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Values and identity process theory: theoretical integration and empirical interactions
Identity and values are important driving forces in human lives. Identity Process Theory (IPT; Breakwell, 1986, 2001b) and the Schwartz Value Theory (Schwartz, 1992) focus on distinct but related aspects of the self and have some overlapping propositions particularly with regards to human motivation. Hence, it is surprising that there has been no attempt so far to integrate them theoretically or empirically. This chapter provides the first attempt to address this gap in the literature. After presenting key elements of both theories, the chapter provides a theoretical integration that addresses the links between identity motives and outcomes and provides an empirical examination of the role of personal values as moderators of such links. Finally, we address identity and value change
Comparison of Lateral and Dorsal Recumbency During Endoscope-Assisted Oophorectomy in Mature Pond Sliders (Trachemys Scripta)
Ovariectomy via the prefemoral fossa is a well-described technique for sterilization in chelonians. The choice between lateral and dorsal recumbency is generally left to the surgeon\u2019s preference, with no data supporting an objective superiority of one over the other. Twenty-four sexually mature female pond sliders (Trachemys scripta) were enrolled for elective prefemoral endoscope-assisted oophorectomy, and were randomly divided in two groups: 12 animals were placed in right lateral recumbency with a left fossa approach (Group A), and 12 in dorsal recumbency with a right fossa approach (Group B). Scoring systems were applied to assess the ease of access to the coelomic cavity, and the ease of identification of the ovary opposite to the surgical incision. A negative correlation was found between the body weight of the animals and the ease of access to the coelom (p = 0.013), making the access easier in smaller animals. No significant dierence was found between the two groups in terms of ease of access to the coelomic cavity, first ovary removal time, ease of identification of the second ovary, second ovary removal time, or total surgery time
Party organisational change in Italy (1991-2006)
This article analyses the organisational change in Italian political parties since
1990 with the aim of finding evidence in favour or against the widespread view
in the literature that organisational resources, and hence power, are becoming
more and more concentrated in the hands of party and/or parliamentary leaders,
and that there is a corresponding decline in the territorial presence of parties.
10 The account made here of the evolution of Italian parties follows quite closely
Katz and Mair’s approach by analysing separately their three organisational faces
and observing their characteristics and change over time face by face. Trends
in membership, finances, staff and party statutes confirm to a large extent the
overall research hypothesis.This article analyses the organisational change in Italian political parties since
1990 with the aim of finding evidence in favour or against the widespread view
in the literature that organisational resources, and hence power, are becoming
more and more concentrated in the hands of party and/or parliamentary leaders,
and that there is a corresponding decline in the territorial presence of parties.
10 The account made here of the evolution of Italian parties follows quite closely
Katz and Mair’s approach by analysing separately their three organisational faces
and observing their characteristics and change over time face by face. Trends
in membership, finances, staff and party statutes confirm to a large extent the
overall research hypothesis
Study of Gasohol as Alternative Fuel for Gasoline Substitution: Characteristics and Performances
Gasohol is a mixture of premium petrol (gasoline) with alcohol, in this case ethanol. The use of gasohol can reduce fuel consumption without having to modify the existing engine. Therefore, this research is conducted to study the characteristics and performance of gasohol in various mixing ratios, which includes analysis of physical properties and the use of gasohol in the machine. Results show that the addition of technical ethanol at 7.0169%v increases the value of gasohol vapor pressure on the value of 8.6682 psi (7.7 psi for regular gasoline). Gasohol with technical ethanol content above 30%v decreases vapor pressure, promotes phase separation, and causes a sharp drop in temperature from 40%v distillation. In term of corrosivity, gasohol with up to 50%v ethanol content has the same corrosion level with regular gasoline, which is corrosion level 1A. Based on gasohol characteristics test, it is known that gasohol with technical ethanol content below 20%v can be used as a fuel substitute for gasoline. Real-time performance test of gasohol in engines has shown that the addition of ethanol content in gasohol tend to increase the engine power at a certain compression ratio, but it also increases fuel consumption because the heat value of ethanol is lower than gasoline. Machine in gasohol with ethanol content below 20%v can operate smoothly without having to modify the engine. Based on the studies that have been done, gasohol in the range of 10%v ethanol content is well-functioned as a substitute for gasoline fuel and meets fuel specifications required by the General Director of Oil and Gas. The feasibility of using gasohol as an alternative fuel can be studied further
Examining the profound effects of COVID19 on mental health: A comprehensive systematic review on anxiety and depression
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges to humanity, economically and in health and wellbeing. The associated limited social isolation and lifestyle changes has increased the risk for mental health services, especially among vulnerable people. This highlights the need for mental health services, burden that already stretch the health systems. This review presents an exposition on COVID-19 and mental health, and ways to minimise, and possibly prevent, their effect on the psychological well-being of those people. We searched four databases (Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES) using specific search terms and eligibility criteria. Of the 33 included studies, 31 were quantitative, and one qualitative and mixed method each. The studies were analysed using thematic narrative synthesis that resulted in three main themes: (a) the internal and external influences on COVID-19 behaviour, (b) the impact of COVID-19 on health and well-being and (c) the coping strategies used. Since COVID-19 will exist for the foreseeable future, understanding its impact on health and mental well-being and the coping techniques to be adopted are important now than ever. This study contributes to such an understanding along with suggestions regarding ways to minimise the impact of COVID-19 on mental health using context-appropriate strategies
Innes: Security Bonds
Risk in society is a pertinent concept of late modernity. Most elements of our social and interpersonal lives are in some way linked to concerns about safety, security and fear of harm. As a consequence, we spend a great deal of time engaged in emotional, physical and economic processes that facilitate our safety. Whether this be through purchasing anti-theft devices, or subscribing to self-defense training courses; participating in neighbourhood-watch schemes or altering our behavior to prevent susceptibility to victimization, all demonstrate an inherent pre-occupation with risk and perceived danger. The work presented in this paper offers an in-depth socio-criminological analysis focusing on the issue of citizens insecurity, and proposes an original interpretative paradigm emerging from findings on the INNES (Intimate Neighborhood Strengthening) European Project. A presentation of the idiographic and nomothetic motivations and conditions influencing and predicting social fears and insecurities over the last two decades is discussed, with the presentation of the new interpretative model, 'Social Cobweb Theory'. This model focuses on solidarity and on the strengthening of intimate neighborhood bonds and argues that these aforementioned concepts function as an effective approach in lowering citizens' perceptions of individual insecurities and risk
Weak KAM aspects of convex Hamilton-Jacobi equations with Neumann type boundary conditions
We establish the stability under the formations of infimum and of convex
combinations of subsolutions of convex Hamilton-Jacobi equations, some
comparison and existence results for convex and coercive Hamilton-Jacobi
equations with the Neumann type boundary condition as well as existence results
for the Skorokhod problem. We define the Aubry-Mather set associated with the
Neumann type boundary problem and establish some properties of the Aubry-Mather
set including the existence results for the ``calibrated'' extremals for the
corresponding action functional (or variational problem).Comment: 39 pages, 1 figur
Upper limb soft robotic wearable devices: a systematic review
Introduction: Soft robotic wearable devices, referred to as exosuits, can be a valid alternative to rigid exoskeletons when it comes to daily upper limb support. Indeed, their inherent flexibility improves comfort, usability, and portability while not constraining the user’s natural degrees of freedom. This review is meant to guide the reader in understanding the current approaches across all design and production steps that might be exploited when developing an upper limb robotic exosuit. Methods: The literature research regarding such devices was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The investigated features are the intended scenario, type of actuation, supported degrees of freedom, low-level control, high-level control with a focus on intention detection, technology readiness level, and type of experiments conducted to evaluate the device. Results: A total of 105 articles were collected, describing 69 different devices. Devices were grouped according to their actuation type. More than 80% of devices are meant either for rehabilitation, assistance, or both. The most exploited actuation types are pneumatic (52%) and DC motors with cable transmission (29%). Most devices actuate 1 (56%) or 2 (28%) degrees of freedom, and the most targeted joints are the elbow and the shoulder. Intention detection strategies are implemented in 33% of the suits and include the use of switches and buttons, IMUs, stretch and bending sensors, EMG and EEG measurements. Most devices (75%) score a technology readiness level of 4 or 5. Conclusion: Although few devices can be considered ready to reach the market, exosuits show very high potential for the assistance of daily activities. Clinical trials exploiting shared evaluation metrics are needed to assess the effectiveness of upper limb exosuits on target users
An adaptive POD approximation method for the control of advection-diffusion equations
We present an algorithm for the approximation of a finite horizon optimal
control problem for advection-diffusion equations. The method is based on the
coupling between an adaptive POD representation of the solution and a Dynamic
Programming approximation scheme for the corresponding evolutive
Hamilton-Jacobi equation. We discuss several features regarding the adaptivity
of the method, the role of error estimate indicators to choose a time
subdivision of the problem and the computation of the basis functions. Some
test problems are presented to illustrate the method.Comment: 17 pages, 18 figure
Acts of Kindness and Acts of Novelty Affect Life Satisfaction
The present experiment was designed to establish the effects of acts of kindness and acts of novelty on life satisfaction. Participants aged 18–60 took part on a voluntary basis. They were randomly assigned to perform either acts of kindness, acts of novelty, or no acts on a daily basis for 10 days. Their life satisfaction was measured before and after the 10-day experiment. As expected, performing acts of kindness or acts of novelty resulted in an increase in life satisfaction
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