Diverse Work Research Articles

Enhancing PV receiver efficiency in laser wireless power transmission through square elliptic hyperboloid concentrator

AbstractLaser wireless energy transmission is a widely utilized method, yet its efficiency is constrained by a variety of factors. In order to improve the conversion efficiency of the receivers of the laser wireless power transmission (LWPT) system, the square elliptic hyperboloid (SEH) concentrating module designed for LWPT system receivers is developed. By analysing the I–V characteristic curves from the results of the experiments and employing non‐linear parameter regression, a corrected battery characteristic curve was derived within a specific laser irradiation range. On this basis, an optical–thermal–electric multi‐field coupling characteristic model was developed. The finite element method is used to simulate the multi‐field coupling characteristics and conversion efficiency of the receiving end under diverse working conditions (including different rotation angles and different divergence angles) of the concentrating photovoltaic module. Research shows: First, the larger the divergence half‐angle β of the laser beam, the more obvious the improvement of the effective optical efficiency of the system by the SEH concentrator. Second, the short‐circuit current and the maximum output power of the PV cell at the receiving end are significantly improved by the SEH concentrator, and the improvement effect is more obvious with the increase of the divergence angle and the rotation angle. Third, SEH concentrators did not significantly affect the fill factor of PV cells.

Expansion of Digital Technology Use in the Korean Social Work Field

This study aims to examine the status of digital technology utilization in diverse social work facilities and to understand practitioners’ perceptions of digitalization in the social work field in South Korea. To achieve this, focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 32 social work practitioners from various social welfare organizations in South Korea. The results of thematic analysis revealed that there are four main factors affecting the usage of digital technology, five main types of digital technologies, four principal outcomes, and five challenges. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the digital transformation that has occurred in social work, it is suggested that future in-depth studies should be conducted from the client’s perspective and that future quantitative research should include more cases. Altogether, this study contributes to establishing a foundation for future research to determine the directions of and challenges involved in social work practice in the digital age.

Sense of coherence as a protective factor of health related quality of life in Iranian older adults

Sense of coherence supports human well-being by using internal and external resources to cope with stress and maintain health. The study was conducted in Qom, Iran from June to October 2022 explored the relationship between sense of coherence and quality of life in elderly Iranians. 300 older adults from a retirement center entered the study via the convenience sampling. Questionnaires of socio-demographic information, quality of life, and sense of coherence were used to collect and analyze the data. The analysis was done using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis. The majority of participants were male (77.3%) and married (88.7%), and they had a mean age of 64.4 (SD = 5.72) years. Comprehensibility (β = 0.15; P = 0.024), manageability (β = 0.19; P = 0.001), and meaningfulness (β = 0.20; P = 0.001) were associated with better quality of life after controlling for socio-demographic variables. The results indicated that the sense of coherence significantly predicts the quality of life among older adults. Future research should further investigate these findings in diverse populations and work towards developing effective interventions to enhance the quality of life of older adults.

The experiences of medical and pharmacy students participating in a collaborative online international learning on social accountability and global health: a qualitative study

BackgroundSocial accountability aims to promote a collective ethic that upholds the fundamental values of equity, efficiency, solidarity, and social justice in healthcare and is now considered as a critical mission of academic health centers. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is a pedagogical approach that uses digital technology to provide experiential international learning, specifically for increasingly diverse and multicultural healthcare work environments. The SOLID’AIRS program is an innovative French-language COIL that aims to set up international exchanges and workshops on social accountability between health sciences students. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of participation in the SOLID’AIRS program on medical and pharmacy students.MethodFive universities in four different countries were involved in SOLID’AIRS. We conducted a qualitative study by performing individual, semi-directed interviews with students who participated in the program from 2021 to 2022. A thematic analysis was conducted in five chronological phases: (1) reading, (2) descriptive coding, (3) conceptual coding, (4) identification of themes and (5) production of a coherent thematic structure.ResultsAfter including sixteen student participants, 13 medical and 3 pharmacy students, we identified four main themes related to the impact of participation: (1) previous experiences in social accountability and international learning, (2) perception of the program, (3) perceived impacts of the program, and (4) difficulties encountered and avenues to improve the program. Overall, the program was well received by all participants who reported the advantages and limitations of the online learning format. The primary advantage of this format was its feasibility. The participants noted both professional and personal benefits of the program for their current and future practice, including greater reflexivity towards health sciences practice. Based on the challenges faced during the program, particularly in coordinating group work and communication, participants suggested increased supervision of group projects by collaborators, and organizing at least one in-person meeting for future editions. The participants reported encountering difficulties during the COIL and suggested ways of improvement.ConclusionParticipating in a COIL on social accountability appears to be an effective way to adopt a reflective approach to medical practice and should be implemented and evaluated in other educational contexts.

Stabilization of Dredged Soil by Compensating the Sand Content in the Jhelum River

River dredging is crucial for mitigating the risk of floods by enhancing the water-carrying capacity of rivers. Nevertheless, the key difficulty lies in the appropriate disposal of dredged material, resulting in escalated costs. Predominantly consisting of silt, the dredged material demonstrates constrained bearing capacity and strength. Nonetheless, there is a prospect to derive value from excavated sediments, with potential applications in diverse public works projects. The processed product derived from dredged material can serve diverse purposes, such as filling railway and highway embankments, as well as the subgrade of pavements. The comprehensive study involved analyzing the fundamental properties of the dredged material collected from the Allochibagh flood channel of the Jhelum River. The analysis focused on determining the basic geotechnical properties of the soil mass. The tests unveiled the fine and cohesive nature of the dredged soil. To enhance its properties, sand was introduced as a stabilizing agent in varying proportions. The investigation revealed an initial augmentation in compressive strength as the proportion of sand increased, attaining an optimal mixture whereafter the strength declined. This study explores the utilization of sand as a stabilizing agent for dredged soil to enhance its strength and optimize its application. The process of stabilizing dredged soil with sand demands a thorough examination of hydrogeological processes, the specific characteristics of the dredged soil, and the intricate transport of contaminants. This formal and multidisciplinary effort seeks to elevate the overall stability of the soil.

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE LEVEL AMONG EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES IN RUSSIA AND CHINA

Background. As inclusive education and social participatory parity continue to develop, more and more professional-trained people with disabilities are seeking opportunities for integration into the workplace. However, they face various of challenges in the current work environment. From the perspective of the cultural model of disability, employees with disabilities vary from their able-bodied colleagues in terms of cognition or behavioral patterns. As a result, newer concept such as the disability cultural competence has emerged. In order to adapt and function well in diverse and inclusive work teams, the cultural intelligence of employees with disabilities has become vital yet to be deeply explored in Russia. Purpose. This paper attempts to reveal the cultural intelligence level of Russian employees with disabilities and to compare cultural intelligence between employees with disabilities from Russia and China. Materials and methods. Cultural intelligence has been measured through the Russia and Chinese adaptation Cultural Intelligence Scale among 25 Russian and 23 Chinese employees with disabilities. Then, SPSS 26.0 was used to carry out the descriptive analysis, normality test and mean comparison analysis. Results. Both Russian and Chinese employees' cultural intelligence are at average level. And Russian employees with disabilities have higher cultural intelligence level than the Chinese ones. Besides, this study underlined that there is no significant difference in cultural intelligence by ethnic, gender or type of disability while there is significant difference in cultural intelligence depending on the participants' age.

Empowering Indonesian Women Migrant Workers in Singapore: the Role of Conflict Management Training and Personality-Based Communication for Migrant Workers Community

The present study focuses on a community service project designed to evaluate the efficacy of conflict management training and personality-based communication strategies on Indonesian female migrant workers in Singapore, who are also students at the Open University of Indonesia. The project's primary objective was to aid participants in comprehending themselves and their coworkers more effectively, and to develop practical skills for resolving conflicts and communicating effectively in diverse work environments. Conflict management training encompasses case studies, role-playing, and group discussions, enabling participants to acquire knowledge regarding different conflict management styles and effective communication techniques based on personality types. The post-training evaluation revealed a significant improvement in the participants' comprehension of personality types and their capacity to manage conflicts. This study highlights the significance of incorporating personality aspects into conflict management and communication training, and the advantages of such training in enhancing interpersonal relationships and productivity in the workplace, as well as managing conflicts between individuals and organisations.

Forecasting battery degradation trajectory under domain shift with domain generalization

Rechargeable batteries play a pivotal role in the carbon-neutral green environment by electrifying transportation and mitigating the intermittency of renewable energies. Forecasting the degradation of batteries is crucial for the optimal usage of batteries, while predicting battery degradation is not trivial due to diverse working conditions and complex failure mechanisms. To address this challenge, we develop a deep learning model that treats differences in operating conditions as domain shifts and utilizes meta-learning-based and task-driven domain generalization techniques to attack the domain shifts. The model effectiveness is demonstrated on three datasets comprising 203 cells of various operating conditions and chemistries, with improvements in prediction accuracy ranging from 18.1% to 30.0% (23.8% on average). Moreover, the model has gained some generalization capability via learning the correlation between domain gaps in the model and the degradation modes behind various operating conditions. Collectively, our work not only showcases the promise of the high-reliability data-driven model for diverse conditions and chemistries by exploiting domain generalization, but also spotlights the potential interplay between artificial intelligence and domain knowledge.

Association Between Bladder Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors in Guilan Province: A Case-Control Study

Background: Occupational settings expose workers to various substances linked to cancer risk, influenced by exposure intensity and duration. Considering the diverse work conditions across Iranian cities and the unexplored link between occupation and bladder cancer (BC) in Guilan Province, identifying high-risk occupations and industries is imperative for implementing preventive measures in the region. Objectives: To investigate the effect of people's occupations on bladder cancer in Guilan Province. Methods: The study encompassed 266 diagnosed BC patients in Guilan Province who received treatment at local healthcare centers, along with 191 control individuals aged 18 and over. Data for the cases were meticulously recorded in medical records at the Guilan Cancer Registry. The same checklists, including demographic characteristics, comorbidities, addiction status, water consumption habits, environmental exposures, current and previous occupation, previous history of cancer, and family history of cancer, were recorded for the controls. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated using adjusted logistic regression (LR). Results: The study found that the odds ratio of bladder cancer (BC) was 2.80 (95% CI: 1.26 - 6.21) for the age group 60 - 70 years and 18.2 (95% CI: 7.31 - 45.6) for individuals above 70 years. Rural dwelling increased the risk by 5.06-fold, while well water consumption and regular opium use amplified it by 6.12-fold and 2.58-fold, respectively. Exposure to tar and carbon derivatives led to a 3.53-fold increase in risk, and exposure to combustion/greenhouse gases showed a 10.72-fold increase. Chemical-related occupations, tar, carbon derivatives, smoking, and opium consumption were significant risk factors. Conclusions: Occupations involving chemical substances such as greenhouse gases, tar, and carbon derivatives are associated with a higher risk of bladder cancer (BC). Furthermore, smoking, opium use, and well water consumption significantly elevate the risk of this cancer.

Immersive Anthropological Methodology towards Sustainable Ecotourism: A Case Study of Bali, Indonesia

Purpose: This research aims to investigate and implement an anthropological methodology for achieving sustainable eco-tourism in Bali, Indonesia. Research methods: This qualitative method used involves a thorough examination and comparison of diverse scholarly works, case studies, and relevant texts. The qualitative comparative analysis provides a robust framework for interpreting the complex interplay of ideas, perspectives, and contextual factors embedded in the literature building upon and expanding the understanding of the subject matter within the broader academic discourse. Results and discussion: The research underscores the critical issues of water supply, waste management, and infrastructure development in Bali. Sustainable solutions, including cultural inclusion, eco-friendly housing, and natural supplements, are proposed to alleviate these challenges. Implications: The results signify a crucial step towards fostering environmental conservation and responsible tourism practices in this popular destination.

Towards proactive corrosion management: A predictive modeling approach in pipeline industrial applications

Corrosion is the most significant factor affecting pipeline integrity management. It may lead to facility damage, production interruption, environmental pollution and even explosion. Corrosion management developed in recent years is a critical means to ensure the safety and reliability of pipeline systems. However, developing proactive corrosion management is difficult due to limited availability of data on target pipelines and corrosion factors. The motivation of this study is to develop a proactive corrosion management approach based on a predictive framework. The proposed framework integrates multiple corrosion factors, diverse working conditions, multi-phase degradation, and probabilistic analysis to offer an efficient analysis tool. A numerical analysis of corrosion prediction is conducted using the corrosion data of the training pipeline and the target pipeline, and the corrosion rate, corrosion depth, and remaining useful life (RUL) of the target pipeline are evaluated. Based on the RUL information, the maintenance time of the pipeline is further analyzed to maximize the benefits of maintenance. This study offers a comprehensive approach to pipeline corrosion prediction, facilitating proactive maintenance strategies and improving asset management in the pipeline industry.

Trends in Women Adult Reconstruction Surgeons: Fellowship Applicants and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Members

BackgroundMajor research and recruitment efforts have focused on diversifying the orthopaedic surgery workforce, with a focus on gender diversity. This study aimed to characterize gender trends in the adult reconstruction fellowship match and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) membership over the past decade. We hypothesized that there would be increases in the percentage of women adult reconstruction fellows and AAHKS members. MethodsFor this retrospective, descriptive study, the full names of matched adult reconstruction fellows from 2012 to 2022 were collected. For the fellowship match, genders were predicted by the Genderize algorithm. From the AAHKS database, full names, self-identified genders, and clinical statuses were extracted from January 2016 to May 2023. Descriptive statistics were analyzed. Gender trends were evaluated with logistic regression analyses. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. ResultsFrom 2012 to 2022, 1,762 residents were matched for adult reconstruction fellowships. Women represented between 2.5 and 9.0% of matched adult reconstruction fellows per year. The percentage of matched women applicants has remained stable (P = 0.4). From 2016 to 2023, the membership of AAHKS grew from 2,845 to 4,159 surgical members. The number of women adult reconstruction surgeons significantly increased from 2.5 to 3.8% (2016 to 2023, P < 0.001). At the resident level, women’s membership increased from 4.0% to 12.0% (2016 to 2023, P < 0.001). ConclusionsAlthough more women orthopaedic surgeons are matching in adult reconstruction, the percentage of women adult reconstruction fellows has remained stable, with the highest level being in 2021. However, the increase in women’s membership in AAHKS is encouraging, especially at the resident and international levels. More diverse work environments can enhance patient experiences and outcomes, in addition to provider well-being and productivity. Therefore, it is prudent and essential to continue building a more diverse adult reconstruction community.

Midwifery experiences in rural Southern Aotearoa New Zealand: insights into pre-eclampsia management

aim: This study investigated the experiences of rural midwives in the Southern region of Aotearoa New Zealand, focussing on practices and challenges in caring for pregnant individuals displaying signs of pre-eclampsia (PE). method: Conducted as part of the University of Otago’s Trainee Intern Healthcare Evaluation Project, investigating the efficacy of the soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1)/placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio test, this exploratory study employed qualitative research methods. Twenty-three midwives from nine locations across the Southern region were interviewed by trainee intern doctors (TIs) using a semi-structured interview protocol. Thematic analysis was applied to the data. results: The study highlighted the challenging context of rural midwifery, emphasising diverse working conditions, geographic complexities and the impact of the midwifery shortage. Midwives’ decision making about PE depended on location, experience, scientific evidence, holistic model of care and the constant concern about PE. A model illustrating midwifery decision making in PE management was developed. conclusion: Rural midwives in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Southern region managing PE cases face complex challenges. The model derived from this study illustrates the delicate balance that rural midwives navigate, emphasising the need for strategies to support their practice and preserve Aotearoa New Zealand’s distinctive maternity care model.

Engaging Guest Speakers and Recognizing Their Valuable Contributions to Public Health Classrooms: Process Evaluation of a Pilot Program to Provide Thank You Gift Cards to Guest Speakers

Guest speakers introduce students to diverse perspectives, share relevant experiences that reinforce course content, and demonstrate how skills and knowledge that students are learning can be applied in public health practice. Providing a monetary thank you gift is one way to recognize the valuable contributions of community-based guest speakers to students’ learning. We describe the implementation and evaluation of a departmental pilot program to offer gift cards to guest speakers. During the 2022 to 2023 academic year, instructors could request a $100 gift card for one guest speaker outside of the university community per course per semester. We evaluated the program to assess the process for distributing gift cards, instructors’ reasons for inviting guest speakers, and students’ perceptions of guest speakers’ contributions to their learning. Data were collected through tracking spreadsheets, an online survey to instructors, and anonymous student course evaluations. Thirty gift cards ($2525 covered by the department) were distributed. Evaluation findings indicate that the program is a feasible way to engage diverse perspectives in the classroom and share applied examples and professional development with students. Specific recommendations that we implemented in the continuation of this program include allowing flexibility in the number and denomination of gift cards, streamlining the process for requesting and distributing gift cards, and providing communications to facilitate consistent and clear information sharing. The Guest Speaker Thank You Gift Program complements and extends the diversity, equity, and inclusion work of the department by supporting the expansion of perspectives shared in classroom and directly acknowledging guest speakers’ contributions.

What does it take to be a good in-house translator? Constructs of expertise in the workplace

In this paper, we explore constructs of translation expertise and experts held by practitioners working in the translation sector. Practitioner perspectives are often overlooked in the translation studies debate around expertise yet they can yield valuable insights and enrich the academic discourse. In our analysis, we draw on data from a qualitative interview study that focuses on the selecting and hiring process for in-house translators. The interviews were conducted with employers and translation professionals in Austria and reveal their understandings of what it takes to be a good translator. Aside from a relevant educational background as well as language and translation skills, these practitioners place particular emphasis on soft skills and the willingness of applicants to learn and adapt to diverse teams, tasks, and work situations. The emerging picture of translation expertise in the workplace is highly dynamic and context-dependent, calling for a more nuanced understanding of expertise in translation studies which highlights its social constructedness and encompasses situative and performative factors.

Upper limit on the polarization-assisted amplitude modulation capability of cascaded single-cell wave-plate-like metasurfaces.

The Jones matrix method offers a robust framework for designing polarization multiplexed metasurfaces (PMMs). Traditional PMMs design involves initially defining functions and working channels, then mapping feature functions to adjustable parameters of metasurfaces. However, this approach makes it difficult to predict how working channels affect metasurface features. Here, we employ the generalized Malus law and Rodriguez rotation matrix on the Poincare Sphere to analyze diverse working channels' impact on PMMs' amplitude modulation capacity. For single-celled waveplate-like PMMs, up to three distinct images can be displayed. We demonstrate this in both theoretic method and numerical simulations. Our study establishes a framework for multi-channel amplitude modulation design of metasurfaces, applicable in information encryption, optical computation, diffraction neural networks, etc.

Literary Appreciation In A Cacophony

In the cacophony of the digital age, literary appreciation of literary works presents both unique challenges and opportunities. The rapid proliferation of digital platforms has transformed how literature is accessed, consumed, and interpreted. This research explores the evolving landscape of literary appreciation amidst the digital cacophony, highlighting both the advantages and drawbacks. It examines how digital tools and platforms facilitate broader access to diverse literary works, enabling global communities to engage with literature in unprecedented ways. However, it also acknowledges the potential dilution of deep reading practices and critical analysis in favor of quick consumption and superficial engagement. Furthermore, the research discusses strategies to cultivate meaningful literary appreciation in the digital age, emphasizing the importance of promoting deep reading, critical thinking, and cultural understanding. Ultimately, it underscores the enduring value of literature in fostering empathy, cultural appreciation, and intellectual growth amidst the digital noise.

Ship Autonomous Berthing Strategy Based on Improved Linear-Quadratic Regulator

There has been significant interest in the research field of ship automatic navigation, particularly in the area of autonomous berthing. To address the key challenges of path planning and control during ship berthing, we propose an enhanced Linear−Quadratic Regulator (LQR) control approach, reinforced by the Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (CMA−ES), along with an adaptive berthing strategy decision model. This integrated framework encompasses ship motion control, path planning, and berthing strategy selection to facilitate adaptive and autonomous ship berthing. Initially, a dynamic mathematical model of ship motion is established, taking into account wind and current interference effects. Subsequently, an adaptive environment−aware berthing strategy model is introduced to enable automatic selection of berthing strategies based on spatial relationships between environmental factors and the berth. By utilizing the refined LQR method, autonomous motion control for ship berthing is achieved. To validate the effectiveness of our controller, comprehensive simulation analyses are conducted under varying operating conditions to encompass crucial factors such as large drift angle characteristics of ships, shallow water effects, and bank effects across seven diverse working conditions. The simulation results underscore the robustness of our proposed method in responding to environmental interference while demonstrating its capability to select appropriate berthing strategies based on varying operational scenarios.

Diversity, equity and inclusion work: a difference that makes a difference … ?

PurposeI examine if current diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives can actually accomplish what they aim and claim to do. I argue that perforce they cannot, as they remain instruments of capitalist corporations and other similar structures.Design/methodology/approachI draw on a variety of literature, from poetry to theories and to empirical findings.FindingsDEI work so far does not live up to its hyped-up claims. It is time for scholars and practitioners to question the DEI industrial complex and its influence on organizational dynamics. It is not clear that justice can ever be achieved in a capitalist neoliberal economy.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is not an empirical paper.Practical implicationsDEI work needs to be re-conceived so that it addresses power imbalances, rather serving as a tool to keep organizations comfortable in seeming to change.Social implicationsDEI practitioners will need to draw deeply on their courage so that they do not reinforce the existing systems of capitalist oppression through their well-intentioned work.Originality/valueThe paper argues that DEI work can accomplish little without a radical reconceptualization of its nature as a genuine tool for change, rather than simply window dressing.

Influence of Organizational Culture on Cadets' Leadership Development in Transportation Management

This research investigates how organizational culture influences cadets' perceptions of empowerment training and shapes their leadership styles within the transportation management sector in Jakarta. Through qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys with cadets from diverse work environments—collaborative and hierarchical—the study explores the differential impacts of organizational culture on leadership development. Findings reveal that cadets in collaborative environments perceive empowerment training more positively, citing benefits such as teamwork, decision-making autonomy, and mentorship. These cadets tend to exhibit transformational leadership styles characterised by motivation, adaptability, and team empowerment. In contrast, cadets in hierarchical environments often adopt transactional leadership styles focused on task compliance and adherence to hierarchical structures. The study highlights the importance of tailored training programmes that accommodate diverse leadership styles and cultural contexts within transportation management education. Recommendations include integrating soft skills development, establishing mentorship programmes, and implementing continuous feedback mechanisms to enhance training effectiveness. By addressing these dynamics, educational institutions can better prepare cadets for leadership roles in dynamic professional environments, contributing to sectoral advancement and sustainability.