Search

The purpose of this study is to understand the opportunities and challenges for the global marketing field due to emergence of generative artificial intelligence and the need to reassess the constructs related to technology adoption theories. Given that this technology is so recent, there is a need to investigate this aspect. This study explores the influence of generative AI on various constructs from ten technology adoption theories, models, and approaches as they relate to the global marketing domain. This research study excludes other psychological and cross-cultural theories and constructs related to the domain. This study is unique for its wide range of implications toward the adoption of technology in global marketing initiatives because GenAI can assess consumer sentiment, which helps global marketers make accurate decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, science education has experienced substantial shifts in the last decade. For in-service teachers, professional development programs (PDPs) play an important role in reform success. Despite well-known core features of effective PDPs, research still suggests a range of results among programs that claim to use those features. An analysis of the nuances associated with these core features has emerged as an important step in bridging the gap between conceptual and actual effective PD. This article presents the validation of constructs for responsive facilitation, which may serve as a source of these nuances. Using an adapted Delphi Method, constructs were validated by multiple expert groups. A 10-construct consensus is presented with an eleventh remaining under dispute. All constructs have connections to current literature and may support the gap noted above. Implications include a structure that may provide nuance to the core features and support more consistently effective PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect, requiring invasive surgery often before a child's first birthday. Current materials used during CHD surgery lack the ability to grow, remodel, and regenerate. To solve those limitations, 3D bioprinting is an emerging tool with the capability to create tailored constructs based on patients' own imaging data with the ability to grow and remodel once implanted in children with CHD. It has the potential to integrate multiple bioinks with several cell types and biomolecules within 3D-bioprinted constructs that exhibit good structural fidelity, stability, and mechanical integrity. This review gives an overview of CHD and recent advancements in 3D bioprinting technologies with potential use in the treatment of CHD. Moreover, the selection of appropriate biomaterials based on their chemical, physical, and biological properties that are further manipulated to suit their application are also discussed. An introduction to bioink formulations composed of various biomaterials with emphasis on multiple cell types and biomolecules is briefly overviewed. Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis of prefabricated 3D-bioprinted structures and novel 4D printing technology are also summarized. Finally, we discuss several restrictions and our perspective on future directions in 3D bioprinting technologies in the treatment of CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of the research is determined by the necessity to conceptualize the educational process at universities in new social and cultural conditions that are accompanied by challenges to Russian education. The development of programs and methodological materials outside the system of key theoretical directions has a risk of reducing the level of validity, compliance with the laws of modern education, consistency, and holistic vision. Purpose: based on the materials of the research group of the Center for Education and Personal Development of the Russian Academy of Education (RAO) under the guidance of Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, RAO Academician N. L. Selivanova, within the framework of the state assignment on the development of the topic “Development of theoretical and methodological foundations for educational work in higher educational institutions in modern conditions”, the purpose of the research is to identify the main theoretical provisions that can be used in order to develop the concept of personal development and upbringing in educational institutions of higher education. Methods: analysis, generalization, conceptualization. Results: on the basis of the dynamics analysis of the development of regulatory bases for the educational practices at universities in recent decades, the article justifi es the necessity to develop a concept of personal development and upbringing; it presents understanding of the essence of conceptualization in education; it highlights the leading social and cultural challenges (unstable and unclear socio-cultural directions in modern education, the network environment and network subcultures, youth subcultures, the absence or instability of social and moral imperatives and rules among young people, gaps in intergenerational ties, a shortage of examples signifi cant for young people and signifi cant Others, hyper-individualization, communicative defi cits), the response to which sets the vectors of educational conceptualization at the university. The study also presents the basic constructs for the development of the concept of personal development and upbringing in educational institutions of higher education such as the common educational goal for all universities; the system-forming role of traditional values that are prioritized in the Russian Federation, integration of general and professional education, stimulation of self-education, self-activity, self-organization and self-government; subjectivity in the education of teachers, polysubjectivity of upbringing, etc. Practical significance: the highlighted constructs make it possible to determine the core of the projected educational concepts and to ensure the orientation of educational work at the university.

Theoretical frameworks generally serve as the intellectual scaffolding that underpins research processes in the social sciences, providing an analytical lens through which researchers make sense of complex social phenomena. This article is an exploration of the fundamental role of theoretical frameworks in social science research. Firstly, it sheds light on its ontological, epistemological and methodological design imperatives, beginning with an elucidation of the concept of theoretical frameworks within the realm of social science research. Secondly, the significance of integrating theoretical frameworks in the research process is analysed, with an emphasis on the fact that it enhances the rigour and clarity of scholarly inquiry by guiding researchers when formulating research questions and hypotheses and in the interpretation of research findings. It conducts a literature review following an abstract conceptual design in an interpretivist research paradigm. Steps are proposed that can be followed when constructing a theoretical framework, using the construct ‘poverty’ as example. Since social science research deals with intricate and multifaceted social phenomena, theoretical frameworks provide researchers with a structured lens through which they can make sense of this complexity, offering a systematic way to organise and analyse data and observations. They also ensure that the study is focussed and aligned with existing knowledge and relevant theories. Transdisciplinary contribution: The significance of inter-, multi- and transdisciplinarity in the construction of theoretical frameworks in social science research are expounded by accentuating the ways in which knowledge domains and methodologies of multiple disciplines create a comprehensive understanding of complex social phenomena.

Another style of leadership utilized in the field of education, notably digital leadership, has become more prevalent. Studies on digital leadership are receiving more attention, but there has not been much focus on scoping reviews. To determine the constructs of digital leadership, this study undertakes a scoping review. Accordingly, a scoping review on human-influenced and non-human-influenced constructs in measuring digital leadership was carried out in this study. This scoping review follows six processes: i) identification of the research question; ii) literature research; iii) selection of relevant studies; iv) charting the information; v) collating, summarizing, and reporting of study results; vi) discussion of the results and implications for future research. A scoping review was conducted via the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google databases to identify empirical studies on constructs in digital leadership since 2014. Next, the titles and abstracts for selected full-text articles were screened manually. Data from the included articles were charted and summarized. To develop specific and empirical data for measuring digital leadership, the study found that 22 constructs were influenced by humans and three constructs were non-human-influenced. Interpersonal and intrapersonal skills were separated from the constructs that were influenced by humans, with 15 constructs constituting intrapersonal skills and seven constructs constituting interpersonal skills. The results will help identify the crucial components of successful digital leadership. Future research is warranted in creating programs such as workshops, training, and conferences to promote digital leadership and further improve the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In rough set theory, a construct is an attribute subset with the same ability to discern objects belonging to different classes as the whole set of attributes, while maintaining the similarity between objects belonging to the same class. Although algorithms for reducts computation can be adapted to compute constructs, practical problems exist where these algorithms cannot compute all constructs within a reasonable time frame. Therefore, this paper introduces an algorithm for computing all constructs of a decision system. The results of experiments with various decision systems (both artificial and real-world) suggest that our algorithm is, in most cases, faster than the state-of-the-art algorithms when the simplified binary discernibility–similarity matrix has a density of less than 0.29. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construct-based models have become a mainstay of management and information systems research. However, these models are likely overfit to the data samples upon which they are estimated, making them risky to use in explanatory, prescriptive, or predictive ways outside a given sample. Empirical researchers currently lack tools to analyze why and how their models may not generalize out of sample. We propose a composite overfit analysis (COA) framework that applies predictive tools to describe the sources and ramifications of overfit in terms of the focal concepts important to empirical researchers: cases, constructs, and causal paths. The COA framework begins by using a leave-one-out crossvalidation procedure to identify cases with unusually high predictive error given their in-sample fit—a difference we describe as predictive deviance. The framework then employs a novel deviance tree method to group deviant cases that have similar predictive deviance and for similar theoretical reasons. We then employ a leave-deviant-group-out method, which sequentially analyzes how each deviant group affects model parameters, thereby identifying potentially unstable paths in the model. We can then infer descriptive reasons for why and how overfit affects a given model and data sample using the grouping criteria of the deviance tree, construct scores of deviant groups, and resulting unstable paths. These insights allow researchers to identify unexpected behavior that could define boundary conditions of their theory or point to new theoretical phenomena. We demonstrate the practical utility of our analytical framework on a technology adoption model in a new context. This paper was accepted by Dongjun Wu, information systems. Funding: This work was partially supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan [Grants 109-2811-H-007-503 and 108-2410-H-007-091-MY3] and by the 2021 Arts and Social Sciences Benefaction Fund of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4705. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Open Access Database of Variables for Content Analysis (DOCA) collects, systematizes, and evaluates operationalizations for standardized manual and automatic content analysis in the field of communication science. DOCA aims to facilitate researchers in finding suitable and established or tested operationalizations (as well as complete codebooks) for standardized content analysis. For communication science research, this is expected to result in increased comparability of content analytic studies and projects, as well as greater emphasis on the transparency of operationalizations and quality indicators. The present fact sheet is associated with two central objectives: firstly, to provide information about DOCA and its applications, thereby increasing awareness of this research infrastructure. Secondly, from the personal perspective of the editors, this article aims to outline the process and associated challenges involved in the conception, realization, and maintenance of a research database.

BACKGROUND: Organization theories offer numerous existing, highly relevant, yet largely untapped explanations of the organizational dynamics underlying evidence-based intervention (EBI) implementation. Rooted in ideas regarding power, autonomy, and control, organization theories can explain how and why organizations adopt, implement, and sustain EBI use. Although they have gained visibility, organization theories remain underused in implementation research, perhaps due to their inaccessibility to implementation scientists. To improve access to organization theory among implementation scientists, we summarized organization theories with relevance to implementation science. METHODS: Led by the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN) Organization Theory for Implementation Science workgroup, we employed a modified Delphi process to reach a consensus among 18 experts at the intersection of organization and implementation science regarding organization theories with relevance to implementation science. From texts that described the organization theories, using standardized abstraction forms, two investigators independently abstracted information regarding constructs, propositions regarding how or why constructs might influence implementation, the potential relevance of organization theories propositions for implementation, and overviews of each theory. The investigators then reconciled discrepancies until reaching consensus. A third investigator reviewed reconciled abstraction forms for accuracy, coherence, and completeness. FINDINGS: We identified nine organization theories with relevance to implementation science: contingency, complexity, institutional, network, organizational learning, resource dependence, sociotechnical, and transaction cost economics. From the theories, we abstracted 70 constructs and 65 propositions. An example proposition from institutional theory is: Coercive, mimetic, and normative pressures contribute to organizations…within an organizational field [becoming increasingly similar]. These propositions can be operationalized as levers to facilitate EBI implementation. CONCLUSIONS: To increase use in the field, organization theories must be made more accessible to implementation scientists. The abstraction forms developed in this study are now publicly available on the CPCRN website with the goal of increasing access to organization theories among an interdisciplinary audience of implementation scientists through the CPCRN Scholars program and other venues. Next steps include consolidating organization theory constructs into domains and translating the resulting framework for use among researchers, policymakers and practitioners, aiding them in accounting for a comprehensive set of organization theory constructs thought to influence EBI implementation.

User experience (UX) research relies heavily on survey scales to measure users' subjective experiences with technology. However, repeatedly raised concerns regarding the improper use of survey scales in UX research and adjacent fields call for a systematic review of current measurement practices. Therefore, we conducted a systematic literature review, screening 153 papers from four years of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems proceedings (ACM CHI 2019 to 2022), of which 60 were eligible empirical studies using survey scales to study users' experiences. We identified 85 different scales and 172 distinct constructs measured. Most scales were used once (70.59%), and most constructs were measured only once (66.28%). The System Usability Scale was the most popular scale, followed by the User Experience Questionnaire, and the NASA Task Load Index. Regarding constructs, usability was the most frequently measured, followed by attractiveness, effort, and presence. Furthermore, results show that papers rarely contained complete rationales for scale selection (20.00%) and seldom provided all scale items used (30.00%). More than a third of all scales were adapted (34.19%), while only one-third of papers reported any scale quality investigation (36.67%). On the basis of our results, we highlight questionable measurement practices in UX research and suggest opportunities to improve scale use for UX-related constructs. Additionally, we provide six recommended steps to promote enhanced rigor in following best practices for scale-based UX research.

Drawing on personal construct psychology, person-centered approaches, and the field of projective tools, The Childrens Exploratory Drawings are a simple and visual assessment tool created to elicit, explore, and better understand the beliefs that children and young people have about school and the world around them. This guide highlights the theory behind the tool and outlines how they can be used in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to analyze the message behind the verbal and nonverbal symbolic language used in the Caci performance of the Manggarai speech community. Caci is a traditional performing art that combines theatrical aesthetics, costume, music, and literature. The theory of Semiotics is used to analyze verbal and nonverbal symbols in this research. This theory focuses on the meaning relation between the signifier and the signified. The relation between the signifier and the signified gets a whole meaning when connected with society's cultural context. The method used is a qualitative approach and a phenomenological method. Forty people were selected as respondents using the techniques of purposive sampling and snowball sampling. Data were collected through audiovisual recordings, documenting, observing, and interviewing, and then data were analyzed qualitatively. The findings of this study demonstrate (1) verbal and nonverbal symbolic language use in Caci's aesthetic performance, which is classified into three aesthetic categories (individual aesthetic, the aesthetic as creative ideas, and the aesthetic as collective art) and (2) symbolic language of Caci performance costumes as the inheritance of six philosophical values. These two findings conclude that in Caci's aesthetics, the construction of symbolic language is expressed in both verbal and nonverbal manifestations. The Caci performances manifest verbal, symbolic language forms using "paci/lomés" and traditional rite speeches. Meanwhile, nonverbal symbols are depicted in Caci properties, such as panggal, destar, ndéki, nggorong, slépé, songké, white trousers, nggiling, korét, kalus, tubi rapa, gendang, and nggong. The Caci performance conveys philosophic values: sportsmanship, purity, intelligence, masculinity, and power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructs are central to psychology. We describe two current trends as responses to dissatisfactions with the abstract nature of constructs and with uncertain and variable research findings: a trend away from constructs toward specific notions and effects, and sharper construct definitions with improved construct measurement. We explain that the issues in psychology reflect the complexity and variable nature of psychological phenomena. Rather than following the trends, we propose a reformulation of the construct notion to accommodate complexity and uncertainty. To provide background, we describe the historical development and epistemology of constructs, and highlight the explanatory and integrative role of constructs. Our reformulation implies that constructs are (1) composite, (2) organized in a hierarchy with overlap, (3) variable, with heterogeneous measurement results. Methods can be and are being developed accordingly. We close with considerations for further debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay starts from a concern that many empirical researchers undermine their rigorous empirical work by coupling it to unclear and inconsistent theory. I suggest this is because we underestimate the difficulty of achieving theoretical clarity and consistency. I illustrate the problem in detail by cataloging common ways we violate clarity and consistency in the articulation of theoretical constructs and relationships and illustrating these violations with examples from unpublished manuscripts. In addition, I draw on the management literature on theory writing as well as on the dual-process theory of cognition and the philosophy of science to identify and unpack three challenges to clear and consistent theory: the taxing cognitive effort required to turn ambiguous, associative intuition into logical arguments; the impossibility of achieving perfect clarity; and the existence of trade-offs between clarity and other valued qualities of theory, particularly generalizability. The implication is that researchers need to invest not just in empirical rigor but also, in theoretical rigor. Funding: The author's research is supported in part by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 epidemic has hastened the growth of Virtual Communities and is affecting virtually every part of work in the public and business sectors. Virtual communities, popular forums for communication and entertainment, increasingly affected the users' decisions. Though many technology adoption models/theories are available, a distinctive model for decision-making in a virtual environment is scarce. This research developed the virtual communities' decision model and empirically tested its performance. This study examined 16 well-established theories/models of information technology, social science, marketing, and behavioral finance and extracted nine constructs from 58 identified constructs considering theoretical cohesiveness along with the three-stage method proposed by Moore and Benbasat. A unified model for virtual communities' decisions (VCDM) is developed and validated using the data collected from individual capital market investors in Bangladesh. The structural equation modeling technique is used to analyze the data. The upshot implies that VCDM performs adequately and explains the maximum variances in intention to decision and investment. VCDM also outperforms the majority of the related theoretical models. The acceptance levels of fit indices and all significant relationships among different constructs are also empirically validated. The moderating effect of the virtual group use experience is also confirmed. Future research can use VCDM in marketing, behavioral finance, ecommerce, information systems and social science context. VCDM thus facilitates a beneficial tool for managers, service providers, and other users to assess the likelihood of effectiveness for decisions in a virtual environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health is a multidimensional concept with notable psychological factors, such as self-perceived health (SPH). SPH is defined as the subjective assessment of individual health status, and it integrates information related to both physical and psychological aspects, such as lifestyle. This study describes the development of the Self-Perceived Health Scale (SPHS), and its validation in a Mexican sample (n = 600). Exploratory factor analysis (n = 303) and confirmatory factor analysis (n = 293) were carried out, and they supported the three-dimensionality of the SPH construct: physical health, psychological health, and healthy lifestyle. A final 12-item scale was obtained, and the scale showed adequate validity and reliability, as well as measurement invariance between sexes, indicating its robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In resorts, service quality refers to the overall level of guest satisfaction during their stay. This includes a variety of factors, such as the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, the cleanliness and condition of the rooms and common areas, the availability of amenities and activities, the efficiency of check-in and check-out procedures, and the resort's overall atmosphere. To address above gap, this study aims to develop contextual service quality (SERVQUAL) instrument for resorts to obtain the consensus benchmark to measure the service quality of Nepali tourist standard resorts. The SERVQUQL is a measuring tool of service quality of different organizational settings, more importantly, in the hospitality and service sector. Therefore, to contextualize and align to SERVQUAL, the Modified Delphi Technique (MDT) was used to develop this instrument based on SERVQUAL theory. The instrument development was performed among 10 anonymous experts and stakeholders who have experience, knowledge, and expertise in the area of the hospitality and leisure industries. The findings identified that one more key construct is essential to realize the service quality of the tourist standard resorts. To carry out the mutual consensus among the experts and stakeholders, the interquartile range (IQR) value was taken from three points Likert scale to conduct the MDT from the second stage until the mutual consensus of experts and stakeholders. The IQR value was taken from each set of questions which was evaluated by the exports to obtain a consensus benchmark on the contextualized SERVQUQL construct and items. The data were presented using Microsoft Excel. In the final stage, 29 question statements out of 31 were found to have a high consensus benchmark among the experts and stakeholders. Therefore, 29 items from six constructs were accepted and included in the actual questionnaire to measure the service quality of Nepali tourist standard resorts. Our findings contribute to the SERVQUAL theory, practice, and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Arquitetura IMED is the property of Revista de Arquitetura IMED and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the architectural historiography of Serbia, established methodological principles are rarely reexamined, even when evidence exists to show that their cognitive capacity has been exhausted. This is especially true for outdated ways of classifying, periodizing and evaluating opuses, which is why it is necessary to offer more scientifically expedient methods. In the heavily framed presentation of architectural history, the biggest problem is the overemphasis of the role of key figures, schools and trends (resulting either from inertia or out of conviction), on which our understandings of the boundaries of national architectural culture rely. And, therefore, it is precisely these established and widespread constructs that should first be dismantled.

To compare the differences among constructs with one‐level cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and two‐level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). A retrospective study was conducted involving patients who underwent one‐level CDA and two‐level ACDF between June 2012 and July 2020. According to the different locations of CDA and ACDF, we divided the constructs into three types: type Ⅰa: CDA‐ACDF‐ACDF; type Ⅰb: ACDF‐CDA‐ACDF; type Ⅰc: ACDF‐ACDF‐CDA. The differences of clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated. Fifty‐three patients were included with 29 in type Ⅰa group, 11 in type Ⅰb group, and 13 in type Ⅰc group. After surgery, all groups showed significant improvement in apanese Orthopedic Association, Neck Disability Index, and Visual Analog Scale scores (p < 0.001). Range of motion (ROM) of the total cervical spine in type Ⅰc group decreased significantly compared with those in type Ⅰa and type Ⅰb groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences in ROM of the arthroplasty segment and the variations in ROM of the superior adjacent segment were observed among the three groups. The fusion rates of the superior ACDF segments were significantly higher at 6 and 12 months postoperatively than those of the inferior ACDF segments (p < 0.05). The clinical outcomes were similar among constructs concerning different locations of CDA and ACDF in three‐level hybrid surgery. ROM of the cervical spine in type Ⅰc group decreased significantly compared with that in type Ⅰa and type Ⅰb groups. The fusion rates of superior ACDF segments were higher at early time points after surgery than those of inferior ACDF segments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Derivational morphology (DM) and how it can be assessed have been investigated relatively rarely in language learning and testing research. The goal of this study is to add to the understanding of the nature of DM knowledge, exploring whether and how it is separable from vocabulary breadth. Eight L2 (second or foreign language) English DM knowledge measures and three measures of the size of the English vocabulary were administered to 120 learners. We conducted two confirmatory factor analyses, one with one underlying factor and the other treating vocabulary breadth and DM as separate. As neither model had a satisfactory fit without introducing a residual covariance to the two-factor model, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis, which suggested two separate DM factors in addition to vocabulary breadth. Regardless, the analysis demonstrated that the DM knowledge was separate from learners' vocabulary breadth. However, learners' vocabulary breadth factor still explained a substantial amount of variance in learners' performance on DM measures. We discuss theoretical implications and implications for L2 assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturing flexibility (MF) has been acknowledged as tool to help manufacturers adapting to uncertainty in the business environment. Fluctuating market demand, rapid technological changes, shorter product life cycles and increase level of customization are among the caused that create uncertainties in the market. However, manufacturers are facing great challenge to reap the real benefit from implementing manufacturing flexibility. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the contributing factors that can enhance manufacturing flexibility implementation in mass customization production strategy among manufacturing firms in Malaysia. An extensive review on manufacturing flexibility literature and content validity assessment were conducted with industry practitioners and academicians. Four MF constructs and 16 measurement items have been identified from the review. A complete set of questionnaires have been developed by adopting, adapting, or self-develop based on the extensive literature review. This research study has recognized reliable MF constructs, consisting of four MF constructs and 16 measurement items. Thus, this study can be used to help identify provide method to enhance MF implementation at the manufacturing firm's level. This study provided a useful tool for researchers to gain a greater knowledge and understanding on MF implementation. It acts to bridge the inadequacy of related studies on manufacturing flexibility by using the T-O-E framework. For practitioners, it is useful to review back the effectiveness of the usage of their internal resources in overcoming uncertainties in the environmental factors. More significantly, practitioners should be able to adopt the MF practices in a more holistic way. This study is among the first attempt to develop MF constructs for evaluating the enhancement of MF implementation in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that consumer researchers and other social scientists often operate with latent constructs that are not directly observable, sound measurement practices are essential for the continual development of scientific knowledge. An abundance of validated and reliable scales to measure constructs of interest exists within the literature. However, once these measures are introduced, how are they subsequently utilized? In this article, we focus on the deployment of measurement scales and the critical underlying issues consumer behavior and marketing researchers should consider. We discuss recent practices in scale deployment and specifically scale modification (through changes in wording, length, and dimensionality). Building from this perspective, we provide recommendations for best practices in the usage, adaptation, validation, and reporting of previously introduced scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction According to the different numbers and locations of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), three-level hybrid surgery (HS) has many constructs. The purpose of the present study was to introduce a classification system for three-level HS and compare the two types with each other and with ACDF. Methods A retrospective study was conducted involving patients with three-level cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD) who underwent ACDF or HS in our hospital between June 2012 and May 2019. According to the different numbers and locations of ACDFs and CDAs, we classified the three-level HS into two types (type I: one-level CDA and two-level ACDF, and type II: two-level CDA and one-level ACDF). The differences of clinical and radiological outcomes were compared with each other and with three-level ACDF. Results A total of 108 patients were analyzed. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) of the ACDF group at 3 months postoperatively was significantly higher than that in the type I and type II groups (p

In rough set theory, a construct is an attribute subset with the same ability to discern objects belonging to different classes as the whole set of attributes, while maintaining the similarity between objects belonging to the same class. Although algorithms for reducts computation can be adapted to compute constructs, practical problems exist where these algorithms cannot compute all constructs within a reasonable time frame. Therefore, this paper introduces an algorithm for computing all constructs of a decision system. The results of experiments with various decision systems (both artificial and real-world) suggest that our algorithm is, in most cases, faster than the state-of-the-art algorithms when the simplified binary discernibility–similarity matrix has a density of less than 0.29.

In this commentary, we argue that the field of Ergonomics and Human Factors (EHF) has the tendency to present itself as a thriving and impactful science, while in reality, it is losing credibility. We assert that EHF science (1) has introduced terminology that is internally inconsistent and hardly predictive-valid, (2) has virtually no impact on industrial practice, which operates within frameworks of regulatory compliance and profit generation, (3) repeatedly employs the same approach of conducting lab experiments within unrealistic paradigms in order to complete deliverables, (4) suggests it is a cumulative science, but is neither a leader nor even an adopter of open-science initiatives that are characteristic of scientific progress and (5) is being assimilated by other disciplines as well as Big Tech. Recommendations are provided to reverse this trend, although we also express a certain resignation as our scientific discipline loses significance. Practitioner Summary: This paper offers criticism of the field of Ergonomics. There are issues such as unclear terminology, unrealistic experiments, insufficient impact and lack of open data. We provide recommendations to reverse the trend. This article concerns a critique of EHF as a science, and is not a critique of EHF practitioners.

People hold intuitive theories of the physical world, such as theories of matter, energy, and motion, in the sense that they have a coherent conceptual structure supporting a network of beliefs about the domain. It is not yet clear whether people can also be said to hold a shared intuitive theory of time. Yet, philosophical debates about the metaphysical nature of time often revolve around the idea that people hold one or more "common sense" assumptions about time: that there is an objective "now"; that the past, present, and future are fundamentally different in nature; and that time passes or flows. We empirically explored the question of whether people indeed share some or all of these assumptions by asking adults to what extent they agreed with a set of brief statements about time. Across two analyses, subsets of people's beliefs about time were found consistently to covary in ways that suggested stable underlying conceptual dimensions related to aspects of the "common sense" assumptions described by philosophers. However, distinct subsets of participants showed three mutually incompatible profiles of response, the most frequent of which did not closely match all of philosophers' claims about common sense time. These exploratory studies provide a useful starting point in attempts to characterize intuitive theories of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For an organisation, it is noteworthy to engage employees, where the organisations look to their workers' inventiveness, activities and are proactive with the solutions for the current requirements. Achieving employees' engagement is similar to the new Blue Ocean leadership approach (BOL) that gives an entirely new system as worker's points of view are considered in building a new leadership profile. The key objective of this research paper is to analyse the impact of BOL on professional-level employee engagement through Kim and Mauborgne's BOL grid four-action framework variables, particularly in the private sector. To test the developed hypothesis, the researcher applied simple linear regression and multiple regression analysis methods. The result of this research study showed that all the four-action BOL grid variables are significant in employee engagement. Further, to develop the new leadership profile, the researcher also used multiple regression analysis to conduct a detailed analysis on the impact of the BOL approach through BOL grid four-action framework variables separately. From the outcomes of the evaluation, it is accomplished that the new leadership blue ocean methodology creates a higher influence on employee engagement via the detected acts along with activities in the new BOL grid since the Create variables have extremely higher significance with 87% ( R 2 = 0. 8 7 and p < 0. 0 0 1), the Eliminate variables have next-level higher significance with 84% (( R 2 = 0. 8 4 and p < 0. 0 0 1), followed by the Raise variables that have the next higher importance with 72% ( R 2 = 0. 7 2 and p < 0. 0 0 1) which displays the consequence of BOL grid (all four-action) variables on employee engagement. In view of impending private sectors in Oman Vision 2040, the results of this research could be an important pointer to be considered in Oman's private sector development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundPhysical inactivity across the lifespan remains a public health issue for many developed countries. Inactivity has contributed considerably to the pervasiveness of lifestyle diseases. Government, national and local agencies and organizations have been unable to systematically, and in a coordinated way, translate behavioral research into practice that makes a difference at a population level. One approach for mobilizing multi-level efforts to improve the environment for physical activity is to engage in a process of citizen science. Citizen Science here is defined as a participatory research approach involving members of the public working closely with research investigators to initiate and advance scientific research projects. However, there are no common measures or protocols to guide citizen science research at the local community setting.ObjectivesWe describe overarching categories of constructs that can be considered when designing citizen science projects expected to yield multi-level interventions, and provide an example of the citizen science approach to promoting PA. We also recommend potential measures across different levels of impact.DiscussionEncouraging some consistency in measurement across studies will potentially accelerate the efficiency with which citizen science participatory research provides new insights into and solutions to the behaviorally-based public health issues that drive most of morbidity and mortality. The measures described in this paper abide by four fundamental principles specifically selected for inclusion in citizen science projects: feasibility, accuracy, propriety, and utility. The choice of measures will take into account the potential resources available for outcome and process evaluation. Our intent is to emphasize the importance for all citizen science participatory projects to follow an evidence-based approach and ensure that they incorporate an appropriate assessment protocol.ConclusionsWe provided the rationale for and a list of contextual factors along with specific examples of measures to encourage consistency among studies that plan to use a citizen science participatory approach. The potential of this approach to promote health and wellbeing in communities is high and we hope that we have provided the tools needed to optimally promote synergistic gains in knowledge across a range of Citizen Science participatory projects.

Introduction: According to the different numbers and locations of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), three-level hybrid surgery (HS) has many constructs. The purpose of the present study was to introduce a classification system for three-level HS and compare the two types with each other and with ACDF.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving patients with three-level cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD) who underwent ACDF or HS in our hospital between June 2012 and May 2019. According to the different numbers and locations of ACDFs and CDAs, we classified the three-level HS into two types (type I: one-level CDA and two-level ACDF, and type II: two-level CDA and one-level ACDF). The differences of clinical and radiological outcomes were compared with each other and with three-level ACDF.Results: A total of 108 patients were analyzed. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) of the ACDF group at 3 months postoperatively was significantly higher than that in the type I and type II groups (p < 0.05). The cervical lordosis was significantly lower in the ACDF group than that in the type I and II groups at 3 days, 6, 12 months postoperatively and the final follow-up (p < 0.05). The range of motion (ROM) of the total cervical spine decreased significantly in all three groups at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively and at the final follow-up (p < 0.05). The ACDF group was observed with the most severe loss of ROM of the total cervical spine, followed by the type I group. The type II group could preserve the most ROM of the total cervical spine. The ROM of adjacent segments increased most in the ACDF group, followed by the type I group.Conclusions: Compared with ACDF, three-level HS may yield a faster recovery rate and superior radiological outcomes, such as a superiority in maintaining the cervical curvature and ROM of the total cervical spine and a smaller increase in the ROM of adjacent segments. The advantages were most remarkable in the type II group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]