Change In Direction Research Articles

Dissociation of perception and motor execution of lower limb in multi-directional movements

Estimating the action capability is vital for humans to move their bodies successfully. Researchers have proposed reachability as an overestimation of motor abilities by judging unreachable distances as reachable. The existing literature has mainly investigated the sagittal direction, but multi-directional reachability is unexplored. This study examined the relationship between perception and motor using the reaching of the lower limbs in multiple directions. We asked 16 adults to reach targets projected onto the floor at 21 locations (seven directions and three distances) to estimate the reaching time. We found that the reaching time slowed as the direction increased toward the contralateral side, but the subjective reaching time did not change with direction. Multiple regression analysis showed that the subjective reaching time could be calculated accurately, mainly using the duration from the toe leaving the ground to movement completion. These results suggest that changes in direction may not be perceived precisely by the motor system of the lower limbs and that the subjective reaching time was strongly affected by the time after the toe left the ground. Our findings provide novel insights into the relationship between motor and perception in multiple directions, which may provide a new strategy for the maximal performance of lower-limb movement.

Changes in extreme wave events in the southwestern South Atlantic Ocean

The southwestern South Atlantic (SWSA) has faced several extreme events that caused coastal and ocean hazards associated with high waves. This study aimed to investigate the extreme wave climate trends in the SWSA using percentile- and storm-based approaches to determine potential coastal impacts. Changes in extreme wave event characteristics were evaluated through distribution maps and directional density distributions. Our results showed an overall increase in the 95^{th}-percentile of the significant wave height (Hs), mostly in the northern and southern portions of the domain. There was a general increase in the area affected by the events and in their lifetimes in the austral summer. In contrast, winter events had higher maximum intensities, which were not homogeneous throughout the domain. Changes in the wave power direction affected most of the analysed locations, showing a clockwise shift of summer events and a large directional spread of events from the southern quadrant (SW–SE). These changes were related to the southwards shift of the subtropical branch of the storm track, reflecting increased cyclonic activity at 30^circ S (summer) and 45^circ S (winter). These storm track shifts allowed the development of large fetches on the southern edge of the domain, promoting the propagation of long waves.

PlzD modifies Vibrio vulnificus foraging behavior and virulence in response to elevated c-di-GMP.

Many free-swimming bacteria propel themselves through liquid using rotary flagella, and mounting evidence suggests that the inhibition of flagellar rotation initiates biofilm formation, a sessile lifestyle that is a nearly universal surface colonization paradigm in bacteria. In general, motility and biofilm formation are inversely regulated by the intracellular second messenger bis-(3´-5´)-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP). Here, we identify a protein, PlzD, bearing a conserved c-di-GMP binding PilZ domain that localizes to the flagellar pole in a c-di-GMP-dependent manner and alters the foraging behavior, biofilm, and virulence characteristics of the opportunistic human pathogen, Vibrio vulnificus. Our data suggest that PlzD interacts with components of the flagellar stator to decrease bacterial swimming speed and changes in swimming direction, and these activities are enhanced when cellular c-di-GMP levels are elevated. These results reveal a physical link between a second messenger (c-di-GMP) and an effector (PlzD) that promotes transition from a motile to a sessile state in V. vulnificus.

Geodesic equations for guided wave helical path separation for a pipe bend

The sections of pipe bends are susceptible to wall thinning by flow-accelerated corrosion due to the sudden change in the fluid flow direction and velocity. Compared to existing screening approaches, Guided Wave Tomography (GWT) has been demonstrated to provide more accurate information about the defect. In GWT an inversion problem is solved, in which a forward model is used to predict a synthetic dataset for a given physical model. Two-dimensional (2D) forward models are preferred for the inversion scheme due to the feasibility of combining these with tomographic algorithms. Since 2D models resemble the GW propagation of a plate, they do not consider the cyclic nature of the pipe. To overcome this limitation, a robust helical path separation was introduced in Huthwaite and Seher (2015) for a straight pipe. However, it relies on time-reversing the measured wave field ϕ(t) as a function of the propagation distance xs,r from the source to the receiver. Although ray-tracing and grid-based methods are capable of computing the distance xs,r for complex geometries such as the pipe bend, they are complex and time-consuming. Hence, in this paper a straight forward approach is proposed to compute xs,r based on the pipe geometry and the geodesic equations of a torus. Then the computed distance xs,r is used for removing the helical path trajectories. Compared to the distance obtained by using the Hilbert envelope, the results show that the geodesic distances preserve the information of the wavefront of interest, including the focusing effect and the scattered wave field from a Hann-shaped defect. The technique is applied to experimental data and demonstrated to separate the wavefront of interest.

Influence of CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and ABCB1 Gene Variants and Serum Levels of Escitalopram and Aripiprazole on Treatment-Emergent Sexual Dysfunction: A Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression 1 (CAN-BIND 1) Study.

Treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction is frequently reported by individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) on antidepressants, which negatively impacts treatment adherence and efficacy. We investigated the association of polymorphisms in pharmacokinetic genes encoding cytochrome-P450 drug-metabolizing enzymes, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6, and the transmembrane efflux pump, P-glycoprotein (i.e., ABCB1), on treatment-emergent changes in sexual function (SF) and sexual satisfaction (SS) in the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression 1 (CAN-BIND-1) sample. A total of 178 adults with MDD received treatment with escitalopram (ESC) from weeks 0-8 (Phase I). At week 8, nonresponders were augmented with aripiprazole (ARI) (i.e., ESC + ARI, n = 91), while responders continued ESC (i.e., ESC-Only, n = 80) from weeks 8-16 (Phase II). SF and SS were evaluated using the sex effects (SexFX) scale at weeks 0, 8, and 16. We assessed the primary outcomes, SF and SS change for weeks 0-8 and 8-16, using repeated measures mixed-effects models. In ESC-Only, CYP2C19 intermediate metabolizer (IM) + poor metabolizers (PMs) showed treatment-related improvements in sexual arousal, a subdomain of SF, from weeks 8-16, relative to CYP2C19 normal metabolizers (NMs) who showed a decline, F(2,54) = 8.00, p < 0.001, q = 0.048. Specifically, CYP2C19 IM + PMs reported less difficulty with having and sustaining vaginal lubrication in females and erection in males, compared to NMs. Furthermore, ESC-Only females with higher concentrations of ESC metabolite, S-desmethylcitalopram (S-DCT), and S-DCT/ESC ratio in serum demonstrated more decline in SF (r = -0.42, p = 0.004, q = 0.034) and SS (r = -0.43, p = 0.003, q = 0.034), respectively, which was not observed in males. ESC-Only females also demonstrated a trend for a correlation between S-DCT and sexual arousal change in the same direction (r = -0.39, p = 0.009, q = 0.052). CYP2C19 metabolizer phenotypes may be influencing changes in sexual arousal related to ESC monotherapy. Thus, preemptive genotyping of CYP2C19 may help to guide selection of treatment that circumvents selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-related sexual dysfunction thereby improving outcomes for patients. Additionally, further research is warranted to clarify the role of S-DCT in the mechanisms underlying ESC-related changes in SF and SS. This CAN-BIND-1 study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT01655706) on 27 July 2012.

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Sediment Transport Pathways: Sand Apron Bars and Islands of Tokelau and Kiribati, Central Pacific

Although there is general agreement that global change will influence low-lying atoll islands, considerable uncertainty remains concerning the nature, rates, and causes of morphological change (or, conversely, the stability) of islands. As the net geomorphical product of sediment erosion, transport, and accumulation, islands are intimately tied to reef flat sedimentological processes. Recognizing the morphodynamical linkages between reef flats and islands, the purpose of this study is to examine the nature and controls on spatial and temporal variations in sediment transport pathways on reef flats and their relation to island planform changes or stability on atolls of Tokelau and Kiribati. GIS analysis of historical aerial images and high-resolution remote-sensing data capture patterns of reef flat change up to 72 years in duration with up to weekly temporal resolution. Data reveal how granular materials that make up bars and islands on reef flats respond to physical oceanographic processes via sedimentary-geomorphical change across temporal scales, from “instantaneous” impacts of cyclones or swell events to seasonal to multi-decadal shifts. Each of these shifts is manifest as migration of sediment of island beaches and bar forms, but the character varies markedly—bars form new islands, others erode and disappear; some changes are cyclic, others are directional, still others are hybrid; sediment can be transported lagoonward, oceanward, along the reef flat, or in combinations thereof; and migration rates reach up to 10 s of m/month. Although sea-level change likely plays a modulating role, much of the considerable spatial and temporal variability relates to differences in energy controlled by seasonal change in swell direction and climate shifts. Nonetheless, sedimentary response to these external forcings at any specific location also is shaped by local factors, such as trade wind-generated lagoonal waves and currents, atoll lagoon size and depth, margin width and orientation relative to waves, and autogenic processes such as attachment of migrating bars. Collectively, these influences shape the spatially and temporally heterogeneous sediment flux to and from islands, and thus the variable response of islands to ongoing sea-level change. Understanding such local influences is requisite to predictive understanding of how global change might impact these sensitive seascapes.

A novel computer modeling and simulation technique for bronchi motion tracking in human lungs under respiration

In this work, we proposed a novel computer modeling and simulation technique for motion tracking of lung bronchi (or tumors) under respiration using 9 cases of computed tomography (CT)-based patient-specific finite element (FE) models and Ogden’s hyperelastic model. In the fabrication of patient-specific FE models for the respiratory system, various organs such as the mediastinum, diaphragm, and thorax that could affect the lung motions during breathing were considered. To describe the nonlinear material behavior of lung parenchyma, the comparative simulation for biaxial tension-compression of lung parenchyma was carried out using several hyperelastic models in ABAQUS, and then, Ogden’s model was adopted as an optimal model. Based on the aforementioned FE models and Ogden’s material model, the 9 cases of respiration simulation were carried out from exhalation to inhalation, and the motion of lung bronchi (or tumors) was tracked. In addition, the changes in lung volume, lung cross-sectional area on the axial plane during breathing were calculated. Finally, the simulation results were quantitatively compared to the inhalation/exhalation CT images of 9 subjects to validate the proposed technique. Through the simulation, it was confirmed that the average relative errors of simulation to clinical data regarding to the displacement of 258 landmarks in the lung bronchi branches of total subjects were 1.10%~2.67%. In addition, the average relative errors of those with respect to the lung cross-sectional area changes and the volume changes in the superior-inferior direction were 0.20%~5.00% and 1.29 ~ 9.23%, respectively. Hence, it was considered that the simulation results were coincided well with the clinical data. The novelty of the present study is as follows: (1) The framework from fabrication of the human respiratory system to validation of the bronchi motion tracking is provided step by step. (2) The comparative simulation study for nonlinear material behavior of lung parenchyma was carried out to describe the realistic lung motion. (3) Various organs surrounding the lung parenchyma and restricting its motion were considered in respiration simulation. (4) The simulation results such as landmark displacement, lung cross-sectional area/volume changes were quantitatively compared to the clinical data of 9 subjects.

Direct Observations of Wave‐Sea Ice Interactions in the Antarctic Marginal Ice Zone

AbstractWave energy propagating into the Antarctic marginal ice zone effects the quality and extent of the sea ice, and wave propagation is therefore an important factor for understanding and predicting changes in sea ice cover. Wave‐sea ice interactions are notoriously hard to model and in situ observations of wave activity in the Antarctic marginal ice zone are scarce, due to the extreme conditions of the region. Here, we provide new in situ data from two drifting Surface Wave Instrument Float with Tracking (SWIFT) buoys deployed in the Weddell Sea in the austral winter and spring of 2019. The buoy location ranges from open water to more than 200 km into the sea ice. We estimate the attenuation of swell with wave periods 8–18 s, and find an attenuation coefficient α = 4 · 10−6 to 7 · 10−5 m−1 in spring, and approximately five‐fold larger in winter. The attenuation coefficients show a power law frequency dependence, with power coefficient close to literature. The in situ data also shows a change in wave direction, where wave direction tends to be more perpendicular to the ice edge in sea ice compared to open water. A possible explanation for this might be a change in the dispersion relation caused by sea ice. These observations can help shed further light on the influence of sea ice on waves propagating into marginal ice zones, aiding development of coupled wave‐sea ice models.

Climate Characteristics and Distribution of Native Organisms in Living Modified Organism Confined Field under the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea

In this study, climate variables and distribution patterns of native organisms were investigated in an enclosed field within the institute of living modified organism (LMO) risk assessment designated by the Ministry of Environment (MOE) of South Korea. The data includes changes in temperature, precipitation, humidity, sunlight, wind direction, and velocity within the LMO confined field from 2019 to 2023 as well as information on plant diversity and soil microbial communities. This data can be used as the basic data when establishing LMO safety management policies by the MOE such as preparing guidelines for systematic LMO risk assessment reflecting domestic environmental characteristics and risk assessment of LMOs for environmental remediation and natural ecosystem. In addition, this data can be usefully used as the comparative data for LMO risk assessment by other ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

Using Palaeomagnetic Techniques to Date Indigenous Archaeological Sites in New Zealand

Aotearoa/New Zealand was first settled by the Māori people some 800–1000 years ago. Archaeomagnetism provides one of the few means of dating early sites of Māori occupation, particularly when radiocarbon dating is not feasible. This involves dating the thermoremanent magnetization imparted to the heat-retaining stones used in traditional Māori earth ovens, hāngī or umu, at the time of their last cooling. The direction of this magnetization is correlated with the reference curve of the changes in the geomagnetic field direction in New Zealand over the past 1000 years, NZPSV1k.2023. Here, we describe the application of archaeomagnetic dating to indigenous hāngī sampled at two sites in the North Island of New Zealand. The first, in the present-day city of Napier on the east coast, has been studied in detail and is shown to have been occupied, possibly intermittently, over 400–600 years, while the second, in present-day Waikanae on the west coast, is tentatively dated to ca. 1760 AD, just decades before the first European arrival in New Zealand.

Experimental Investigation on Cross-Impingement Characteristics Under Various Biodiesel-Butanol Blended Proportions and Ambient Conditions

Abstract The cross-impingement phenomenon always appears in several diesel engines with two or more injectors. Meanwhile, the application of biofuels has a great potential in realizing clean and efficient combustion. Therefore, the investigation aims to explore the cross-impingement characteristics at small (10%), middle (30%), and large (50%) biodiesel-butanol blended proportions. Experiments are conducted in a constant-volume combustion chamber with twin injectors. Spray images are captured by optical diagnosis techniques. Several macroscopic parameters are obtained, including diffusion length, collision width, and spray area. Results show that the cross-impingement accelerates the droplet interaction, and the spray presents a “fan-shaped” behavior after the collision, which promotes a more uniform mixing between the fuel and ambient gas. As the twin sprays collide at 120 deg, the vapor-phase vertical diffusion rate is close to the vertical component of the single spray, and the horizontal diffusion rate is about 1.2 times the vertical diffusion rate. The cross-impingement is likely to decrease the spray-wall impingement owing to a change in the diffusion direction. At various blended fuels, the biodiesel blended with 30% n-butanol displays the smallest liquid-phase diffusion length, width, and area. The further increase in the n-butanol mixing ratio leads to larger liquid-phase parameters. Contrary to the biodiesel blended with 10% n-butanol, the biodiesel blended with a higher proportion of n-butanol presents faster vapor-phase diffusion, which promotes fuel-gas mixing.

B-153 Acceleration vs Time Data for Two Pneumatic Tube Specimen Transport Routes: Comparison of Distributions of Jerk (d(acceleration)/dt) and Theta (Change in Angle)

Abstract Background As part of a Quality Assurance investigation regarding specimen integrity, we had occasion to compare properties of pneumatic tube transport (PTT) of specimens between a collection site of origin and two different laboratory destinations. We obtained acceleration vs time data using an accelerometer. Borrowing from public transportation safety literature, we examined these profiles in terms of distributions of jerk, which is the first derivative of acceleration (d(acceleration)/dt ≡ g/s), and distributions of theta, the angle between successive acceleration vectors. Methods Primary data for acceleration vs time were collected using a USB accelerometer (X16-1E, Gulf Coast Data Concepts LLC, Waveland, MS). The device produces a CSV file for acceleration along 3 mutually orthogonal axes in three dimensions (x, y, and z) as a function of time (rate = 12 Hz). For data collection, the device was wrapped in bubble wrap and placed within a PTT carrier. Data were collected for transport from the collection site to destination laboratory 1 (Route A), and from the collection site to destination laboratory 2 (Route B). Each acceleration datapoint represented a 3-dimenstional vector (having both magnitude and direction). We calculated jerk as the magnitude of the vector representing the difference in the acceleration vectors between successive data points. We calculated angular changes in direction of acceleration (theta) from the dot product of successive acceleration vectors. Variation in theta may be thought of as a measure of “rattling”. Results Routes A and B had practically identical transit times of approximately 300 s (5 min). Accelerations ranged in magnitude (M) from 0–8 g. Route A demonstrated a 2 min interval of essentially constant velocity, whereas Route B demonstrated nearly continuous variation in acceleration. For Route B, M &amp;gt; 1.2 g comprised 29.0% of results compared to 13.5% of results for Route A (ratio = 2.1). Jerk ranged from 0 to 7 g per time interval of 1/(12 Hz). For Route B, jerk &amp;gt; 0.1 g per time interval comprised 63.0% of results compared to 28.3% of results for Route A (ratio = 2.2). Theta ranged from 0 to 180 degrees. For Route B, theta &amp;gt; 5 degrees comprised 59.3% of results compared to 26.6% of results for Route A (ratio = 2.2). By measures of acceleration, jerk, and theta, Route B is a “rougher” ride for specimens compared to Route A. The similarity of the ratios given above (range 2.1–2.2) indicate that differences in acceleration, jerk, and theta run in parallel as variables for comparison between these two PTT routes. Conclusions In transportation safety literature, jerk is a primary variable in the category of “conditions in which people get knocked down.” For specimen transport, the analogy is that jerk might be a variable with respect to “conditions that may activate or disrupt cells.” In our example, comparisons of distributions for acceleration, jerk and theta ran in parallel. Thus, in evaluation of effects of PTT on test results, analysis of acceleration data alone might mask identification of cumulative effects of jerk and theta as possible primary variables. Experimentally, however, it would be very difficult to establish distinction between acceleration, jerk, or theta as primary variables.

One-Year Association of Drug Possession Law Change With Fatal Drug Overdose in Oregon and Washington

Two states modified laws to remove or substantially reduce criminal penalties for any drug possession. The hypothesis was that removing criminal penalties for drug possession may reduce fatal drug overdoses due to reduced incarceration and increased calls for help at the scene of an overdose. To evaluate whether decriminalization of drug possession in Oregon and Washington was associated with changes in either direction in fatal drug overdose rates. This cohort study used a synthetic control method approach to examine whether there were changes in drug possession laws and fatal drug overdose rates in Oregon and Washington in the postpolicy period (February 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, in Oregon and March 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, in Washington). A counterfactual comparison group (synthetic controls) was created for Oregon and Washington, using 48 states and the District of Columbia, that did not implement similar policies during the study period (January 1, 2018, to March 31, 2022). For 2018-2021, final multiple cause-of-death data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) were used. For 2022, provisional NVSS data were used. Drug overdose deaths were identified using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision underlying cause-of-death codes X40-X44, X60-X64, X85, and Y10-Y14. In Oregon, Measure 110 went into effect on February 1, 2021. In Washington, the Washington Supreme Court decision in State v Blake occurred on February 25, 2021. Monthly fatal drug overdose rates. Following the implementation of Measure 110, absolute monthly rate differences between Oregon and its synthetic control were not statistically significant (probability = 0.26). The average rate difference post Measure 110 was 0.268 fatal drug overdoses per 100 000 state population. Following the implementation of the policy change in Washington, the absolute monthly rate differences between Washington and synthetic Washington were not statistically significant (probability = 0.06). The average rate difference post Blake was 0.112 fatal drug overdoses per 100 000 state population. This study found no evidence of an association between legal changes that removed or substantially reduced criminal penalties for drug possession in Oregon and Washington and fatal drug overdose rates. Additional research could examine potential other outcomes as well as longer-term associations with fatal drug overdose overall and across racial and ethnic groups.

Supplier Management and Organizational Performance of Food Processing Industry in Nairobi County Kenya

In current environmental changes, hyper-stiffed competition to deliver more innovative products, changing customer and investor demands and globalization have become the standard setting for firms in Food Processing Industry. Multinational firms are constantly under pressure to find the most profitable ways to bring products to market. To effectively compete, organizations must continuously improve their performance by reducing costs, enhancing quality, and differentiating their products and services. Increasingly, this means relying on third parties management and outsourced services have to lead to a highly collaborative working relationship with their suppliers. The study meant to determine the relationship between Supplier Management and Organizational Performance of Food Processing Industry in Nairobi County Kenya. The study objectives was to determine the role of supplier selection process, supplier involvement practices, supplier development practices, and supplier monitoring programs on the Organizational Performance of Food Processing Industry in Nairobi County Kenya. Theories relevant to this study were Transaction Cost Theory, Resource Dependency Theory and Social Capital Theory which most of them were drawn from different disciplines such as industrial-organizational psychology and economics reflecting the interdisciplinary origin of purchasing and supplies management which were all shown how the variables link up with the mentioned theories. Study variables were discussed under the conceptual framework there after operationalized. Theories relevant to this study were reviewed that included; resource based view theory, strategic choice theory, network theory, and stakeholder theory. The study variables were explained under conceptual framework under independent variables that is; supplier selection process, supplier involvement practices, supplier development practices, and supplier monitoring programs and Organizational Performance. Critique of relevant literature relevant to the study was done and research gaps identified. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The target population was 102 Food and Beverages Manufacturing Firms in Kenya in Nairobi City County. The study used simple random sample to pick a sample size of 50 Food and Beverages Manufacturing Firms. Data was collected using questionnaires which were self-administered. Qualitative and quantitative data was coded and entered in Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24 for analysis. A pilot study was conducted to measure the research instruments reliability and validity. Descriptive statistics were generated. Inferential statistics using linear regression and correlation analysis was carried out to test the relationship between independent and dependent variables where all the independent variables were positively correlated with the dependent variable. The results were presented using tables and graphs. The study findings indicated that, supplier selection process, supplier involvement practices, supplier development practices, and supplier monitoring programs have a positive and significant association with performance of food and beverages manufacturing firms in Kenya. This implied that Supplier Management practices and performance of food and beverages manufacturing firms change in the same direction. The study found out that food and beverages manufacturing firms’ in Kenya have embraced Supplier Management practices for effective performance. The study recommends that it would be appropriate for food and beverages manufacturing firms embrace, supplier selection process, supplier involvement practices, supplier development practices, and supplier monitoring programs as Supplier Management practices. Equally, the study recommends that food and beverages manufacturing firms should conduct overall effective and efficient supplier management strategies /practices that focus on long term goals of the organization. This study recommends that a similar research can be conducted from multiple informants groups to come up with a variety of outcomes by creating discussion among supply chain managers with different skills and capability. Moreover, a similar research can be conducted using longitudinal so as the research to identify the evolution of supplier management strategies across number of year.

Public Procurement Strategy and Performance of Murang’a County Government, Kenya.

This study was a cross-sectional study that explored to establish the influence of procurement strategy on performance of County Governments. The guiding specific objectives were strategic sourcing strategy, risk management strategy, negotiation strategy and e-procurement strategy. The theories related to the study were strategic choice theory, principal-agency theory and institutional theory. Further, the study adopted a conceptual framework to show causal relationship between independent and dependent variable. Independent variables are strategic sourcing, procurement planning, contract management and e-procurement which were shown have a causal relationship with the performance of County Governments as the dependent variable. The study adopted descriptive research design. Simple random sampling was adopted to select research participants. A sample size of 85 staff from the county government was sampled randomly using the simple random sampling technique from the total population of staff. The study used both primary and secondary data. The main instrument for data collection was structured questionnaire administered by the researcher. Quantitative data collected was checked for completeness, analysed through statistical analysis for social sciences version 23. Findings of descriptive statistics was presented in form of frequency tables and percentages. A pilot test was conducted before the main study to determine potential weaknesses in the data collection tool through validity and reliability test. The inferential statistics include Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis. The study findings indicated that strategic sourcing strategy, risk management strategy, negotiation strategy and e-procurement strategy have a positive and significant association with the performance of County Governments in Kenya. This implies that public procurement strategy and performance change in the same direction. The study found out that the county government in Kenya have not embraced public procurement strategy for effective performance. Further, the recommendations for improving public procurement strategy include reviewing contracts, enhancing supplier relationship management, conducting pre-screening of suppliers, maintaining compliance with regulations, updating risk management strategies, emphasizing negotiation for fair prices, improving post-negotiation follow-up, and strengthening the integration and security of e-procurement systems. These measures aim to enhance performance, supplier partnerships, efficiency, compliance, risk management, and coordination in the procurement process.

A pelvis-oriented margin of stability is robust against deviations in walking direction

The Margin of Stability (MOS) is often assessed relative to the intended, linear path of walking progression. When an unanticipated or irregular change in direction occurs, such as during a sudden turn or during activities of daily living, distinguishing the lateral from anteroposterior MOS can be challenging. The purpose of this study was to assess an anatomically orientated method of calculating the MOS using the pelvic orientation to define lateral and anteroposterior directions. We hypothesized that when straight walking was disrupted with a curved path, the pelvis-oriented MOS measure would be less variable compared to the global-oriented MOS measure. We recruited 16 unimpaired participants to walk at preferred and fast walking speeds along a straight walking path, as well as a path with an exaggerated, curvilinear deviation. We determined the within-subject mean and standard deviation of the anterior MOS at mid-swing and the posterior and lateral MOS at ipsilateral foot strike. For straight walking and curved walking separately, repeated measures factorial ANOVAs assessed the effects of model (global or pelvis-oriented), limb (left or right), and speed (preferred or fast) on these MOS values. Based on reduced variability during curved walking, the pelvis-oriented MOS was more robust to walking deviations than the globally defined MOS. In straight walking, the pelvis-oriented MOS was characterized by less lateral and more anterior stability with differences exacerbated by faster walking. These results suggest a pelvis-oriented MOS has utility when the path of progression is unknown or unclear.

Evaluation of Postharvest Losses of Banana Growers in North East India: An Ordered Probit Analysis

This study aimed to examine postharvest losses encountered by banana cultivators in the northeastern Indian states of Assam and Meghalaya across three discrete temporal phases: prior to the onset of COVID-19, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the aftermath of COVID-19. A total of 100 households, distributed among the selected villages with 10 households per village, were chosen through a random selection process. Furthermore, the current study evaluates the impact of diverse socio-economic variables on these losses through the application of an ordered probit model. The findings of the study suggested that, during both pre- and post-COVID 19 periods, the postharvest losses of banana farmer ranges between 1 to 32%, whereas, it was between 34 to 70% during COVID 19 period. Moreover, the study argued that the postharvest losses of banana farmers were influenced by the locational indicator, education, farming experience, land pattern as well as some other production and cost related factors of farmers. Despite this, the factors that influenced postharvest losses exhibited a significant change in direction across the various time periods. The study suggests that in less developed regions such as North East India, decreasing postharvest losses could play a vital role in alleviating poverty and fostering rural advancement by creating more opportunities for agribusiness livelihoods.

Video surveillance-based fall detection system using object-level feature thresholding and [formula omitted]numbers

A new algorithm, namely Z−numbers-based deep feature thresholding (Z−DFT) is described for handling the issue concerning uncertainty that arises while classifying various fall and no-fall events in complex scenarios in both indoor (viz., home and hospital) and outdoor (viz., construction area and road). The Z−DFT consists of four phases: (i) object detection and tracking, (ii) feature extraction, (iii) feature thresholding and rule generation, and (iv) Z−numbers-based analysis for quantifying the reliability of the detected falls. Unlike state-of-the-art methods, Z−DFT uses both OpenPose and object-level features. This enables better modeling of both indoor and outdoor falls. New object-level features considered are change in area, aspect ratio, speed variation, and change in direction of the detected objects. The detection of fall locations involves two phases, viz., probable location and specific location. The probable location corresponding to each OpenPose and object-level feature is determined based on its statistical information. The commonality of these probable locations results in the specific location which is determined by framing linguistic rules using all the features. Z−numbers computed with features further reflect the reliability of detection. The characteristic features of Z−DFT are demonstrated over eighteen real-time videos acquired from YouTube8M and UR Fall data, along with its superiority claimed over ten state-of-the-art algorithms.

In-situ monitoring of thiazine molecular aggregation in various solvents via a free-standing acoustic levitator

In this work, we explored the in-situ reaction modeling of the molecular self-aggregation of methylene blue (MB), which is a cationic thiazine dye, in different solvents via a container-less acoustic levitator by floating of a single droplet. Our in-situ spectroscopic study revealed that the dimer essentially has a sandwich structural geometry with a deviation from parallel stacking and horizontal arrangements in the molecular planes. The real time conversion of the monomer in MB into a dimer and their dynamics in water and ethanol media were monitored using a free-standing acoustic levitator droplet system. The absorption spectra revealed changes in the two resolved peaks (monomer and dimer) and orderliness when water and ethanol were used as the media. Interestingly, the enhancement in the dimerization of MB could be attributed to droplet evaporation, which is difficult to observe in typical reactor containers. Moreover, acidic protonation resulted in a change in the aggregation orientation direction of the MB molecules, forming an unusual J-aggregation. Theoretical DFT calculations revealed that MB underwent typical H-aggregation and J-aggregation in the different solvent environments, and their orientations well matched the spectroscopic data.

Public Speaking Training for Youth in Koto Perambahan Village, Kampar Regency in Improving Public Speaking Skills

The ability to speak in public (Public Speaking) for a teenager is one of the abilities that greatly supports activities in working and doing various creativity. Especially in the current era of technological advancement, there are many things that can be done by teenagers as an effort to make breakthrough changes in a positive direction by mastering Public Speaking. It's just that the fact that many teenagers do not have good public speaking skills to convey ideas in public so that it hampers their efforts in this regard. The purpose of this activity is to uncover potential as well as an effort to help Koto Perambahan Village teenagers in improving their skills in the field of Public Speaking or public speaking skills. Public speaking skills are something that must be trained from an early age; Because it will be beneficial for the future. The method of implementing service consists of preparation, implementation and evaluation. The result of this activity is that the trainee teenagers have demonstrated their Public Speaking skills after getting direction and guidance.