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The deep ancestral origins of key ethnic groups of the Indian subcontinent based on Y-DNA evidence.
No full textThe quest to discover the geographic origins of human populations has been an age-old undertaking for academics. Because written language is a recent development, there are no records of the ancient past. Although archaeologists and anthropologists have made impressive advancements in assessing the past, the record is still incomplete. Several recent studies have used the science of genetics to assess large historical migrations of people and identified the geographic areas they emerged from. But the ancient origins of many smaller ethnic groups of the subcontinent have not been studied in much detail.The main objective of this research was to exploit recent developments in genetics and identify the ancient geographic origins from genetic markers on the Y-DNA phylogenetic tree and published sources. The research project explored the ancient geographical origins of fifty key ethnic groups of the Indian subcontinent, with special attention to the geographic origins of the Jats, which is one of the largest ethnic groups in the subcontinent.The results provided genomic evidence that every ethnic group had representation in more than one haplogroup, indicating multiple geographic origins. Even with their outward differences , the ethnic groups shared common ancestors because of admixture in the past
Empirical evidence for the outcomes of therapeutic video games for adolescents with anxiety disorders: systematic review
No full textBackground: Extant evidence suggests that the proportion of adolescents suffering from anxiety disorders (ADs) has increased by up to 70% since the mid-1980s, with experience of anxiety at this stage associated with significant negative short- and long-term life outcomes. The existing therapeutic interventions (eg, cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT; attention bias modification, ABM) have proven to have clinically measurable benefits in reducing anxiety, but their efficacy is often compromised by social and practical barriers. The growing discrepancy between demand for, and access to, clinical interventions for anxiety has led to the development of a range of eHealth (health care practice supported by electronic processes and communication) and mHealth (versions of eHealth using mobile devices) interventions. One such protocol is therapeutic games, which aim to provide clinical frameworks in dynamic, adaptable, and personalized virtual environments. Although some evidence exists to suggest therapeutic games are associated with reductions in subjective anxiety and observed stress reactivity, there is currently, to our knowledge, no systematic review of the adherence to, and effectiveness of, therapeutic games for adolescent anxiety.Objective: The aim of this review was to establish the effectiveness of therapeutic games in making clinically measurable reductions in anxiety symptoms in adolescent samples.Methods: A systematic search of the existing academic literature published between 1990 and July 2017 was conducted using the databases Journal of Medical Internet Research, Journal Storage, Psychology Articles, Psychology Info, ScienceDIRECT, and Scopus. Records linked to empirical papers on therapeutic games for anxiety using adolescent samples were evaluated.Results: A total of 5 studies (N=410 participants) met the inclusion criteria, and 3 gamified anxiety interventions for adolescents were identified. The papers included a mixture of randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and usability studies comprising quantitative and qualitative measures, with varying degrees of mixed methods. Extant evidence shows potential for therapeutic games to create clinically measurable reductions in symptoms of anxiety in adolescent samples, though findings are complicated in some cases by a low sample size, and in other cases by research design and methodological complications, including anxiety reductions in control groups caused by a control-game selection.Conclusions: Although research in this field appears to be extremely limited, as demonstrated by the small number of papers meeting the inclusion criteria for this review, early findings suggest that therapeutic games have potential in helping to engage adolescents with anxiety and lead to clinically measurable reductions in symptoms
An exploratory study on corporate reputation practices and challenges in the UK banks : a comparative study between Islamic and conventional banks.
No full textThis study aims to investigate the concept of corporate reputation through the current practices of Islamic and conventional banks in the UK and to indentify to what extent Islamic banks adhere to the principles of Islamic banking and finance in light of the corporate reputation. In that attempt, the research investigates the concept of corporate reputation including the measurement scales as well as the theories related to the concept. In addition, the research moves beyond and further explores determinants of corporate reputation from the Islamic finance perspective which are derived from the overall objectives (maqasid al Shari'ah). Through the stakeholder theory, the research utilises pre-existing reputation measurement scales to investigate the social dimensions of sampled Islamic and conventional banks in the UK.In conducting the research, the study brings together the set of primary data from the internal and external stakeholder groups. Questionnaire survey was administered to the external stakeholders where 205 valid responses were obtained and further analysed. In addition, a number of semi-structured interviews were conducted with the senior managers and Shari'ah board member in order to verify the findings obtained through the questionnaire surveys. The findings indicate that the perceptions of the Muslim customers toward their banks, both Islamic and conventional, are somewhat similar. However, some of the dimensions such as trust and emotional appeal, were found to be higher with the customers of Islamic banks. The findings reveal that a very small proportion of the targeted sample population were sole customers of Islamic banks, however, they showed a lot more passion and positive regards toward their banks. Corporate social responsibility, as one of the dimensions of corporate reputation, is found to be lacking from Islamic banks and they were seen as not engaged in CSR activities as much as their conventional counterparts, mainly due to their limited capital. In addition, it was also found that the majority of respondents believed that the existence of Islamic banks is CSR activity itself. The results also indicate that the corporate culture seems to be stronger at Islamic banks and the bond between customers and employees is very strong where customers feel more valued and appreciated than those respondents from the conventional banks.In terms of further investigating the determining factors of corporate reputation, its monitoring and measurement, the study indicates that Islamic banks, in comparison to conventional banks, are enjoying higher level of trust. However, relatively small number of customers of Islamic banks is due to its technological limitations which are not as developed as in conventional banks. This has been found as one of the important aspects to which Islamic banks need to pay more attention in order to enhance their corporate reputation.This research is useful as it further explores the concept of corporate reputation within the boundaries of Islamic banking and finance and to investigate how corporate reputation may be better understood and examined. It also draws the attention to the executives of Islamic banks to how opinions, beliefs and expectations of their internal and external stakeholders are important in maintaining positive corporate reputation. The research adds value to the relevant body of knowledge as the literature on the concept of corporate reputation from the Islamic finance perspective is very limited
Unveiling the challenges of curbing wildlife crime in Kenya : evaluating the 3Cs solution.
No full textThis is an original thematic research thesis that investigated the causes that lead to the current unprecedented escalation of wildlife crime in Africa that threatens to destroy our global environment by decimating and driving our wildlife which is a global heritage to extinction. The research study which was conducted both in Kenya and in the United Kingdom, has developed unique and distinguishable proposals, methods and recommendations, referred to as the 3Cs solutions, which can be effectively utilized in combating and curbing wildlife crime at a global scale.Nature has provided very delicate and sophisticated ecological systems where all plants and animals have very important roles that they play which keeps this planet Earth’s environment habitable. The realization that the future of this World and the entire human race is greatly linked to these global ecological systems and their biodiversity balance has caused a new global awareness and eagerness to view these eco-systems and the entire global environment as one and to halt destruction of any of these eco-systems taking place anywhere on planet Earth. Wildlife crime is currently the greatest threat to the ecological system and its bio-diversity balance in Africa and by extension to the global environment, as it is destroying an ecological and bio-diversity system of a globally important biome and green belt area south of the Sahara.East, Central and Southern Africa have been identified as the largest source markets that supply illegal wildlife trophies to the consumer markets in the Far East Asia, Western Europe the Middle East and the USA. Yet some of these supply source countries have functioning legal systems that have failed to curb this crime. Kenya is one such country. Kenya was selected for this study because it is the region’s major logistics and trading hub for illegal wildlife crime trophies. Kenya has a functioning Criminal Justice System mandated to combat wildlife crime yet it has badly failed to do so. The three departments within that Criminal Justice System which are mandate to protect wildlife by enforcing wildlife crime laws in Kenya are Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) warders for policing, the Prosecution and the Judiciary.The main purpose of this study was therefore to investigate and understand why a functioning legal system is unable to combat wildlife crime by determining the challenges it faces in curbing this vice.The study focused on wildlife crime committed for commercial export purposes and identified 5 prime species that are targeted for their trophies for illegal export which are the elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and cheetah herein after referred to in this study as the ‘Charismatic Five.The study employed Empirical research methods to conduct the research and to answer the research questions. Qualitative and quantitative research techniques were utilized. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design in order to assist the researcher achieve the objective of the study.Five national parks were selected for the study being the parks where the charismatic 5 wildlife species are abundantly found and therefore the targeted parks by poachers. The population of the study were therefore Kenya Wildlife Service Wardens in the selected national parks, Magistrates and Prosecutors serving in the courts where these parks are located.A peer review of this study’s research tool was first done followed by pilot study carried out at the Nairobi National Park in Kenya, which tested and found the research tool to be suitable, reliable and valid to achieve the overall research objectives. The main survey was conducted in Kenya and took over 4 months for data collection to be completed. Data analysis was done in the United Kingdom.Inferential statistics were used in drawing conclusions. Out of the 156 questionnaires distributed, 152 were completed and returned, representing a 97% response rate due to massive interest shown on the topic by the respondents. The study identified 20 causes and challenges being experienced within the criminal justice system and made recommendations for each challenge that offers the best solution to resolving that challenge.This research study has developed and promulgates some conclusive proposals as its original contributions to knowledge. These contributions are supported by analytical and empirical evidence from this research study and are as follows: Firstly, it challenges the Apocryphal Cause that corruption is the cause of the escalation of wildlife crime. Based on the evidence collected through this research, it can now be categorically and authentically proved that the sudden upward surge of demand in wildlife trophies in the consumers markets of the Far East Countries is the leading cause of escalation of wildlife crime in the source markets like Kenya.Secondly, this study has developed a new concept called ‘The 3Cs’ concept, through which it proposes and offers new methods for combating wildlife crime. The concept is conceptualized and propounded in a pack consisting of The Concept; The 3Cs Test; The 3C’s Model; and, the 3 Cs Application Tool Kit.Overall, it is sincerely hoped that the finding of this research will dominate discussions in the global arena dealing with wildlife crime and contribute tremendously as a solution to this global cause
Potential Impact of Industry 4.0 in Sustainable Food Supply Chain Environment
No full textIntegration of suitable supply chain system with the industry 4.0 in the face of the evolving sustainability consciousness is of paramount importance to engineering and manufacturing industry at large; this is gradually becoming an irresistible option to manage production effectively and with high efficiency in engineering and manufacturing sector. Industry 4.0 also referred to as “smart factory” enables to address issues such as food safety, security, control, perishability, competitive pressure, demand predictions etc. within the food manufacturing aspects. The paper examines the challenges and opportunities towards the advancement of technology and that of industry 4.0 implications towards sustainability and more closely on sustainable food supply chain environments
Towards a strategy to build administrative capacity in light of human development for Qatar National Vision 2030
No full textThis research highlights the important role of administrative and human development in the implementation of Qatar Vision 2030 (QNV 2030) as the country’s strategy for economic diversification and knowledge economy transition. The study examined the context, rationale, and significance of QNV 2030 strategy through comprehensive and well-organized literature review, which yielded indications of weak human capital and weak administrative capacity due to Qatar’s failure in addressing these needs early in its development history. These twin problems have spawned socio-economic and environmental issues that threaten Qatar’s strategic health, a situation raising the key question: What can be done to resolve Qatar’s weak human and administrative capacity in light of its critical impact on Qatar Vision 2030? To address the problem, this research adopted mixed method involving online survey and in depth interviews. The online survey elicited 40 suggestive probing themes supporting the triangulation of results between the two methods and the formulation of in-depth interview questions with key informants. The in-depth interviews distilled 10 notable development themes on: strategic readiness; income, surplus, and liquidity; social overhead capital; intergenerational equity; dynamics of change; government role; population imbalance; education; transformation leadership; and organizational trust. These research results interrelated with the findings of the literature review and on an integral sense, aided the development of multi-modal framework to assess Qatar’s overall strategic readiness. The integration alignment allowed the development of strategic and tactical statements subsequently adapted to the preferred theoretical framework of combined Total Quality Management (TQM) and Balanced Scorecard (BSC) paradigms. The overall results confirmed Qatar’s weak human capital and administrative capacity and revealed Qatar’s low strategic readiness of 53%, a mediocre index triggering questions on Qatar’s capacity to sustain progress as the ongoing oil price slump projects long-term duration. In answer to the key research question, the research concluded by presented recommendations from a national policy perspective and from a TQM-BSC implementation framework. For future research, the Researcher recommended that similar study over an expanded population size, with incremental analysis on: social and environmental aspects of the change agenda; adoption of all-level transformational leadership in inelastic monarchical framework; and context of post transformation retrogressive economic performance
Evaluation of Internet of Things (IoT) and its impacts on Global Supply Chains
No full textThe research study aims to examine and evaluate the impacts of Internet of Things (IoT) on Global Supply Chain environments. The Internet of Things (IoT) phenomenon, being a part of a digital revolution, is currently considered as a quite profitable factor for the industries and the markets worldwide. Adopting and incorporating the latest technologies, increases competitiveness and develops new ways of communication. The IoT pervades and revolutionizes supply chain sector, influencing its management and way of structure. It is proposed that its impact on Supply Chain Management (SCM) is strong and instrumental, promising profits and innovations. The IoT systems are used more by many companies worldwide, which enjoy their benefits: delivery service improvement, financial profits, cost reducing, wastage minimization, equipment monitoring, preventing and retailers and consumer’s alleviation. Although, the researchers are at the preliminary stages of the research study, this paper aims to adopt an in-depth secondary data collection method through conducting a critical literature review within the field. Through investigative understanding, the researchers aim to adopt a detailed case study approach through service based supply chain providers using a mixed research method. The outcomes and findings will further be analyzed to examine the proposed knowledge framework developed within the research. Even though there is a positive approach for the IoT expansibility dominating the public view, there are still some problems and key challenges that should be taken into consideration. The IoT complicated nature brings to light privacy, security and cost issues that should be faced and solved. However, considering its immature face, time will bring opportunities for problem solving and further development
Towards a Sustainable Demand Chain Framework: Successful Product Development Integration and Drivers
No full textThe study seeks to fulfil the ultimate step of the previous researches on demand chain concepts within manufacturing environments, with a specific focus on sustainability criteria. In this case, New Product Development (NPD), Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing act as effective tools towards production of updated products facilitating both business survivability and customer satisfaction. This paper utilizes a brief overview of the literature studies as a knowledge platform and further investigates the case of two German manufacturing companies using a mixed research method. The outcomes and findings will then be analyzed to examine the study hypothesis towards creation of a comprehensive conceptual framework defining interconnections between NPD and Sustainable Demand Chain Management (SDCM) within global manufacturing domain. The novelty of this research is to develop the results of previous stages of this study including comparison of practices within several manufacturing companies in terms of the linkage between SDCM and NPD projects. This will be completed by creation of the main conceptual framework of this study introducing the new concept called sustainable demand-driven product development (SDPD)
Dominant growth of higher manganese silicide film on Si substrate by introducing a Si oxide capping layer
No full textA surfactant free growth method was proposed to get thick MnSi∼1.7 film by exposure of Si(111) substrates to MnCl2 vapor in quartz ampoules. Prior to the growth of silicide film, an amorphous nano SiOx capping layer was introduced on the Si substrate. The capping layer changes the elemental diffusion flux to the reaction interface and facilitates the growth of single phase MnSi∼1.7 film. Optical absorption spectrum demonstrates the existence of a direct band gap∼ 0.78 eV, which agrees well with the theoretical one obtained by density functional theory modeling
Theorizations of Leisure and Voluntarism in Post-First World War Social Reconstruction
No full textDuring the First World War the social and cultural orthodoxies of the late-Victorian and Edwardian era came under severe critical attack and by 1919 there was widespread demand for fundamental social change through post-war social reconstruction. When the government established a Ministry for Reconstruction in 1917, it was emphasized that this was not a rebuilding of society as it had existed, but of moulding a better world from the social and economic conditions that had come into being during the War. The demands of reconstruction embraced several long-standing concerns of social policy, notably housing and health, and it is instructive to recall George Orwell’s description of the War as a heightened moment in an almost continuous crisis. This was particularly true in terms of leisure and voluntary action, in which its effect was to re-energize interest and debate in the meanings of leisure and social work initiated by social philosophers before the War. That there was a need for social renewal was not contested; the question was what type of society should be aimed for. Many critics believed more than an adjustment of the social and cultural values of pre-war society was necessary; as ‘Demos’ expressed it, reconstruction presented an unparalleled opportunity to overhaul national life in accordance with the ideals of a new age. There was a consensual view that the new society should be more democratic and less unequal than pre-war society and many reformers broadly shared the Labour Party’s vision of a new social order of fraternity, co-operation, equality and democratic participation in political power