scholarly journals Religious Diaspora: A New Approach to Its Existence and Meaning

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 831
Author(s):  
Alina Pătru

The present study aims to contribute to the discussion regarding the possibility of conceptualizing a religious diaspora. It proposes a new way of defining it, namely in relation to religious and not to ethno-territorial realities, but without editing the territorial dimension out. After sketching the definition on this theoretical basis, the study refers to six case studies, pointing to the way in which the definitory traits of a religious diaspora are actualized in each situation under study. The evaluation unravels the strengths of the concept as well as certain aspects that still need to be addressed in further research. The inference is that the capacity of religion to generate diasporic feelings and attitudes should also be acknowledged and that the concept of religious diaspora ought to be treated as an analytic instrument useful both in the research and in the decision-making process.

Author(s):  
S. M. Amin Hosseini ◽  
Albert de la Fuente ◽  
Oriol Pons ◽  
Carmen Mendoza Arroyo

AbstractOne of the main challenges in assisting displaced persons who have lost their homes as a result of a natural hazard is the provision of adequate post-disaster accommodations, such as temporary housing. Although the need for temporary housing has increased around the world in recent years, it has been criticized on economic, environmental, and social grounds. A universal approach to post-disaster accommodations cannot successfully deal with this issue because each recovery process involves a unique set of conditions. Therefore, rather than defining a specific strategy, this study aims to present an approach capable of producing customized strategies based on contextual and social conditions. To this end, first, the main factors influencing the choice of post-disaster accommodations are identified through five case studies. It is concluded that all of the factors can be organized into three main vertices to simplify the highly complex issues involved in post-disaster accommodations. The case studies also show that the decision-making process consists of two main parts. To date, a recurring failure to distinguish between these two parts has led to unsuitable outcomes. Thus, this paper presents a new decision-making methodology, consisting of multiple steps, phases, and indicators based on the main vertices.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teimuraz Tsabadze

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce a new approach for an assessment of the credit risks. The initial part of the chapter is to briefly discuss the existing models of assessment of the credit risks and justify the need for a new approach. Since a new approach is created for conditions of uncertainty, we cannot do without fuzzy mathematics. The proposed approach is based on group decision-making, where experts’ opinions are expressed by trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. The theoretical basis of the offered approach is laid out in the metric space of trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. The new approach is introduced and discussed, and two realization algorithms are given. The toy example of application of the introduced approach is offered as well.


2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-58
Author(s):  
Ryszard Kłos

Abstract The previous article described a new approach methodology1 for work on the development of technology for the use of the SCR CRABE SCUBA2 type diving apparatus. However, after its publication numerous questions emerged regarding the genesis of the research undertaken, also from foreign partners using the same rebreather. The work on changing the technology of use was preceded by analyses, which were available only to people involved in the decision-making process. Demonstrating all the details of the decision-making process may be tedious, but failing to present them at all might raise justified doubts about the advisability of conducting a long-term research cycle. This article only presents preliminary analyses. The necessity to perform them resulted from the specific requirements for military technologies3 which, as broadly as possible, should be knowledge-based. The knowledge-based approach by its very nature allows continuous improvement of the adequacy of the predictions made, the estimation of the level of risk when diagnosing deviations from the repeatability or precision of the model, and the possibility of adapting the technology to the changing requirements of the user resulting from tactical considerations of its use.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanthee Anantapong ◽  
Nathan Davies ◽  
Justin Chan ◽  
Daisy McInnerney ◽  
Elizabeth L. Sampson

Abstract Background This systematic review aimed to explore the process of decision-making for nutrition and hydration for people living with dementia from the perspectives and experiences of all involved. Methods We searched CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases. Search terms were related to dementia, decision-making, nutrition and hydration. Qualitative, quantitative and case studies that focused on decision-making about nutrition and hydration for people living with dementia were included. The CASP and Murad tools were used to appraise the quality of included studies. Data extraction was guided by the Interprofessional Shared Decision Making (IP-SDM) model. We conducted a narrative synthesis using thematic analysis. PROSPERO registration number CRD42019131497. Results Forty-five studies were included (20 qualitative, 15 quantitative and 10 case studies), comprising data from 17 countries and 6020 patients, family caregivers and practitioners. The studies covered a range of decisions from managing oral feeding to the use of tube feeding. We found that decisions about nutrition and hydration for people living with dementia were generally too complex to be mapped onto the precise linear steps of the existing decision-making model. Decision-making processes around feeding for people living with dementia were largely influenced by medical evidence, personal values, cultures and organizational routine. Although the process involved multiple people, family caregivers and non-physician practitioners were often excluded in making a final decision. Upon disagreement, nutrition interventions were sometimes delivered with conflicting feelings concealed by family caregivers or practitioners. Most conflicts and negative feelings were resolved by good relationship, honest communication, multidisciplinary team meetings and renegotiation. Conclusions The decision-making process regarding nutrition and hydration for people living with dementia does not follow a linear process. It needs an informed, value-sensitive, and collaborative process. However, it often characterized by unclear procedures and with a lack of support. Decisional support is needed and should be approached in a shared and stepwise manner.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 1167-1181
Author(s):  
Laura M. Henderson

AbstractThe cases challenging the European Stability Mechanism in Eurozone creditor states show the concern courts have with protecting and promoting democratic contestation. This Article shows how John Hart Ely’s theory of process-based review provides the theoretical basis for understanding how attention to democratic contestation contributes to the legitimacy of courts reviewing legislation against constitutional norms. By focusing on promoting democratic procedures, Ely argues that courts can avoid substantive decisions that are best left to the legislature. Yet, as my discussion of the constitutional theory of constituent and constituted powers shows, no form of constituted power can avoid some exercise of constituent power. In other words, even a process-based approach cannot avoid substantive judgments. The legitimacy of these decisions depends on the availability of avenues for contestation in the judicial decision-making process itself.


Author(s):  
David Kaufer ◽  
Danielle Wetzel

This chapter describes the foundations of a “design” approach to writing as it has emerged from a confluence of the ancient and modern rhetorical traditions and the American institution of composition. We argue that a design approach emphasizes the cultivation of forethought, reader experience, the writer’s accountability for decision-making, and a sustained attention to the way words on the page construct worlds of experience for the reader. The implementation of a design approach requires reimagining the writing classroom as a studio in which the artifacts under construction are visible to all, accessible by their public “effects,” and thus assessable by a public beyond the classroom. We offer some examples of research and case studies where this reimagining has been undertaken.


1978 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-260
Author(s):  
Roger Crane

A description of the characteristics of decision tables—guidelines and examples—are offered to educational administrators as an efficient alternative to linear prose and flowchart formats. Described are three types of decision tables: limited entry, extended entry and mixed entry tables. Completeness checks and rule compression are also explained. Decision tables provide an excellent means of describing the relationship between antecedent conditions and innovative actions. When properly utilized, decision tables can bring clarity, accuracy and analysis to the decision making process.


Author(s):  
Malin Löfving ◽  
Peter Almström ◽  
Caroline Jarebrant ◽  
Boel Wadman ◽  
Magnus Widfeldt

There is a remaining need from both academia and practitioners, to gain further knowledge about the decision making process for automation of low volume production. This paper includes insights of drivers for automation, the development of a guide for low volume production and the outcome of using the guide. The research in this study is based on both empirical data and theoretical considerations. The empirical data was collected in five case studies and a questionnaire. This paper is part of a research project with the main objective to develop knowledge about how flexible automation may contribute to improvements in efficiency, ergonomics, quality and production economics in different industries with low volume production. One of the results in the project was a comprehensive guide, developed, refined and improved in an iterative collaborative process, where tools and parts of the guide were tested and verified by five manufacturing case companies. The paper describes briefly the development process of the guide and content. The requirements of the guide derived from literature, case companies, questionnaire as well as industrial experts. The resulting guide can be used in several ways, depending on the requirements of the application. The guide includes guiding principles, a decision model for the analysis of the company, choice of automation and facts about automation. In the end of the project, four companies had invested or decided to invest in different types of automation.


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