scholarly journals Reconstruction of Two Mother-Infant Dyads and Obstetrical Consequences of the Mesolithic-Neolithic Transition: A Case Study from Lepenski Vir and Vlasac (Serbia)

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 60-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jovanović ◽  
P. Frémondière ◽  
S. Stefanović
Keyword(s):  
Brain Size ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
World Population ◽  
Human Species ◽  
Pelvic Morphology ◽  
Neonatal Birth Weight ◽  
Delivery Outcomes ◽  
Lower Protein

The current world population of approximately seven billion people shows that despite the complexities of human birthing, the human species is thriving. Changes in human pelvic morphology resulting from bipedalism and encephalisation, often described as the “obstetric dilemma”, have made the birthing process extremely difficult and risky for both mothers and neonates. The major Mesolithic- Neolithic shift in lifestyle could have had important obstetric consequences. It is often hypothesised that the shift to an agricultural diet, with a lower protein content and higher glycaemic loading than the hunter-gatherer diet, could have led to a decrease in maternal height and an increase in neonatal birth weight, brain size and foetal-pelvic strain, which may have exacerbated the obstetric dilemma. The Mesolithic-Neolithic osteological collection from the Danube Gorges (7400-5500 cal BC, Balkans) provides material (2 pelvises and a neonate skull) to test this hypothesis by virtually reconstructing the fossil dyads and their foetal-pelvic relationship.We compared these dyads with a large obstetrical sample of mother-child dyads with a known birthing history, conducting a lineardiscriminant analysis in order to predict the most probable delivery outcomes for the prehistoric dyads. The results suggest that delivery was dystocic for the Mesolithic motherchild dyad and eutocic for the Neolithic mother-child dyad; obstetrically, the former is notably more efficient. However, due to the small sample size, further research is required with a larger series in order to determine whether the development of obstetrically efficient pelvic bones in the Neolithic was widespread and whether it had an impact on the birthing process and thus potentially contributed to the increasing size of the population.

The influence of homeschooling on entrepreneurial activities: a collective case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 706-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Jeanne Pannone
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collective Case Study ◽  
Internal Locus Of Control ◽  
Entrepreneurial Characteristics ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a homeschool education influences entrepreneurial characteristics and activity. Design/methodology/approach A collective case study design was used to investigate how a homeschool education influences entrepreneurial characteristics and activity. Findings From the participant interviews, surveys, and document analysis, three salient themes emerged. First, participants noted that their home education, at least in later years, was largely self-directed and that this independent, self-motivated type of learning impacted their subsequent entrepreneurial activities. Next, participants also related that they believed the alternative nature of their homeschooling education and its emphasis on being comfortable with being different influenced their entrepreneurial pathway. Finally, the third theme to surface was the idea that homeschooling helped develop an internal locus of control, a belief that is helpful in entrepreneurial undertakings. Research limitations/implications Research limitations included a lack of generalizability due to a small sample size and possible selection bias. Practical implications Despite these shortcomings, however, several implications exist. For example, the findings from this study show that homeschooling may be a viable alternative education method for parents looking to encourage entrepreneurial traits and activities in their children. Social implications Future areas of research were also identified, including a call to research the role locus of control plays in homeschooled students. Originality/value This study addresses an area that, to the knowledge of this researcher, is completely lacking from the research literature.

Exploring digital servitization trajectories within product–service–software space

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Hsuan ◽  
Marin Jovanovic ◽  
Diego Honorato Clemente
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Software Systems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Ecosystem ◽  
Product Service ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Mapping Exercise

PurposeThis study shows various pathways manufacturers can take when embarking on digital servitization (DS) journeys. It builds on the DS and modularity literature to map the strategic trajectories of product–service–software (PSSw) configurations.Design/methodology/approachThe study is exploratory and based on the inductive theory building method. The empirical data were gathered through a workshop with focus groups of 15 servitization manufacturers (with 22 respondents), an on-site workshop (in-depth case study), semi-structured interviews, observations and document study of archival data.FindingsThe DS trajectories are idiosyncratic and dependent on design architectures of PSSw modules, balancing choices between standardization and innovation. The adoption of software systems depends on the maturity of the industry-specific digital ecosystem. Decomposition and integration of PSSw modules facilitate DS transition through business model modularity. Seven testable propositions are presented.Research limitations/implicationsWith the small sample size from different industries and one in-depth case study, generalizing the findings was not possible.Practical implicationsThe mapping exercise is powerful when top management from different functional departments can participate together to share their expertise and achieve consensus. It logs the “states” that the manufacturer undergoes over time.Originality/valueThe Digital Servitization Cube serves as a conceptual framework for manufacturers to systematically map and categorize their current and future PSSw strategies. It bridges the cross-disciplinary theoretical discussion in DS.

INSPIRE sustainability internships

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 452-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Susan Hayles
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Life Context ◽  
The University

Purpose This paper aims to explore the outputs of an internship programme, one of a number of campus-based sustainability activities that have been introduced at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, to encourage student-led campus-based greening initiatives. Design/methodology/approach A case study approach was undertaken, allowing the researcher to investigate the programme in its real-life context. The researcher used multiple sources of evidence to gain as holistic a picture as possible. Findings Interns report positive changes in their behaviours towards sustainability, s well as encouraging feedback on their experiential learning, the development of their soft skills and the creation of new knowledge. Moreover, students communicated perceived benefits for their future careers. The reported outcomes reflect mutually beneficial relationships for student and institution, for example, raising the profile of campus greening activities and supporting the University’s aim to embed sustainability throughout its campus, community and culture. Research limitations/implications The researcher recognises the limitations of the research, in particular, the small sample size, which has resulted primarily in qualitative results being presented. Practical implications Feedback from previous interns will be used to shape future internships. In particular, Institute of Sustainable Practice, Innovation and Resource Effectiveness (INSPIRE) will look for opportunities to work more closely with University operations, departments, faculties and alongside University staff, both academic and support staff. Social implications Following student feedback, INSPIRE will give students opportunities for wider involvement, including an opportunity to propose their own projects to shape future internships that meet the needs of student body on campus. Originality/value Despite being one case study from one institution, the research highlights the value of such programmes for other institutions.

A critical evaluation of integrated care: a case study of the supported discharge service

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Louise Ware
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Integrated Care ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Discharge Process ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the Supported Discharge Service as a case study of integrated care. The paper will critically evaluate integrated care with regard to patient outcomes, patient satisfaction and cost and productivity. Design/methodology/approach A retrospective mixed methods case study design was adopted utilising patient satisfaction questionnaires, therapy outcome measure and a performance dashboard to measure improvements in patient satisfaction, patient outcomes and cost and productivity. Findings Measured improvements were observed in the integrated discharge process and analysis of the findings demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in patient outcomes, high levels of patient satisfaction and improved productivity subsequently leading to financial savings. Research limitations/implications Due to convenience sampling, the small sample size and a short time frame when analysing patient outcomes, the generalisability of results is limited. Despite this, with integrated care being polymorphous the findings can be utilised to develop theoretical principles to make assertions about integration (Wikfeldt, 1993). Originality/value This paper draws on the importance of integration as the principal driver of reform within the healthcare system. Even though on a small scale, the case study provides evidence to support the use of integration to improve patient outcomes, patient satisfaction and financial savings.

scholarly journals The Effects of Teachers’ Training on Professional Development and Teaching Practice: A Case Study of Two Selected Colleges in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-179
Author(s):  
Mohammad Jahangir Hossain Mojumder
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Formal Schooling ◽  
Problem Solving Skills

Nowadays, demands are growing for outcome-based and transferable learning, particularly in higher education. Being the terminal formal schooling, it needs facilitation of pupils’ achievement of problem-solving skills for real-life by teachers. To this end, this qualitative research employs a case study approach, which is suitable to test an event with small samples, and a phenomenological method to analyze respondents’ perceptions and activities thematically and descriptively to assess changes. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and class observations are used to collect data from two selected colleges to examine the extent of professional development and methodological shift in teaching as effects of training to include active learning strategies for better learning outcomes. The data though reveals that the selected flagship training program offers a bunch of pedagogical methods (not need-based) to imbibe, yet reject the idea that the nationally arranged training remains a successful effort to increase trainees’ knowledge, skills, and polish attitudes except disseminating a few concepts superficially. Moreover, trainees lack the motivation to shift their teaching habits and are unconvinced that the application of these newly learned strategies will transform anything. Likewise, they are discontented about training contents and unenthusiastic in consort with unfavorable opinions about training procedures and trainers to some extent. Therefore, the results suggest limited or no significant professional development and modification in teaching practice, rather teachers continue conventional teacher-centered method, and the effort stays insufficient, extraneous, ‘fragmented’, and ‘intellectually superficial’. Additionally, at the colleges, large class size, inappropriate sitting arrangement, pervasive traditionality, absenteeism, and other analogous challenges limited them to change their practice. Considering all these, this study suggests that alternations should be initiated at a micro (teachers & college) and macro-level (training providers & policymakers) to offer tailor-made, autonomous, and need-based training. Last but not the least, this endeavor is limited by being entirely qualitative with a small sample size and not eliciting the views of any of the trainers and policymakers and which can be an indication of points of departure for future study.

scholarly journals Activity Budget and Postural Behaviours in Orangutans on Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island for Assessing Captive Great Ape Welfare

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Norsyuhada Kamaluddin ◽  
Ikki Matsuda ◽  
Badrul Munir Md-Zain
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Activity Budget ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Great Ape ◽  
Malay Peninsula ◽  
Subadult Male ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Orang Utan

Assessments of the welfare status of captive and semi-captive animals often compare how their expression of natural behaviours differs from that of free-ranging conspecifics. Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island (BMOUI) is the only orangutan rehabilitation and conservation centre in the Malay Peninsula. We recorded and analyzed the activity budget and postural behaviours of orangutans moving freely in the enclosures on BMOUI to evaluate their welfare status. From December 2015 to December 2016, we observed three individuals: an adult male, an adult female and a subadult male, and collected 252 hours of focal data (84 hr/individual). Their activity budget was dominated by resting (60%), feeding (13%), playing (14%) and moving (9%). The study individuals heavily relied on the artificial foods (79.2%), and they spent majority of their time on the ground (85.1%) with occasional arboreal observations like using the wooden tree platform or a rope. Despite some significant individual differences, behavioural categories followed a similar trend: resting > feeding > moving > playing, except that the subadult male spent significantly more time playing (35%) than the two adults (3-4%). The most predominant posture was sitting (47.0%), followed by pronograde standing (29.4%), lying (10.5%) and clinging (4.5%). Our results suggest that orangutans on BMOUI engage in less feeding but more resting, and show less postural diversity, than free-ranging individuals. We propose that appropriate interventions to shift activity budgets, especially feeding vs. resting, and postural behaviours of captive orangutans towards those found in free-ranging orangutans might be beneficial for their welfare and survival; however, the conclusions we can draw are limited due to the small sample size, and thus until the captive behaviours of a larger number of orangutans has been described, these results must be considered preliminary and just a case study.

Financial support services for beekeepers: a case study of development interventions in Fiji's Northern Division

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordanna Hinton ◽  
Cooper Schouten ◽  
Kerrie Stimpson ◽  
David Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
Support Services ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Financial Support ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
The Pacific

PurposeThis paper analyses financial support services (loans and grants) from the perspective of beekeepers in Fiji's Northern Division.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-method, case study approach was used with key informant interviews, focus groups, semi-structured interviews and questionnaires.FindingsFinancial support was found to be an appropriate intervention. While beekeepers have access to loans, matching grants or small business grants to assist the establishment and growth of their activities, the appropriateness of these services varies based on the experience and skill of beekeepers. Capacity building was an important shortcoming in all financial services. It is recommended beekeeping clients undertake outcome-based, practical and/or mentorship-styled training to ensure beekeepers have the appropriate skills to maintain a viable enterprise.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was limited by a small sample size. Further research is needed to understand long-term impacts of financial support services and the availability and appropriateness of these within and between regions.Social implicationsRecommendations are provided to encourage effective financial support for beekeepers to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of their activities. This can impact beekeepers' livelihoods by increasing household income and income security.Originality/valueThere is a paucity of literature on the effectiveness of financial interventions to support beekeeping enterprises. This is the first study to compare financial support services from the perspective of beekeepers in the Pacific region.

Music listening to decrease intensity of agitated behaviour after severe acquired brain injury: An experimental multi-case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-76
Author(s):  
Lena Aadal ◽  
Søren Vester Hald ◽  
Ulla Johanna Setterberg ◽  
Lars Ole Bonde
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Music Listening ◽  
Rehabilitation Outcomes ◽  
Severe Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Rehabilitation Clinic

Agitated behavior following a traumatic brain injury is frequent, placing patients and staff at risk of injury. Such behaviors decrease rehabilitation outcomes. This case study explores staff-administered listening to preferred music as an intervention to reduce agitated behavior during sub-acute rehabilitation. The study included seven patients (6♂/1♀, aged 21-74 years) with agitated behaviour and suffering from severe acquired brain injury of different aetiologies. The intervention included 15 minutes of preferred music from a customized playlist created in collaboration between a relative, a music therapist and the staff at the rehabilitation clinic. Agitated Behavior Scale (ABS)-scores, blood pressure and heart rate measurements were obtained pre and post interventions. Two tailed t-test and visual analyses were conducted. Results suggest that listening to personalized playlists of preferred music with a supportive intensity profile may reduce the intensity of agitated behavior following an acquired brain injury in the sub-acute phase. Furthermore, the music listening intervention may have contributed to reduced pulse. Due to the small sample size and few measurements, further research to support the hypothesis is recommended. However, since music listening is an easily administered low-cost intervention with no obvious side-effects, it can be considered as a supplement to usual treatment.  Keywords: Acquired brain injury, neuro-rehabilitation, agitated behaviour,                    music therapy, non-pharmaceutical 

A Comparative Study of Public Libraries in Edinburgh and Copenhagen and Their Potential for Social Capital Creation

Libri ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Miller
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
The Public ◽  
Library As Place

AbstractPublic libraries have always been under pressure to earn their place in society - but can their benefit to the community be proven? Although the concept of social capital can be traced back to 1916, in the past 10 years social capital theory has been linked increasingly to the public library. Social capital refers to links between people in society - “networks, norms and trust” (Putnam 1996, 34) - which produce positive outcomes for the community as a whole. The purpose of this article is to investigate the library as place and the potential of the public library to create social capital. This comprises the examination of two cases, Edinburgh City Libraries in Edinburgh, Scotland and Kobenhavns Biblioteker in Copenhagen, Denmark in the form of a comparative case study. The methods used to elicit data included qualitative interviews with library managers, observation, and consultation of organizational documentation. The case study was limited by a small sample size, possibility of cultural bias, and lack of generalizability of evidence. Findings show that library staff in Edinburgh and Copenhagen are actively involved in creating social capital in a number of ways: through facilitating or organizing meetings, providing an informal meeting place, forging links between groups in the community, creating a welcoming environment, and by meeting community educational needs. It was found that Copenhagen and Edinburgh share in many characteristics, but have different attitudes to trust. Conclusions demonstrate that three main factors affect the library’s potential to create social capital; the library building and space, the library’s staff and volunteers, and the links that the library has with the community. It is recommended that further research should be carried out in the area of library as place and on the identification of factors generating social capital.

Teaching outbreak investigation to undergraduate food technologists

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 766-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne Karlsen ◽  
Lisbeth Mehli ◽  
Erik Wahl ◽  
Ragnhild Lyngved Staberg
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Outbreak Investigation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Module Design ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Future Work

Purpose – Investigations of food-borne outbreaks are complex and require multidisciplinary collaboration. The purpose of this paper is to help food technologists face this challenge and be competent members of a multidisciplinary team, a study module on the investigation of a “real-life” food-borne outbreak was developed. Design/methodology/approach – The module design was based on the principles of inquiry-based learning with the purpose to motivate and activate students with challenging assignments. The didactic impact of the module was evaluated as a qualitative case study with questionnaires, reflection assignments and interviews of students and lecturers. Findings – A teaching module developed by an external professional taking part in the academic environment provides a learning environment well adapted to the curriculum, as well as bringing first-hand realism and enthusiasm into the classroom. The external lecturer’s dedication to the subject was appreciated by the students. A majority of the students believed that the outbreak investigation simulation play gave a better understanding of how food-borne outbreaks are investigated. A majority of the students 68 per cent (2011) and 82 per cent (2012) believed that what they learned in this module would be useful in a future work situation. Research limitations/implications – There are some limitations to the study, the most important one being the small sample size, and as the classes rarely exceeds 30 students, the use of a control group was not logistically feasible. Originality/value – Teaching food technologists to become knowledgeable professionals in this field will constitute a valuable contribution to the multidisciplinary food-borne outbreak investigation team. In turn, this may increase confidence among the general public in the food industry.

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