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The present work was designed during March to June, 2021 to study the Body Condition Score (BCS) of Ganjam doe in its native tract and to find out its relationship with various physical attributes such as body weight (BWT), pin shoulder length (PS), height at withers (HW), heart girth (HG), abdominal girth (AG) and thigh circumferences (TC) in the villages of Nayagarh district, Odisha, India. The study was conducted on 102 Ganjam does maintained in the farmers’herd. BCS scale of 1 to 5 with 0.5 increments was used to score the does. The does were divided into groups according to their age (up to 3 yrs and above 3 yrs). The number of does with BCS of 2.00, 2.50, 3.00, 3.50, 4.00 and 4.50 were 25, 10, 21, 4, 22 and 20, respectively. The mean BCS, BWT, PL, HW, HG, AG and TC of Ganjam goats were 3.24, 27.80 kg, 59.73 cm, 64.40 cm, 70.62 cm, 88.28 cm and 28.24cm, respectively. All the physical parameters showed an increased trend from BCS range of 2.00 to 4.50. However,does having BCS ranges within 3 to 4.5 were maximum in the population. The BCS, BWT and all physical parameters were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the flock above 3 yrs. The BCS was positive and significantly (p<0.01) correlated with BWT (0.974), PS (0.889), HW (0.919), HG (0.955), AG (0.833) and TC (0.509). BCS was used to evaluate feeding programs, judge health status, and make management decisions to maximize reproduction and output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Amorphous solid dispersions (ASD) have been a successful formulation strategy to overcome the poor aqueous solubility of many novel drugs, but the development of pediatric formulations presents a special challenge due to variable gastrointestinal conditions in children. It was the aim of this work to design and apply a staged biopharmaceutical test protocol for the in vitro assessment of ASD-based pediatric formulations. Ritonavir was used as a model drug with poor aqueous solubility. Based on the commercial ASD powder formulation, a mini-tablet and a conventional tablet formulation were prepared. Drug release from the three formulations was studied in different biorelevant in vitro assays (i.e. MicroDiss, two-stage, transfer model, tiny-TIM) to consider different aspects of human GI physiology. Data from the two-stage and transfer model tests indicated that by controlled disintegration and dissolution excessive primary precipitation can be prevented. However, this advantage of the mini-tablet and tablet formulation did not translate into better performance in tiny-TIM. Here, the in vitro bioaccessibility was comparable for all three formulations. In the future, the staged biopharmaceutical action plan established herein will support the development of ASD-based pediatric formulations by improving the mechanistic understanding so that formulations are developed for which drug release is robust against variable physiological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a kind of job characteristic, feedback often occurs in the organization in order to improve employee performance. Based on leadership identity theory, this study developed a conceptual model involving supervisor developmental feedback, job crafting and job performance. the authors then targeted a large manufacturing enterprise in Hunan, China, obtaining 337 valid data using an on-site questionnaire survey. The data was analyzed using a hierarchical linear regression method, showing that supervisor developmental feedback was positively related to job crafting and employee job performance, and this job crafting was positively associated with employee job performance and partially mediated the relationship between supervisor developmental feedback and employee job performance. Managerial implications and directions for further research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article outlines a body-centred focus in the design of performance systems for electronic music. Through a movement-led design process, I discuss the interaction of the body, controllers, data and mapping. A flat hierarchy approach to performance system design aims to support bodily autonomy in performance, challenge human-machine dualism and expand the definition of virtuosity in performance to include system virtuosity. The affordances and behaviours of the components of performance systems are discussed in terms of their cooperation. With an awareness of the non-neutrality of data, controllers, and sensors, I outline methods for making adaptive and flexible systems which respond to and respect individual bodies. This embodied and hybrid approach to system design can facilitate posthuman expression in electronic music performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental flow is an important indicator of river health as it maintains the natural flow pattern of riverine ecosystem. Although numerous researches for analyzing the hydrological alterations are there, still insightful investigation of site specific knowledge should be required for riverine ecosystem protection. In this study, the objective is to analyze the hydrological status of the Sone river basin in Bihar region, India. This study also focuses to develop a flow duration curve (FDC) to show the time duration–frequency of low-flow events. The hydrological status of the basin was analyzed using indicators of hydrologic alteration (IHA). Low flows were estimated using period of record flow duration curve (POR FDC), and design environmental flow was assessed for 10-year and 100-year return period using stochastic flow duration curve (stochastic FDC). Daily discharge data collected from Koelwar station of Sone river for 1990–2020 period were used for the hydrological analysis. Depending on the quantitative and qualitative assessment of the hydrological alterations, it was found that the hydrological status of the river basin is in a "very altered" state. The POR FDC analyzed 7-day mean discharge values (7dQ) appropriate for determining low flows, and discharge values corresponding to 95% probability of exceedance (Q95) were considered as low flow for 7dQ. Stochastic FDCs generated 7-day mean flow duration curves for 10-year (7Q10) and 100-year (7Q100) recurrence intervals. Discharge values corresponding to 95% probability of exceedance for 7Q10 range from 120 to 125 cumec and those for 7Q100 range from 135 to 140 cumec. The methodology proposed in this work to design environmental flow considering the effects of hydrological alteration can help in making the long-term strategies to protect the riverine ecosystem in Sone river basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of local mechanical behaviour of wood is especially important as silvicultural practices are modified to allow wood to compete as a relevant material in high technology applications. Challenges associated with identification of local mechanical behaviour have resulted in simplified test geometries designed to determine one or two constitutive parameters. The objective of this work was to design and simulate an entire experiment developed to simultaneously identify the earlywood and latewood orthotropic stiffnesses in loblolly pine in a single specimen and load geometry. The virtual experiment was capable of evaluating optimal orthotropy orientation for reduced identification errors and indicating most favourable choices for data smoothing filters and identification methodology. Additionally, certain ring spacing and latewood percentages were shown to produce large errors, but those combinations are unlikely to occur naturally. The simulation was able to identify Q11,Q22, and Q66 with approximately ±10% error; the Q12 error was larger with more scatter. The methodology presented here contributes to the best practices available for heterogeneous stiffness identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The firing of explosive charges with (millisecond) time delay gives a wide range of possibilities in designing multi-row blasting patterns and, at the same time, contributes positively to the minimization of the impact of blasting works on building infrastructure in the vicinity of mines. Selection of the appropriate millisecond delay should be based primarily on seismograms of vibrations induced during the firing of single explosive charges and analysis of the frequency structure of these vibrations. Using this type of data, the article presents a procedure for optimizing millisecond delays with the use of a computer programme dedicated to modern, electronic initiating systems that are currently applied towards obtaining a favourable vibration structure in terms of the assessment of the impact on buildings in accordance with the standard regulations applicable in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout its early years, the Oral Roberts University (ORU) Library held a place of pre-eminence on campus. ORU's founder envisioned the Library as central to all academic function and scholarship. Under the direction of the founding dean of learning resources, the Library was an early pioneer in innovative technologies and methods. However, over time, as the case with many academic libraries, the Library's reputation as an institution crucial to the academic work on campus had diminished. A team of librarians is now engaged in programs aimed at repositioning the Library as the university's hub of learning. Toward that goal, the Library has long taught information literacy (IL) to students and faculty through several traditional methods, including one-shot workshops and sessions tied to specific courses of study. Now, in conjunction with disseminating augmented, virtual, and mixed reality (AVMR) learning technologies, the Library is redesigning instruction to align with various realities of higher education today, including uses of AVMR in instruction and research and following best practices from research into serving 1. online learners; 2. international learners not accustomed to Western higher-education practices; and 3. learners returning to university study after being away from higher education for some time or having changed disciplines of study. The Library is innovating online tutorials targeted for nontraditional and international graduate students with various combinations of AVMR, with the goal to diminish library anxiety. Numerous library and information science studies have shown a correlation between library anxiety and reduced library use, and library use has been linked to student learning, academic success, and retention. 1 This paper focuses on IL instruction methods under development by the Library. Current indicators are encouraging as the Library embarks on the redesign of IL instruction and early development of inclusion of AVMR in IL instruction for nontraditional and international students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA has been actively utilized as bricks to construct exquisite nanostructures due to their unparalleled programmability. Particularly, nanostructures based on framework DNA (F-DNA) with controllable size, tailorable functionality, and precise addressability hold excellent promise for molecular biology studies and versatile tools for biosensor applications. In this review, we provide an overview of the current development of F-DNA-enabled biosensors. Firstly, we summarize the design and working principle of F-DNA-based nanodevices. Then, recent advances in their use in different kinds of target sensing with effectiveness have been exhibited. Finally, we envision potential perspectives on the future opportunities and challenges of biosensing platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the lush visual imagery of the twenty-six visions that form the foundation of Hildegard of Bingen's first work, Scivias, the physical person of the Virgin Mary appears only once, as the Queen of the heavenly symphony in the book's final vision. The images that coalesce in the musical compositions dedicated to the Virgin in that final symphony, however, resonate throughout the rest of the work, revealing Mary's constant background presence. Moreover, analogues of traditional Marian imagery in both the text and the illustrations Hildegard designed for the work allow us to see how the Virgin exemplifies the life of the virtues from which Hildegard constructs the City of God. Finally, connections between Scivias and Hildegard's third work, Liber diuinorum operum, demonstrate that the Virgin Mary models the path of virginity that Hildegard holds up as the singular road to holy perfection for herself and the nuns under her care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Acacia melanoxylon (Australian blackwood) is an invasive alien species that expands on remnants of native communities of the Paititi Private Nature Reserve (Tandilia System, Argentina). The objective of this work was to design an adaptive management plan to contain the spread of this species. M&M: We quantified the area invaded between 2003 and 2020 and described the population structure of A. melanoxylon in sampling plots with two different invasion timeframes: recent and old invaded sites. We identified negative, positive, and neutral impacts of the invasion and proposed impact management strategies. Results: We detected a spread of 23.3 ha over native environments in 17 years. Although the basal area of individuals was similar between recent and old invaded sites (18.3 m² ha-1), the density was higher in recent invaded sites as compared to old invaded sites (3205 and 965 individuals ha-1, respectively). We identified 26 impacts, 73% ecological and negative, and formulated a seven-step management proposal. Conclusions: Our results allow us to begin understanding the impacts and dynamics of the invasion of A. melanoxylon and plan on its management. Although we use the reserve as a case study, the management plan can have a projection to other invaded areas of Tandilia. To achieve an efficient and effective invasion management, conservation and recovery of native environments, it will be necessary to conduct collaborative strategies among the different stakeholders involved in the management process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BiFeO3–based ceramics possess an advantage over large spontaneous polarization and high Curie temperature, and are thus widely explored in the field of high–temperature lead–free piezoelectrics and actuators. However, poor piezoelectricity/resistivity and thermal stability of electrostrain make them less competitive. To address this problem, (1 − x) (0.65BiFeO3–0.35BaTiO3)–xLa0.5Na0.5TiO3 (BF–BT–xLNT) systems are designed in this work. It is found that piezoelectricity is significantly improved with LNT addition, which is contributed by the phase boundary effect of rhombohedral and pseudocubic phase coexistence. The small–signal and large–signal piezoelectric coefficient (d33 and d 33 * ) peaks at x = 0.02 with 97 pC/N and 303 pm/V, respectively. The relaxor property and resistivity are enhanced as well. This is verified by Rietveld refinement, dielectric/impedance spectroscopy and piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM) technique. Interestingly, a good thermal stability of electrostrain is obtained at x = 0.04 composition with fluctuation η = 31% ( S max ' − S RT S RT × 100 % ), in a wide temperature range of 25–180 °C, which is considered as a compromise of negative temperature dependent electrostrain for relaxors and the positive one for ferroelectric matrix. This work provides an implication for designing high–temperature piezoelectrics and stable electrostrain materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimization of likelihood based inference through efficient experimental design is considered. A traditional framework for efficiency optimization is to maximize a concave function of expected Fisher information, commonly referred to as optimal design. There exists a substantial amount of literature that suggest that the observed Fisher information is a more relevant measure of the precision of the maximum likelihood estimate. Despite evidence in its favor limited effort has been made to find designs that are optimal with respect to this measure. In this work an adaptive design that incorporates observed Fisher information is proposed. The proposed design is shown to be more efficient than the optimal design with respect to inference. This theoretical result is used to develop a sample size calculation. It is found that fewer samples are required for the proposed design to obtain an equivalent level of precision as the optimal design. • Derivation of observed information adaptive designs for linear models. • Theoretical advantages associated with adaptively incorporating observed information. • Sample size calculation for fixed designs and observed information adaptive designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution deals with the diffusion of Industry 4.0 technologies and their consequences for work. Additionally, design options for work in Industry 4.0 are discussed. The following are outlined: First, since there are as yet no concrete future prospects for digital work, different development perspectives can be envisioned. Second, the development of Industry 4.0, therefore, has to be regarded as a design project. One theoretical basis for this is the "sociotechnical systems" approach. Third, this approach enables criteria for the design and implementation of human-oriented forms of digitized work to be systematically developed. The empirical basis of this contribution derives from research findings on the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies and the development of digitized work in German industry. The research results are based on qualitative research methods such as company case studies and expert interviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whole‐genome genotyping methods are important for breeding. However, it has been challenging to develop a robust method for simultaneous foreground and background genotyping that can easily be adapted to different genes and species. In our study, we accidently discovered that in adapter ligation‐mediated PCR, the amplification by primer‐template mismatched annealing (PTMA) along the genome could generate thousands of stable PCR products. Based on this observation, we consequently developed a novel method for simultaneous foreground and background integrated genotyping by sequencing (FBI‐seq) using one specific primer, in which foreground genotyping is performed by primer‐template perfect annealing (PTPA), while background genotyping employs PTMA. Unlike DNA arrays, multiple PCR, or genome target enrichments, FBI‐seq requires little preliminary work for primer design and synthesis, and it is easily adaptable to different foreground genes and species. FBI‐seq therefore provides a prolific, robust, and accurate method for simultaneous foreground and background genotyping to facilitate breeding in the post‐genomics era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coordination of maintenance work in manufacturing poses a crucial productivity factor in small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) but often seems to be rather neglected in practice as well as in much of the literature on maintenance. We shed light upon maintenance coordination work by presenting a design case study conducted in an SME over approximately two years. We took a participatory design-oriented approach, involving all roles on the shopfloor affected by maintenance work. In three major iterations during the pre-study, a release-ready prototype was developed and implemented by the users over the course of one year. The evaluation of the tool showed how a new and mostly unintended practice of information flow, error reporting, and prioritization emerged such that, for instance, foremen becoming a central node of communication, formal prioritization shifting away from higher management, and actual prioritization being done by maintainers. This paper contributes to the body of CSCW work on maintenance practice in SMEs by presenting detailed empirical findings on the coordination work of maintainers, as well as the evaluation of socio-technical interventions into maintenance practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An enhanced understanding of the innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) is essential for organizations to improve work design and daily business operations. This study's purpose is to offer insights into how AI can transform organizations' work practices through diving deeply into its innovative use in the context of a primary AI tool, a chatbot, and examining the antecedents of innovative use by conceptualizing employee trust as a multidimensional construct and exploring employees' perceived benefits. In particular, we have conceptualized employee trust in chatbots as a second‐order construct, including three first‐order variables: trust in functionality, trust in reliability, and trust in data protection. We collected data from 202 employees. The results supported our conceptualization of trust in chatbots and showed that three dimensions of first‐order trust beliefs have relatively the same level of importance. Further, both knowledge support and work–life balance enhance trust in chatbots, which in turn leads to innovative use of chatbots. Our study contributes to the existing literature by introducing the new conceptualization of trust in chatbots and examining its antecedents and outcomes. The results can provide important practical insights regarding how to support innovative use of chatbots as the new way we organize work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a wideband microstrip hybrid coupler designed, simulated, built and tested. These couplers have advantage of easy fabrication, lightweight and incorporation with other microwave devices and validated using 3D planar electromagnetic softwares like Sonnet Suites. The final design is composition of two parallel lines with symmetric slits and a center slot. Directional coupler is designed and simulated to operate in the frequency range from 1 GHz to 5 GHz with 2.4 Ghz coupling -10 dB return loss bandwidth between 1.6 - 4 GHz. The fabricated coupler shows good agreement between measured and simulated results with very low isolation characteristics. Four symmetric orthogonal U-Shaped structures at the center of the coupling region distinguishes the proposed design with other works. It makes significant improvement in calculation duration thereby achieving lower response latency and lowers the possible manufacturing errors compared with previously published similar works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This meta‐analysis tested a series of moderators of sex‐ and race‐based subgroup differences using assessment center (AC) field data. We found that sex‐based subgroup differences favoring female assessees were smaller among studies that reported: combining AC scores with other tests to compute overall assessment ratings, lower mean correlations between rating dimensions, using more than one assessor to rate assessees in exercises, and providing assessor training. In contrast, we found larger sex‐based subgroup differences favoring female assessees among studies that reported: lower proportions of females in assessee pools, conducting a job analysis to design the AC, and using multiple observations of AC dimensions across exercises. We also observed a polynomial effect showing that subgroup differences most strongly favored female assessees in jobs with the highest and lowest rates of female incumbents. We found race‐based subgroup differences favoring White assessees were smaller on less cognitively loaded rating dimensions and for jobs with lower rates of Black incumbents. Studies reporting greater overall methodological rigor also showed smaller subgroup differences favoring White assessees. Regarding specific rigor features, studies reporting use of highly qualified assessors and integrating dimension ratings from separate exercises into overall dimension scores showed significantly lower differences favoring White assessees. Practitioner points: Race‐based differences in assessment center scores favoring White assessees are moderate in size and remain a concern. However, factors such as using less cognitively loaded rating dimensions and more rigorous methodological designs can minimize these differences. While small, sex‐based differences in assessment center scores favoring female assessees are counterintuitive given the greater barriers females face in the workplace. Various factors influence these differences. Some increase differences favoring female assessees, while others decrease differences favoring female assessees or result in mean differences favoring male assessees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our work group designed and synthesized a promissory compound N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propylpentanamide (HO-AAVPA). The HO-AAVPA is a HDAC1 inhibitor and antiproliferative in cancer cell lines. However, HO-AAVPA is poor water solubility and enzymatically metabolized. In this work, the fourth-generation poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM-G4) was used as a drug deliver carrier of HO-AAVPA. Moreover, HO-AAVPA and HO-AAVPA-PAMAM complex were submitted to forced degradation studies (heat, acid, base, oxidation and sunlight). Also, the HO-AAVPA-PAMAM-G4 complex was assayed as antiproliferative in a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). The HO-AAVPA-PAMAM-G4 complex was obtained by docking and experimentally using three pH conditions: acid (pH = 3.0), neutral (pH = 7.0) and basic (pH = 9.0) showing that PAMAM-G4 captureand protect the HO-AAVPA from forced degradation, it is due to sunlight yielded a by-product from HO-AAVPA. In addition, the PAMAM-G4 favored the HO-AAVPA water solubility under basic and neutral pH conditions with significant difference (F(2,18) = 259.9, p < 0.001) between the slopes of the three conditions being the basic condition which solubilizes the greatest amount of HO-AAVPA. Finally, the HO-AAVPA-PAMAM-G4 complex showed better antiproliferative effects on MCF-7 (IC50 = 75.3 μM) than HO-AAVPA (IC50 = 192 μM). These results evidence that PAMAM-G4 complex improve the biological effects of HO-AAVPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: During COVID 19 pandemic, cancer patients, their caregivers and physicians needed to balance the challenges associated with pandemic ensuring cancer care. In this paper, we analysed ED visits during the 72 days of the pandemic in 2020 (Italian lockdown period) and compared them to the ED visits in the same calendar days in 2019 and 2021. We compared their severity, outcome (admission vs. discharge vs. death vs. hospice/palliative care), method of arrival to the ED and type of tumours affecting patients, suggesting that pandemic related emotional distress and hospital departmental reorganization could have nega-tively influenced ED admissions. Our aim was to highlight how much the government restrictive measures could have had an impact on emergency care for fragile patients such as cancer patients and help to understand how to reconcile the health needs of a specific class of patients with the need to protect public health. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a global impact. Patients with cancer, their caregivers, and physicians need to balance the challenges associated with COVID-19 while ensuring cancer care. Nevertheless, emotional distress and hospital departmental reorganization could have led to a decrease in ED admissions even among oncological patients. Methods: We compared the 72 days of the pandemic in 2020 with the same calendar days in 2019 and 2021, defining a 20% decrease in ED visits as clinically significant. We studied the cause for visit, its severity, outcome (admission vs. discharge vs. death vs. hospice/palliative care), the tumor site, and method of arrival to the ED for the 3 time periods. Results: A significant decrease in ED oncological visits was found in 2020 compared to 2019, before returning to similar numbers in 2021. Fear, anxiety, and worry, in addition to hospital departmental reorganization, surely had an important role in the delay of ED visits, which resulted in irreparable consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the modeling and stabilization of a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) using oscillating water columns (OWCs) as active structural control. The novel concept of this work is to design a new FOWT platform using the ITI Energy barge with incorporated OWCs at opposite sides of the tower, in order to alleviate the unwanted system oscillations. The OWCs provide the necessary opposing forces to the bending moment of the wind upon the tower and the waves upon the floating barge platform. However, the forces have to be synchronized with the tilting of the system which will be ensured by the proposed fuzzy airflow control strategy. Using the platform pitch angle, the fuzzy airflow control opens the valve of one side and closes the valve of the other side accordingly. Results of simulation in comparison with the standard FOWT and a PID-based airflow control show the efficiency of the fuzzy airflow control and its superiority to decrease the platform pitching and the top tower fore-aft displacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeleton-based action sequences are widely used for human behaviour understanding due to their compact characteristics. Most existing work designed Graph Convolutional Networks and integrated multiple input channels rather than the original motion sequence to improve the final performance. However, few of them have been reported on the detailed effects of such multiple input channels. In contrast to them, we systemically study the impact of different input channels and construct a more efficient GCN framework. We have identified the complementary effect between the local frame channel and global sequence channel, which is essential to improve the action recognition accuracy. By coupling local frame and global sequence information with a classical spatial–temporal graph neural network, e.g. MS-G3D, it achieves competitive performance compared with SOTA methods on challenging benchmark datasets. Related code would be available at https://github.com/movearbitrarily/multi-stream. • In this paper, we propose an effective multi-channel mechanism that exploiting global and local complementary information, which could significantly improve GCN models' performance on skeleton based action recognition. • We conduct comprehensive evaluations on two large scale benchmark datasets and achieved a competitive result compared with SOTA approaches. • We show that the performance of GCN models could be improved in a simple way. • Notably, the proposed multi-channel mechanism is generic and robust to seamlessly work with any existing GCN framework, which is essential that the reasonable performance could be achieved in a simple way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem. A lack of empathy toward victimized students belongs to the key factors that fuel longterm bullying cases. The absence of cognitive empathy toward victims is characterized by inability or unwillingness of classmates to understand the emotions and the situation of victimized students. It relates to moral disengagement processes, including dehumanizing disregard to the harm of the victims. Sample and methods. The study examined the association between victimization by bullying (assessed using self-reports) and cognitive empathy received from classmates (measured by peer nominations for students who do not feel well among others or others treat them unfairly) in seventh graders (n=190). Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association when controlling for effects of peer status, gender, and sympathy of victimized students. Results. Students feel cognitive empathy for approximately half of the victims in their classrooms and cognitive empathy had a weak positive correlation with victimization frequency. Binary logistic regression showed that aboveaverage cognitive empathy received from classmates is more likely in victims, students with low peer status, and male students. Because victimized students whose harm and difficult plight is overlooked by classmates have been considered victims most susceptible to psychological and social maladjustment, intervention efforts could benefit from tracing not only the established diagnostic criteria, but also cognitive empathy received from the side of classmates. Limitations. The findings may be limited by using a cross-sectional design and working with a convenience and relatively small sample (with a limited number of victims). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve low-cost and robustness, an indoor location system using simple visual tags is designed by comprehensively considering accuracy and computation complexity. Only the color and shape features are used for tag detection, by which both algorithm complexity and data storage requirement are reduced. To manage the nonunique problem caused by the simple tag features, a fast query and matching method is further presented by using the view field of the camera and the tag azimuth. Then, based on the relationship analysis between the spatial distribution of tags and location error, a pose and position estimation method using the weighted least square algorithm is designed and works together with the interactive algorithm by the designed switching strategy. By using the techniques presented, a favorable balance is achieved between the algorithm complexity and the location accuracy. The simulation and experiment results show that the proposed method can manage the singular problem of the overdetermined equations effectively and attenuate the negative effect of unfavorable label groups. Compared with the ultrawide band technology, the location error is reduced by more than 62%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this study is to design a backlit vision instrument capable of measuring surface roughness and to discuss its metrological performance compared to traditional measurement instruments. The instrument is a non-contact high-magnification imaging system characterized by short inspection time which opens the perspective of in-line implementation. We combined the use of the modulation transfer function to evaluate the imaging conditions of an electrically tunable lens to obtain an optimally focused image. We prepared a set of turned steel samples with different roughness in the range Ra 2.4 µm to 15.1 µm. The layout of the instrument is presented, including a discussion on how optimal imaging conditions were obtained. The paper describes the comparison performed on measurements collected with the vision system designed in this work and state-of-the-art instruments. A comparison of the results of the backlit system depends on the values of surface roughness considered; while at larger values of roughness the offset increases, the results are compatible with the ones of the stylus at lower values of roughness. In fact, the error bands are superimposed by at least 58% based on the cases analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Waste collection characteristics impact workers' health and safety. • Case study of a technical intervention in a door-to-door collection scheme. • Development of a theoretical framework for increasing sustainability. • Ergonomics evaluation not widely implemented for waste collection systems. • Ergonomics intervention on wheeled containers reduce the musculoskeletal disorders. Waste collection is the first step of waste management, and its characteristics impact workers' health and safety. Arising out of the challenge for waste collection operators to design sustainable systems of work, the authors review the literature on ergonomics and socio-economic sustainability and design a theoretical framework for assessing the sustainability of waste collection. The framework quantitatively assess the impact of the door-to-door collection system on the health and safety of the workers to provide indications to waste collection operators on how the load carried by workers can be minimised and the economic and social sustainability can be improved. As a case study, this paper investigates the musculoskeletal disorders derived from the manual material handling of waste containers affecting the workers in charge of door-to-door sorted collection of paper waste with the goal of optimizing the workers well-being and overall waste collection system performance The research study was conducted in collaboration with a company which operates in solid waste collection for Italian municipalities. For this purpose, the ergo-quality level of two paper waste collection systems is evaluated. For each system, ten scenarios of door-to-door paper waste collection are considered. The analysis is complemented by an economic analysis, which estimates the costs associated with the collection system under consideration, and a social life-cycle assessment. Results suggest that using 120-litres capacity bins would effectively improve ergonomics and optimise the costs of the investigated activity. More specifically, due to mechanised collection, the more limited number of lifting and carrying operations would expose the workers to lower ergonomic risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A current trend in organizational job design is to provide employees increased autonomy to enhance their performance. Using the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory as a working framework, the present study proposes proactive vitality management and work engagement as sequential mediators of this relationship. Thus, we test a parsimonious model that encompasses both individual strategies (i.e., proactive vitality management) and affective-cognitive (i.e., work engagement) factors as explanatory mechanisms in the link between autonomy and performance. Data from 256 Romanian employees were gathered and analyzed via structural equation modeling. The results provided support to our model. Specifically, we found proactive vitality management and work engagement to fully mediate the relationship between autonomy and performance. As such, our model validates the theoretical assumption of the JD-R theory that employees who engage in individual strategies (i.e., proactive vitality management) can capitalize on existing job resources (i.e., autonomy) to increase their well-being (i.e., work engagement) and performance. Furthermore, by identifying proactive vitality management as a mediator in the relationship between autonomy and performance, we provide practitioners with a set of proactive behaviors that can complement resource-replenishing activities (e.g., coffee break) in securing and sustaining high energy levels at work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present review introduces the electrochemical properties of macrocyclic compounds in the light of their use as supramolecular electrochemically controlled systems with reversible switchable binding of ions, molecules and redox-triggered reversible molecular motion of components with respect to each other. In particular, the electrochemical properties of calix[n]arenes, macrocyclic biindolizines, pseudorotaxanes, rotaxanes and catenanes are comprehensively considered. Besides that, the present article provides the readers with the brightest examples of reversible redox-switchable molecular motions, redox-switchable shuttles on the basis of mechanically interlocked molecules such as catenanes and rotaxanes. Donor and acceptor structural blocks of considered macrocyclic systems are described separately with the aim to familiarize the readers with this information first before introduction to the redox-switchable systems on their basis. Finally, the paper contains references to the most important and comprehensive literature on the subject of redox-switchable molecular systems. This approach will be especially useful for young researches wishing to study and work in the field of design of electrochemically driven devices based on supramolecular complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to design implicit and semi-implicit high-order well-balanced finite-volume numerical methods for 1D systems of balance laws. The strategy introduced by two of the authors in some previous papers for explicit schemes based on the application of a well-balanced reconstruction operator is applied. The well-balanced property is preserved when quadrature formulas are used to approximate the averages and the integral of the source term in the cells. Concerning the time evolution, this technique is combined with a time discretization method of type RK-IMEX or RK-implicit. The methodology will be applied to several systems of balance laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical energy plays an important role in the day‐to‐day life and backbone for the industries. Today life without electricity cannot be imagined. Because of the unnecessary actions taken by human beings, wastage and theft of power are increasing day by day. Theft of electricity is the criminal practice of stealing electrical power. It is a crime and is punishable by fines and/or incarceration. It belongs to the non‐technical losses. The objective of this work is to design a system that will try to minimize the illegal use of electricity and also reduce the chances of theft, and if theft happens appropriate actions will be taken. To identify and control power theft here, an intelligent system is introduced. It consists of two current transformers that are used to measure the actual load current and the other is to measure the turning back or neutral current. Those two current signals are fed to the micro controller. The micro controller will compare these two current signals. Depending on the comparison made by the micro controller it concludes whether power is theft through bypassing the energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Technological advances and the adaption of higher levels of automation serve as a potential cause of aviation incidents and accidents. This study aims to investigate the effect of automated systems on the operator's performance total load (work, task, information, communication and mental) in highly advanced systems. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire was designed for aviation operators (Pilots, ATCOs) to understand the intensity to which automation has affected their working environment and personal behavior. In total, 115 responses were received from 44 countries worldwide. Approximately, 66% of respondents were pilots, 27% Air traffic controllers and 7% were both pilots and ATCOs with various experience levels. Findings: Based on the results of this questionnaire, this study suggests the following: creating a total load management model to understand the best load balance an operator could perform at providing rapidly updated aviation training methods and approaches investigating the influence and consequences of adding new tools to the operator's working station and redesigning it to achieve top operator-machine equilibrium redesigning information and alerting systems. Practical implications: Intrinsic limitations include an implicit expression of bias in the way questions are phrased, ambiguity in question phrasing that leads to incorrect conclusions and challenges regarding articulating complex concepts. Originality/value: In this paper, the authors aimed to assess and investigate factors leading to current and future incidents and accidents resulting from human factors, specifically caused or developed because of highly automated systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guidance and tutoring in university has become relevant in the last decade, associated with various issues. However, many of the actions undertaken by universities do not meet the needs of our students. Therefore, we consider it necessary to know the perception, use and satisfaction that university students have about the tutoring they receive, raising as an objective of this work the design of a tool with which to achieve this end. In the construction of this tool, different phases have been followed: (i) a review of previous works from which ideas for the design of the instrument are taken, (ii) a validation of its content with the collaboration of experts in the field and (iii) a administration of the designed scale to a representative sample, whose analysis has allowed to verify the validity of the construct as well as its reliability. As a final result, a questionnaire with forty items distributed in four dimensions is constructed: socio-demographic profile of the students, knowledge of the students about the Tutorial Action Plan, use and knowledge of the students about academic tutoring and attitude/satisfaction of the students about academic tutoring. As a conclusion, we point out the need to promote the participation of students and enhance communication with tutors, as they are key to achieve better results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent challenges in the working world that resulted from the pandemic and technological advances have underlined the importance of flexibility in how jobs are designed. Job crafting (JC) refers to self-initiated changes that employees introduce to their jobs to optimize their job design and increase the fit between the job and their needs and preferences. These behaviors can be stimulated by job crafting training interventions, which aim to change how individual employees design, organize, or manage their work. However, since the interventions are implemented in various ways, we do not know which context and intervention factors are necessary or sufficient to achieve desired outcomes. Without this knowledge, benefitting from the potential of job crafting interventions is limited. The overall aim of this project will be to investigate what combinations of context, intervention, and mechanism factors are linked with effective JC interventions. Specifically, we will detect what factors are minimally sufficient and/or necessary to produce a successful JC intervention, how they combine, as well as what are the multiple alternative paths to their success. Methods: We will perform a systematic review of the JC interventions literature combined with coincidence analysis (CNA). We will search electronic databases of journals and utilize Rayyan software to make decisions regarding inclusion. Data regarding context (e.g., fit), intervention (e.g., types of activities), mechanisms (e.g., intention implementation), and outcomes (e.g., employee well-being, job performance) will be extracted using a pre-piloted form and coded into a crisp-set (factor present vs. absent). Analyses will be carried out using the CNA package in R. Discussion: This review will address gaps in knowledge about the context, intervention, and mechanism-related factors that may impact the effects of JC interventions. Consequently, this review will help develop a program theory for JC interventions that explains what works, how and under which circumstances. Applying CNA to synthesize these complex solutions across multiple studies provides an innovative method that may be used in future review attempts evaluating the implementation of interventions. Finally, our synthesis will provide knowledge relevant to organizational practitioners and scholars who want to implement JC interventions. Trial registration: https://osf.io/2g6yx [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An ejector that can be adjusted without disassembly was designed. • Saturated/undersaturated regions of the ejector were found during the tuning process. • The concept of operating condition coefficient-Γ is proposed. • The control scheme for variable operating conditions of the ejector was provided. • Effects of AR and NXP on the vortices of the premixing chamber were analyzed. The ejector has a substantial impact on the performance of the solar-driven ejector refrigeration system. This work designs an adjustable ejector without disassembly and performs numerical modeling of the geometric model to enhance the ejector capacity to adapt to various operating conditions; the simulations dependability was also validated using experimental evidence. The findings indicate that within the given operating conditions, the adjustable ejector efficiency increased by an average of 82.4 %; the COP of the system increased by an average of 72.8 %. It is also found that the adjustable ejector has a saturation region, where the ejector performance rapidly declines as the nozzle exit position increases. Under the given operating conditions, the functional relationship between the optimal area ratio and nozzle exit position is obtained. By defining the operating condition coefficient (Γ), the function of the Γ and optimal area ratio is obtained, which provides the adjustable ejector control logic. From the energy perspective, the influence of structural changes on the vortex near the premixing chamber wall is analyzed, and the basic internal reasons for how structural alterations affect the ejector performance are initially revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology and equipment for high-frequency welding and treatment (coagulation, cutting) of live tissues in surgery is ever wider used in medical practice of many countries of the world. This work, which has been performed on the base of both the materials posted on the Internet and authors' own materials, is a general review of the most typical representatives of such basic equipment, which is proposed by the leading world manufacturers. The main features and advantages of the respective equipment are given as claimed by its developers. The work is designed both for users and for developers of new equipment. 26 Ref., 1 Tabl., 15 Fig. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Masons are aided by ergonomic inventions such as tools, processes, and equipment, yet they are still subjected to performing physically demanding and hazardous tasks at the worksite. Experienced masons have a high level of job satisfaction; however, they also experience a high rate of attrition during their training phase and do not, on average, experience as long of a working life as nonconstruction workers. By analyzing expert masons' performance, in terms of body kinematics and load levels, during various masonry activities, guidelines for the training of a safer and more productive generation of masons can be formulated. This study investigated expert masons' performance and ergonomic characteristics during seven common masonry activities. Specifically, eight expert masons with over 20 years of experience laid out 16.6 kg concrete masonry units (CMUs) to construct a standard wall, a reinforced wall, a wall in constraint space (under ceiling), and the first course. They also utilized individual and collaborative lifts to build a five-course wall using 23 kg CMUs and collaborative lifts to build the same configuration using 35.2 kg CMUs. Inertial motion capture systems captured their motion, and a biomechanical analysis determined the load experienced by major body joints in each activity. The present study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing insights into expert masons' distinctive ergonomic characteristics in seven common masonry activities. Our findings open the door to providing apprentices with improved training based on those characteristics. We quantified the impact of optimized work configurations (working height for picking up and laying down material at about waist level) on minimizing musculoskeletal risks. A more significant impact on masons' safety, health, and productivity is expected by applying expert masons' biomechanical strategies in designing and/or redesigning work systems for a safer generation of masons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the refutation of the Venetian Rabbi Leon Modena (d.1648) against the Christian Catholic Order named Magen Va-Herev (Shield and Sword). The author prepared his work as a response to Pietro Galatino's (d. 1530) "De Arcanis Catholicae Veritatis" (Secrets of the Catholic Truth). Although Modena wanted to respond to the work of Galatino, he also targeted Thomas Aquinas, one of the most important Christian theologians of the Middle Ages, and his works. Modena designed the work as eight chapters but could only write five chapters. The work includes chapters of Original Sin, Trinity, Incarnation, Virginity of Mary, and the Messiah. Although Modena's work shows similarities with previous Jewish polemics in terms of content and subject, it has a unique approach in terms of style, according to today's researchers. This study deals with Modena's objections to the Catholic claims about the virginity of Mary, her role in the birth and progeny of Jesus, and the glory of Mary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Systematize the experience and identify challenges and lessons learned in the implementation of an initiative for integrated serosurveillance of communicable diseases using a multiplex bead assay in countries of the Americas. Methods. Documents produced in the initiative were compiled and reviewed. These included concept notes, internal working papers, regional meetings reports, and survey protocols from the three participating countries (Mexico, Paraguay, and Brazil) and two additional countries (Guyana and Guatemala) where serology for several communicable diseases was included in neglected tropical diseases surveys. Information was extracted and summarized to describe the experience and the most relevant challenges and lessons learned. Results. Implementing integrated serosurveys requires interprogrammatic and interdisciplinary work teams for the design of survey protocols to respond to key programmatic questions aligned to the needs of the countries. Valid laboratory results are critical and rely on the standardized installment and roll-out of laboratory techniques. Field teams require adequate training and supervision to properly implement survey procedures. The analysis and interpretation of serosurveys results should be antigen-specific, contextualizing the responses for each disease, and triangulated with programmatic and epidemiological data for making decisions tailored to specific population socioeconomic and ecologic contexts. Conclusions. Integrated serosurveillance as a complementary tool for functional epidemiological surveillance systems is feasible to use and key components should be considered: political engagement, technical engagement, and integrated planning. Aspects such as designing the protocol, selecting target populations and diseases, laboratory capacities, anticipating the capacities to analyze and interpret complex data, and how to use it are key. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The initial part of the text is dedicated to the figure of Fr. Michele Mantiglia, a Sicilian transplanted in Bohemia, who distinguished himself above all in Prague, in the Order's new College founded on 4th December 1621 by the Minister General Giacomo Montanari, approved by the popes, of which Mantiglia was the first regent (1622-1625). Later Fr. Michele became the first Provincial of Bohemia, elected in 1627. The part of the article devoted to the history of Prague College also suggests that the original design of the work was to narrate its complete history. It reconstructs, based on partial documents, the names of the regents and bachelor graduates, from the Bohemian foundation to its transfer to Italy, to Fermo, around 1716. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IoT-based insulin pumps are used to deliver precise quantities of insulin to diabetic patients to regulate blood glucose levels. Generally, these levels correspond to the dietary patterns observed at time intervals that vary between patients. However, any misrepresentation in insulin levels may lead to fatal consequences. As a result, most IoT-based insulin pumps are rejected due to the possibility of external threats, which include software and hardware attacks. However, IoT-based insulin pumps are extremely useful in real-time patient monitoring, and for controlled insulin delivery to the patient based on their current glucose level. We propose a blockchain-based method to protect against the above-mentioned attacks. The system creates a patient-specific private blockchain wherein the dosage information is added as a new block by obtaining the approval of the doctor, chief doctor, nurse, and caretaker of the patient who are authorized blockchain miners. Secondly, it securely transfers prescription data, such as dosage quantity and time of delivery, to the IoT insulin pump, which ensures the dosage information is not modified during transit before insulin administration to the patient. The proposed approach uses a state-behavior-based solution that detects anomalies in the behavior of the insulin pump via temporal data analysis and immutable ledger verification, which are designed to eliminate fatal dosages in case of anomalies. The system is designed to work within binary outcome conditions, i.e., it verifies and delivers dosage or halts. There is no middle ground that an attacker can exploit, resulting in accountability for the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aging of the human body and the reduction in its physiological capacities, falls have become a huge threat to individuals' physical and mental health, leading to serious bodily damage to the elderly and financial pressure on their families. As a result, it is vital to design a fall detection algorithm that monitors the state of human activity. This work designs a human fall detection algorithm based on hierarchical decision making. First, this work proposes a dimensionality reduction approach based on feature importance analysis (FIA), which optimizes the feature space via feature importance. This procedure reduces the dimension of features greatly and reduces the time spent by the model in the training phase. Second, this work proposes a hierarchical decision-making algorithm with an XGBoost model. The algorithm is divided into three levels. The first level uses the threshold approach to make a preliminary assessment of the data and only transfers the fall type data to the next level. The second level is an XGBoost-based classification algorithm to analyze again the type of data which remained from the first level. The third level employs a comparison method to determine the direction of the falling. Finally, the fall detection algorithm proposed in this paper has an accuracy of 98.19%, a sensitivity of 97.50%, and a specificity of 98.63%. The classification accuracy of the fall direction reaches 93.44%, and the algorithm can efficiently determine the fall direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Art lessons in elementary school give children the opportunity to gain insights into themselves and the world through perception and action, and to position themselves in their own work design. This suggests that the formation of the personality and orientation towards the artistic should be the focus of art education efforts. In the outlined lesson example, it becomes clear how a clear topic orientation initially directs the content of the creative debate. The subsequent impulse through contemporary art and contact with the artist Jonathan Meese opens a project-oriented path that challenges artistic thinking and acting in a special way and provokes individual work processes in the children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orientation: This study investigated the indirect effect of work-related flow on the relationship between job crafting and in-role job performance. Research purpose: To determine whether job crafting as a job redesign approach is helpful for employees' experience of work and job performance. Motivation for the study: Most research has focused on the direct relationship between job crafting and performance or engagement as a mediator of this relationship. We propose work-related flow as an alternative explanation to engagement for the relationship between job crafting and performance. Research approach/design and method: We used a cross-sectional research design. A sample of South African working adults (n = 256) completed the Job Crafting Questionnaire, Work-Related Flow Inventory and Job Performance Scale. We used structural equation modelling to investigate the indirect relationship. Main findings: Work-related flow mediates the relationship between job crafting and performance. A negative relationship exists between job crafting and performance after controlling for work-related flow. Practical/managerial implications: The results suggest that job crafting increases work-related flow. Work-related flow, in turn, is related to improved job performance. Therefore, employees might consider implementing job crafting as an accessible strategy to improve their job performance. Contribution/value-add: This study supports our hypotheses that work-related flow mediates the relationship between job crafting and performance. Future research should investigate whether this indirect relationship adds incremental validity to work engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]