Components of Knowledge Commercialization in the Selected Universities of the World

This paper presents a qualitative research method that has been performed based on content analysis. In this study, in order to evaluate and identify the components of the commercialization of knowledge, factors affecting the expansion and development of academic projects in five of the world selected universities (Harvard, Stanford, Cambridge, Kyoto, and Singapore) have been focused on. These components have been extracted in these universities through analyzing more than 70 scientific research studies. The researcher has used an inductive approach for the analysis of information obtained from the conducted research in this area. Results have shown that the main themes, elements of infrastructure, policymaking and identification of potential customers have facilitated the commercialization of knowledge in the selected universities

The Comparative Study of Ranking System of Islamic Countries Universities and National Ranking of Universities in Iran Using the Most Famous Ranking Systems in the World

This research is aiming at a comparative study of Islamic countries university`s ranking system and Iran`s universities` national ranking system with the most famous ranking system in the world which are as Academic Ranking of World University (ARWU), The Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE), The Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS), The U.S. News rankings (USN), Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). In this research, the criteria and indicators of each of the five higher education ranking systems are described based on the two ranking systems of ISC and National Ranking of universities of Iran and using George Bradley's comparative analysis and considering the list of top universities in the last update of the Internet portal by the date 05/09/2017. In this research, it is revealed that there is not any similarity between QS ranking system and ISC ranking system. However, based on the results, Iran and ISC ranking systems are mostly compatible with THE, from among the globally most famous ranking systems. Combining THE and Iran`s ranking systems could offer a far more global system which is capable of covering all aspects of ranking and universities` universal status. THE and ARWU can be named as the most complete combined systems, from among the global and most famous ranking systems, which can be used as a substitution for Iran`s ranking system

A Comprehensive Investigation to Identify Working Memory Components Utilizing Thematic Analysis Technique: A Qualitative Research

Background: Working memory (WM) is commonly known as a mediator between short-term and long-term memory. However, WM as well is a data processor and manipulator in charge of a considerable portion of our cognitive abilities. Due to the recently grasped significance of further investigations of WM, this study was conducted aiming to identify the entire WM components present in the current literature utilizing qualitative thematic analysis.Methods: Stirling’s novel method of qualitative inductive thematic analysis was applied to extract the entire components of WM from the current literature up to 2018.Results: Our results yielded 57 basic concepts (themes) related to WM out of 1099 concepts, which was integrated into 18 organizing concepts that altogether comprise the global notion of WM. Statistical validation was conducted through expert confirmation and content validity index (CVI) calculation (0.88). Moreover, the Holsti coefficient was 0.60 that indicates relatively appropriate reliability.Conclusion: Considering the growing interest in studying WM components, conducting an integrative research aiming to thoroughly clarify these components was required. Herein, through applying the novel technique of thematic analysis, we have developed a comprehensive theme network designed to facilitate future studies on WM

Effectiveness of an Educational Package Based on an Integrative Self-Analytical Framework to Attachment Styles of Couples with Marital Conflicts

AbstractIntroduction: Most couples with marital conflicts lack secure attachment styles that are necessary to improve the quality of their relationships and consolidate their family foundations. The present study aimed to investigate the role of an educational package based on an integrative self-analytical framework to the attachment styles of couples with marital conflicts.Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial with a pre-test/post-test/control group/follow-up design. The statistical population consisted of all couples with marital conflicts visiting the counseling centers in Isfahan, Iran in 2021, of whom 30 couples were selected as the sample through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The participants in the experimental group attended a 12-session educational package based on an integrative self-analytical framework while those in the control group received no intervention. All participants were assessed again two months later. The research instruments included the Adult Attachment Scale. The data were statistically analyzed using Repeated Measures ANCOVA in SPSS-24. The significance level of the research was considered to be α=0.05.Results: The mean ± SD of close subscale in the post-test and follow-up stages were 23.06±3.99 and 23.76±4.51 in the experimental group and 21.63±4.67 and 21.53±4.59 in the control group. The mean ± SD of anxiety subscale in the post-test and follow-up stages were 16.06±5.11 and 15.10±4.99 in the experimental group and 16.33±4.61 and 16.66±5.04 in the control group. Moreover, the mean ± SD of depend subscale in the post-test and follow-up stages were 15.06±3.26 and 14.80±3.01 in the experimental group and 15.40±3.77and 15.60±3.86 in the control group. The results showed that the educational package based on an integrative self-analytical framework improved the attachment styles (i.e., close, depend, and anxiety) of the participants (P<0.001) and the effects persisted during the follow-up period.Conclusions: Consequently, Therefore, consultants and psychologists can use this intervention to improve attachment styles in couples with marital conflicts

Identifying the underlying factors affecting the development of participation of student sport in Iran

The purpose of this study was to identify the underlying factors that have an effect on the development of participation of student sport in Iran. The research method is qualitative and with Grounded Theory approach and it is inductive and exploratory. The research area consisted of 20 experts in sport management and student sport. The sampling method used a snowball based on the theoretical approach and continued until the categories reached theoretical saturation. The research tool was in-depth and exploratory semi-structured interviews. The validity of the findings was determined by matching methods by peer members and experimental interviews. Data were analysed using open, axial and selective coding using MAXQDA 2018 software. According to the results of the research, the underlying factors that have an effect on the development of participation of student sport were identified and extracted in nine main categories including community dynamism, synergy, financing, provide education, program-oriented activities, social capital, promoting participation culture, role-playing of managers, extracurricular activities in the field of student sport. Thus, student sport policymakers can use the concepts, components, and categories identified in their future plans to promote the status of school sports, especially in the international arena, and promote community health and to have a healthy and dynamic lifestyle, as well as the synergy of organizations and institutions to promote student sport

The Role and Potential of Interaction in E-Learning

Interaction is widely accepted as essential to learning. The main challenge in distance education is to overcome the transactional distance by providing opportunities for interaction. Understanding the role of interaction in learning and how learning environments can be designed to allow for different forms of interaction is important for effective application of emerging technologies in education. The purpose of this paper is to draw conclusions about the importance of interaction in distant learning. It briefly reviews different types of interaction that have been proposed for distance education and examines the importance of evaluating distance learning environments designed for interactive learning. While we are not able to ascertain which type of interaction is the most important in distance education, it is the aim of this paper to provide more insights into this issue. Keywords: distance education, interaction types, design of interaction-learning

The effect of resiliency promotion training package on self-efficacy and work-family conflict

Background: Nowadays, resiliency is one of the determining factors of people responses to stressful issues and mental well-being. The aim of present study was to investigate the effectiveness of resiliency promotion training on self-efficacy and work-family conflict of satellite employees in Iranian Oil Terminals Company (IOTC). Methods: This study was quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and follow-up design. The statistical population included the satellite employees of IOTC. Using a convenience sampling method, 30 employees were selected and randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups (each 15 participants). To collect the data, general self-efficacy questionnaire and work-family conflict questionnaire were used at the beginning, at the end of the training, and after one month. The experimental group received training in 9 sessions of 90 minutes for one month, but the control group did not receive any training. Data analysis was performed by multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS software. Results: The effect of the resiliency promotion training on the research variables was significant in each of the post-test and follow-up stages. The rate of this effect in improving self-efficacy and work-family conflict was 98.8% in post-test and 99.8% in follow-up.  There is a significant difference between the control group and the experimental group in the self-efficacy and work-family conflict variables in the post-test and follow-up stages (p <0.001). Conclusion: The results revealed that resiliency promotion training was effective on self-efficacy and work-family conflict of satellite employees in the post-test stage and the effects of training remained in the follow-up stage

Identifying and Presenting a Network of Organizational Coaching Themes for Universities Managers

Coaching managers in the organization, as one of the effective methods in developing human resources, can be an essential skill for training employees and increasing effective employee behaviors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify and present a network of organizational coaching topics for university managers, which was done qualitatively. The research method was inductive content analysis with inductive approach. The field of research was 45 titles of text contained in scientific databases from 1999 to 2019. Findings showed that after eliminating duplicate themes and summarizing similar themes, 50 basic themes, then 9 organizing themes (development of organizational interactions, participatory management, formation of efficient teams, emphasis on human relations, ethics, human resource development, goal orientation, formulation) Performance indicators (organizational learning cycle design) and finally 3 categories of inclusive themes were identified under the headings of (Organizational synergy, humanistic approach and process-oriented). Using the opinion of experts and university professors, its content validity was obtained using the Lawshe method and all themes were confirmed. Also, using Holsti's method, the reliability of this step was 0.94. Finally, a network of themes for universities managers was designed and presented

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Three Macroeconomic Essays: Budget Stabilization Funds, Terms of Trade, Durability and the Small Open Economy Business Cycle

In this dissertation we use Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium DSGE) models to explain empirical regularities and policy implications related to (1) durable goods, interest rates and small open economy business cycles, (2) Terms-of-Trade (ToT) and economic fluctuations in small open economies and (3) Budget Stabilization Funds (BSFs) and States’ business cycles. In the first essay, we document that durable spending in developed small open economies constitutes a large share of their total income. Their spending is highly procyclical, sensitive to interest rates, and leads the business cycle. We address these regularities with a RBC model with durable goods. The model successfully replicates the observed business cycle regularities and explains many anomalies not explained in the existing literature. It also emphasizes the role of interest rates uncertainty in explaining the dynamics of the small open economies. The second essay addresses the impacts of the ToT fluctuation on the business cycles of various small open economies. We argue that differences in the degree of durability in domestic production and imports may make these economies more or less sensitive to an identical ToT shock. We found that economies with higher durability usually enjoy more stable business cycle comparing with economies with lower degree of durability. Differences in the persistence of the ToT do affect the dynamic of the external accounts but it cannot explain the observed differences business cycles across small open economies. In the last essay, we evaluate the economic impacts of the Budget Stabilization Funds (BSF) on State-level business cycles. We lay out a State economy RBC model in which a State’s government applies a designated saving rule consistent with households’ optimization. Given the suggested rule we find that the BDFs become a significant automatic stabilizer. It is not only mitigates the procyclicality of the government spending but it also smooth the State’s business cycle