scholarly journals Determinants of Bird Species Literacy—Activity/Interest and Specialization Are More Important than Socio-Demographic Variables

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1595
Author(s):  
Christoph Randler ◽  
Felicitas Heil

Biodiversity is declining, and knowledge about biodiversity declines in a similar way. Previous studies have already addressed predictors of species knowledge. Here, we studied bird species knowledge related to demographics, but also to individual differences in affinity to nature, by including (i) birding specialization and (ii) bird-related activities/interest. Data were collected from July to October 2020 via an online questionnaire, containing demographic data, birding specialization, interest/activity, and images of 28 bird species native to Germany. Participants were adult students, lecturers and administrative staff of the Eberhard Karls University Tübingen. A total of 1967 questionnaires were returned in this study (35.3% male, 53.8% students, 69% had access to a garden). Mean identification score was 16.31 ± 6.38. Thus, participants were able to identify more than half of the species (total species n = 28). Men identified more species than women, garden owners had higher identification scores than non-owners, while hometown size was not significant. A distance to the next forest patch >10 km was related to lower identification scores. Employees scored higher than students. Correlation between species knowledge and birding specialization was high, as was the correlation with bird interest/activity. Higher scores were found in older people. In the linear univariate model, birding specialization and bird interest were the most influential predictors of species knowledge, followed by distance to next forest patch and occupation (student vs employees). Other variables were not significant. We suggest including such measures (interest, attitude, etc.) into further studies and move forward from the urban–rural narrative to more complex analyses of living circumstances.

2021 ◽  
pp. 030573562097278
Author(s):  
Giulia Ripani

Using the Theory of Social Representations as theoretical and methodological framework, the purpose of this study was to analyze adults’ mental images (social representations) of music and musical selves across the lifespan. Participants ( N = 74) were chosen using purposive sampling in various sociocultural contexts in a large city in the Southeastern United States. As previous studies documented, projective techniques (drawings and linguist associations) can access the most latent dimensions of thinking. Accordingly, drawings and linguistic associations to the textual stimuli “me,” “music,” and “music and me” were used to gain insights into adults’ mental images of music and musical selves. Participants were also asked to provide socio-demographic data that might affect or correlate with their responses. The Correspondences Analysis technique was used to reconstruct representational fields associated with the stimuli. For each stimulus, a five-factor extraction identified hidden dimensions in adult musical thinking and summarized the links between socio-demographic variables and adults’ responses. From a developmental perspective, the comparison of drawings and linguistic associations revealed stable and changing elements in adults’ representations of music and musical selves across the lifespan. From a sociocultural perspective, this study documented the influence of the variable ethnicity on adults’ responses.


Author(s):  
Fatmah Alsharif ◽  
Wedad Almutairi ◽  
Faygah Shibily ◽  
Fatmah Alhothari ◽  
Fidaa Batwa ◽  
...  

Background: Lymphedema is a condition in which excessive fluid accumulates in soft tissues. It is a common complication of breast cancer treatments. It can lead to serious consequences and interfere with the activity of daily living. This study aimed to determine the level of awareness of breast-cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) among women with breast cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was a descriptive quantitative cross-sectional design that included a convenience sample of women diagnosed with breast cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected by distributing a self-administrated online questionnaire consisting of four parts, including demographic data (five items), the status of education about BCRL (three items), basic medical history of breast cancer (six items), and BCRL level of awareness of risk factors and management (nine items). Results: In total, 95 out of 135 of participants did not know about lymphedema, 119 of the participants (88.1%) did not receive any explanation about the possibility of lymphedema from their medical team before surgery, and 121 of them (89.6%) did not receive it after surgery. The most significant factor affecting participants’ level of awareness regarding BCRL was the lack of information about the possibility of BCRL occurrence, which was not provided to them by the medical team. Recommendation: Early and continuous education for future management is essential to prevent problems related to BCRL and improve quality of life.


2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 1179-1189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Hideki Bando ◽  
David Lester

The objective was to evaluate correlations between suicide, homicide and socio-demographic variables by an ecological study. Mortality and socio-demographic data were collected from official records of the Ministry of Health and IBGE (2010), aggregated by state (27). The data were analyzed using correlation techniques, factor analysis, principal component analysis with a varimax rotation and multiple linear regression. Suicide age-adjusted rates for the total population, men and women were 5.0, 8.0, and 2.2 per 100,000 inhabitants respectively. The suicide rates ranged from 2.7 in Pará to 9.1 in Rio Grande do Sul. Homicide for the total population, men and women were 27.2, 50.8, and 4.5 per 100,000, respectively. The homicide rates ranged from 13.0 in Santa Catarina to 68.9 in Alagoas. Suicide and homicide were negatively associated, the significance persisted among men. Unemployment was negatively correlated with suicide and positively with homicide. Different socio-demographic variables were found to correlate with suicide and homicide in the regressions. Suicide showed a pattern suggesting that, in Brazil, it is related to high socioeconomic status. Homicide seemed to follow the pattern found in other countries, associated with lower social and economic status.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-176
Author(s):  
Bushra Suhail ◽  
Ayesha Masood ◽  
Javaria Baig ◽  
Sara Mukhtar ◽  
Sarah Aftab ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: This study investigated medical and non-medical students’ knowledge, attitude, and preparedness regarding COVID-19 pandemic, to groom volunteers and future healthcare providers in a better way. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was completed from April to May 2020 during the first wave of COVID-19. An online questionnaire was distributed using internet and social media (SM). The questionnaire was composed of several parts concerning to demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practices. RESULTS: This study included 1851 students [1041(56.54% medical, 810(43.46%) non-medical students)]. Medical students had significantly better knowledge about the contagious nature, spread and treatment of coronavirus. Non-medical students showed more risky behavior compared to medical students (p = 0.005). The use of masks and the frequency of handwashing was better among medical students as compared to non-medical students (p< 0.001; p< 0.014, respectively). The odds ratio indicates that students of the age group 21-25 years (45%) and medical students (75%) were more likely to have a positive attitude. CONCLUSION: This study revealed good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices towards COVID-19 among medical students. Still, a minority of participants from both groups revealed misconceptions and relatively poor conceptual knowledge regarding the disease.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 227-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolyn Vaughan ◽  
Anne McMurray ◽  
Mary Sidebotham ◽  
Jennifer Gamble

Background:Certification as a lactation consultant is based on practitioners having achieved a standard of knowledge indicative of their competence to practice by passing a psychometric examination. The underpinning principle of recertification programs is to support clinicians to become lifelong learners by progressively enhancing and advancing their knowledge and skills in line with contemporary evidence. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that influence International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) to advance their practice.Method:A mixed-methods study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 included focus groups, interviews, and participants’ demographic data. Phase 2 comprised of an online questionnaire to IBCLCs. This approach was designed to provide a comprehensive qualitative understanding of the IBCLCs’ experiences, which was then triangulated with quantitative data from a significantly larger population of IBCLCs in Phase 2.Results:The findings are described in themes and subthemes. Participants in phase 2 (n = 3,946) reported being intrinsically motivated (93.3%, n = 3,631) and committed to providing evidence-based guidance and optimal care to support breastfeeding mothers. They identified various sources of continuing education, although attendance at conferences, peer support, and reflective sessions were the most common approaches to enhancing knowledge. They recognized that it was through extension of knowledge that they were able to advance their practice.Conclusion:This article identifies strategies that the managers, educators, and certification bodies can adopt to support the IBCLCs in continuing to advance their practice, which will ultimately improve breastfeeding outcomes for mothers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-163
Author(s):  
Jyotik Tarak Bhachech

Selfie, a commonly observed behaviour, is symbol of virtual identity. Similarly, narcissism as described by grandiose view of oneself, seeking approval and admiration on social media is also frequent. The purpose of this study is exploring selfie taking behaviour and narcissism among young adults. A total 132 subjects were considered for study through an online questionnaire which included demographic variables, selfie taking behaviour and NPI-16 (Narcissistic Personality Inventory -16). The results showed majority of the subjects N = 76 (57.5%) had high narcissism (NPI ≥ 7). Age group 15 to 25 years (p= 0.0200), males, subjects who stayed in city, post graduates or graduate qualification, and married subjects had high narcissism. Using smart phone use more than 5 years (p=0.00942), taking 5 to 10 selfies per day with (p=0.00331), posting selfie for personal memory (p=0.03268), selfie on WhatsApp messenger (p=0.03268) and taking selfie with person alone and selfie taken on specific occasions (p=0.01122), had high narcissism. The conclusion of this study is selfie and narcissism are closely linked among young adults and a matter of psychological wellbeing during personality development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-223
Author(s):  
Sonu Punia ◽  
◽  
Mohini Mohini ◽  
Shailja Sharma ◽  
Varun Singh ◽  
...  

Objective. The aim of this research was access the effect of lockdown on the psychological health status of people. Methods. This was an online questionnaire survey developed and circulated among people using snow-ball sampling techniques from April to mid of June 2020. The online survey collected information on demographic data and psychosocial health elements. Results. This study included 604 peoples (59.1% were female and 40.8% were females) of Haryana. Of the total respondents, 57.6% were in age group of 18-30 years, 40.8% were in 31-45 years and 1.5% was in 45-60 years group. 90% of people have normal self- reported BMI, 6.5% were overweight, 3% were underweight and 0.5% people have obesity. 74% respondents were graduate, 11.5% postgraduate, 3.2% were PhD, and 9.2% were 12th pass. 31.8% were unemployed, 35.9% were student, 15.8% regular government employee, 4.7% were self- employed and 2.5% were adhoc/contract employee. 79.5% people reside in urban community and 16% in rural community and 4.5% in semi-urban area. Most of the respondents have agree with the statement that lockdown induced constant sense of insecurity (72.9%); anxiety (58.7%),psychological stress (66.4%); work & financial stress (52.4%), phobia of infection (50.9%); stigma towards symptomatic people, which might be because of simple flu (55.2%); stress from watching & listening COVID-19 news (38.6%); stress from practice of prevention measure (31.9%). Most of people also agree with that behavior-change modification (follow preventive regulations) can improve mental stress (53.2%). Conclusion. Majority of people has realized the lockdown have significant impact on psychological health status of people.


Author(s):  
Paula Fernández-Riveiro ◽  
Nerea Obregón-Rodríguez ◽  
María Piñeiro-Lamas ◽  
Almudena Rodríguez-Fernández ◽  
Ernesto Smyth-Chamosa ◽  
...  

The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) was determined in 12- and 15-year-old schoolchildren to ascertain the prevalence of malocclusion and to assess its association with dental caries experience, dental plaque accumulation, and socio-demographic variables. We performed a cross-sectional study with a stratified two-stage sampling design. An oral health survey and oral examination were conducted, and socio-demographic data were recorded. The sample comprised 1453 schoolchildren aged 12 (868) and 15 (585). These two samples were analyzed separately because statistically significant differences were found: the 12-year-old age group displayed a higher frequency of schoolchildren who attended state-run public schools (p = 0.004) and belonged to a lower social class (p = 0.001); the 15-year-old age group registered higher levels of caries (p = 0.001) and lower levels of dental plaque (p < 0.001). The malocclusion was 9.5% higher (p = 0.001), and the global mean DAI score was likewise higher among the 12-year-olds (p < 0.001). The multivariate regression analysis not only showed that caries and dental plaque were the variables that were the most strongly associated with malocclusion, but that caries (OR = 1.5) and dental plaque (OR > 2) were also risk factors for malocclusion in both groups. In conclusion, this study revealed a higher prevalence of malocclusion and dental plaque at age 12. A higher risk of caries and dental plaque was found to be related to the presence of malocclusion in both age groups.


2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence E Conole

Urban exploiters and adapters are often coalesced under a term of convenience as ‘urban tolerant’. This useful but simplistic characterisation masks a more nuanced interplay between and within assemblages of birds that are more or less well adapted to a range of urban habitats. Furthermore, cues are generally sought in behavioural ecology and physiology for the degree to which particular bird species are predisposed to urban living. The data in this paper are focused on two assemblages characterised as urban exploiters and suburban adapters from Melbourne, Australia. This study departs from the approach taken in many others of similar kind in that urban bird assemblages that form the basis of the work were identified at the landscape scale and from direct data analyses rather than indirect inference. Further, this paper employs a paired, partitioned analysis of exploiter and adapter preferences for points along the urban-rural gradient that seeks to decompose the overall trend into diagnosable parts for each assemblage. In the present paper I test the hypotheses that the distinct urban exploiter and suburban adapter assemblages within the broad urban tolerant grouping in Melbourne vary in their responses within the larger group to predictor variables, and that the most explanatory predictor variables vary between the two assemblages. In the end, habitat-of-origin better predicts degree of adaptation amongst urban tolerant birds.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayse Nil Tosun ◽  
Ayfer Ezgi Yilmaz

PurposeThis study examines the effect of taxes, similar financial liabilities, and demographic variables such as respondent age, company age, and field of operation on the table wine market in Turkey.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted on the wine producers and importers via SurveyMonkey. Thirty-six survey questions were answered using a five-point Likert scale. The responses obtained from 51 owners and administrators of wine companies were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 23 program.FindingsExcise and value-added taxes affected the amount and price of table wine production in Turkey, whereas the banderole affected quality and price. The excise tax, value-added tax, banderole, Resource Utilization Support Fund, customs duty, and authorizations also affected the amount, quality and price of table wine imports. Although financial liabilities such as the banderole, Resource Utilization Support Fund and authorizations required for import do not constitute a heavy load on wine costs, they do have similar effects as other taxes on table wine imports.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation of this study was its sample size. Only 51 individuals responded, as it was an online questionnaire. However, this did not compromise the representativeness of the sample with regard to the company's field of operation (production and import of table wine), lending credibility to the opinions provided.Originality/valueThis study establishes that, contrary to popular belief, decisions regarding wine production and import are not solely affected by a heavy tax burden. Other factors, such as the banderole, Resource Utilization Support Fund, ages of companies and respondents and authorizations required for import, which are not viewed as a heavy burden in monetary terms, also prove to be decisive.


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