Coordination Demands Research Articles

Comparison of Multi-Agent Platform Usability for Industrial-Grade Applications

Modern systems often employ decentralised and distributed approaches. This can be attributed, among others, to the increasing complexity of system processes, which go beyond the capabilities of singular components. Additionally, with the growth in demand for system automation and high-level coordination, solutions belonging to the decentralised Artificial Intelligence and collaborative decision-making are often applied. It can be observed that these concerns fall within the domain of multi-agent systems. However, even though MAS concepts emerged more than 40 years ago, despite their obvious advantages and continuous efforts of the scientific community, agents remain rarely used in industrial-grade applications. In this context, the goal of this contribution is to analyse the reasons for the lack of adoption of agent solutions in the real world. During the analysis, all pertinent aspects of the modern software development life cycle are examined and compared to what is currently available in the agent system domain. Specifically, the study focuses on identifying gaps that are often overlooked when it comes to scientific applications of MAS, but are critical in terms of potential for large-scale system development in practice.

Dual-Ligand Europium-Organic Gels as a Highly Efficient Anodic Annihilation Electrochemiluminescence Emitter for Ultrasensitive Detection of MicroRNA.

In this study, a novel europium dual-ligand metal-organic gel (Eu-D-MOGs) with high-efficient anodic annihilation electrochemiluminescence (ECL) was synthesized as an ECL emitter to construct a biosensor for ultrasensitive detection of microRNA-221 (miR-221). Impressively, compared to the ECL signal of europium single-ligand metal-organic gels (Eu-S-MOGs), the ECL signal of Eu-D-MOGs was significantly improved since the two organic ligands could jointly replace the H2O and coordinate with Eu3+, which could remarkably reduce the nonradiative vibrational energy transfer caused by the coordination between H2O and Eu3+ with a high coordination demand. In addition, Eu-D-MOGs could be electrochemically oxidized to Eu-D-MOGs•+ at 1.45 V and reduced to Eu-D-MOGs•- at 0.65 V to achieve effective annihilation of ECL, which overcame the side reaction brought by the remaining emitters at negative potential. This benefited from the annihilation ECL performance of the central ion Eu3+ caused by its redox in the electrochemical process. Furthermore, the annihilation ECL signal of Eu3+ could be improved by sensitizing Eu3+ via the antenna effect. In addition, combined with the improved rolling circle amplification-assisted strand displacement amplification strategy (RCA-SDA), a sensitive biosensor was constructed for the sensitive detection of miR-221 with a low detection limit of 5.12 aM and could be successfully applied for the detection of miR-221 in the lysate of cancer cells. This strategy offered a unique approach to synthesizing metal-organic gels as ECL emitters without a coreactant for the construction of ECL biosensing platforms in biomarker detection and disease diagnosis.

Distance optimization and directional overcurrent relay coordination using edge-powered biogeography-genetic algorithms

The effective functioning and regulation of power systems crucially rely on the coordination of distance and directional overcurrent relays. Accurate fault detection and successful clearing sequences require support for each relay and the maintenance of the coordination time interval (CTI) between major distance relays, directional overcurrent relay support, and other relay zones. Efficiently initiating relays while adhering to complex coordination limitations poses a challenging task that demands innovative solutions. This study addresses the intricate problem of relay coordination by employing heuristic methods, specifically genetic algorithms (GA) and biogeography-based optimization (BBO), in both a 9-bus and 39-bus system. The primary objective is to determine the most efficient time setting factor (TSM) that minimizes the duration of relay operation. Additionally, the intelligent features of the overcurrent relay are carefully chosen to enhance the research's results. The integration of edge computing capabilities plays a significant role in advancing this coordination method. By incorporating advanced algorithms and communication technologies at the edge, the prompt activation of relays becomes possible, thereby meeting coordination demands. This study explores the combination of edge-based servers with genetic algorithms (GA) and biogeography-based optimization (BBO) techniques to enhance relay coordination. The findings indicate a notable enhancement compared to conventional approaches. However, comparative research suggests that BBO's performance is similar to GA, without a distinct advantage in achieving higher outcomes.

User performance and engagement in multi-user gaming Environments: An experimental investigation through the group eye tracking (GET) paradigm

This study explores user performance and engagement in a multi-user gaming environment, using the Group Eye Tracking (GET) paradigm. Through a balloon-popping task, we investigate the interplay between individual and collective gaze behaviors under various social scenarios and gaze cue availabilities. Participants engaged in the game individually, collaboratively, and competitively, with or without access to peers’ gaze cues. Our findings show that reaction times vary significantly depending on the social context and the availability of gaze cues. Playing in groups generally increased engagement, flow, and positive experiences but also introduced more challenges and negative emotions, especially due to the competitive and coordination demands of group play. Introducing gaze cues notably affected the players by enhancing their immersion and skill perception while evoking mixed emotional reactions. Gaze reaction times systematically increased in group scenarios with gaze cues, underscoring the attentional dichotomy between target and gaze cue stimuli. We contrast these results with existing theories on joint action, providing insights into the complex social and perceptual dynamics in gaming. This study demonstrates how multi-user eye tracking can offer new possibilities in gaming, broadening our understanding of joint actions and presenting potential to enhance interactions in digital environments.

Motor-related cortical oscillations distinguish one’s own from a partner’s contributions to a joint action

The ability to distinguish between one’s own and others’ actions is a requirement for successful joint action. Such a distinction might be supported by dissociable motor activity underlying each partner’s individual contributions to the joint action. However, little research has directly compared motor activity associated with one’s own vs. others’ actions during joint action. The current study investigated whether motor-related cortical oscillations distinguish between self- and partner-produced actions when partners take turns producing taps to meet a joint timing goal. Across two experiments, the degree of beta suppression differentiated one’s own from a partner’s actions, with more suppression occurring during one’s own actions than during a partner’s actions. Self-partner differences in mu suppression were also evident, particularly when partners produced actions in succession. Increased beta suppression was also observed during partners’ actions when they were followed by one’s own actions, suggesting that the coordination demands imposed by the joint action could affect the pattern of beta reactivity during a turn-taking joint action. Together, these findings demonstrate that dynamic patterns of motor activity underpin successful joint action and that periods of distinct motor activity are associated with one’s own contributions to a joint action.

Investigating the impact of external load on muscle synergies during bipedal squats

PurposeA broad functional movement repertoire is crucial for engaging in physical activity and reducing the risk of injury, both of which are central aspects of lifelong health. As a fundamental exercise in both recreational and rehabilitative training regimes, the bipedal squat (SQBp) incorporates many everyday movement patterns. Crucially, SQBp can only be considered functional if the practitioner can meet the coordinative demands. Many factors affect coordinative aspects of an exercise, most notably external load. Since compound movements are assumed to be organized in a synergistic manner, we employed muscle synergy analysis to examine differences in muscle synergy properties between various external load levels during SQBp.MethodsTen healthy male recreational athletes were enrolled in the present study. Each participant performed three sets of ten SQBp on a smith machine at three submaximal load levels (50%, 62.5%, and 75% of 3 repetition maximum) across three non-consecutive days. Muscle activity was recorded from 12 prime movers of SQBp by way of electromyography (EMG). Muscle synergies were analyzed in terms of temporal activation patterns, i.e., waveform, as well as the relative input of each muscle into individual synergies, i.e., weight contribution.ResultsWaveforms of muscle synergies did not differ between loads. Weight contributions showed significant differences between load levels, albeit only for the gastrocnemius muscle in a single synergy.ConclusionTaken together, our results imply mostly stable spatiotemporal composition of muscle activity during SQBp, underlining the importance of technical competence during compound movement performance in athletic and rehabilitative settings.

Exploring the effects of automation malfunction on team communication and coordination in ships' engine rooms

AbstractAutomation malfunctions within complex socio‐technical systems reserve the potential to significantly affect human performance. In the context of maritime operations, varying consequences of automation malfunction on human performance can be observed. This study introduced a two‐step research framework to examine the repercussions of such malfunctions, particularly those related to communication and coordination among human teams in ship engine rooms. Initially, a qualitative semi‐structured interview was conducted with seven professional marine engineers to explore the potential impact of hypothetical automation malfunction on team communication. Subsequently, a quantitative survey involving 32 professional marine engineers employed coordination demand analysis (CDA) to scrutinize changes in team coordination resulting from malfunction. The findings indicate that an automation malfunction within an engine room can precipitate an abrupt overload of the socio‐technical system. This can significantly increase communication frequency among engineers, particularly in relation to the physical and organizational aspects of the environment. Furthermore, the study highlights the influence of disparate levels of expertise among team members on coordination demands. A positive correlation was discovered between differences in expertise and increased coordination demands within a team. These insights underscore the necessity for future research on human–automation interaction, specifically focusing on individual differences and nontechnical skills.

Aligning Professional Development With Service Coordinator Knowledge and Skills

Service coordinators under Part C of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) help families navigate the early intervention (EI) system and ensure regular communication among team members so services are aligned with family priorities and recommended EI practices. To meet the demands of service coordination, personnel entering the EI field who will serve as service coordinators must receive high-quality professional development to orient them to their unique roles and responsibilities. The purpose of this program evaluation was to examine the effectiveness of one state's service coordination training program and its alignment with the Knowledge and Skills for Service Coordinators (KSSC), a resource document in the Division for Early Childhood and IDEA Infant Toddler Coordinators Association (DEC & ITCA) Joint Position Statement: Service Coordination in Early Intervention (2020). Survey results suggested that the training program was associated with increased knowledge and skills for service coordinator participants in many of the KSSC areas. Participants also reported using what they learned in their work with families. The rubric used to evaluate this training program could be a resource for state-level professional development providers to evaluate alignment of current and future training for service coordinators with the KSSC.

Challenge Not Only to the Muscles—Surface Instability Shifts Attentional Demands in Young and Older Adults While Performing Resistance Exercise

AbstractRegular physical activity is an important factor in maintaining and improving physical and cognitive functions in an aging society. Compared to resistance and endurance training, motor tasks with attentional demands and cognitive activation are considered to have a greater potential for improving executive functions. Unstable devices increase the coordinative demands and could thus lead to increased cognitive engagement during acute resistance exercises. This study aimed to investigate the required attentional resources during squats on stable and unstable surfaces in young and older adults. For this purpose, 13 young (Mage = 23.5, SD = 2.7 years) and 17 older (Mage = 70.2, SD = 4.3 years) healthy adults performed dumbbell squats on a flat ground (stable condition) and on an unstable device (unstable condition) while simultaneously conducting a visual-verbal Stroop task. Attentional resources for the stable and unstable conditions were assessed by calculating the differences in reaction time for the Stroop task (dual-task effect) from the single-task to the dual-task condition, respectively. As a result, there was a significant higher negative dual-task effect (i.e., cognitive performance decrement) while squatting on an unstable (− 13.96%) versus a stable surface (− 8.68%). Older adults did not show significantly greater dual-task effects than young adults. In conclusion, the attentional resources required during acute resistance training may be increased by the use of unstable devices. The fact that no age differences were found could be a consequence of the strict selection criteria for the study (selection bias).

Dynamics in interbrain synchronization while playing a piano duet.

Humans interact with each other through actions that are implemented by sensory and motor processes. To investigate the role of interbrain synchronization emerging during interpersonal action coordination, electroencephalography data from 13 pairs of pianists were recorded simultaneously while they performed a duet together. The study aimed to investigate whether interbrain phase couplings can be reduced to similar bottom-up driven processes during synchronous play, or rather represent cognitive top-down control required during periods of higher coordination demands. To induce such periods, one of the musicians acted as a confederate who deliberately desynchronized the play. As intended, on the behavioral level, the perturbation caused a breakdown in the synchronization of the musicians' play and in its stability across trials. On the brain level, interbrain synchrony, as measured by the interbrain phase coherence (IPC), increased in the delta and theta frequency bands during perturbation as compared to non-perturbed trials. Interestingly, this increase in IPC in the delta band was accompanied by the shift of the phase difference angle from in-phase toward anti-phase synchrony. In conclusion, the current study demonstrates that interbrain synchronization is based on the interpersonal temporal alignment of different brain mechanisms and is not simply reducible to similar sensory or motor responses.

Rollator usage lets young individuals switch movement strategies in sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks

The transitions between sitting and standing have a high physical and coordination demand, frequently causing falls in older individuals. Rollators, or four-wheeled walkers, are often prescribed to reduce lower-limb load and to improve balance but have been found a fall risk. This study investigated how rollator support affects sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit movements. Twenty young participants stood up and sat down under three handle support conditions (unassisted, light touch, and full support). As increasing task demands may affect coordination, a challenging floor condition (balance pads) was included. Full-body kinematics and ground reaction forces were recorded, reduced in dimensionality by principal component analyses, and clustered by k-means into movement strategies. Rollator support caused the participants to switch strategies, especially when their balance was challenged, but did not lead to support-specific strategies, i.e., clusters that only comprise light touch or full support trials. Three strategies for sit-to-stand were found: forward leaning, hybrid, and vertical rise; two in the challenging condition (exaggerated forward and forward leaning). For stand-to-sit, three strategies were found: backward lowering, hybrid, and vertical lowering; two in the challenging condition (exaggerated forward and forward leaning). Hence, young individuals adjust their strategy selection to different conditions. Future studies may apply this methodology to older individuals to recommend safe strategies and ultimately reduce falls.

Development of Construction Inventory Application with Rapid Application Development Method

The construction industry plays a pivotal role in developing essential physical infrastructure and public facilities. Efficient inventory management is crucial for the growth and productivity of this industry. However, construction inventory management faces complex challenges due to the frequent project changes and coordination demands. Many construction companies still rely on manual processes or outdated software, leading to calculation errors, reporting delays, and an inability to swiftly adapt to project changes. To address these issues, this research introduces the Construction Inventory Application, developed using the Rapid Application Development (RAD) approach. This specialized application enhances construction inventory management by allowing rapid development, user involvement, early testing, and customization to meet unique project needs. The study demonstrates that the RAD-based Construction Inventory Application has the potential to significantly improve construction inventory management, minimizing risks associated with inefficiencies. This research contributes to advancing application development in the construction industry, aiding in efficient infrastructure development.

Pricing for Water Conservation and Equity Consideration: The Case of Texas

Water utility providers in Texas have been trying to coordinate demand for and supply of water to ensure a stable source of water given the state’s recent rapid population growth and persistent drought-like conditions. Their efforts, however, vary across municipalities throughout Texas. The paper provides a broad analysis of pricing practices in 423 municipalities across Texas from 2014 to 2020 and their impact on residential water consumption. We also assess how other socio-demographic and climatic conditions may influence water use and water rates decisions across municipalities. Besides investigating the potential determinants of water demand, the paper also looks at several supply-side variables and the income gap to address the endogeneity of water block prices. Our results shed light on how current water pricing practices in Texas incorporate aspects of the Integrated Water Management Practices that have been shaping water management for decades.

Manual Rhythmic Sequencing Skills in Children With Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

Rhythm is one procedural mechanism that underlies language and motor skill acquisition and has been implicated in children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). The purpose of this study is to investigate manual rhythmic sequencing skills in children with a history of or current CAS (hx/CAS) compared to children with typical development (TD). Thirty-eight children (18 with hx/CAS, 20 with TD), ages 5;0-12;8 (years;months), from across the United States participated in an online study. Participants imitated two rhythms in two different conditions, clapping and tapping. We assessed overall accuracy, mean number of beats, pause marking, and rhythmic sequence variability using the Mann-Whitney U test. Effect sizes were calculated to examine the influence of coordinative complexity on performance. Compared to children with TD, children with hx/CAS marked fewer trials with a pause in both conditions of the easier rhythm and showed lower overall accuracy and more variable rhythmic sequences in both rhythms and conditions. The mean number of beats produced by children with hx/CAS and children with TD did not differ in three out of four rhythms/conditions. Unlike children with TD, children with hx/CAS showed little improvement from clapping to tapping across most dependent measures; reducing coordination demands did not improve performance in children with hx/CAS. We found that children with hx/CAS show manual rhythmic deficits that are similar to the deficits they display in speech. These findings provide support for a domain-general cognitive mechanisms account of the rhythmic deficits observed across linguistic and nonlinguistic tasks in children with hx/CAS. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.24052821.

Use of exercises with increased coordination complexity in the training process of young female volleyball players aged 13-14 years

Background and Study Aim. In the context of training young female volleyball players, understanding the criteria, extent, and impact of exercises with heightened coordination complexity becomes crucial. This study aims to determine the evaluation criteria, scope, and effects of incorporating exercises with elevated coordination demands on the specific athletic readiness of young female volleyball players aged 13–14 years. Material and Methods. The study involved female volleyball players aged 13–14 years (n=24) with an average of 4 years of professional experience. Participants were divided into a control group (n=12) and an experimental group (n=12). Prior to the study, both children and their parents were thoroughly informed about the research procedures, and parental consent was obtained for participation. The coordination exercises were categorized into five groups, each assigned a complexity rating from 1 to 5. The assessment utilized a battery of tests. Results. The findings reveal that coordination training yielded a more pronounced advancement in the development of various coordination abilities among female volleyball players in the experimental group, as compared to those in the control group. A statistically significant enhancement (p<0.05) was evident across all indices of coordination readiness within the experimental group. In contrast, the control group demonstrated notable progress only in 3 out of 10 instances (p<0.05). In the control group, noteworthy increases (p<0.05) were observed in spatial orientation, motor activity restructuring, and response indicators. Female volleyball players in the experimental group exhibited substantial improvement (p<0.05–0.001) across all indicators of technical readiness, including reception, attack hit, serve, and ball pass. Conversely, the control group players showed comparatively less remarkable changes in this aspect of readiness, with significant enhancement (p<0.05) identified in three parameters. Conclusions. The strategic incorporation of exercises with progressively heightened coordination demands emerges as a valuable approach in substantially enhancing the range of coordination abilities among young female volleyball players. Recognizing this factor provides the means to expedite and optimize the mastery of motor skills more effectively.

Investigation into the Coincidence between Specialty Setting in Higher Vocational Colleges and Industrial Structure Utilizing a Coupling Coordination Evaluation Framework

Abstract The coincidence between specialty setting and industrial structure within higher vocational colleges epitomizes the tangible foundation for the amalgamation of industry and education in advanced vocational training, serving as an essential element in Ningbo’s regional economic evolution. Through an examination of Ningbo’s prevailing industrial composition and the regional specialty setting of higher vocational colleges, this study evaluates the congruity between specialty setting and industrial structure by fashioning a deviation degree model. Concurrently, it calculates the comprehensive development level of specialty setting and regional industry through entropy weight method, and then probes the coupling coordination magnitude between specialty setting and regional industry through the construction of a coupling assessment coordination framework on this basis. The findings reveal that the specialty setting and industrial structure of higher vocational colleges in Ningbo exist in a state of significant coupling, and the interconnection degree between the two is commendable. Nevertheless, the overall deviation is notably substantial, indicating that the coupling coordination demands further refinement. Hence, it becomes imperative to augment the synchronized advancement between specialty setting in higher vocational colleges and regional industries within Ningbo, focusing on three vital dimensions: the optimal utilization of the government’s comprehensive planning capability, the predominant role of higher vocational colleges, and the synergistic collaboration with enterprises within the context of higher vocational education.

Perceived usefulness of a shared journal feature to support coordination and communication across dementia care networks

AbstractBackgroundCare partners (family and friends) for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD) often provide care within a care network of both informal (e.g. family, friends) and formal (e.g. home aides, respite care) supports. Care networks can improve care but are often associated with increased communication and coordination demands. Technology interventions have potential to support care networks, but evidence is limited. This study explored care network use of a shared communication platform to identify care partner’s perceptions of the platform’s usefulness.MethodThis study used data from a feasibility trial for CareVirtue, a web application designed to support care partners in storing and sharing information with members of their network. Fifty‐one care networks comprised of a primary care partner and other network members (N = 61) in California and Wisconsin used CareVirtue for 60 days and completed a post‐trial semi‐structured interview. This analysis focused on CareVirtue’s journal feature, which allows users to share daily experiences through written posts published to a newsfeed that care network members can view and comment on. We exported the text of these journal entries and conducted team‐based content analysis. We performed a thematic analysis on interview transcripts to identify themes related to the journal’s usefulness.ResultIn total 2,535 journal entries from 51 primary care partners (75% female, mean age = 60 years old, 55% children of care recipient, 40% spouses) and their care network were analyzed.Journal entries: We identified four categories of communication and coordination activities: 1) information acquisition in which care network members sought updates; 2) information sharing including tracking behaviors, symptoms, and daily activities; 3) strategy development in which care network members used two‐way communication to co‐create care solutions; and 4) feedback including affirmation, empathy, gratitude, confirmation, and information exchange.Interviews: We identified three journal usefulness themes: individual level usefulness including tracking information and therapeutic benefits; network level usefulness including facilitating collaboration; and relational usefulness including increased situational awareness and feeling seen as a care partner.ConclusionThe CareVirtue journal facilitated communication across the care network and also enabled self‐exploration, heightened awareness, and collaborative strategy development among the care network.

The Antagonistic Alterations of Cerebellar Functional Segregation and Integration in Athletes with Fast Demands of Visual-Motor Coordination

The Antagonistic Alterations of Cerebellar Functional Segregation and Integration in Athletes with Fast Demands of Visual-Motor Coordination

Spillover dynamics and inter-institutional interactions between CSDP and AFSJ: moving towards a more joined-up EU external migration policy?

ABSTRACT The EU’s response to the European ‘refugee crisis’ has involved parallel efforts to strengthen the EU’s capacity for external migration management in the domains of CSDP and AFSJ. To provide a swift response to the ‘refugee crisis’ in 2015, EU member states decided to utilise existing operational CSDP capabilities as a short-term foreign policy tool. Simultaneously, we have seen an impressive strengthening of the mandate and capabilities of ASFJ actors in external migration governance. Although institutional links between civilian CSDP and AFSJ have existed for over two decades, the parallel task expansion has created new demands for inter-institutional coordination between the two policy areas. Combining neofunctionalist theory with insights from research on inter-institutional overlap, this article argues that responses to neofunctionalist spillover pressures may trigger inter-institutional dynamics, which can involve both cooperation as well as conflict. Empirically, we find that these inter-institutional interactions have had important implications for integration in both policy areas, which cannot be fully understood by studying these policy domains in isolation.

Effects of the self-perceived sensorimotor demand and immersion during video gaming on visual-attention skills.

Playing specific genres of video games (e.g., action video games) has been linked to improvements in cognitive skills mostly related to attentional phenomena. Nonetheless, do video games have features or dimensions in common that impact cognitive improvements beyond the game genre? Here, we argue that the sensorimotor demand-the amount of demand for precise coordination between movement and perception-is a key element in the improvements associated with playing video games. We conducted a two-part study to test this hypothesis: a self-report online gaming instrument development and validation and an in-lab behavioural and electrophysiological study. In the first study, data from 209 participants were used to devise the sensorimotor demand instrument (SMDI). The SMDI was split into three dimensions of video game playing: sensorimotor contingency, immersion and unfocused gaming. Criterion validity related to video gamers' characteristics supported that the SMDI is sensitive to the input device (e.g., keyboard or touchscreens), and the most recent experience gained during gaming sessions while not being sensitive to the game genre. In the second study, data from 20 participants who performed four visual-attentional tasks previously reported in the literature showed that the SMDI's dimensions were associated with behavioural performance measures and the latency and amplitude of event-related potentials (N1, P2 and P3). Despite the challenge of studying the video gamer population, our study remarks on the relevance of sensorimotor demands in the performance of attentional tasks and its potential use as a dimension to characterize the experience of playing video games beyond the game genre.