John Sakellaris and Yves Crutzen
During plasma disruption events in tokamaks, a large amount of magnetic energy is associated to the transfer of plasma current in eddy currents into the passive structures. In the…
Abstract
During plasma disruption events in tokamaks, a large amount of magnetic energy is associated to the transfer of plasma current in eddy currents into the passive structures. In the paper, the influence of the in‐vessel design, in terms of magnetic shielding and electrical insulation, on the magnitude and the flow pattern of the eddy currents is investigated.
Ronald E. Rice, Stacy Rebich-Hespanha and Huiru (Jennifer) Zhu
The chapter reviews recent evidence of, and debates about, the integration of art, entertainment, and media in media portrayals (e.g., movies, photographs, theater, music…
Abstract
The chapter reviews recent evidence of, and debates about, the integration of art, entertainment, and media in media portrayals (e.g., movies, photographs, theater, music, performance art, museums, story-telling, modifications of an environmental space, social media, painting, comics, dance, videogames, etc.) of climate change based on three sources of data: 1) articles listed in academic reference databases and Google Scholar, 2) online sites, and 3) climate change news images. 1) Retrieved articles discuss both the potential and challenges of communicating about climate change through art, entertainment, and media. However, research is inconsistent on and in some cases is critical of the nature and extent of effects of art-based climate communication. 2) The Internet is a rich and diverse source of websites and videos about climate change. We analyzed 49 sites based on the art medium or form discussed, the primary content related to climate change, and the apparent goal of the site or video. The most frequent goals were promote action, collaboration, raise awareness, climate change communication, discussion, empowerment, reshape public perception, and engagement. 3) Based on the major themes and frames identified through content and cluster analysis of 350 images associated with 200 news articles from 11 US newspaper and magazine sources through late 2009, we summarize the theme of art and mass media representations of the environment, and how those are associated with the other major themes. We conclude by suggesting promising areas for future research on the intersection of art and science in communicating about climate change.
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George Giannakopoulos, Haris Assimopoulos, Dimitra Petanidou, Chara Tzavara, Gerasimos Kolaitis and John Tsiantis
High school students are a common target group in initiatives addressing discriminatory attitudes towards people with mental illness. However, these initiatives are rarely…
Abstract
High school students are a common target group in initiatives addressing discriminatory attitudes towards people with mental illness. However, these initiatives are rarely evaluated and documented. The aim of our paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based educational intervention for improving adolescents' attitudes and reducing the desire for social distance from people with mental illness living in their community. A total of 161 students aged 16-18 years old were questioned at baseline assessment and 86 of them received a three-workshop educational intervention while 75 students comprised the control group. A follow-up assessment 1 month post intervention evaluated its impact. Attitudes and the social distance were assessed through the Community Attitudes towards the Mentally Ill scale and a 10-statement questionnaire based on the Self-report Inventory of Fear and Behavioural Intentions, respectively. Data from 140 subjects were analyzed. All attitude dimensions and half of the measured social distance statements were significantly improved in the intervention group at follow up assessment compared to controls. However, the statements measuring more intimate types of social relationships did not change significantly post intervention. In conclusion, short educational interventions can be effective to some extent in reducing discriminatory attitudes towards people with mental illness. However, effective interventions to address deeply held negative stereotypes will require further research.
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Employees’ satisfaction and productivity is one of the main interests of employers. Psychological comfort can cause dissatisfaction with their work. Thus, it is important to…
Abstract
Purpose
Employees’ satisfaction and productivity is one of the main interests of employers. Psychological comfort can cause dissatisfaction with their work. Thus, it is important to understand what factors contribute to employees’ satisfaction in workplaces. The purpose of this paper is to identify the weight of contribution of each design parameter on increasing psychological satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
The study included 579 employees in five offices in The Netherlands through an online survey. The typologies of offices vary in terms of office layouts, orientations and façade. Additionally, a parameter of desk location was included as this factor may be associated with user satisfaction. Kruskal–Wallis H test, categorical regression, and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the impact of these design parameters on psychological user satisfaction.
Findings
The results revealed the impact of design parameters on the psychological satisfaction. The parameters of office layouts and desk locations were the significant predictor factors for the probability of satisfaction variables (e.g. privacy, concentration, communication, social contact and territoriality). The parameters for optimal satisfaction were found in cellular office, north-west oriented workstation and 4 m away from a window.
Originality/value
Psychological comfort is an inevitable aspect in user satisfaction studies. This paper, therefore, measures and predicts the relationship between design factors and employees’ satisfaction through case studies in The Netherlands. The findings help designers, architects, planners and facility managers to develop user-focussed office design principles supporting employees’ work performance.
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Emma Tonkin, Annabelle M Wilson, John Coveney, Trevor Webb and Samantha B Meyer
Distrust of conventional food supply systems impacts consumer food choice. This in turn has implications for consumer nutrition outcomes and acceptance of expert advice regarding…
Abstract
Purpose
Distrust of conventional food supply systems impacts consumer food choice. This in turn has implications for consumer nutrition outcomes and acceptance of expert advice regarding food and health. The research exploring consumer trust is found across a broad range of research streams, and is not cohesive in topic or approach. The purpose of this paper is to synthesise the disparate literature exploring the interaction between food labelling and consumer trust to determine what is known, and gaps in knowledge regarding food labelling and consumer trust.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic search of trust and food labelling literature was conducted, with study results synthesised and integrated. Studies were then critically analysed for the conceptualisation of the consumer, the label, and their interaction with a framework developed using social theories of trust.
Findings
In total, 27 studies were identified. It was found that not only is the current literature predominantly atheoretical, but the conceptualisation of labelling has been limited.
Research limitations/implications
Further empirical research is needed to enable a more comprehensive understanding of the role food labelling plays in influencing consumer trust in food systems.
Originality/value
This research develops a conceptualisation of the dual roles food labelling may play in influencing consumer trust in food systems. It distinguishes between trust in food labelling itself, and the trust consumers develop in the food supply system through food labelling. The novel theoretical model and synthesis provide a foundation upon which future research may be conducted.
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Christine Hoefkens, Isabelle Vandekinderen, Bruno De Meulenaer, Frank Devlieghere, Katleen Baert, Isabelle Sioen, Stefaan De Henauw, Wim Verbeke and John Van Camp
The increasing demand for organic foods is explained mainly by consumers' concerns about the quality and safety of foods and their perception that organically produced foods are…
Abstract
Purpose
The increasing demand for organic foods is explained mainly by consumers' concerns about the quality and safety of foods and their perception that organically produced foods are healthier and safer than conventional foods. Based on internationally available concentration data of organic and conventional vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, lettuce and spinach) and potatoes, the paper aims to investigate the scientific validity of nutrition claims as “no vegetable/potato has higher amounts of nutrient X than organic vegetables/potatoes” and “no vegetable/potato has lower amounts of contaminant Y than organic vegetables/potatoes”.
Design/methodology/approach
Detailed nutrient and contaminant databases were developed for organic and conventional vegetables separately. Non‐parametric (Mann‐Whitney test) methods were used to detect significant differences between both types of vegetables. A chi‐square test was used to compare the incidence of pesticide residues in organic and conventional vegetables.
Findings
From a nutritional and toxicological point of view, organic vegetables and potato in general are not significantly better than conventional vegetables and potatoes. For some nutrients and contaminants organic vegetables and potatoes score significantly better but for others they score significantly worse. Therefore, it becomes difficult to justify general claims indicating a surplus value of organic over conventional vegetables and potatoes. More data from controlled paired studies are needed to reconsider the use of claims for these organic plant foods in the future.
Research limitations/implications
Only a limited number of studies comparing the nutrient and/or contaminant concentration of organic and conventional vegetables are available (“paired studies”). Additionally, the majority of the studies are of moderate or poor quality. The implication is that more of those paired studies are heavily needed. Another limitation of the study is the fact that most pesticide residue data originated from the USA, the EU and Australia.
Originality/value
So far only few studies compared both nutrient and contaminant contents between organic and conventional plant foods. This paper covers therefore an important, not well‐explored research sub area.
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Keshvar Samadaee Gelehkolaee, Mehrnaz Geranmayeh, Zahra Behboodi Moghadam, Mojgan Mirghafourvand, Armin Zareiyan and Fovziye Sanaati
Transition to parenthood (TTP) is a major life event that affects all aspects of one’s psychosocial function. Similar to their partners, men experience a lot of psychological…
Abstract
Purpose
Transition to parenthood (TTP) is a major life event that affects all aspects of one’s psychosocial function. Similar to their partners, men experience a lot of psychological changes during the TTP process. As there are a few studies on this subject, so the purpose of this study is to review previous studies on psychological and functional changes in men during TTP.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a review study that reports the findings from a review of previous studies on psychological and functional changes in men during TTP. This study searched from the electronic database between articles published in between 2005–20.
Findings
This study was carried out in five stages: framing research questions; searching databases with an effective strategy; selecting relevant studies; findings mining; summarizing and classifying findings; and providing results. After the literature review, relevant studies were categorized into three groups. The first, second and third groups included studies on prenatal, labor and delivery and postnatal TTP, respectively. Psychological and functional changes in men during TTP significantly affect child-father relationships, development of children and sexual relationship with a partner. Therefore, further attention should be given to this important process, along with changes, expectations, needs, etc.
Originality/value
This study reviews men’s functional changes along with their psychological changes during the parental transition. This study also reviews effective strategies and interventions for successful parental transition in men.
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The aim of this paper is to analyze the use of genetically modified organisms in the agricultural sector, the way in which the issue of transgenic foods is regulated into European…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to analyze the use of genetically modified organisms in the agricultural sector, the way in which the issue of transgenic foods is regulated into European Union and the guidelines on coexistence between genetically modified (GM) and traditional crops. Nowadays the modern consumer supports above all the typical and healthy food products. Notwithstanding, there is a broad and complex legislative framework for sustainable and high quality products: the issue of GM foods is at odds with everything.
Design/methodology/approach
Wide literature review is done to base the discussion of the present viewpoint paper.
Findings
Thematic analysis revealed that increasing use of biotechnology worldwide opens many opportunities, but also some problems, due to the attitude of consumers toward the naturalness of food. It also revealed that coexistence is possible, but presents many obstacles, despite the positive observations of Italian scientific studies.
Originality/value
This paper addresses the issue of coexistence between GM and traditional crops in more depth, providing analysis not previously existing above all in the Italian context.