34711 research outputs found
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«Und dann ist meine ganze Welt plötzlich farbig geworden» : Identitätsprozesse junger lesbischer und bi Frauen als Tanz zwischen Heteronormativität und lesbischem/bi Selbstbewusstsein
No full textIn dieser Grounded Theory-Studie wurden Identitätsprozesse junger lesbischer/bi Frauen anhand von neun narrativen Interviews mit 15- bis 25-jährigen lesbischen/bi Frauen untersucht. Die in einem Modell dargestellten Identitätsprozesse sind geprägt von den Einflüssen der Heteronormativität, der Auseinandersetzung mit dieser, sowie von einem, durch verschiedene Faktoren und Handlungsstrategien wachsenden, lesbischen/bi Selbstbewusstsein. Die Ergebnisse können dazu beitragen, die Lebensrealitäten lesbischer/bi Frauen besser zu verstehen, ihre Agency zu vergrössern und die Soziale Arbeit queerfreundlicher auszugestalten
Coming of age as a sharp chronological cut – with far-reaching consequences for young adult refugees in Switzerland
No full textBackground: This presentation highlights findings from three recent studies in Switzerland. They explored both experienced transition phases of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers and the quality of care they receive before and during aging out of the childcare system. A key focus is on the factors within current care and transition frameworks that often create insurmountable barriers between childhood support and adult refugee structures. A specific problem in the Swiss context starts early: there exist isolated, parallel child and youth welfare structures for refugee and non-refugee children. This leads to major gaps for young refugees in the professional quality of accommodation and care, education, access to civil society, mental health care and - consequently - in individual preparation for their transitions to adulthood. Several research projects have recently been launched to understand and close these quality gaps.
Methods: These research questions and designs were structured as follows: two research projects (2024) focused on the quality of care in cantonal facilities for unaccompanied minors. And one sub-project, which was part of a national project on child's well-being in asylum proceedings (2025), has reconstructed experienced transitions out of refugee care of young adults. The data basis, which was re-interpreted for this presentation, are 11 single & 5 group interviews with unaccompanied minors 16-17 years from the first two studies, and 5 single interviews with young adults 19 - 22 years from the third one. Problem-centred interviews resp. group-discussions were used as the data collection method and qualitative interview analyses as the analysis method.
Results: On the one hand, the overall findings point to four central barriers within transitions: a) overcrowded and under-cared accommodations and a lack of preparation for the independence during care, with b) hardly any participation and opportunities to complain/Ombudsmen, c) the threat to child protection posed by age assessment, d) a hard cut from inadequate care to unaccompanied and sometimes humiliating adult refugee structures. Although some (semi-)professional transition offers exist, they are uncoordinated, qualitatively heterogeneous, and based on unclear criteria and interests - mostly with focus on employability. Nonetheless, some professional offers represent relevant opportunities if a) the young people's needs are known and they feel that they are taken seriously, b) there is a constant person of trust above the age of majority and c) scopes for action in individual needs can be found and used.
Discussion: A combination of formal, informal and non-formal education seems to be of great importance - with a focus on strengthening participation and self-determination. It is also beneficial if support and accommodation are offered up to the age of 23/25 or if transnational prospects can be planned and evaluated in a binding and participative manner. What is needed is a holistically coordinated professionalization that does not shift the duty of creating the conditions for opportunities to be realized onto the overworked professionals, but instead perceives this as a welfare state’s responsibility. This includes more obligations and standards, cross-case responsibility, promotion of institutional networking, and a relativization of chronological age cuts during sensitive transitions
Physically modified plant oils as alternatives to palm fat : effects on physical and flavour properties of chocolate fillings
No full textPalm and palm kernel oils are extensively utilised in food processing due to their unique properties, such as their semi-solid consistency at room temperature. However, growing environmental and social concerns regarding palm oil production have prompted the industry to seek sustainable alternatives to tropical or hydrogenated fats. This project investigated the use of plant oils and their emulsified and crystallised forms as potential substitutes for palm fat in light and dark chocolate fillings, with an emphasis on single-origin ingredients to align with clean-label trends. The emulsions were assessed for viscosity, firmness, colour, and key flavour and aroma profiles. Results demonstrated that palm fat alternatives performed effectively in dark chocolate fillings, with non-emulsified recipes achieving firmness comparable to palm fat. In contrast, light chocolate fillings exhibited reduced firmness at higher inclusion rates of alternatives, and emulsified products were prone to flocculation. Notably, pure oil formulations delivered promising outcomes at lower inclusion rates, as the firmness could be raised by 22.0%, likely due to vegetable oil and cocoa butter interactions influencing crystal morphology. Substituting palm oil with sunflower oil, either crystallised or emulsified, did not compromise the overall flavour. Future investigations should determine the maximum feasible level of palm fat substitution and investigate the potential of adding higher amounts of waxes and emulsifiers to enhance crystal formation and firmness
Beyond digital literacy : exploring factors affecting digital performance of university staff
Get PDFDigital literacy is essential but doesn’t guarantee digital performance. Many researchers consider factors such as attitude, cultural environment, or institutional setting in their frameworks when researching digital literacy. Yet, their significance often gets lost in a catalog of required skills and knowledge. Here we develop a model outlining factors influencing university personnel’s digital performance across diverse tasks, and we discuss associated challenges. The model derives from literature and insights from 20 qualitative interviews with academic staff in teaching, research, or consulting roles. Results show that institutional settings and employee empowerment are pivotal in shaping openness to digital tools. Intentions fail due to resource constraints and lack of recognition, leading to limited experience with digital opportunities. Well‐being significantly influences willingness to embrace digital resources amidst the balancing act of anticipating future efficiency against investing time and resources. Maintaining a team atmosphere often results in alignment with the least digitally competent. With appropriate conditions, time resources, and support, staff could efficiently utilize digital resources, even with only basic skills, which fosters the integration of all workforces. We argue for comprehensive assessments of university employees’ digital performances, considering context and holistic aspects beyond personal skills and knowledge. Our model encompasses digital literacy, openness to digital developments, digital culture, primary conditions, services/empowerment offerings, and mindfulness
Beurteilung der ökologischen Qualität von urbanen Grünflächen mit Wildbienen als Indikatortiere : eine Untersuchung von Grünflächen der Stadt St. Gallen
No full textDer urbane Raum besitzt ein enorm grosses Potenzial, der Flora und Fauna wertvolle Lebensräume zu bieten. Künftig wird dieses an Bedeutung und Wichtigkeit gewinnen. Grünflächen von hoher Qualität tragen dabei direkt zur Erhaltung und Förderung der Biodiversität bei. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die ökologische Qualität von urbanen Grünflächen zu bewerten und in geeigneter Form darzustellen. Es soll untersucht werden, ob Wildbienen als Indikatortiere dafür eingesetzt werden können. Das Untersuchungsgebiet umfasste sechs öffentliche bis halböffentliche Grünflächen der Stadt St. Gallen in der Ostschweiz. Während des Zeitfensters von April bis August wurden diese Grünflächen jeweils fünfmal während 45 Minuten mit der «zigzagging» Methode als quantitative Bestandserhebung kartiert. Diese Erhebung sollte zusätzliche Daten über die ökologischen Eigenschaften und den Gefährdungsgrad der Arten liefern. Insgesamt konnten 268 Individuen aus 57 verschiedenen Arten und 15 Gattungen gefunden werden. Davon wurden 26 Arten erstmals in der Stadt St. Gallen nachgewiesen. Die häufigste Art war Bombus pascuorum, die häufigste Gattung Lasioglossum mit 75 Individuen aus 7 Arten. Die Individuenzahl stieg im fortschreitendem Saisonverlauf zunehmend bis im 4. Zeitfenster der Peak mit 71 Individuen erreicht wurde und eine Abnahme einsetzte. Die Veränderung der Artenzahl verlief flacher und erreichte mit 28 Arten bereits im 3. Zeitfenster ihr Maximum. 21 Arten wiesen ein endogäisches Nistverhalten auf, 23 ein hypogäisches und 4 könnten beide Verhalten aufweisen. Zusätzlich konnten neun parasitäre Arten nachgewiesen werden. 11 Arten zeigten ein oligolektisches und 37 Arten ein polylektisches Pollensammelverhalten auf. Von der potenziell gefährdeten Art Anthophora quadrimaculata wurden zwei Individuen gefunden. Um die Ergebnisse der Wildbienenkartierung in Bezug zur ökologischen Qualität der Grünflächen setzten zu können, wurde ein Teil dieser Ergebnisse zu qualitativen und quantitativen Kriterien umgewandelt. Diese können in Form eines Kriterienkatalogs auf jegliche Grünflächen angewendet und bewertet werden. Die Verwendung eines solchen Kriterienkatalogs im Zusammenspiel mit Indikatortieren wird diskutiert und trotz einiger Schwächen als erfolgreich eingestuft. Abschliessend wird auf Basis der Recherchen und Resultate eine kurze Empfehlung für die Stadtplanung zur Gestaltung und Pflege von Grünflächen gegeben. Mit der vorliegenden Arbeit soll die Wichtigkeit von Grünflächen und ihrer ökologischen Qualität im urbanen Raum unterstrichen werden.Urban areas have enormous potential to provide valuable habitats for flora and fauna. This will become increasingly significant and important in the future. High-quality green spaces contribute directly to the preservation and support of the biodiversity. The aim of this work is to evaluate the ecological quality of urban green spaces and to present it in a suitable form. It is to be investigated whether wild bees can be used as indicator animals for this purpose. The study area consisted of six public to semi-public green spaces in the city of St. Gallen in eastern Switzerland. During the time window from April to August, these green spaces were mapped five times for 45 minutes each, using the “zigzagging” method as a quantitative population survey. This survey was intended to provide additional data on the ecological characteristics and degree of endangerment of the species. A total of 268 individuals from 57 different species and 15 genera were found. Of these, 26 species were recorded for the first time in the city of St. Gallen. The most common species was Bombus pascuorum, the most common genus was Lasioglossum with 75 individuals from 7 species. The number of individuals increased as the season progressed until the peak of 71 individuals was reached in the 4th time window and a decline set in. The change in the number of species was flatter and reached its maximum of 28 species in the 3rd time window. 21 species exhibited endogeic nesting behavior, 23 hypogeic and 4 can exhibit both behaviours. In addition, nine parasitic species were detected. 11 species exhibited oligolectic and 37 species polylectic pollen collecting behaviour. Two individuals of the potentially endangered species Anthophora quadrimaculata were found. In order to be able to relate the results of the wild bee mapping to the ecological quality of the green spaces, some of the results were transformed into qualitative and quantitative criteria. These can be applied to any green space and evaluated in the form of a criteria catalogue. The use of such a criteria catalogue in conjunction with indicator animals is discussed and, despite some weaknesses, is classified as successful. Finally, based on the research and results, a brief recommendation for urban planning is given for the design and maintenance of green spaces. The aim of this study is to emphasize the importance of green spaces and their ecological quality in urban areas
Mental capabilities, heterogeneous trading behaviour and performance in an experimental asset market
No full textWe study how variations in two mental capabilities – analytical capability (quantitative reasoning) and mentalizing (assessing others’ behaviour) – drive heterogeneity in evaluations of identical information about an asset’s fundamental value and past prices. Our mental framework aligns with regularities observed in experimental asset markets, providing a cognitive basis for heterogeneous trading behaviour. Applied to an experimental market, it predicts that trading, performance and bubble-crash patterns depend crucially on mental capability differences. Traders proficient in both capabilities succeed most, while performance otherwise is non-monotonically in capabilities. Experimental results support these predictions, highlighting the important role of mental capabilities in asset markets
Use and design of peer evaluations for bonus allocations
No full textWe conduct an experiment to investigate the use of peer evaluations for compensation purposes. Although organizations often rely on peer evaluations for incentive compensation, it is not well understood how peer feedback should be used and designed to ensure non‐distorted evaluations and motivate effort provision. We study peer evaluations in form of bonus allocation proposals, thereby enabling a quantifiable test of our hypothesis. We distinguish between discretionary use (i.e., allocation by the manager) and formulaic use (i.e., allocation by the team via the average) of self‐including and self‐excluding proposals. We find that, relative to self‐including proposals, self‐excluding proposals are less distorted, irrespective of use, but lead to more effort provision only under formulaic use. Under discretionary use, the benefits of self‐excluding proposals are offset, as managerial biases enter bonus allocations. In sum, our findings illustrate benefits of delegating bonus allocations to teams through formulaic use of self‐excluding peer evaluations and extend the understanding of how organizations can effectively incorporate peer evaluations into incentive compensation
Mehr als nur bunte Streifen? Kinesiotape als Unterstützung zur aktiven Therapie : inwiefern hat die Verwendung von Kinesiotape in Ergänzung zur aktiven Therapie einen additiven Nutzen auf die Schmerzen und die Activities of Daily Living von Patient:innen mit lateraler Epicondylopathie?
No full textHintergrund: Die laterale Epicondylopathie ist eine häufige Ursache für Ellbogenschmerzen mit einer jährlichen Inzidenz von 1-3%. Die Pathophysiologie ist multifaktoriell, wodurch verschiedene Behandlungsansätze vorhanden sind. Die Anwendung von Kinesiotape, eine in der Praxis verbreitete Behandlungsmethode, wird in der aktuellen Literatur kontrovers diskutiert.
Ziel: Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, eine praxisorientierte Empfehlung zu formulieren, inwiefern Kinesiotape als Ergänzung zur aktiven Therapie bei lateraler Epicondylopathie einen additiven Nutzen für die Schmerzlinderung und Activities of Daily Living bietet.
Methode: Es wurde eine systematische Literaturrecherche in den Datenbanken CINAHL und MEDLINE durchgeführt. Die sechs Hauptstudien wurden anhand von vordefinierten Ein- und Ausschlusskriterien ausgewählt. Die kritische Beurteilung der Studien erfolgte mit dem PEDro-Formular und dem Würdigungsformular von Law et al.
Resultate: Die Verwendung von Kinesiotape zusätzlich zur aktiven Therapie führte in mehreren Studien zu signifikanten Verbesserungen in Bezug auf Schmerzen und Funktionalität. In einigen Studien waren andere Interventionen vergleichbar mit dem Kinesiotape.
Schlussfolgerung: Kinesiotape kann ergänzend zur aktiven Therapie Schmerzen und Activities of Daily Living bei lateraler Epicondylopathie signifikant verbessern. Trotz methodischer Einschränkungen der Studien unterstützt die Evidenz den Einsatz von Kinesiotape als sinnvolle, nicht-invasive Ergänzung innerhalb eines individuell abgestimmten, umfassenden Behandlungsplans. Zukünftige Forschung sollte langfristige Effekte und Wirkungsmechanismen von Kinesiotape gezielter untersuchen.Background: Lateral epicondylopathy is a common cause of elbow pain with an annual incidence of 1-3%. The pathology is multifactorial which causes different treatment approaches. The Kinesiotape is a common treatment with a controversial effect.
Aim: The aim of the present work is to provide a practice-oriented recommendation to which Kinesiotape offers a possible additional benefit in pain relief and Activities of Daily Living in patients with lateral epicondylopathy.
Methods: A systematic search in the databases CINAHL and MEDLINE was made. The six main studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Their critical appraisal was carried out using the Law et al. appraisal and the PEDro form.
Results: Studies showed significant improvement in terms of pain and functionality in use of kinesiotape in addition to active therapy. In some studies, other interventions were comparable to kinesiotape.
Conclusion: Kinesiotape can significantly improve pain and Activities of Daily Living in lateral epicondylopathy in addition to active therapy. Despite methodological limitations of the studies, the evidence supports the use of kinesiotape as a useful, non-invasive adjunct within an individualized, comprehensive treatment plan. Future research should investigate the long-term effects and mechanisms of action of kinesiotape more specifically
Digital transformation of healthcare facility management services
No full textThe ongoing digital disruption is reshaping the healthcare system, including medical and care services, as well as the non-medical supportservices of which facility management (FM) is part of. Digitalizationpresents significant opportunities for FM services to achieve organiza-tional, sustainability, and financial objectives (Redlein and Höhenberger,2020). The advantages of digital FM are well documented in the literature.These include improved cost performance (Huynh and Nguyen-Ky,2020), enhanced building sustainability (Lavikka et al., 2017), betterbuilding performance (Godager et al., 2021), increased productivity, andservice efficiency (Lok et al., 2023), automation of building systems, real-time building condition information, and predictive maintenance (Hakimiet al., 2024). Digital technologies can also enhance occupant experience,safety and security, and workplace productivity and foster collaborationand skills development.
Despite the potential, the FM industry has lagged behind others interms of digital adoption rate, reflected in the low digital maturity levelsas reported by Pedral Sampaio et al. (2023). This situation also applies toFM in healthcare, where significant efforts are required to bridge the cur-rent digital gap. Implementing such digital technologies poses significantchallenges for FM. Especially within healthcare organizations, such ashospitals, a highly complex environment with various stakeholdersrequires careful coordination. Rather than focusing on digital solutionsalone, structural changes and an effective approach to technology adop-tion are essential. This requires a comprehensive understanding of digita-lization and digital transformation that extends beyond the typical scopeof digital FM
