only be visualized by others in the end product through packaging. Besides the criteria, underlying concepts and principles, most discussions towards achieving goals for sustainable packaging are focused on details of models and practices adopted by the industry, and the effectiveness and practicality of these practices in balancing the economic profits and environmental benefits. While the economic and environmental bases of packaging sustainability have been examined and discussed in great detail, the same is not true of social consideration. Although the success of sustainable packaging development actually relies on both technological development and social considerations, many of the social aspects of sustainable packaging are often overlooked. Although many companies have been putting the efforts and initiatives to elevate sustainability from an abstract goal into an immediate priority, relatively little is known about the consumers' insights of packaging sustainability. Recognizing the consumers as the final arbiter of the success of sustainable packaging, this paper will explore consumers' perceptions on the sustainable packaging concept, their perceptions of the impact to the environment and discuss factors that drive consumers' preferences and purchase decision. Discussion and information gathered in this paper is aimed to stimulate understanding on the importance of the social dimension of packaging sustainability and its role in supporting the efforts to improve sustainability practice. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Customers' values, beliefs on sustainable corporate performance, and buying behaviorPSYCHOLOGY & MARKETING, Issue 6 2007Christy M. Collins Sustainable corporate performance (SCP) requires balancing a corporation's economic, social, and environmental performance. This research explores values, beliefs about the importance of SCP, and buying behaviors of supermarket customers from within a stakeholder framework. Beliefs about the importance of SCP (both social and environmental, but not economic) were found to be related to values. Also, it was found that customers' environmentally responsible buying behaviors were related to their beliefs about the importance of environmental SCP. However their socially responsible buying was not related to their beliefs about the importance of social SCP. Responsible buying behavior may be facilitated by providing reliable information about environmental and social aspects of products. Marketing professionals have a central role to play in moving towards a greater level of corporate transparency and sustainability. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Physical, psychological, and social sequelae following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a review of the literaturePSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Catherine E. Mosher Abstract Objective: This article reviews recent literature on adults' quality of life following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods: We identified 22 prospective reports with at least 20 participants at baseline through a search of databases (Medline and PsycInfo) and handsearching of articles published from 2002 to October 2007. If longitudinal data were not available or were scarce for a particular topic or time point, cross-sectional studies were reviewed. Results: Although physical, psychological, and social aspects of quality of life tend to improve during the years following transplantation, a significant proportion of HSCT survivors experience persistent anxiety and depressive symptoms, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and fertility concerns. Despite ongoing treatment side effects, the majority of HSCT survivors resume their work, school, or household activities. Conclusion: We conclude that theory-driven research with larger samples is needed to identify subgroups of HSCT survivors with adjustment difficulties. Such research would examine survivors' evolving standards and definitions of quality of life to improve the accuracy and meaningfulness of assessment and incorporate biological, psychological, and contextual factors that may contribute to positive adjustment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Physical impairment and social adaptation in adult survivors of childhood and adolescent rhabdomyosarcoma: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivors Study,PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Judith A. Punyko Abstract Background: Despite interest in the well-being of adult survivors of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), few studies have examined their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study evaluated physical and social aspects of HRQOL among long-term childhood RMS survivors relative to a sibling comparison group, and assessed whether physical impairment among RMS survivors adversely affected their ability to achieve adult life goals. Methods: Using baseline data from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, we evaluated self-reported physical impairment and social adaptation among 417 survivors of childhood RMS and 2685 siblings ,18 years of age at survey completion. Results: Survivors were more likely than siblings to report physical impairment, characterized by: at least one medically diagnosed condition, limitations in the performance of routine activities, a health-related inability to work or attend school, cancer-related pain. Survivors were less likely than siblings to have completed high school, ever worked a job, or ever been married. The odds of completing high school were lower among survivors with performance limitations, a health-related inability to work or attend school, or moderate to high levels of cancer-related pain. Survivors who reported cancer-related pain had an increased likelihood of ever being married. Conclusions: The majority of adult survivors of pediatric RMS are successful in attaining adult life goals despite higher reported occurrence of physical impairment than their sibling counterparts. Additional studies are needed to advance our understanding of other aspects of HRQOL in this population of pediatric cancer survivors. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Psychotherapy, political resistance and intimacy: Dilemmas, possibilities and limitations, Part IIPSYCHOTHERAPY AND POLITICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2009Manuel Llorens Abstract The following paper discusses the challenges faced by psychotherapists working in Venezuela during years of political and social unrest as a way of examining psychotherapy's dilemmas when dealing with political issues. It is the second part of a two-part piece. In the first part limitations of the traditional psychotherapeutic technical recommendations in a highly polarized political setting were considered. In this second part examples of the difficulties presented in Venezuela will be shown. Reflexive psychotherapeutic alternatives to traditional technical considerations such as neutrality will be considered. The possibilities opened up by the perspectives that lead us to engage simultaneously with the personal and social aspects of life, the inclusion of the power differential in the therapeutic relationship and the potential that psychotherapy has to act as a form of resistance to unjust circumstances when thought of as a space where the intimate and the political are intertwined will be considered. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Work, Identity, and Stigma Management in an Italian Mental Health CommunityANTHROPOLOGY OF WORK REVIEW, Issue 1 2006Sara M. Bergstresser Abstract When mental illness prevents an individual from working, the economic burden is obvious, but little attention has been paid to the accompanying loss of social identity. This paper addresses the meanings of work and unemployment for participants in an Italian community mental health center, and it evaluates the role of work therapy in an agricultural setting as a way to regain some social aspects of work or professional identity. The study is based on over a year of anthropological fieldwork in the Province of Bergamo, Northern Italy, conducted to investigate the relationship between community-based mental health care, social stigma of mental illness, and the social sphere in everyday life. The social position of the individual at the time of job loss is significant in his or her professional expectations while in the community center. Those who had previously worked in manual or farming capacities found this type of work therapy to be a helpful means of social participation. On the other hand, expectations based on educational, social, and economic hierarchies persist for individuals within mental health communities. For those individuals with high education, manual labor violated professional expectations, and the reality of their employability provided a conflict between social participation and perceived status group. The stigma of unemployment is also addressed in relation to political identity and desire for worker status. [source] A new synthesis: Resituating approaches to the evolution of human behaviourANTHROPOLOGY TODAY, Issue 3 2009Agustín Fuentes Most anthropologists would agree that humans are simultaneously historical, biological, behavioral, and social. However, many researchers retain a relatively dualistic paradigm dividing anthropological questions into biological and/or social aspects. Many practitioners of Neo-Darwinian perspectives prioritize natural selection in all explanations of human evolution. Many other anthropologists refuse to acknowledge a significant role for biological features and biological histories in human action, sensation, and engagement. Both perspectives are misplaced. Incorporating emerging perspectives in evolutionary theory into the broader anthropological discourse may help discard simplistic dualisms and resituate our assessments of the evolution of human behavior. In this essay I review three major emergent themes in evolutionary theory; Multi-Inheritance Systems Theory, Developmental Systems Theory, and Niche Construction. I suggest, with one brief example, that placing these elements in transaction with other perspectives in anthropology might enhance the possibilities of assessing human evolution and behavior. [source] Schools as Socialisation Contexts: Understanding the Impact of School Climate Factors on Students' Sense of School BelongingAPPLIED PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Zeynep Cemalcilar Education is a top priority of the European Union (EU). The EU Education Council has declared that to be the world leader in terms of the quality of education and training systems by 2010, fundamental transformations in education should be carried out in each country according to its national context and traditions. As a candidate country, Turkey shares this common objective. Yet, the mean school attainment and net education enrollment rates in Turkey are still behind the EU averages. The education literature indicates students' sense of school belonging as an important predictor of school attainment. This study aims to identify the policy manipulable social aspects of schools that can be instrumental in increasing students' sense of school belonging in a sample of 799 middle school students attending public schools in Istanbul, Turkey. The conceptual model posits that students' satisfaction with both the social relationships in the school and the school environment has consequences for their sense of school belonging. The results of the structural equation model analysis revealed a plausible model. Satisfaction with social relationships emerged as a stronger predictor of sense of school belonging than satisfaction with the school environment. Further comparisons of the same conceptual model for schools with low and high socioeconomic conditions yielded different associations among the study variables. The findings are discussed in terms of their relevance to the education system in Turkey and other less affluent societies with similar social, cultural, and economic conditions. L'éducation est une priorité majeure de l'Union Européenne (UE). Le Conseil de l'Education de l'UE a déclaré que pour devenir le leader mondial de la qualité de l'éducation et de la formation en 2010, il fallait opérer des réformes d'importance dans le système d'éducation de chacun des pays dans le respect de leurs traditions et de leur contexte national. En tant que candidate pour intégrer l'Union, la Turquie partage cet objectif commun. Pourtant, les performances scolaires moyennes et le taux de scolarisation sont en Turquie toujours en-dessous des moyennes européennes. La littérature concernée montre que la conviction de l'élève d'être intégréà l'école est un prédicteur important de ses résultats scolaires. Cette étude cherche à définir les possibilités d'action politique sur les variables sociales scolaires susceptibles d'améliorer le sentiment d'appartenance à l'école, cela sur un échantillon de 799 élèves de collège fréquentant des établissements publics d'Istanbul. Le modèle pose que la satisfaction des élèves relative aux relations sociales à l'école et à l'environnement scolaire est en relation avec leur sentiment d'intégration à l'établissement. Les résultats de l'analyse en modèle d'équation structurale fournissent une structure plausible. La satisfaction liée aux relations sociales ressort comme un prédicteur du sentiment d'appartenance plus puissant que la satisfaction relative à l'environnement scolaire. Des manipulations complémentaires de ce même modèle à partir de conditions socio-économiques élevées ou basses débouchèrent sur de nouvelles associations entre les différentes variables. Ces résultats sont évalués sur la base de leur pertinence pour le système scolaire turque et celui d'autres pays moins prospères présentant des conditions économiques, sociales et culturelles analogues. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||