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Specific Challenges (specific + challenge)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	40%
Humanities and Social Sciences	20%
Business, Economics, Finance and Accounting	20%

Selected Abstracts

The International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association social responsibility working group and human rights

INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 2005
Jenny Owens
This chapter describes how the oil and gas industry is responding to one specific challenge to sustainable development , the promotion of human rights. The human rights activities and practices of the industry fall into three categories: direct responsibility, shared responsibility and indirect influence. Specific responses to human rights issues are illustrated through case studies from some of the member companies of the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association. The chapter demonstrates that the oil and gas industry has achieved substantial progress in establishing and implementing human rights policies and practices. However, the debate between industry, representatives of civil society and governments over the roles, responsibilities and accountability for human rights of transnational corporations in general, and of the oil and gas industry in particular, continues. While under international law the responsibility to protect human rights rests primarily with governments, companies and others, including non-governmental organisations and multilateral organisations, can support human rights. The industry recognises the need to develop measures to help address human rights challenges and that this effort will require co-operation and shared responsibility among all relevant actors. [source]

Filial Piety, Modernization, and the Challenges of Raising Children for Chinese Immigrants: Quantitative and Qualitative Evidence

ETHOS, Issue 3 2004
ELI LIEBER
This study examines Chinese immigrant parents' perceptions of filial piety. The concept of filial piety is introduced and we discuss the impacts of modernization and immigration experience on the challenges faced by contemporary Chinese immigrants as they reconcile traditional values with the demands of sociohistorical change and child rearing in the United States. Factor analysis of a commonly applied scale demonstrates multiple aspects of filial piety and reflects modifications from traditional views. Interview results point to aspects of filial piety not fully represented in the quantitative scale and expose specific challenges in child rearing related to filial values. These findings suggest the evolution of expectations and strategies related to a cultural adaptation of filial piety. One key demand is for strategies consistent with parental values while maintaining respect for children's unique point of view. The conclusions focus on the development of approaches to understanding the evolving conceptualization and meaning of filial piety for contemporary immigrant Chinese. [source]

An Evaluation of Physicochemical Treatment Technologies for Water Contaminated with MTBE

GROUND WATER MONITORING & REMEDIATION, Issue 4 2000
Arturo A. Keller
Treatment of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated surface and ground water supplies presents specific challenges due to the physicochemical properties of MTBE that depend strongly on its hydrophilic nature, and translate into a high solubility in water, and low Henry's constant and low affinity for common adsorbents. We evaluate four treatment technologies-air stripping, granular activated carbon (GAC), hydrophobic hollow fiber membranes, and advanced oxidation processes (AOP)-using ozone or ozone/hydrogen peroxide. Experimental work was carried out to generate parameter values necessary for the design of these processes. Ten different flow rates/concentration combinations were evaluated in our designs to cover the range from high flow rate/low concentration typical of surface water and ground water drinking water supplies to low flow rate/high concentration typical of ground water remediation sites. For all cases, the processes were designed to produce effluent water of 5 ,g/L or less. Capital costs and operation and maintenance costs were determined at the feasibility level by using standard engineering estimating practices. Air stripping is the lowest cost technology for high flow rales (100 to 1000 gpm) if no air treatment is required. Hollow fiber membranes are the lowest cost technology for flow rates of 10 to 100 gpm if no air treatment is required, which is typical at these low flow rates. GAC will be most costeffective at all flow rates if air treatment is required and the influent water has low levels of other organic compounds. AOP using ozone or ozone/hydrogen peroxide is in all cases more expensive than the alternative technologies, and there are sufficient uncertainties at this point with respect to byproducts of AOP to warrant further study of this technology. The cost of treating MTBE-contaminated water for conventional technologies such as air stripping and GAC is 40% to 80% higher than treating water contaminated only with other hydrocarbons such as benzene. [source]

The threat of corporate groups and the insolvency connection

INTERNATIONAL INSOLVENCY REVIEW, Issue 3 2009
Alexander Dähnert, Article first published online: 27 OCT 200
This paper attempts to shed some light on the issue referred to by the term ,group threat'. The factual appearance of corporate groups will be emphasized, as well as the question of what particular dangers arise from groups of legal entities. It will be argued that the source of group threats lies in the supremacy of group interest over the interests of affiliates, particularly in groups acting as a single unit. However, while efficiency gains inherent in group structures have attracted considerable attention in the debate about the insolvencies of corporate groups, the aspect of how the restriction of group threats can be reconciled with these efficiency-preservation concepts has been neglected. This appears of some concern given the fact that group threats and group synergy effects are part of the same coin. Both sides of the Janus-head ought to be considered in insolvency concepts and an attempt will be made to put the specific aspect of group threats into the wider context of group insolvencies. Existing approaches will be introduced, summarized and categorized, with a particular view taken of their common characteristics. It is argued that most insolvency concepts suffer from the same fundamental deficiencies: the focus on the structure of groups, which makes the very nature of integrated companies difficult to grasp. Consequently, this calls into question the application of these concepts and leads, furthermore, to significant collateral damage in the shape of principles central to company law. Resulting from these shortcomings and from the insight that the supremacy of the group interest constitutes the fundamental source of group characteristics, this paper suggests as an alternative that the focus be placed on wrongful conduct, the argument being that it is not the static structure, but the way the group is directed and ruled, which constitutes the decisive criterion for insolvency concepts. The understanding of group threats is therefore the key to a satisfactory approach to group specific challenges in insolvency. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Creating consumer satisfaction in maternity care: the neglected needs of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 2 2007
Birgit Jentsch
Abstract An estimated 190 million people are now living outside their countries of birth or citizenship, and the rate of this migration is expected to remain high. The resulting growing cultural and ethnic diversity in societies adds specific challenges to the requirement of delivering public services such as health care to consumers. Globally, about half of the migrant population are women. Migrants' outcomes of pregnancy are known to be poor, showing significant disparities when compared with those of native populations. Although these disparities have been noted, knowledge is limited regarding the availability and accessibility of healthcare services, as well as the acceptability of maternity care for women with experiences of free and forced migration. Healthcare research in general, and maternity care research specifically, have often neglected this population. This paper examines the existing international guidelines intended to address inequities in health outcomes, policies which have been introduced at national levels, and the widely used concepts of ,patient-centred' and ,woman-centred' health services. The ideals implicit in those guidelines and concepts are contrasted with the available evidence of many overseas nationals' experiences with healthcare provisions in general, and maternity care in particular. This is followed by reflections on deficiencies in current studies and on those methodological problems which make research on maternity care for migrant women particularly challenging. The conclusion considers the appropriateness and relevance of guidelines currently promoting equity in maternity care and suggests a future agenda for priority research. [source]

Managing interdisciplinary health research,theoretical and practical aspects

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2002
Jens Aagaard-Hansen
Abstract Interdisciplinary health research can offer valuable evidence for health care managers. However, there are specific challenges regarding the management of such projects. Based on 7 years of experience from a project in western Kenya, the authors point to the need for a sufficient time horizon, a high level of communication, equity between the disciplines and the identification of appropriate evaluation criteria as issues to be considered. The theoretical framework of Rosenfield was modified to comply with the complexities of field management. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Applications of High Throughput Research at The Dow Chemical Company

MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 1 2004
Kevin P. Peil
Abstract Summary: With high throughput research (HTR), a new research approach towards the development of catalysts and materials has been established at The Dow Chemical Company. While drawing on many of the same concepts as combinatorial chemistry, HTR introduced a new set of specific challenges. New workflows needed to be developed for catalyst and material preparation, activity screens, product and process analytical as well as the management of large amounts of data. Integration of the workflow is critical and requires appropriate skills from such fields as chemistry, engineering, materials, analytical, robotics and informatics. It is not simply having a HTR capability that matters, but what one does with the capability that counts the most. The paradigm shift that has occurred at Dow as a result of HTR will allow Dow to deliver solutions to customers faster than ever. This will be illustrated by several examples of how the HTR capability has had a major impact at Dow. [source]

Pragmatic indicators for remote Aboriginal maternal and infant health care: why it matters and where to start

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 2010
Malinda Steenkamp
Abstract Objective: There are challenges in delivering maternal and infant health (MIH) care to remote Northern Territory (NT) communities. These include fragmented care with birthing in regional hospitals resulting in cultural and geographical dislocation for Aboriginal women. Many NT initiatives are aimed at improving care. Indicators for evaluating these for remote Aboriginal mothers and infants need to be clearer. We reviewed existing indicators to inform a set of pragmatic indicators for reporting improvement in remote MIH care. Methods: Scientific databases and grey literature (organisational websites and Google Scholar) were searched using the terms ,Aboriginal/maternal/infant/remote health/monitoring performance'. Key stakeholders identified omitted indicators sets. Relevant sets were reviewed and organised by indicator type, stage of patient journey, topic and theme. Results: Forty-two indicators sets were found. Seven focused on Aboriginal health, 23 on reproductive/maternal health, eight on child/infant health and four on other aspects, e.g. remote health. We identified more than 1,000 individual indicators. Of these, 656 were relevant for our purpose and were subsequently organised into 300 topics and 16 themes for antenatal, birth and postpartum, and infant care by indicator type. Conclusion: There are many measures for monitoring health care delivery to mothers and infants. Few are framed around remote MIH services, despite poorer health outcomes of remote mothers and infants and the specific challenges with providing care in this setting. Establishing relevant indicators is vital to support relevant data collection and the development of appropriate policy for remote Aboriginal maternal and infant care. [source]

Reconciling pedagogy and health sciences to promote Indigenous health

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 2 2000
Denise Main
Objectives: To increase knowledge and skills regarding Indigenous learning styles. To raise awareness within the tertiary education sector that Aboriginal students learn differently and that Indigenous cultures and pedagogy have validity and strength. To examine pedagogical strategies that assist both tertiary students capacity for learning and university lecturers' delivery and evaluation of teaching and learning strategies. Methods: A qualitative, ethnographic framework using personal observations, field and classroom experience, interviews and review of literature in the fields of education, public health and Indigenous cultural perspectives. Results: Aboriginal people are the receivers of services and programs that will be delivered, in the majority of cases, by university-educated, non-Aboriginal, professional health care providers. Indigenous students face specific challenges in obtaining an effective education for working in the Aboriginal and wider community in the field of public health; the challenges relate to culture, health paradigms and community. Conclusion: Lecturers in health and human science courses for Aboriginal students need to both examine and appreciate the cultural constraints on learning faced by their students within the context of mainstream curriculum, and to build on the large pool of knowledge and learning styles that Aboriginal society bequeaths to Aboriginal students. Implications: Academics can apply the cultural differences and knowledge base of the Indigenous community as a force to promote health through learning. [source]

Unmet needs in the treatment of glaucoma related to compliance, tolerability and concomitant dry eye

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2008
G HOLLO
Purpose Compliance to long-term topical treatment of glaucoma can be less than optimal. This may decrease the efficacy of the treatment. This presentation summarises the unmet needs in the current topical treatment of glaucoma related to compliance, tolerability and concomitant dry eye and discusses the expectations for future therapies. Results Glaucoma is a life long conditions and its management is multifactorial. However, compliance to topical glaucoma treatment can be less than optimal. Forgetfulness and topical side effects have been identified as important reasons for non-compliance. Topical side effects decrease the quality of life of the patient, which impacts on compliance. Dry eye and glaucoma are often concomitant diseases. Therefore, it is advisable to consider the management of both diseases together for the optimal care for these patients. Preservative free preparations may have benefits for the long term treatment of glaucoma patients, especially those with dry/sensitive eyes. Conclusion Compliance remains a key issue in the management of glaucoma. Glaucoma and dry eye as concomitant diseases present specific challenges for the optimal care of the patient. [source]