Search

Given the importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the economy, the purpose of this study is to identify and investigate the economic indicators that can explain the development of FDI in the economies of Central and Eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Slovenia throughout the period 1995–2020. When developing multiple linear regression models, the following explanatory variables were considered: exports, imports, import concentration and diversification indices, the balance of trade, the balance of payments, and different components of the economic freedom index. Therefore, it was shown that a rise in exports and imports has a beneficial impact on enhancing the flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) in each of the nations examined for this study. Furthermore, an increase in the value of the import diversification index is shown to have a beneficial effect on the levels of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovenia, as determined by this study. On the other hand, the import concentration index has been shown to benefit foreign direct investment in Poland. Furthermore, it was discovered that the balance of payments was a positive factor in the Hungarian economy. In contrast, the trade balance was shown to be a positive element in Poland and Slovenia. Both indicators have positively impacted foreign direct investment (FDI) flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to develop a comprehensive procedure for calculating the fair value of a company by predicting its future values using historical data of key ratios and applying dynamic algorithms to improve the selection of forecasting methods. The most important business valuation methodologies are based on discounting a firm's future variables, and there are many ways to predict them through financial and quantitative methodologies. This paper provides the most important and commonly used time series forecasting methodologies that can be used for variables, such as financial ratios, and proposes three different algorithms to help and improve the selection of the best-fit method for each of the model's variables. Another, more indirect way of predicting values is using operational research methodologies, such as Monte Carlo simulation, where the output of the sensitivity analysis gives the most likely firm value, taking into account the distribution of each variable. This paper includes a complete example of using the above procedures in a real Greek company to calculate its fair value. It offers alternative approaches to the problem that exists around the process of predicting variables, with the help of technology. We hope this will be a useful tool for future use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of the paper was to obtain insights into how gender measures can be incorporated into quantitative research on risk-related behaviour. We explored relations between the measures (short versions of Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI), Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ), and Traditional Masculinity-Femininity (TMF) scale) and their explanatory power in relation to risky behaviours (Decision Outcome Inventory, DOI). The sample consisted of 470 adults (238 men). The corresponding BSRI and PAQ subscales correlated significantly, while TMF correlated positively with the femininity subscales. All the instruments demonstrated good internal consistency and the measures explained a significant portion of risky behaviour. The results suggest that, although sex is a proxy of behaviour, using a measure of the gender-related aspects of identity could enhance understanding of risk-related behaviour. Finally, men and women viewed themselves as equally masculine, indicating that gender stereotypes about desirability of agentic characteristics change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decolonisation of the curriculum in higher education is a radical, transformative process of change that interrogates the enduring Eurocentric and racist narratives surrounding the production of academic 'knowledge'. Our key argument is that it is essential for students of politics to understand the authorities and hierarchies exerted through quantitative data. In this article, we show that (1) quantitative methods and data literacy can be an explicit tool in the endeavour to challenge structures of oppression, and (2) there is a need to apply decolonial principles to the teaching of quantitative methods, prioritising the historical contextualisation and anti-racist critique of the ways in which statistics amplify existing micro and macro power relations. To explain how this can be done, we begin with a commentary on the 'state of decolonisation' in higher education, its relevance to the subdisciplines of politics, and its application to quantitative teaching in the United Kingdom. We then suggest some guiding principles for a decolonial approach to quantitative methods teaching and present substantive examples from political sociology, international political economy, and international development. These suggestions and examples show how a decolonial lens advances critical and emancipatory thinking in undergraduate students of politics when it is used with quantitative methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether body appreciation mediates the relationships between anti-fat microaggression experiences and perceived physical and mental health. Using a cross-sectional survey design, our study included 384 adult cisgender women in the United States. We found that anti-fat microaggression experiences had a negative association with body appreciation, and perceived physical and mental health. Body appreciation had a positive relationship to perceived physical and mental health. Our study further suggests that body appreciation is an important modifiable factor that mediates the relationships between anti-fat microaggression experiences and perceived mental and physical health. Implications for practice and research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertility-related stress can negatively impact infertile couples' quality of life (QoL). Most previous studies have concentrated on the effects of stress and infertility on individual persons, especially women, though infertility affects the QoL of both spouses. Our research aimed to investigate the roles of infertility and stress in couples' quality of life as a single unit. The research sample consisted of 202 spouses, i.e., 101 couples, with a mean age of 39.5 years (SD = 4.9 years) undergoing fertility treatment at Athens Naval Hospital-Assisted Reproduction Unit. Data collection was completed via self-administered questionnaires: the FertiQoL International Questionnaire for measuring the quality of life in infertility and The Demographic Information and Medical History Questionnaire. Data collection was conducted between January and November 2022. Quantitative variables are expressed as mean values (standard deviation) and as median interquartile range, and qualitative variables are expressed as absolute and relative frequencies. Pearson's (r) and Spearman's (rho) correlations coefficients were used to explore the association of two continuous variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was used with dependence on the Ferti-QoL's subscales. The regression equation included terms for participants' demographics and information from their medical history. Adjusted regression coefficients (β) with standard errors (SE) were computed from the results of the linear regression analyses. All reported p values are two-tailed. Statistical significance was set to p < 0.05, and analyses were conducted using SPSS statistical software (version 22.0). We found that greater anxiety and depression were significantly associated with worse quality of life. Additionally, quality of life, according to Ferti-QoL, was significantly worse in women, participants with a high level of education, those with greater depressive symptoms, and those with greater state scores. Findings of this study highlight the need for implementing interventions of supportive care methods, counseling, stress reduction methods, and improving the fertility-related quality of life of infertile couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health literacy (HL) and health numeracy (HN), the ability to interpret and act on quantitative health information, are important for hypertension self-management such as limiting sodium intake. We examined associations of HL, HN, and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet accordance. Participants: Among 1,073 hypertensive adults enrolled in a Baltimore, Maryland–based cohort study, we performed a cross-sectional analysis. Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) measured HL and Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA) numeracy score measured HN. Method: DASH accordance was based on nine key nutrients. Linear regression models estimated associations of HL and HN with DASH total and sodium score, inclusive of dietary supplement data. Results: In our sample, 39% of participants were male, 66% were Black, 40.2% lived in poverty, and 29.5% reported food insecurity. Fully, 32.5% had limited HL and 14.5% had limited HN. Mean DASH score overall was 2 (range = 0–7.5); only 6.9% were DASH accordant (score ≥4.5). In age and sex adjusted models, higher REALM was associated with a higher DASH score in the overall sample; the relationship of HN with DASH was statistically significant among White but not Black participants. Educational attainment appeared to explain both findings. There were no significant associations between HL or HN and DASH sodium scores. Conclusion: Differences in educational attainment explained the relation of higher HL and greater accordance to the DASH diet in a population of hypertensive adults. Understanding these factors is vital to reducing disparities in hypertension and its sequelae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African American emerging adults (age 18–29 years) tend to have poor asthma outcomes, possibly due to poor adherence to medication. Few studies have explored barriers to controller adherence in this population. This study utilized electronic daily diaries to assess barriers to adherence and asthma symptoms among 141 African American emerging adults with uncontrolled persistent asthma and poor adherence. Participants reported symptoms M = 3.43 days (of 7 days). They reported unintentional (e.g., forgetting) and intentional (e.g., choosing not to take) barriers to adherence, but forgetting, being too busy, and sleeping through a dose were the most common. Significant correlations were found between symptoms and barriers, as well as asthma control and medication adherence in the expected directions. Asthma symptoms and number of barriers were significant predictors of asthma control. Existing intervention strategies such as text-messaging may prove effective to address these barriers, but measuring and addressing adherence remains complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern European societies and their economies have experienced specific and/or asymmetrical developments over the last 70 years. The political regime changes at the end of the 80s led these countries on the path of market economy and opened the doors for foreign investors' presence, as privatizations of previously state-owned companies were considered beneficial for economic progress. Starting in the mid-90s and more so after the association of countries in the region to the European Union and NATO, foreign investors found interesting opportunities as greenfield projects or partnerships with local entities. However, the presence of foreign direct investments (FDI) in Eastern Europe was uneven across countries and regions, which may be due to a certain extent to corruption and organized crime groups. This paper aims to conduct a systematic review of the literature that has focused on analyzing the influence of corruption and organized crime in attracting foreign direct investment using quantitative methods, focusing on empirical studies conducted in Europe since 2000. Our main purpose is to summarize the different research approaches, to offer a discussion and suggestions for future research, and to provide some relevant and justified answers to the following question: To what extent are corruption, organized crime, and FDI analyzed in European countries?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding intergenerational relations in China has become increasingly important against a backdrop of rapid social and demographic transitions and an ongoing urban-rural divide. From the parental perspective, this research investigates patterns and determinants of intergenerational relations between middle-aged and older parents and their non-coresident children in urban and rural China using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2018) (N = 14,616). Latent class analysis revealed three typologies of intergenerational relations found across both urban and rural China – Tight-knit, Support-at-distance and Material-oriented-detached, and one typology particularly for urban China – Staying-in-touch-but-independent. The observed patterns suggest intergenerational bonds remain solid alongside the emergence of new trends, reflecting the modernization process. Multivariate multinomial regression analysis identified determinants for membership of each relationship typology. The findings will inform policy-makers and care professionals, supporting the identification of the vulnerable groups and the design of targeted policies for older parents with different family resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• About 47 methods, 1,130 equations, and 1,190 parameters were identified from 862 publications. • Simple methods and equations were used more often than complex ones. • Large-size and public-owned ecological structures were studied more frequently. • More than 60% of studies did not specify the sources or values of parameters. Many methods have been applied to quantify urban ecosystem services (UESs) in the past two decades. Timely reviews of UES assessment methods are necessary for tracking the methodological progress and identifying research gaps. In this study, we systematically analyzed 862 to reveal the overall trend of quantitative studies of UESs, the types of ecological structures and UESs assessed in those studies, and the main equations and parameters used. We found a rising trend of quantitative studies of UESs, accelerating after 2015. Large-size and publicly-owned ecological structures and regulating services were assessed the most frequently. We identified 1,130 equations and 1,190 parameters. Simple methods and equations were used more regularly than complex ones. Values for around 30% of parameters were taken from published papers, while the sources or the values were not specified for about 40% and 20% of all parameters, respectively. The remaining 10% were derived from field measurements and other sources. Based on our findings, we recommend building an open database of quantitative methods, testing the suitability of existing methods for urban environments, developing new methods specifically designed for urban areas, and increasing the transparency of reported methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Certain places generate inordinate amounts of crime and disorder. We examine how places differ in their nature of crime and disorder, with three objectives: (1) identifying a typology of profiles of crime and disorder; (2) assessing whether different forms of crime and disorder co-locate at parcels; and (3) determining whether problematic parcels explain crime and disorder across neighborhoods. The study uses 911 and 311 records to quantify physical and social disorder and violent crime at residential parcels in Boston, MA (n = 81,673). K-means cluster analyses identified the typology of problematic parcels and how those types were distributed across census block groups. Cluster analysis identified five types of problematic parcels, four specializing in one form of crime or disorder and one that combined all issues. The second cluster analysis found that the distribution of problematic parcels described the spectrum from low- to high-crime neighborhoods, plus commercial districts with many parcels with public physical disorder. Problematic parcels modestly explained levels of crime across neighborhoods. The results suggest a need for diverse intervention strategies to support different types of problematic parcels; and that neighborhood dynamics pertaining to crime are greater than problematic properties alone.

Economic and Regional Development is a subject of research that is not recent in the international literature. The unequal spatial distribution of income, economic opportunities and activities has attracted the interest of a large number of researchers in recent decades. The studies focused on the spatial disparities between the regions and their evolution over time using statistical analysis methods. In this paper we present a systematic review of the existing literature of economic and regional development through quantitative methods and social network analysis. Via research questions we summarize the different research approaches and offer a discussion and suggestions for future research. To what extent has regional development been studied by quantitative methods? How is research evolving in regional development of the European Union? Has Social Network Analysis been used in the context of regional development? This paper attempts to go one step further and introduce the use of techniques and methods of Social Network Analysis in Economic and Regional Development.

Highlights A pragmatic individual measure of individual gender would correspond to the level at which an individual complies with a set of elements constituting femininity or masculinity in a given population, place and time Comparing outcomes by sex and gender is not sufficient, and even misleading, to understand the mechanisms underlying biological and health differences between men and women Causal analysis framework is a powerful tool for refining hypotheses and identifying the effects that can and should be estimated to meet the objectives Gender could also be measured at the populational-level as an interaction between sex and environment, which would be more compatible with the sociological concept of gender

This article explores the possibility of a trade-off between citizens’ trust in government and their rates of political participation. Trust and political participation are both of interest in political science, but the relationship between the two remains unclear. Drawing on political trust and political participation literature, the article utilises data from rounds 1–9 of the European Social Survey to investigate whether a trade-off between political trust and political participation can be found. The results suggest that although greater trust in government is variably predictive of either higher or lower rates of political participation, rates of participation reach a peak at a particular level of trust, followed by a decline. This drop-off effect suggests that citizens may become complacent and disengaged as they reach high levels of trust. The trust-participation trade-off illustrates one way in which policy choices may have unexpected consequences which policymakers should consider. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Lack of pre-evaluation of applicability of additives and methods is the main issue. • Photoluminescence and chemiluminescence are the most promising methods. • EPR, HPLC and the chemical probe are suitable for most AOPs. • Steady-state concentration of reactive species in AOPs ranges from 10-16 to 10-8 M. • Environmental applications benefit disclosing mechanisms and pollutants degradation. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are increasingly being used to efficiently degrade recalcitrant contaminants with in situ generated reactive species. Despite their high efficiency, there is a lack of critical and comprehensive review of robust methods for the identification and quantification of reactive species, thus hampering efforts to disclose the mechanisms of AOPs and to promote their application in the environmental field. This review systematically summarizes detection methods (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, in situ detection techniques) of reactive species, points out problems in identification and quantification, proposes potential strategies and directions for future research. Reactive species involve radicals (e.g., SO 4 •-, •OH, O 2 •-) and non-radical pathways (e.g., 1O 2 , high-valent metal species, activated peroxo-species, photogenerated holes and electron transfers). Current research lacks selective additives and methods, pre-evaluation of the applicability of additives, stability of products, and quantitative relationship between products and reactive species, resulting in misleading. Although photoluminescence and chemiluminescence are the most promising methods, EPR for identification and HPLC and the chemical probe for quantification are suitable for most AOPs. The steady-state concentration of reactive species normally ranged from 10-16 to 10-8 M. The main environmental applications of qualitative and quantitative methods for determining reactive species in AOPs include determining contribution, calculating steady-state concentration, kinetic modeling, optimizing processes, revealing mechanisms and inferring the degradation pathways of contaminants. Developing sensitive and specific methods, without additives, and in situ detection technologies would contribute to disclosing mechanisms, while applying these technologies to more environmental applications would benefit the development of efficient AOPs for treating wastewater containing persistent pollutants. This review provides practical methodological guidance for mechanistic analysis and to constitute a fundamental benchmark for the environmental application of AOPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I revisit the debate around personalism and economic performance in dictatorships and the stylized fact that personalist regimes produce poor economic outcomes. Conceiving of and measuring personalism as a time-varying trait of autocratic rule as opposed to a regime typology, I find that many regimes with high personalism scores perform quite well in terms of both gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and growth. Only regimes at the highest levels of personalism have significantly worse performance. These results are based on quantitative analysis of cross-national data from 101 countries between 1960 and 2010 to probe the hypothesis. These early findings are relevant to the growing literature on personalism in dictatorship and raise new questions regarding the conditions under which personalism leads to poor economic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Several tools to improve reporting of implementation studies for evidence-based decision making have been created; however, no tool for critical appraisal of implementation outcomes exists. Researchers, practitioners, and policy makers lack tools to support the concurrent synthesis and critical assessment of outcomes for implementation research. Our objectives were to develop a comprehensive tool to (1) describe studies focused on implementation that use qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed methodologies and (2) assess risk of bias of implementation outcomes. Methods A hybrid consensus-building approach combining Delphi Group and Nominal Group techniques (NGT) was modeled after comparative methodologies for developing health research reporting guidelines and critical appraisal tools. First, an online modified NGT occurred among a small expert panel (n = 5), consisting of literature review, item generation, round robin with clarification, application of the tool to various study types, voting, and discussion. This was followed by a larger e-consensus meeting and modified Delphi process with implementers and implementation scientists (n = 32). New elements and elements of various existing tools, frameworks, and taxonomies were combined to produce the ASSESS tool. Results The 24-item tool is applicable to a broad range of study designs employed in implementation science, including qualitative studies, randomized-control trials, non-randomized quantitative studies, and mixed methods studies. Two key features are a section for assessing bias of the implementation outcomes and sections for describing the implementation strategy and intervention implemented. An accompanying explanation and elaboration document that identifies and describes each of the items, explains the rationale, and provides examples of reporting and appraising practice, as well as templates to allow synthesis of extracted data across studies and an instructional video, has been prepared. Conclusions The comprehensive, adaptable tool to support both reporting and critical appraisal of implementation science studies including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods assessment of intervention and implementation outcomes has been developed. This tool can be applied to a methodologically diverse and growing body of implementation science literature to support reviews or meta-analyses that inform evidence-based decision-making regarding processes and strategies for implementation.

The article is devoted to a very rare for demographic history, but very actual theme of rural communal amenities as a factor of population dynamics. 32 rural settlements of 8 districts of Voronezh, Lipetsk and Tambov regions with multi-apartment housing were studied. The authors, using demographic and communal statistics, tried to show the dependence of the successful movement of the population of rural settlements in three regions of the Central Chernozem region on the provision of multi-apartment housing and communal amenities. Various quantitative methods were used in the work: not only simple arithmetic, but also methods for calculating the paired correlation of demographic and communal indicators. The use of these methods revealed only one dependence: the dependence of the growth of the number of residents of rural settlements on the availability of multi-apartment housing provided with communal amenities. Close correlations between changes in the population of settlements and the availability of certain types of amenities did not appear. The quantitative methods used in the article showed insufficient data for broad conclusions for only three dozen localities. The assumption is made about the incompleteness of the site's information on housing and communal amenities reforms for individual utilities and the need to attract additional sources.

While doctoral leadership programs have widely adopted Improvement Science (IS) as a signature pedagogy, few studies have examined how to best equip doctoral students with the knowledge and research skills they need to utilize IS in practice. More specifically, research is needed to determine the most effective and meaningful pedagogy for preparing doctoral students to understand, analyze, and apply statistical theory and quantitative research designs in coursework and as part of the IS Dissertation in Practice (DiP). This essay focuses on the systematic, iterative, and reflective approach of one faculty member to develop and refine a Doctor of Education program’s primary applied quantitative methods course to help students across three cohorts develop the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills they need to lead change.

The relationship between class size and school performance has always been ambiguous and the current literature has found no direct connection between them, especially in the Brazilian context. Therefore, this study aimed to verify whether the number of students per class influences school performance. We used Microdata from the Prova Brazil of 2017. Using the propensity score matching statistical model, with the nearest neighbor matching estimator, we grouped the classes into clusters by similarity. The metric used to group the clusters was the Euclidean distance. We attempted to verify adherence to the normal distribution of data using the Kolmogorov Smirnov test and tested the null hypothesis of the medians using the Wilcoxon test. All the statistical analysis were performed using SPSS Statistic version 20. The results showed that the number of students per class has little influence on performance and, when the influence exists, larger classes perform better.

Background: Compliance with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the United States is monitored through review of cross‐sectional reports from three discrete, age‐defined programmes (early intervention [EI], early childhood special education [ECSE)] and school‐age special education [SE]) to promote the timely, efficient and effective delivery of appropriate services to all eligible children. Analysis of longitudinal data is required to discern how children use services across programmes to provide the necessary context for IDEA oversight and to identify areas for programme or policy interventions to reduce barriers to service use and promote equity. Methods: We applied sequence analysis to a data linkage across five public record systems among 15 626 New York City children born in 1998 who had records from birth through third grade. Results: Five predominant patterns of service use were identified: (1) multiple therapies across EI/ECSE/SE (13%), (2) EI without transition to Department of Education schools or services (24%), (3) EI and intermittent ECSE/SE (16%), (4) older entry into EI and both speech and occupational therapy throughout ECSE/SE (9%) and (5) limited EI use and mostly speech therapy in ECSE/SE (38%). Each pattern had distinct demographics (e.g., pattern 2 was disproportionately White and from low poverty neighbourhoods; pattern 4 was disproportionately male and Black; pattern 5 was disproportionately Latino) and academic outcomes (e.g., pattern 1 had largest proportion in a SE school and not tested in third grade; pattern 3 had third grade tests scores that were similar to overall citywide mean scores). Conclusions: The differences in demographic profiles across the five patterns of service use illustrate the systemic inequities in the delivery of these important services. Delayed entry and limited use of EI services among children of colour underscore the need for equity goals to increase early referral and optimize service use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the state of quantitative methods in Arab political science, focusing specifically on the utilization of inferential statistics. It surveys a sample of over eight thousand papers published in twenty-eight Arab peer-reviewed political science journals. The study reveals the marginality of quantitative methods in Arab political science and argues that this condition has a negative impact on the ability of Arab political science to engage effectively and critically with international literature on research topics heavily dominated by the collection and analysis of numerical data, such as political behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the applicability of the averaged chain substitution method for performing dynamic deterministic factor analysis. The averaged chain substitution method is the only universal and accurate method for deterministic factor analysis of multiple factor models and of factor models containing a multiple element. The author’s previous and new mathematical expressions for the quantitative determination of the individual factor influences of the participating factor variables over the variation of their result indicator for all types of deterministic factor models containing up to four factor variables are systematized by types of factor models in tabular form. The purpose of this article is to reveal the applicability and accuracy of the averaged chain substitution method for the needs of dynamic deterministic factor analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our paper we discuss and criticize an idea which is often taken for granted in methodological discourses about mixed methods: namely that social researchers in general and mixed methods researchers in particular have to adopt a specific epistemological paradigm (a set of beliefs which have to be accepted a priori) before they can meaningfully perform research. By examining different versions of this model of paradigm-bound methodology which Yvonna LINCOLN and Egon GUBA had developed between the 1980s and 2010s, we will discuss implications of the notion paradigm and show that several of the paradigms proposed as the basis of research (e.g., positivism or constructivism) are ill-defined, lack coherence and are only superficially related to actual developments in the history of philosophical thought or contemporary epistemological debates. As an alternative to paradigm-bound methodology we will propose that researchers apply methods in an epistemologically informed way by employing epistemological concepts not as immutable givens but as heuristic devices which are used to identify and solve methodological problems. We will exemplify our approach by means of data from our own mixed methods study in which we simultaneously drew on realist and constructivist concepts to foster the understanding of contradictory statistical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem statement. Azerbaijan is making a lot of efforts to reduce the impact of dangerous geological processes on natural geosystems, but they still cause huge damage. To a greater extent, the region of the Greater Caucasus, namely the southern slope, is subject to such processes, where the whole range of dangerous geological processes occurs: earthquake (7-8 b and above), landslides, landslides, screes, mudflows, etc. All of them are large-scale processes in terms of damage - they affect large areas and lead to economic losses. Purpose - to identify the main factors of the formation and spread of landslides in the basin of one of the most mudflow-bearing rivers not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the South Caucasus - the Agsuchay river, identify the conditions for their formation, assess the risk of the territory's susceptibility to landslide processes, as well as ways to prevent and protect. Research method. To assess landslide susceptibility and create maps of the potential development of landslides in the basin of the Agsuchay river we used the Frequency Ratio method (FR). Research results. For minimize damage from landslides on the example of the Agsuchay river basin a detailed study of the factors (hypsometry, slope angles (slope steepness) was carried out by us. Also slope exposure, geological structure (lithology), distance from faults, average annual precipitation, distance to the erosion network, distance to roads and land use) that determine the development of landslide processes with taking into account the mechanism of their development, as well as an analysis of the obtained values of landslide susceptibility and their potential development was studied. In the ArcGIS software environment, using the “Raster Calculator” spatial analysis tool, summing up each landslide factor multiplied by its weights, a map of the landslide susceptibility of the Agsuchay river basin was obtained. In the river basin Agsuchay we identified over 120 landslide areas. Most of the landslides were recorded along the Baskal tectonic cover, the Steppe Plateau, as well as on the slopes of the Langyabiz ridge, and also partially on the slopes of the Nialdag ridge. Conclusion. Using the natural boundary classification method in the ArcGIS software environment, the study area was divided into five landslide potential zones: very low, low, medium, high, and very high. The result of the analysis showed that zones with very low, low, medium, high and very high landslide development potential are: 13.75; 24.48; 31.51; 20.51 and 9.74% of the study area, respectively. Ultimately, the reliability of the obtained models was evaluated using AUC ROC (area under the error curve) analysis, which showed high performance of the method used (82%). Due to the high reliability, the method used can be used to assess the landslide susceptibility not only of the territory of Azerbaijan, but of similar regions of the Alpine-Himalayan belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We categorized and content-analyzed 168 methodological literature reviews published in 42 management and applied psychology journals. First, our categorization uncovered that the majority of published reviews (i.e., 85.10%) belong in three categories (i.e., critical, narrative, and descriptive reviews), which points to opportunities and promising directions for additional types of methodological literature reviews in the future (e.g., meta-analytic and umbrella reviews). Second, our content analysis uncovered implicit features of published methodological literature reviews. Based on the results of our content analysis, we created a checklist of actionable recommendations regarding 10 components to include to enhance a methodological literature review's thoroughness, clarity, and ultimately, usefulness. Third, we describe choices and judgment calls in published reviews and provide detailed explications of exemplars that illustrate how those choices and judgment calls can be made explicit. Overall, our article offers recommendations that are useful for three methodological literature review stakeholder groups: producers (i.e., potential authors), evaluators (i.e., journal editors and reviewers), and users (i.e., substantive researchers interested in learning about a particular methodological issue and individuals tasked with training the next generation of scholars). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Optimum: Journal of Economics & Management Sciences / Ekonomi ve Yönetim Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Optimum: Journal of Economics & Management Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research investigates the link between workplace loneliness and job performance. Integrating the regulatory loop model of loneliness and the affect theory of social exchange, we develop a model of workplace loneliness. We focus on the central role of affiliation in explaining the loneliness–performance relationship, predicting that despite lonelier employees' desire to connect with others, being lonelier is associated with lower job performance because of a lack of affiliation at work. Through a time-lagged field study of 672 employees and their 114 supervisors in two organizations, we find support that greater workplace loneliness is related to lower job performance; the mediators of this relationship are lonelier employees' lower approachability and lesser affective commitment to their organizations. We also examine the moderating roles of the emotional cultures of companionate love and anger, as well as of the loneliness of other coworkers in the work group. Features of this affective affiliative context moderate some of the relationships between loneliness and the mediating variables; we also find support for the full moderated mediation model. This study highlights the importance of recognizing the pernicious power of workplace loneliness over both lonelier employees and their organizations. We offer implications for future research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to monitor supplier performance is a critical capability for maintaining strong buyer-supplier relationships. Monitoring type B suppliers is especially challenging as they are not as clearly defined as either type A, with strong strategic partnerships, or type C, with little partnership. This research develops a non-parametric multivariate Hoteling’s T 2 control chart to capture the in-control state of a dyadic relationship (Phase I), and show how it would be developed based on survey data of buyer-supplier relationship attributes. Modelling the satisfactory level of dyadic relationship performance is very useful for identifying when the relationship begins to move away from the desired state. We then use the designed control chart to monitor the relationship between dyads over time to determine if any unusual behaviour has occurred (Phase II) and illustrate its implementation through a case study from the auto industry. This research illustrates how supply chain managers can secure and improve their supply chain performance by monitoring and maintaining strong relationships with their partners. The proposed method extends the existing SPC tools to effectively manage Type B buyer-supplier relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colour-blindness is a prominent concept across disciplines in the US but is less prominent and still an emerging and under-utilised conceptual tool in the European and Swedish context. Existing research measures colour-blind attitudes – defined as the belief that race does not matter. In this paper we examine what happens when we translate these US measurements and understandings of colour-blind attitudes to the Swedish context? We present the results from two quantitative studies conducted between 2009 and 2020 in Sweden. Based on these results, we discuss the possibilities, limitations, and implications of replicating the theoretical concepts from the US in the Swedish context and propose possibilities for measuring colour-blindness quantitatively. The paper thereby not only contributes to the theoretical and methodological discussion on understanding colour-blind attitudes in the European context but also highlights the prominence of colour-blind racial attitudes in Sweden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the measurement model of the Tokophobia Severity Scale and consider issues of statistical power and sample size from the original instrument development study. Fear of childbirth (FoC) and tokophobia represents an area of increasing concern within perinatal mental health research and clinical practice. Existing measures of the FoC have been criticised due to either measurement inconsistencies, difficulties in scoring or practical clinical application. Attempting to address these limitations, researchers developed the Tokophobia Severity Scale (TSS). A fundamental assumption underpinning the use of the TSS is unidimensionality, however this assertion may have been based on sub-optimal sample size and approach taken to factor structure determination. Parallel analysis (PA), principal components analysis (PCA), exploratory factor analysis (EFA), power analysis and sample size calculation using a reconstruction of the original dataset from published summary data. Following replication of the original PCA, a three-factor model was found to offer a significantly better fit to data than a unidimensional model. Power analysis suggested the original study was underpowered. The TSS remains a promising tool but assumptions regarding its measurement model are based on an inadequate sample size. Sample sizes for a sufficiently powered study indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic activity occurs in a changing and globalized environment. Thus, business decisions that are made in a competitive context and with asymmetric information are based, mainly, on quantitative elements that, based on decision models, allow information to be obtained that facilitate the optimization of these decisions. This study aims to analyse scientific production and research trends on decision-making based on quantitative methods. For this, bibliometric techniques were applied to a sample of 1,143 articles from the 1967-2019 period obtained from the Scopus database. The VOSviewer software tool was used to build and visualize bibliometric networks. The purpose was to recognize the disciplines and the evolution of these areas of interest, in addition to identifying the networks by co-authorship of the main authors, research institutions and countries, and the network of keywords by co-occurrence, through the application of visualization techniques. The interest of this field of research in the research community is verified, with optimal rates of publication and collaboration among its driving agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using five years of publishing data from the Journal of Higher Education, we describe the publication pipeline at the journal, explore trends with respect to topic, the geographic distribution of authors, and each paper's methodological approach. Following the presentation of these trends, we discuss implications for the field of higher education and those publishing within it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growth of third sector research, the field needs more dedicated discussion on how we study the third sector, not only the decisions in research design or data collection process but also the general research approaches and the way we analyze the data. In this introduction to the special issue of Voluntas Volume I, we discuss how the sector can foster a more inclusive and diverse research community for people, topics, and methods. We also discuss the implications of methodological pluralism, an organizing principle of a research community that fosters respect, appreciation, and empathy between its members. We conclude by calling for more empathetic, transparent, and accountable research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Content analysis (CA) is one of the main qualitative data analysis techniques in life sciences and humanities and for decades has been improved aiming to increase its scientific rigor. To verify the Brazilian scientific literature, we present a scientometric review of 3,484 articles that use CA, published between 2002-19 in SciELO Brazil. We conducted a cocitation network analysis and bibliographic coupling through the VOSviewer, and also an evaluation of the most frequent references. The college of life sciences appears in first place in the use of the technique, followed by the college of humanities. The results showed a predominance of Bardin's manual in all academic fields and years observed, corroborating previous findings on an unprecedented scale. The concentration observed is evidence of a pronounced mismatch between the improvement of the specialized literature and its use by the Brazilian scientific community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the many robust quantitative data sets that include information on attitudes and behaviors related to intimate partner violence (IPV), and in an effort to expand the evidence base around social norms and IPV, many researchers construct proxy measures of norms within and across groups embedded in the data. While this strategy has become increasingly popular, there is no standardized approach for assessing and constructing these norm proxies, and no review of these approaches has been undertaken to date. This study presents the results of a systematic review of methods used to construct quantitative proxy measures for social norms related to IPV. PubMed, Embase, Popline, and Scopus, and PsycINFO were searched using Boolean search techniques. Inclusion criteria comprised studies published since 2000 in English that either (i) examined a norm proxy related to gender or IPV or (ii) analyzed the relationship between a norm proxy and perpetration of, experiences of, or attitudes toward IPV. Studies that employed qualitative methods or that elicited direct measures of descriptive or injunctive norms were not included. Twenty-six studies were eligible for review. Evidence from this review highlights inconsistencies in how proxies are constructed, how they are assessed to ensure valid representation of norms, and how researchers acknowledge their respective method's limitations. Key processes and reflections employed by some of the studies are identified and recommended for future research inquiries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qualitative research and more specifically a hermeneutic approach to interpreting communications in L2 classes has much to contribute to the accumulation of psychological knowledge about L2 learners. The modern social hermeneutic approach helps to address questions that are quite relevant for explaining contemporary developments in L2 educational strategies and policy-making. It can be used alone or in combination with quantitative methods of data analysis to analyze how certain psychological variables (cognitive factors, affective factors, and personality traits) emerge from the social interactions that occur within the ecologically situated nature of classroom language learning. The purpose of this conceptual review is to provide an introductory overview of the hermeneutic approach and discuss how it can be effectively used in L2 studies to explore the emergence, development, and causal mechanisms underlying the psychological variables in the interactive context of L2 classes. Also, suggestions will be explained with respect to the contributions of the method to L2 psychology, educational psychology, and second language acquisition domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cumulative victimization represents the summation of victimization experiences across multiple contexts, with greater accumulation generally predicting greater dysfunction than less accumulation of exposures. Past research has indicated that cumulative victimization predicts increased risk for future revictimization also. The dual systems model may help to understand this relationship. This framework comprises constructs of sensation-seeking and impulse control in developmental context. Deviant peer association may provide a social factor that helps to understand this relationship. Victimization has been found to influence all of these constructs identified here. It is predicted that increased accumulation of victimization experiences may drive variation in these constructs that results in elevated risk for revictimization. This study sought to test the theory that each of these three constructs independently mediated the cumulative victimization–revictimization relationship. The Pathways to Desistance data were used in analyses. This sample was comprised of 1,354 juvenile offenders followed for 7 years after a recent adjudication prior to baseline measurements. The first three waves of data were used in analyses. Generalized structural equation modeling was used to test for the relationships of interest. A bootstrapping process of computing standard errors was carried out to determine significance of mediation effects. Results indicated that increased cumulative victimization scores at baseline predicted increased probability of experiencing victimization at Wave 3. This relationship was attenuated by about 15% when all mediators were added to the model and the relationship remained significant. Further analyses indicated that the specific indirect effect running through deviant peer association was significant, as was the total indirect effect. Findings indicate that increases in cumulative victimization may result in increased affiliation with deviant peers that further increases their future victimization risk. Service providers for survivors of violence should focus on screening of social relationships of those they provide care for in order to assess safety concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Weight gain is a risk factor for poor clinical outcomes following kidney transplantation. Research Question: This study's aim was a first testing of 2 models to identify patients early after kidney transplantation who are at risk for weight gain and increase in adipose tissue mass in the first year after kidney transplantation. Design: The literature-based models were evaluated on longitudinal data of 88, respectively 79 kidney transplant recipients via ordinary and Firth regression, using gains ≥ 5% in weight and adipose tissue mass respectively as primary and secondary endpoints. Results: The models included physical activity, smoking cessation at time of kidney transplantation, self-reported health status, depressive symptomatology, gender, age, education, baseline body mass index and baseline trunk fat as predictors. Area under the curve was 0.797 (95%-CI 0.702 to 0.893) for the weight model and 0.767 (95%-CI 0.656 to 0.878) for the adipose tissue mass model—showing good, respectively fair discriminative ability. For weight gain ≥ 5%, main risk factors were smoking cessation at time of transplantation (OR 16.425, 95%-CI 1.737-155.288) and better self-reported baseline health state (OR 1.068 for each 1-unit increase, 95%-CI 1.012-1.128). For the adipose tissue mass gain ≥ 5%, main risk factor was overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25) at baseline (odds ratio 7.659, 95%-CI 1.789-32.789). Conclusions: The models have potential to assess patients' risk for weight or adipose tissue mass gain during the year after transplantation, but further testing is needed before implementation in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite strong public support, organ donor registration rates (RR) continue to lag while need only grows. In the United States, the traditional registration site is the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), however Primary care provider (PCP) offices have been considered as alternate locations for increasing RR. Methods: Twelve PCP offices across 2 New York Counties were subjected to a control week where participants received only a registration opportunity and an intervention week with the addition of a motivational poster and informational brochure. Zip code level sociodemographic data were obtained for each site. RR from the DMV over the same period served as historical control. Results: There were 1292 participants in the control phase and 1099 in the experimental phase. New registration rate for the control was 33.8% (289/897); experimental phase 7.88% (61/769); DMV registration 21.02% (1902/9050). The intervention was associated with a significant decrease in registrations (OR 0.181 (95% CI 0.135-0.244, P < 0.001)). Offices were clustered based on sociodemographic factors and regressed in 2 clusters. Lower educational attainment was associated with lower registration in the first but not second cluster (OR = 0.948 (0.923-0.974, P < 0.001)). Conclusions: This study provided evidence that PCP offices were a feasible site for organ donor registration and calls into question the efficacy of written materials-only interventions for increasing organ donor RR. It reiterated the negative effect of lower educational attainment on registration and suggested future studies focus on more active methods of engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Donation after circulatory death (DCD) is rapidly increasing in the United States. Detailed data outlining the process from referral to organ transplantation is lacking. Project Aims: We sought to quantify differences at each stage along the referral to donation pathway by donor type. Additionally, we examined factors associated with successful DCD organ utilization. Design: This program evaluation analyzed data from a single organ procurement organization in 2018 to assess demographic and clinical predictors of progression through the donation process, including the role of first-person authorization in DCD. Descriptive statistics were examined by donation stage for demographic characteristics using chi-square; univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to model predictors of utilization and authorization by organ type, respectively. Results: There were 2466 organ donation referrals during 2018, including 575 donations after brainstem death (DBD), 1890 controlled DCD referrals, and 1 uncontrolled DCD referral. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models highlighted differences in authorization rates by donor type (DCD vs DBD) and by age, race, and ethnicity. Next-of-kin authorization was declined in 23% of first-person authorized potential DCD, highlighting issues related to the role of donor registration in DCD. Pre-mortem heparin administration was predictive of DCD organ utilization; donor age and warm ischemia time of less than 30 min was statistically significantly associated with DCD extra-renal organ utilization. Conclusion: These results provided insight into strategies for increasing authorization and transplantation of organs from DCD donors and identified areas of improvement for process standardization and policy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The growing practice of living liver donation requires comprehensive understanding of the financial implications for living liver donors. While obtaining and maintaining insurance is important to financial health, little is known about the impact of liver donation on future insurability. Research Questions: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the donors' experiences with insurance following donation and identify the insurance provider-driven factors that contribute to donor insurability. Design: A two center cohort of living donors with donation between January 2000 and December 2018 (N = 442) were surveyed about postdonation insurance experiences. To understand insurance provider practices towards liver donors, life (n = 11) and disability (n = 4) insurance underwriters were asked to provide policy quotes for a standardized living liver donor profile. Results: Responses (N = 101) were received by August 2020 (response rate = 22.9%). Living liver donors reported owning life (58%), disability (35%), and medical (87%) insurance at rates comparable to the general population with low proportions reporting difficulty obtaining these insurance types (9%, 9%, 4%, respectively). Post-donation life insurance ownership was associated with post-donation employment (P = 0.01). Underwriter responses indicate life and disability insurability were adversely affected up to 12 months following donation. Conclusions: Living liver donors did not have difficulty maintaining insurance in the long-term but should be counseled to purchase insurance prior to surgery as short-term insurability may be affected. Perception of difficulty obtaining insurance following donation remains of significant concern among living donors. Further collaboration between the transplant community and insurance companies is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The North Carolina Community Research Partnership developed, implemented, and tested weCare, a 12-month bilingual mHealth social media intervention designed to reduce missed HIV care appointments and increase viral suppression among racially/ethnically diverse gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender women living with HIV by harnessing established social media platforms (i.e., Facebook, texting, and dating apps). Methods: We randomized 198 GBMSM and transgender women (mean age = 26) living with HIV to the weCare intervention (n = 100) or usual-care (n = 98) group. Inclusion criteria included being newly diagnosed or not in care. Participants completed structured assessments at baseline and 6-month postintervention follow-up (18 months after baseline data collection). HIV care appointment and viral load data were abstracted from each participant's electronic health record at baseline and follow-up. Follow-up retention was 85.5%. Results: Among participants, 94% self-identified as cisgender men, 6% as transgender, 64% as African American/Black, and 13% as Latine. Participants in both groups significantly reduced missed HIV care appointments and increased viral suppression at follow-up compared with baseline. However, there were no significant differences between weCare and usual-care participants for either outcome at follow-up. Conclusions: An intervention effect was not identified for our two primary outcomes. Several factors may have influenced the lack of significant differences between weCare and usual-care participants at follow-up, including intervention implementation (e.g., staffing changes and lack of fidelity to the intervention as originally designed by the partnership), data collection (e.g., data collection time points and retention strategies), and clinical (e.g., contamination) factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the proposition that misinformation about the therapeutic potential of nicotine to prevent or treat COVID-19 may lead to relapse among attempted e-cigarette quitters. A sample of N = 507 e-cigarette ever-users who reported at least one quit attempt in the past year were surveyed in June of 2021 for recall and belief in several claims about COVID-19 and nicotine. Participants who recalled and believed at least one misinformation claim were significantly more likely to have relapsed than those who did not recall or believe such claims. These differences remained robust to regression analysis adding demographic covariates and accounting for continuous measurement of recall and belief. Misinformation about e-cigarette use is reaching young adult e-cigarette users who are trying to quit. The implications of these findings merit further research to characterize potential barriers to successful e-cigarette cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]