bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dignity in the Work Lives of Clinical Nurses
Authors:   , Lawless Jane Alison 
Published: November 2021

<p>This descriptive study examines how clinical nurses understand, experience, and sustain dignity in their work lives. Nursing has embedded dignity, particularly the dignity of others, as a core professional value. However, while the practice of nursing is deeply concerned with the achievement of patient dignity, dignity as a self-regarding professional right is not well articulated. Hodson's (2001) model for dignity at work provided a lens through which to examine the relevant nursing literature. It was revealed that the dignity of nurses as an intrinsic human and worker right has received little explicit attention, and that the significance of this is possibly not sufficiently well understood. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to further investigate the area of nurse dignity. Seven nurses were recruited to participate in facilitated workshops to explore the research question, 'How do clinical nurses understand, experience, and sustain dignity in their work lives'? The data were analysed using directed content analysis and presented as a descriptive summary. Dignity, for the participants, was strongly associated with the worth, value, and meaning that nurses attach to their profession, to the work that they do, and to themselves personally. This was shown to be central to their understanding, experience, and achievement of dignity in their work lives. Each encounter, each moment, was seen to be invested with the potential to maintain, affirm, erode or infringe personal dignity. The nurses perceived nursing to be a meaningful, worthwhile endeavour, but frequently struggled to extract a sense of dignity when working in environments that they perceived as not supporting their agenda of care. Being seen as a respected professional, enjoying daily positive interactions with colleagues and being successful in the act of nursing, had the strongest association with the ability to extract worth, value, and meaning from the work experience. The absence of a perception of the participants' need to regard managerial colleagues was an unexpected finding. It was concluded that dignity should be pursued as a right in any context including the work context of nurses, both as a moral and pragmatic imperative. It is suggested that the current dominant approach that interests itself in the needs of nurses primarily as a means to achieving health care outcomes for patients may be neglecting an important dimension. Future inquiry into the area of nurse dignity should begin from the premise that to understand the meaning that nurses attach to dignity, one first has to understand the meaning that nurses attach to nursing, and in particular the nature of the social compact that nursing holds with society.</p>
Strategic Sustainability:the Case of the New Zealand Energy Sector
Authors:   , Kramer Sebastian 
Published: November 2021

<p>This thesis takes an in-depth look at the current sustainability practices of two specific energy companies in the New Zealand energy sector to develop a framework for how they might strategically implement sustainable practices. This is done through investigating and subsequently comparing New Zealand's and Germany's sustainability practices at both government and corporate level in order to draw conclusions on how New Zealand could improve in both sectors. In addition to the framework this thesis aims to clearly outline the difficulties companies might encounter when implementing sustainable practices, and the potential payoff they can expect from it. This thesis used a multiple case-study approach in combination with a comparative study to highlight the differences between each country's government and corporate approaches to sustainability. A framework of how to best integrate sustainability into corporations was developed using an extensive literature review of sustainability topics. Interviews were conducted with two New Zealand 'cases' using interviews as the primary means of data collection. In addition to this, extensive secondary data was used for both the New Zealand and German cases as well as for government policies. The findings of this thesis were diverse. The multiple cases-studies found vast differences within the corporations' implementation policies, as well as their intentions behind integrating sustainability practices. The comparative study found notable differences between both governments' sustainability policies, demonstrating a potential to learn from one another's policy implementations. Moreover, the findings illustrated differences between the New Zealand and German energy markets and government policies, and more importantly, how that could restrict each country's potential for sustainable development. The key practical implication of this thesis is that energy companies in New Zealand can employ the developed framework as a guideline on how to integrate sustainability into their companies. Furthermore, companies can use this thesis as a reference list for sustainability issues, as this paper combines many aspects of sustainability. On an academic level this thesis may well offer new insights into sustainable practice on both government and corporate level. This thesis is a valid contribution to the field of sustainability, especially in the context of the New Zealand energy sector. Furthermore, a comparative study between New Zealand and Germany in the context of sustainability on both government and corporate level has not been done before and as such has unique value.</p>
Human Activities and Flood Hazards and Risks in the South West Pacific: a Case Study of the Navua Catchment Area, Fiji Islands
Authors:   , Duaibe Katalaine 
Published: November 2021

<p>Human activity is increasingly becoming a factor contributing to 'disasters' that occur worldwide. As evident in the Asian Tsunami of 2004, the high levels of loss of life and livelihood, and damage to property were largely due to the population density and human development of the physical landscape of the stricken region. The magnitude of natural hazards coupled with the high population density and low levels of development can have disastrous or catastrophic impacts on a nation as a whole, especially in small island states. Furthermore, the lack of governance structures, legislative compliance, and regulatory land use and planning coupled with the perception of risk of the general public, can all contribute to the magnitude of disasters. The flood plains of Navua, a small rural town outside of Fiji's capital and prone to all types of flooding, are explored to determine the extent to which human activities impact on the magnitude of flooding and flood damage. Human activities such as land degradation, deforestation of catchment areas, increased population density along the Navua riverbanks inadequate land use planning, zoning, and control of flood plain development; and inadequate drainage, and management of discharges are examined when determining the factors that have contributed to the increased incidence of flooding of the past 100 years until 2004. The evolution of different governmental approaches to hazard and risk management in Fiji is also explored. It is observed that while considerable progress has been made to address the factors causing high risk, there is still an emphasis on hazard mitigation rather than risk reduction. A model framework for flood risk management is referred to, where the elements at risk are the land-use characteristics of the Navua Catchment. As such, part of the treatment of risks is seen as requiring adequate risk management standards that fit into the broader 'all-hazards management' approach adopted by the Pacific Island Nations including Fiji.</p>
The Foundations for a General Theory of General Purpose Financial Reporting for Business
Authors:   , Sutton David 
Published: November 2021

<p>Accounting standards setters have progressively moved towards decision-useful, investor-focused fair value accounting standards for general purpose financial reporting (GPFR). With some qualification, the case is made that this development is positive for accounting as a discipline. This paper develops a referent theory of accounting to contextualize standards setters' implicit direction, derived from existing research and literature. A central element in the development of this theory is the case made for 'investor-as-GPFR user'. Against this, stakeholder theory and positive accounting theory will be identified as confounding influences on the development of a general theory of accounting. The argument is for the investor, both current and potential, as the sole legitimate user of GPFR. The practical implications of the theory are considered against the prevailing debate over optimal accounting valuation method; the debate between fair value measurement and historical cost. The case is made that a number of ostensible dichotomies in accounting thought, such as between relevance and accountability, are substantially reconcilable. The mutual exclusivity often implied of accounting information relevance and accountability-cum-reliability is rejected. The development of a general theory of accounting is timely as such a referent theory is necessary to legitimize standards setting and secure accounting's place in an increasingly diverse financial information market. Inferentially, trends in the evolution of fair value standards reflect the dominant concern to meet threats to the discipline as a whole; this standard setting trend qualified in speed and degree by the narrow interests of 'constituents'.</p>
Stargazers' Anonymous: an Examination of Amateur Astronomy in New Zealand
Authors:   , Howe Brian 
Published: November 2021

<p>In this examination of amateur astronomy in New Zealand, I suggest that astronomical science can be a medium through which adherents attempt to enact social transformation. Contemporary studies of leisure often emphasise the individualistic nature of leisure activity, with social interaction framed as a means to support the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of participants. However, while amateur astronomers do engage in 'serious leisure' (Stebbins, 1979, 1992), I suggest their extended roles as educators and liaisons for professional counterparts push their endeavour beyond mere participation and into wider territories of public engagement and scientific discourse. Following analysis by Ruonavaara (1997), Rojek (1985, 2000), MacCannell (1976), Urry (1990) and Turner (1969), I argue that the New Zealand astronomical community's' proclivity for education operates as a forum for constructing recursive and normative action, in which ideologies congruent with scientific rationalism are disseminated through a form of moral regulation. Commencing with a discussion of the structure of New Zealand's astronomical community, I examine how informants' narratives and attitudes to contributive participation manifest in demonstrative actions that provide idealised templates for behaviour. Secondly, I discuss astronomy and public education, and how astronomical society volunteers utilise visitors' expectations of authenticity and perceptions of nature to formulate strategies for social change. Finally, I investigate the role and purpose of other astronomyrelated ventures, including Carterton's Stonehenge Aotearoa, culminating in a discussion concerning issues of knowledge, science and postmodernist deconstructionism.</p>
Governance and Vulnerability in Small Island States
Authors:   , Hussain Ahmed Shukry 
Published: November 2021

<p>In general, communities in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are socioeconomically and environmentally vulnerable due to their geographical and ecological conditions. Small archipelagic states are even more vulnerable in terms of natural and human-induced disasters because of their fragmentation, isolation and smallness. Good governance is a vital precondition to reduce the vulnerability of these states. This study examines these two correlated phenomena, governance and vulnerability, their inter-related implications and complications, and the role of governance in reducing vulnerability of SIDS and their island communities. It also proposes some practical remedies for the challenges of these communities. Qualitative research using multiple methods, secondary data collection, informal semi-structured interviews, open-ended discussions, informal conversational interviews and direct observations, was carried out through case studies of two archipelagos, the republics of Maldives and Vanuatu. In addition, the New Zealand local government model with a focus on Bay of Plenty Region was also studied in order to seek policy models and best practices from a developed state. The field inquiry revealed that an effective local governance system is vitally important to address socio-economic and environmental vulnerability of these archipelagic communities. Neither a rigid centralised system, like the Maldives, nor a decentralised system, as in the case of Vanuatu, was found to be appropriate and effective unless certain functions are delegated and local authorities are made selfreliant, financially and functionally self-sufficient and aware of their responsibilities through education, while community members are empowered by providing more socio-economic opportunities. Based on the research findings, the thesis highlights four key causes of increasing vulnerability in these communities: absence of a reliable outreach mechanism for emergency management, lack of a strong local governance system, scarcity of socioeconomic resources and opportunities, and inadequate socio-economic infrastructures. The thesis suggests possible ways forward by proposing a four tier cluster approach with a decentralised emergency management system and local governance model. The transient vulnerability (natural or weather related disasters) of these archipelagic communities cannot be addressed unless their chronic vulnerability, lack of socio-economic opportunities, is addressed through sound local governance.</p>
Astuciosa revanche (Lei do talião)
Authors: Drumond Josina Nunes 
Published: November 2021

Em uma cidadezinha interiorana, havia um juiz chamado Alfredo Pedruzzi, admirado pelo dom pacificador. Tinha fama de apaziguar qualquer pendenga. Era chamado para resolver todas as arrelias da região, até mesmo para apartar briga de casal. Homem sensato e ponderado era muito respeitado por todos. Resolvia facilmente qualquer encrenca judicial em sua circunscrição, de modo a satisfazer plenamente as partes conflitantes em qualquer tipo de litígio.
Uncertainty Analysis of Regional Rainfall Frequency Estimates in Northeast India
Authors: Debbarma Nilotpal , Choudhury Parthasarathi , Roy Parthajit , Agarwal Shivam 
Published: November 2021

Estimation of rainfall quantile is an important step in regional frequency analysis for planning and design of any water resources project. Related evaluations of accuracy and uncertainty help to further assist in enhancing the reliability of design estimates. In this study, therefore, we investigate the accuracy and uncertainty of regional frequency analysis of extreme rainfall computed from genetic algorithm-based clustering. Uncertainty assessment is explored with prediction of quantiles with a new spatial Information Transfer Index (ITI) and Monte Carlo simulation framework. And, accuracy assessment is done with the comparison of regional growth curves to at-site analysis for each homogenous region. Further, uncertainty assessment with the ITI method is compared with Maximum Likelihood estimation (MLE) optimized by a genetic algorithm (GA) to check the suitability of the method. Results obtained suggest the ITI-based uncertainty assessment for regional estimates outperformed those of at-site estimates. The MLE-GA method based on at-site estimates was found to be better than at-site estimates based on L-moments, suggesting the former as a better alternative to compare with regional frequency estimates. Moreover, minimal bias and least deviation of the regional growth curve were obtained in the rainfall regions. The confidence intervals of regional estimates were seen to be well within the bounds of normality assumptions. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091762 Full Text: PDF
Urban Planning and Reconstruction of Cities Post-Wars by the Approach of Events and Response Images
Authors: Al-Mosawy Suhad K. , Al-Jaberi Ahmed A. , Alrobaee Tuqa R. , Al-Khafaji Ahmed S. 
Published: November 2021

The research attempts to shed light on how to invest the philosophical and intellectual concept of the event in preparing the development plans for the city. Based on it, there are three strategies to read the event (Explanation, Interpretation, and Deconstruction) that are regularly responded to it with three strategies represented by (Revitilaization, Renewal, and Reform). Through the use of reading and response strategies, and the corresponding planning policies represented by: preservation, rehabilitation, and redevelopment. The research adopted an analytical and descriptive methodology for some world experiences for the eventful cities, such as Warsaw, which reflects (Explanation - Revitilaization) and used preservation, Bilbao, which reflects (Interpretation - Renewal) and used rehabilitation, and Tianjin, which reflects (Deconstruction - Reform) and used redevelopment. In an attempt to benefit from these experiences and derive some indicators for each strategy. By applying the derived indicators to the traditional Mosul city, it concluded that the most appropriate strategy for the reconstruction of this city is the strategy of Explanation – Revitalization, which represents preservation because the destruction of the city was intending to crush the historical and cultural value of the city and destroy the local and national identity. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091763 Full Text: PDF
Effect of Masonry Infill Panels on the Seismic Response of Reinforced Concrete Frame Structures
Authors: Zine Ali , Kadid Abdelkrim , Zatar Abdallah 
Published: November 2021

The present work concerns the numerical investigation of reinforced concrete frame buildings containing masonry infill panel under seismic loading that are widely used even in high seismicity areas. In seismic zones, these frames with masonry infill panels are generally considered as higher earthquake risk buildings. As a result there is a growing need to evaluate their level of seismic performance. The numerical modelling of infilled frames structures is a complex task, as they exhibit highly nonlinear inelastic behaviour, due to the interaction of the masonry infill panel and the surrounding frame. The available modelling approaches for masonry infill can be grouped into two principal types; Micro models and Macro models. A two dimensional model of the structure is used to carry out non-linear static analysis. Beams and columns are modelled as non-linear with lumped plasticity where the hinges are concentrated at both ends of the beams and the columns. This study is based on structures with design and detailing characteristics typical of Algerian construction model. In this regard, a non-linear pushover analysis has been conducted on three considered structures, of two, four and eight stories. Each structure is analysed as a bare frame and with two different infill configurations (totally infilled, and partially infilled). The main results that can be obtained from a pushover analysis are the capacity curves and the distribution of plastic hinges in structures. The addition of infill walls results in an increase in both the rigidity and strength of the structures. The results indicate that the presence of non-structural masonry infills can significantly modify the seismic response of reinforced concrete "frames". The initial rigidity and strength of the fully filled frame are considerably improved and the patterns of the hinges are influenced by structural elements type depending on the dynamic characteristics of the structures. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091764 Full Text: PDF
Trend Analysis of Meteorological Variables: Rainfall and Temperature
Authors: El Kasri Jada , Lahmili Abdelaziz , Soussi Halima , Jaouda Imane , Bentaher Maha 
Published: November 2021

The Souss-Massa region in southwestern Morocco is characterized by a semi-arid climate with high variability in rainfall. Frequent droughts and flash flood events combined with overexploitation of water resources in recent decades have had a significant impact on the human security and the economy which is mainly based on agriculture, tourism and fishery. For better management of extreme events and water resources under changing climatic conditions, a study was carried out to quantify the seasonal and annual variability and trends in rainfall and temperature over the past three decades with data from three stations. Climatological representative of the Souss-Massa region. The Mann-Kendall (MK) non-parametric test and the Sen’s slope are used to estimate the monotonic trend and magnitude of the trend of the variables, respectively. Statistical analysis of the rainfall series data set highlights that the occurrence of rainfall is unpredictable and irregular and the both the seasonal and annual rainfall trend appears negative (downward) for all the three climatological stations. The minimum temperature shows a remarkable increasing trend both on annual and seasonal scale while the maximum temperature registers a slightly increasing trend. The study presents some new insights on rainfall and temperature trends that will have significant impacts on the surface and groundwater resources of the region under changing climatic conditions. The results can help to prioritize new strategies to mitigate the risk of droughts, of floods and to manage water resources to sustain the dependence of agriculture tourism and fishery sectors in the region. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091765 Full Text: PDF
Behavior of RC Wide Beams under Eccentric Loading
Authors: Mahmoud Samer Magdy , Mabrouk Rasha T. S. , Kassem Magdy E. 
Published: November 2021

Wide beams are one of the widely used structural elements in RC buildings due to the many special features that characterize them. The main objective of this research is to investigate the behavior of wide shallow beams under the effect of eccentric loading acting along their cross sections. To achieve that, an experimental program that consisted of seven wide beams was conducted. All beams were loaded using two concentrated loads at their middle third where the main parameters considered were: the magnitude of the load eccentricity, the longitudinal spacing between shear reinforcement, and the arrangement of the longitudinal reinforcement. Following that, a finite element analysis was performed where the analytical model used was first verified using the data from the experimental program. The results from both the experimental and analytical programs were in good agreement. Then, the finite element analysis was extended through a parametric study where other variables were studies such as the compressive strength of concrete, the transverse spacing between stirrups and the longitudinal reinforcement ratio. The results showed that the value of the load eccentricity, spacing between shear reinforcement, the arrangement of the main reinforcement along the beam cross section, and the compressive strength of concrete significantly affected the torsional resistance of shallow wide beams. Conclusions and recommendations are presented which can be useful for future researchers. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091766 Full Text: PDF