Effectiveness of the Combat Operational Stress Control Training Program: Expectations of the U.S. Marine Corps

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the U.S. Marine Corps combat operational stress preventive training program to determine whether the program meets the training effectiveness criteria of the Marine Corps. This evaluation entailed both qualitative and quantitative inquiries to answer the subject matter research questions. The participants consisted of active duty and reserve Marines on active duty. For the purposes of the quantitative analysis, the researcher obtained a random sample of 480 Marines. Additionally, the researcher obtained a purposefully stratified qualitative sample of 12 active duty Marines consisting of four junior non-commissioned Marines, four staff non-commissioned officers, and four commissioned officers. Since this study involved both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, there were three data collection instruments. Regarding the quantitative inquiry, an online based survey was utilized. This survey contained a number of Likert scale type questions built around Kirkpatrick\u27s (2006) four-level training evaluation constructs: reaction, learning, changed behavior, and long-tern results. Concerning the qualitative inquiry, the researcher conducted interviews using an interview protocol form, which consisted of a number of open-ended interview questions related to the effectiveness of the combat operational stress preventive training. Additionally, the researcher conducted four qualitative observations of training sessions using an observation protocol instrument/checklist. For the purposes of the quantitative analysis, both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used. The descriptive statistics allowed the researcher to organize, summarize, and describe the associated data. The logistic regression models provided the researcher the opportunities to make predictions about the characteristics of the Marine Corps population. The findings of the quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed the majority of the Marines, regardless of rank, did not reacted favorably to the currently formatted combat operational stress preventive training; some Marines learned the basics of the training; most of the Marines did not apply the learned preventive skills in their daily lives; and the current long-term combat operational stress preventive training program for both the enlisted Marines and the officers had not been a success as evidenced by a number of significant logistic regressions, further supported by descriptive statistics, and triangulated by qualitative interviews and training observations. Additionally, the respondents\u27 self-reported experiences of effects from combat operational stress do affect their evaluation of the effectiveness of the combat operational stress preventive training as evidenced by several significant logistic regressions

Phenomenon of culture in teaching Russian

The viewpoint of the foreign Professor teaching Russian on the cultural values of the native Russian speakers, which are expressed by the language units, is shared. The article is of in-terest for teachers of Russian as a foreign language.В статье представлен взгляд иностранного профессора-русиста на культурные ценности носителей русского языка, выраженные единицами самого языка. Публикация может представлять интерес для преподавателей руского языка как иностарнного

Impact of Financial Derivatives on the Real Economy

In this paper we use correlation analysis and Granger causality tests of time series to investigate the impact of financial derivatives on the real economy. We obtained statistically strong and mutually compatible results. Over the period under review have as exchange trade derivatives (1986-2012), as well as OTC derivatives (1998-2012) in principle a negative impact on the real economy. OTC derivatives measured by notional amounts outstanding reduce economic growth and increase unemployment, exchange traded derivatives (amounts outstanding) increase unemployment as well. On the other hand, both groups have a positive impact on reducing inflation. Tests of results confirmed the positive correlation and causality between economic growth and falling unemployment rate, respectively between economic growth and rising inflation. The conclusions are valid for the group of high income countries (according to the methodology of the World Bank), for the period 1986-2012. As compatible, but as well as disputable, is the result according to which the size of the OTC derivatives market in notional (notional amounts outstanding) and market value (gross market values) negatively correlated with each other. This finding will require further research to explain or deny

Taking Advantage of the Circular Structure of Human Values

Schwartz (1992) has shown that Value Domains have a circular structure. The same circular structure has been observed in so many samples all over the world that we may assume that the circular structure is rather universal. Given this structure, the Value systems of individuals can be fruitfully characterized using only one score, which enables us to describe it extremely economically. The Value Circle score we suggest might be independent of response tendencies and cross culturally valid as well. The purpose of this chapter is (a) to show how such a score can be assigned to individuals and (b) to show the advantages and possibilities we have using such a score for analyzing the relation between religiosity and values

Predicting overall staffs' creativity and innovative work behavior in banking

This study focuses on the impact of empowering leadership and challenges work environment on both sale employee’s creativity and innovative work behavior in the Vietnamese banking industry. An empirical test, a structural equation model comprising a sample of 319 sale employees in 15 banks, indicates a strong relationship between sales staff creativity and innovative work behavior. Moreover, the findings indicate that both an empowering leadership and a challenging work environment can trigger sale employees’ creativity. Finally, innovative work behavior has a positive impact on innovative output. In general, this study contributes with some suggestions for bank managers to identify appropriate methods in order to stimulate the creativity and innovative work behavior of employees with the objective of achieving strong and sustainable business performance. © 2019, Sciendo. All rights reserved.Internal Grant Agency of FaME [IGA/FaME/2018/019

STATUS OF REINTRODUCTIONS OF THREE LARGE HERBIVORES IN RUSSIA

Reintroductions of muskoxen (Ovibus moschatus), European bison (Bison bonasus), and moose (Alces alces) have occurred recently in Russia. Although the process of capturing and moving muskoxen was problematic in remote areas, the reintroduction of animals from Canada and the USA successfully restored this extirpated species, and the current population in northern Russia serves as a source for further transplants. European bison populations were stagnant and suffered from inbreeding in Russia prior to reintroduction of captive animals from throughout Europe. The population in Orlovskoye Polesie National Park has experienced population growth with improved genetic potential. Of concern is that reintroductions in other areas of Russia were unsuccessful and the global population of European bison is not improving. Moose from the Penzhina River area in Russia were successfully reintroduced to the Kamchatka Peninsula where they were absent for >400 years. The population is growing and dispersing across the peninsula from the transplant sites, and is among the largest physically in Eurasia

The International Monetary System: New evidence concerning a transition to multipolarity

This article focuses on the transition of the international monetary system to a multipolar structure. The international monetary system continuously evolves, reflecting developments in the world economy. The main problem of the current international monetary system is its dependence on one key currency which still remains the US dollar. The authors of this study address the issue of a transition towards a multipolar system by examining currency concentration. The primary objective of this work is to establish whether or not the current international monetary system shows signs of transitioning towards multipolarity. To achieve this, the authors have used tools measuring the level of market concentration. The change of polarity of the international monetary system is analysed with concentration ratios and the Herfindahl-Hirshmann index. The theoretical part focuses on definitions of key terms essential for this study, such as international monetary system, currency polarity, global currency, and currency concentration. For the practical part, data were sourced from the databases of global institutions, namely the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Bank for International Settlements (BIS), Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) and the European Central Bank (ECB). This part focuses on a period of time between 2001 and 2019, and the results indicate that the current international monetary system shows signs of transitioning towards a multipolar structure. The level of currency concentration of the key reserve currencies dropped slightly, although not enough to cause a qualitative change of the current international monetary system. This study may serve as a base for future research on this topic. © The Author(s) 2021

Effect of a Digitally-Enabled, Preventive Health Program on Blood Pressure in an Adult, Dutch General Population Cohort:An Observational Pilot Study

Worldwide, it is estimated that at least one in four adults suffers from hypertension, and this number is expected to increase as populations grow and age. Blood pressure (BP) possesses substantial heritability, but is also heavily modulated by lifestyle factors. As such, digital, lifestyle-based interventions are a promising alternative to standard care for hypertension prevention and management. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of elevated and high BP in a Dutch general population cohort undergoing a health screening, and observed the effects of a subsequent self-initiated, digitally-enabled lifestyle program on BP regulation. Baseline data were available for 348 participants, of which 56 had partaken in a BP-focused lifestyle program and got remeasured 10 months after the intervention. Participants with elevated SBP and DBP at baseline showed a mean decrease of 7.2 mmHg and 5.4 mmHg, respectively. Additionally, 70% and 72.5% of participants showed an improvement in systolic and diastolic BP at remeasurement. These improvements in BP are superior to those seen in other recent studies. The long-term sustainability and the efficacy of this and similar digital lifestyle interventions will need to be established in additional, larger studies

Regional Aspects of Business Environment Creation in the SME Segment in Slovakia

The aim of this article is to define, quantify and compare the significant attributes of creation and development of the business environment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in selected regions of Slovakia. Within this stated objective, relevant factors and business relationships between entrepreneurs and the socio-economic system were analysed. The entrepreneurs´ perception of their environment (state, company, banks etc.) was evaluated. The data was collected through a questionnaire. The whole research was conducted in the Bratislava region on a sample of 102 SMEs, in the region of Trencin on a sample of 105 SMEs and in the Zilina region on a sample of 168 SMEs. Thus we compared important factors of business environment in the most economically developed region of the Slovak capital to the average regions of Trencin and Zilina. Entrepreneurs stated a quality of not being afraid to risk as the most essential characteristic feature of a businessman. The following qualities were mentioned as well: expertise, responsibility and persistence.. The largest number of entrepreneurs in all the regions of Slovakia said that the state institutions just bully them and create unnecessary obstacles. Entrepreneurs indicated that commercial banks´ approach to SMEs financing remains problematic. © 2015, Mediterranean Center of Social and Educational Research. All rights reserved