13 research outputs found
Meta-Analysis of Artificial Intelligence’s Influence on Competitive Dynamics for Small- and Medium-Sized Financial Institutions
No full textArtificial intelligence adoption in financial services presents uncertain implications for competitive dynamics, particularly for smaller institutions. The literature on AI in finance is growing, but there remains a notable absence regarding the impacts on small- and medium-sized financial services firms. We conduct a meta-analysis combining a systematic literature review, sentiment bibliometrics, and network analysis to examine how AI is transforming competition across different firm sizes in the financial sector. Our analysis of 160 publications reveals predominantly positive academic sentiment toward AI in finance (mean positive sentiment 0.725 versus negative 0.586, Cohen’s d = 0.790, p < 0.0001), with anticipatory sentiment increasing significantly over time (β=2.10×10−2,p=0.007). However, network analysis reveals substantial conceptual fragmentation in the research discourse, with a low connectivity coefficient (ϕ=0.125) indicating that the field lacks unified terminology. These findings expose a critical knowledge gap: while scholars increasingly view AI as competitively advantageous, research has not coalesced around coherent models for understanding differential impacts across firm sizes. The absence of size-specific research leaves practitioners and policymakers without clear guidance on how AI adoption affects competitive positioning, particularly for smaller institutions that may face resource constraints or technological barriers. The research fragmentation identified here has direct implications for strategic planning, regulatory approaches, and employment dynamics in financial services
Learning from experience: beginning teachers and mentors in a teacher induction program
No full textSource type: Electronic(1)http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=708694651&Fmt=7&clientId=65345&RQT=309&VName=PQ
Movement patterns of the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) in four fragmented landscapes of Prince Edward Island, Canada
No full textThe analysis of animal movement patterns can provide important information on animals’ responses to habitat features. In this study, the movement paths of eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) were examined in four landscapes, with different levels of habitat fragmentation, using either fluorescent powdering or spool-and-line tracking. Descriptions of the tree and ground vegetation communities were performed in the vicinity of the trail to obtain information on habitat use and habitat selection. Several key movement variables were calculated, including the total path length, net distance, fractal dimension, and radius of gyration. Despite statistically significant differences in some of the movement metrics between the four landscapes, the overall movement patterns were generically the same for all of chipmunk paths examined in this study. The data were compared to trends expected based on random or correlated random walks, as well as Lévy-walk models. The mean squared net displacement did not support the correlated random walk predictions, except at smaller spatial scales, but overall demonstrated Lévy-like super diffusive behaviour. Lévy-like patterns were also confirmed from the move-length distributions that demonstrated truncated-tail power-law behaviour. Although this would suggest invariance of the movement patterns at all spatial scales studied, fractal analysis revealed at least two transitions in movement patterns at scales of around 2 and 5 m. The transition point at 2 m was negatively correlated with the density of small trees, while the transition at ~5 m was positively correlated with the spatial distribution of large trees. As the habitat-preference data showed that small trees are among the least preferred habitat component, while large trees were among the most preferred habitat, chipmunks are likely to alter their movement behaviour to avoid small trees, and attracted towards large trees possibly to avoid predators. Overall, we determined three principal domains of movement: at smaller spatio-temporal scales, foraging activities dominate and the movement is highly correlated but also random; at intermediate spatial scales, chipmunks may be moving to avoid predators, using different environmental cues, and the movement is more directed (but still influenced by vegetation patterns at intermediate scales); at larger spatio-temporal scales, the movement is dominated by long-range/long-term memory and homing to burrows and other key habitat features, such as food caches, drives more directed movement. The fact that scale-dependent movement mechanisms could give rise to LW patterns is consistent with recent studies
“You need to know [their] soul, what makes them tick”: residential support workers’ perceptions of their role in a therapeutic setting
No full textAs part of a Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, the author of this thesis was particularly interested in exploring the experiences of support workers working in residential children’s care-homes. Paper 1 presents a literature review of nine published studies that investigate the outcomes for residential children’s home staff after being trained in trauma-informed care (TIC). The studies were critically appraised using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool (CCAT) and a narrative synthesis was undertaken of the findings. The findings indicate that there are some trends in the effectiveness of training, including improved, attitudes towards TIC, TIC knowledge, understanding of children’s behaviours and emotions, self-reflection skills, and understanding of relationships. Barriers to implementation of training into practice were identified including availability of resources. There is need for more research on the outcomes for staff after TIC training. Paper 2 is an empirical study which used Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) to explore residential children’s home support workers’ perceptions of their role in a therapeutic setting. Findings suggest that these support workers are skilled in their therapeutic work but may benefit from ongoing support from Clinical Psychologists to maintain their confidence and skills in this area. Difficulties with guarding their emotions in their work, and systemic conflicts were identified. These are protected by support from management, with shared debrief and reflection in teams. Suggestions are made for supporting these teams using the clinical consultation already offered by Clinical Psychologists. Future research should look at the understanding of what ‘therapeutic work’ means in care-homes. Paper 3 is an executive summary written as an accessible account of the research for the participants who took part in this research, but can also be used to disseminate findings to those interested in the experiences of residential children’s home support workers and their perceptions of their role in a therapeutic setting, including professionals working with these teams and developing these services
Moving towards relevant church services in the postmodern era
No full textDissertation (MA(Theol))--University of Pretoria, 2009.This thesis is concerned with the recent trends within church gatherings where it is reported that there are growing numbers of 15-35 year olds missing from many evangelical churches. This is the generation commonly labelled as postmodern, and is even associated with the most up to date reaction of post-post modernism. The startling facts around this missing generation are explored in this thesis. This investigation looks at the present status of church services (Chapter 2) where the research identifies this problem of attendance of the younger generation at church gatherings, as well as the danger of the irrelevance of the church in its postmodern context. From here the study moves to suggest the basis of authority (Chapter 3), which is the biblical model for church gatherings. Once this foundation is established we move to detect the specific gaps between the current status (Chapter 4) and the biblical model. This leaves the application (Chapter 5) of what the church needs to do to get back to the original scriptural shape, and to be relevant to the postmodern era in which it finds itself. Due to the nature of the topic, the thesis discusses the characteristics of emerging generations, and what it means to be relevant to postmodern society in the way that a church gathering worships, preaches and styles itself. Other elements of liturgy are examined, such as the Lord’s Supper. In this manner, this thesis moves the reader to a point where they are able to see that the church at large needs to make some drastic changes to the way that it designs its gatherings. The author is careful to show that being relevant to culture is an endless quest, and that church leaders are wise to understand that this pursuit must be secondary to the main issue of seeking Jesus Christ and sticking to the power of the unchanging gospel. This must come before trendy worship music, flashy lights, big loud sound systems and professionally designed web pages. All these are simply smoke and no flames if the church is simply passionate about the superficial surface stylistic features of its gatherings. Therefore, in moving towards relevant church services for the postmodern era, the author takes the reader on a journey where he encourages the church to take some bold steps into adapting and “redesigning the packaging” of Christian ministry in church gatherings. Church meetings cannot just be about being social, creative and communal. They must be defined by the biblical framework that calls for a spiritual gathering of believers that come to worship together as God ordained, to participate in a reverent, powerful, experiential, participative, creative, multi-sensory meeting where they meet with God.Practical Theologyunrestricte
Geographic variation in the effect of lodgepole pine characteristics on mountain pine beetle attacks and productivity in British Columbia.
No full textThe mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is the most destructive bark beetle in mature lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. Ex Loud.var. latifolia Engelm.) forests in western Canada... The current outbreak in British Columbia is the largest in recorded history... Host factors and historic climate affecting attack dynamics and pupal chamber productivity of MPB on lodgepole pine were examined in southern and north central BC. Trees were felled and intensively sampled in fourteen pine-leading stands. A between-subjects two-by-two factorial ANOVA was conducted to analyze the effects of historic climate and biogeoclimatic subzone on MPB attack and productivity parameters. The effect of dbh on mean gallery start densities was not different between regions, while mean pupal chamber density was significantly higher in areas of historically low climatic suitability than in areas with historically high climatic suitability. Results indicate that north central trees are more suitable for pupal chamber production than southern. Lack of selection pressure in areas of low climatic suitability for mountain pine beetle may be the explanation for this relationship.The original print copy of this thesis may be available here: http://wizard.unbc.ca/record=b163703
Parenting the next child in the shadow of death
No full textThis chapter focuses on the experience of both parents when they lose a baby and the way they describe their feelings about the conception of their next infant. It then describes the difficulties some mother's encounter during this pregnancy and following the birth. The chapter considers the difficulties experienced by some children when their birth follows the death of a baby or child. This chapter presents some clinical works of author to illustrate these points. Cudmore and Judd stress the need, following the loss of a baby, for each member of the couple to act as a 'psychological container or a secure base' for his or her partner, so that within this containing experience each partner might be helped to work through his or her grief. Falling in love is an important part of the relationship between the parental couple and their new infant
Author index to the publications of the Royal Society of Victoria, together with those of the societies amalgamated with it; namely, of the former Philosophical Institute of Victoria, of the former Philosophical Society of Victoria, of the former Victorian Institute for the Advancement of Science and of the first Microscopical Society of Victoria (1879-1882), 1855-1934
No full textAuthor index to the publications of the Royal Society of Victoria, together with those of the societies amalgamated with it; namely, of the former Philosophical Institute of Victoria, of the former Philosophical Society of Victoria, of the former Victorian Institute for the Advancement of Science and of the first Microscopical Society of Victoria (1879-1882), 1855-1934
No full textMicro-Simulation of Social Security Reforms in Belgium
No full textThe present paper analyzes the budgetary impact of various Social Security reforms in the Belgian institutional setting. Our approach relies on parameters that were derived in Dellis et alii (2002) using a micro-modeling strategy. focusing our attention on a hypothetical age cohort, we illustrate the budgetary impact that the reforms considered might have on the budget of the federal government.
