10 research outputs found
Heart rate variability biofeedback for college students recovering from substance use disorder: a longitudinal analysis of craving changes
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this dissertation was to provide longitudinal evidence on heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) as an anti-craving intervention for college students recovering from substance use disorder (SUD). Methods: Previous studies showed promise of the therapeutic potential of HRVB to reduce substance craving. Gaps in the literature indicated the need for a longitudinal examination of craving changes that takes individual differences into consideration. Data from 46 college students recovering from SUD were used to examine craving changes before and during an eight-session HRVB intervention. Participants were assessed at four occasions in the control condition over the first 12 weeks followed by 8 occasions in the experimental condition, separated by an 11-week rest period. A longitudinal multilevel modeling approach was used with time at level-1 nested within persons at level-2. Unconditional and conditional multilevel models of change were estimated to model craving trajectories and predictor relationships over time. Results: Significant reductions in substance craving were observed during HRVB compared to waitlist. HRVB seemed to enhance the efficacy of conventional therapies by producing craving reductions that were not evident prior to the HRVB intervention despite usual treatment. A continued daily HRVB practice of more than 12 minutes was found to enhance treatment as usual outcomes and contribute to greater craving reductions over time. In our sample, younger participants seemed to be more committed to daily HRVB practice, although many did not achieve the recommended daily practice of 15 minutes twice daily. Increases in depressive symptoms were found to attenuate the effects of HRVB on craving. Anxiety and perceived stress were not significantly associated with craving in this study. The true R2 for the final model indicated that 20.5% of the variance in craving was explained by age, daily HRVB >12 minutes, and the within-person aspect of depression. Conclusions: HRVB is an easily accessible and affordable intervention that shows promise as a complementary anti-craving intervention. The outcomes of this study have implications for hypothesized HRVB practice-dose relationships. Nurses may help persons recovering from SUD to better manage the symptom of craving by the routine and strategic use of personal HRVB practice.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical referencesby Nour Alaya
Utilizing Comprehensive Criteria and Indicators for Post-Fire Forest Restoration in Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS)
No full textAmidst the increasing frequency and severity of forest fires globally, the imperative of effective post-fire forest restoration has gained unprecedented significance. This study outlines a comprehensive approach to post-fire forest restoration and discusses its implementation through spatial decision-making systems. The methodology involves utilizing multi-criteria analysis (MCA) to identify and prioritize criteria based on their relative importance. This allows for the creation of easily assessable alternatives and their application to spatial maps, providing local officials with valuable information. To achieve optimal decision-making, the study utilized the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methods along with Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS) to generate a suitability map. The results highlight that 28% of the study area is well-suited for post-fire forest restoration, with 44% moderately appropriate, while 3% is deemed unsuitable for restoration until the end of 2023 due to severe soil loss or inherent geographical challenges
A Comprehensive Approach for Forest Fires Restoration and its implementation in the Spatial Decision Support Systems
No full textA Comprehensive Framework for Forest Restoration after Forest Fires in Theory and Practice: A Systematic Review
No full textIncidences of forest fires have increased in recent decades largely as a result of climate change and human factors, resulting in great environmental and socioeconomic losses. Post-fire forest restoration is therefore indispensable for maintaining forest ecological integrity and for the sustainability of the affected forest landscapes. In this study, we conduct a systematic review of the available literature on forest restoration in the past two decades (2002–2022) and propose a comprehensive framework for consideration in forest restoration after the occurrence of forest fires. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model was adopted for this study, where three academic literature databases (Scopus, CAB Direct, Web of Science), the Google Scholar search engine, and specialized websites were used for literature searches. A final list of 36 records from the initial 732 was considered for this study after the screening stage and subsequent inclusion/exclusion of articles as per the stipulated eligibility criteria. The study findings reveal a dearth of information in the field of post-fire forest restoration in an integrated, balanced, and comprehensive manner, as there was no single methodology or unified protocol that guides post-fire forest restoration. There was also a notable bias in the geographical distribution of the relevant studies in restoration as influenced by economic prosperity, political stability, and scientific and technical advancement. This study recommends a 6-criteria comprehensive framework with 29 indicators for post-fire forest restoration based on the reviewed studies. The criteria integrate environmental, economic, social, cultural and aesthetic, management, infrastructure, and education objectives in their design and implementation for better outcomes in achieving the restoration goals
Enhancing Regional Tourism Development in the Protected Areas Using the Total Economic Value Approach
No full textThis research aims to boost tourism development in natural protected areas through the classification of the tourism hiking trails based on biodiversity ecosystem services values. The Total Economic Value (TEV) approach was used as the main research method to estimate the monetary value of the various ecosystem resources in Abu Qubies Syrian protected area. Five main tourism hiking trails in Abu Qubies were identified in order to be classified based on the economic value of their ecosystem resources. The study findings highlighted the importance of protected areas in enhancing tourism activities, especially natural-based ones. Additionally, this research identified the most economically valuable tourism hiking trails in the reserve, thus providing a supporting tool for decision-makers regarding tourism development in protected areas. This study presents the importance of the conservation perspective of natural resources in protected areas without ignoring their physical monetary value that can help governments in boosting local communities as well as the national, regional and local economies
Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Performance in Egypt: An Empirical Study Based on the Global Entrepreneurship Index (GEI)
No full textEntrepreneurship is a significant economic process in regional economic development. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of the Egyptian entrepreneurial ecosystem by using the global entrepreneurship index (GEI) data from 2006–2017. This empirical study provides an in-depth insight into the Egyptian entrepreneurship ecosystem situation based on GEI methodology and its sub-indexes, pillars, and individual and institutional variables. Results revealed that the Egyptian entrepreneurial “Aspiration” pillars play a promising role in the Egyptian entrepreneurship ecosystem, especially the “Process Innovation” and “Risk Capital” pillars. Although the entrepreneurial “Abilities” pillars appear as shortcomings in the Egyptian GEI, especially the "Opportunity Startup" and "Competition" pillars. Furthermore, Egyptian entrepreneurial “Attitudes” pillars are considered to be the main disadvantage of forming the Egyptian GEI score. Finally, the paper proved that the “Risk Acceptance” and “Networking” pillars appeared as the weakest aspect of the Egyptian entrepreneurship ecosystem. Consequently, developing national policies and strategies to enhance these two pillars will improve the Egyptian GEI score by 2%
Cigarette and waterpipe smoking among Lebanese adolescents, a cross-sectional study, 2003-2004
No full textwaterpipe or argileh is a form of smoking other than cigarettes that is currently spreading among people of all ages. The objective of the present study was to assess tobacco smoking practices (waterpipe and-or cigarette) among public and private adolescent school students in Beirut, Lebanon. A sample of 2,443 students selected from 10 private and 3 public schools with intermediate-secondary classes filled out a self-administered anonymous questionnaire that inquired about sociodemographic characteristics, and behavior about tobacco smoking. Binary analysis was performed as well as three regression models for the relationship between exclusive cigarettes smoking, exclusive waterpipe smoking and both cigarettes and waterpipe as the dependent variables and gender, type of school, and class as the independent variables. The current prevalence of cigarettes smoking was 11.4percent, and that of waterpipe smoking was 29.6percent. Gender was significantly associated with cigarettes (OR=3.2, 95percent CI 1.8-5.6) but not waterpipe smoking. Public school students were, respectively, 3.2 (95percent CI 1.8-5.6) and 1.7 (95percent CI 1.4-2.1) times more likely to be exclusive cigarettes smokers, and exclusive waterpipe smokers. Class was not significantly associated with exclusive cigarette smoking; however, students attending secondary classes were 1.3 (95percent CI 1.1-1.6) times more likely to be exclusive waterpipe smokers. The reasons behind the high prevalence of both types of smoking are presented and discussed. The present study calls for school-based prevention programs and other types of interventions such as tax increases, and age-restrictions on tobacco sales. More aggressive interventions to disseminate education and awareness among parents and students altogether are warranted.Alexander C, 2001, J ADOLESCENT HEALTH, V29, P22, DOI 10.1016-S1054-139X(01)00210-5; Ben Abdelaziz A, 2006, REV MAL RESPIR, V23, P319, DOI 10.1019-20064038; BERESTEIN L, 2003, TIME, V161, P10; Erbaydar T, 2005, EUR J PUBLIC HEALTH, V15, P404, DOI 10.1093-eurpub-cki040; Fakhfakh R, 2002, B WORLD HEALTH ORGAN, V80, P350; Gadalla Shahinaz, 2003, Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, V33, P1031; Jarvis M., 1999, SOCIAL DETERMINANTS; Kandela P, 2000, LANCET, V356, P1175, DOI 10.1016-S0140-6736(05)72871-3; King G, 2003, PREV MED, V36, P114, DOI 10.1006-pmed.2002.1128; *LEB REP MIN ED ED, 2005, SCH GUID GEN ED 1999; Ma GX, 2003, ADDICT BEHAV, V28, P249, DOI 10.1016-S0306-4603(01)00225-8; Maes L, 2003, SOC SCI MED, V56, P517, DOI 10.1016-S0277-9536(02)00052-7; Maziak W, 2004, PREV MED, V38, P479, DOI 10.1016-j.ypmed.2003.11.021; MCNICOLL T, 2002, NEWSWEEK INT, V60; Morello P, 2001, AM J PUBLIC HEALTH, V91, P219, DOI 10.2105-AJPH.91.2.219; Pickett W, 2000, Chronic Dis Can, V21, P119; Shihadeh A, 2003, FOOD CHEM TOXICOL, V41, P143, DOI 10.1016-S0278-6915(02)00220-X; Siahpush M, 2001, AUST NZ J PUBL HEAL, V25, P438, DOI 10.1111-j.1467-842X.2001.tb00654.x; Steptoe A, 2002, ADDICTION, V97, P1561, DOI 10.1046-j.1360-0443.2002.00269.x; Tamim H, 2003, ADDICTION, V98, P933, DOI 10.1046-j.1360-0443.2003.00413.x; Varsano Shabtai, 2003, Harefuah, V142, P736; Warren CW, 2006, LANCET, V367, P749, DOI 10.1016-S0140-6736(06)68192-0; Zoughaib S. S., 2004, Lebanese Medical Journal, V52, P14239363
A many-analysts approach to the relation between religiosity and well-being
No full textThe relation between religiosity and well-being is one of the most researched topics in the psychology of religion, yet the directionality and robustness of the effect remains debated. Here, we adopted a many-analysts approach to assess the robustness of this relation based on a new cross-cultural dataset ((Formula presented.) participants from 24 countries). We recruited 120 analysis teams to investigate (1) whether religious people self-report higher well-being, and (2) whether the relation between religiosity and self-reported well-being depends on perceived cultural norms of religion (i.e., whether it is considered normal and desirable to be religious in a given country). In a two-stage procedure, the teams first created an analysis plan and then executed their planned analysis on the data. For the first research question, all but 3 teams reported positive effect sizes with credible/confidence intervals excluding zero (median reported (Formula presented.)). For the second research question, this was the case for 65% of the teams (median reported (Formula presented.)). While most teams applied (multilevel) linear regression models, there was considerable variability in the choice of items used to construct the independent variables, the dependent variable, and the included covariates.Web Information System
Meaning making and faith-work integration: a qualitative study of university students
No full text2021 Fall.Includes bibliographical references.Recent interest in the interface of religion, spirituality, and work has grown, with scholarly developments in the areas of the Faith at Work movement, workplace spirituality, and vocational psychology. Most research exploring religion/spirituality and work has focused on working adults. To date, research examining religion/spirituality and career choice and development has been sparse, despite calls for further research in this area. The current study used a meaning- making approach to explore religion/spirituality and work integration related to career development in an undergraduate student population. Written responses from 170 religiously- identifying students were coded and analyzed using a six-phase inductive qualitative thematic analysis approach. Several themes related to students' experiences of faith-work integration emerged, including support and comfort, calling/purpose, guidance and influence on ethics and values, path/plan, prosocial, separation/boundaries, lifestyle impact, work fact, personal fit and fulfillment, talents/strengths, and work ethic. Of note, many participant responses were coded into two or three themes. These findings indicate that for many undergraduate students who identify as highly religious, their religious belief systems do play a role in their career development process. Also, undergraduate students seek to integrate their religion/spirituality and their career development process in ways that do not neatly fit into single integration strategies, particularly during developmental stages characterized by discovery, exploration and crystallization. Future research should continue to explore formal integration typologies related to career development within undergraduate student populations to provide added insight in this area
Placing transnational migration: The circulation of Indian South African narratives of identity and belonging
No full textTraditional nation-based models of citizenship that link belonging to territorial, political, social and cultural membership have been questioned by the transnational
approach to migration. However, transnationalism abstracts migrants' experiences outside of the historical-material circumstances of their production and organizes
groups into bound categories without engaging in questions of difference and diversity. Although more recent work has attempted to address these concerns through a focus on the governance of migration, 'transnational space' is deployed
uncritically without questioning how migration is a contested enterprise grounded in places imbued with territories of meaning. The raised connectivities of globalisation compel us to think more critically about the interactions between migration and places as historicized outcomes of difference and an ongoing record of muldscalar
and intersecting social processes. By taking the "places" of transnational fields seriously as a Lefebvrian synthetic third term that is neither wholly political-economic
nor fully personal,I draw attention to the syntheses of difference in the personal, political, historical and material conditions of existence,all of which are underpinned by the inseparable circulation of symbols,
materiality and policies. The case of Indians
in South Africa challenges us to reconsider our conceptualizations of transnational identities and communities. The economic, demographic and cultural make-up of the Indian population in Durban and their embeddedness in the history of South Africa provides rich material for the study of the overlapping spheres of personal and
political transnational life. My examination of the transnational practices of Indo-South Africans in the context of South Africa has opened up transnationalism in
three ways. First, I provide a critical reading of identity by juxtaposing the production and circulation of the signs
of an authentic Indo-South African transnational identity
through 'cultural brokers' with accounts of the material practices of transnationalism. Second, I show how the transnational identities of Indo-South Africans are defined
not only against India, but are made relevant to a South African national citizenship that is located both in 'national' space and in other fractured regional and
international spaces of development. Finally, I explore the uneven geographies that accompany India's recent dual citizenship provisions to show how transnational
governance by states is contingent upon place. By unpacking the multiplicity and contingencies within transnational. places, I investigate the fragmentations and
contestations of transnational identity and belonging
