Labor Expenditures Research Articles

A Marxist Analysis of the Metrification of Academic Labor: Research Impact Metrics and Socially Necessary Labor Time

Research impact metrics have proliferated in the context of the commodification of academia and academic research, being widely applied for the evaluation of the performance of academic workers. The existing literature on this question has so far failed to satisfactorily explain two key questions in relation to research impact metrics, namely, what dimension of academic labor they refer to and measure, and how their deployment in evaluation processes interweaves with the extension of capitalist relations of production in academia. Examination of the social constitution of research impact metrics from a Marxist perspective shows that metrics are indexes of socially necessary labor time, so that they indicate whether a given expenditure of academic labor has resulted in a use-value and has been undertaken according to the prevailing conditions of production and the average degree of intensity and skill. This analysis will also shed light on why research impact metrics have become so prominent in contemporary academia. The reason lies in the private and independent form taken by social labor in the wake of the unfolding of capitalist relations of production in academia. In conditions of private and independent production, the social validation of labor occurs ex post, namely, once that labor has been expended.

Comparative Analysis And Factors Affecting Income On Shallot Farming Of Biru Lancor And Batu Ijo Varieties In Probolinggo Regency

Consumer demand for shallots continues to increase yearly, influencing farmers to cultivate the commodity. One of the influential factors is the use of good-quality seeds. The superior seed varieties used in shallot cultivation in Probolinggo Regency, East Java Province are Biru Lancor and Batu Ijo. Both varieties are equally superior in production, but there are advantages and disadvantages to each of them. This study investigates the income disparities and influential factors between two varieties of shallot farming: Biru Lancor and Batu Ijo. The research in Dringu District, Probolinggo Regency, was conducted in four selected villages as sample areas. Employing multistage purposive sampling, 60 shallot farmers participated, with 30 utilizing Biru Lancor and 30 adopting Batu Ijo varieties. Data collection involved primary and secondary sources, with surveys and interviews. This research used quantitative methods, including income analysis, t-tests, and dummy multiple linear regression analysis using SPSS. The findings reveal significant differences in farming income between Biru Lancor and Batu Ijo varieties. Key factors influencing shallot farming income encompass seed type, land costs, pesticide expenses, labor expenditures, production yields, and selling prices. This research provides valuable insights into optimizing shallot farming practices and enhancing farmers' income levels.

A real-time oxygen uptake rate monitoring approach suitable for the antibody production process

Significant progress has been achieved in large-scale mammalian cell culture technology for biotherapeutics manufacturing over the past decades, necessitating the Process Analytical Technology (PAT) for the real-time measurement of critical quality attributes and the guidance for precise process control to ensure productivity, quality, and consistency. The Oxygen Uptake Rate (OUR) serves as a crucial indicator for characterizing the energy metabolism of mammalian cells, offering insights into cellular state and metabolism dynamics. However, current cellular OUR monitoring in antibody production depends mainly on costly gas analyzers or periodic manual sampling. Here, we introduce a novel method for in-line monitoring of cellular OUR in bioreactors based on the stationary liquid phase balance (SLPB) theory, which extends its applicability to diverse aeration and foam conditions without additional equipment or labor expenditures. We modeled the kLa of the aerated stirred bioreactor, assessed the influence of foam on liquid surfaces induced by gas sparging on oxygen transfer, and processed raw OUR data using a sliding filter. The established method was applied to monitoring the real-time OUR of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell cultures for antibody production, demonstrating its excellent accuracy, sensitivity and readability. Aligned with the Quality by Design (QbD) concept, this real-time OUR estimation enables rapid detection of metabolic changes, revealing cellular physiology and facilitating precise feedback control in biotherapeutics manufacturing.

Deep Learning for Automatic Classification of Fruits and Vegetables: Evaluation from the Perspectives of Efficiency and Accuracy

Within the agricultural domain, accurately categorizing the freshness levels of fruits and vegetables holds immense significance, as this classification enables early detection of spoilage and allows for appropriate grouping of products based on their intended export destinations. These processes necessitate a system capable of meticulously classifying fruits and vegetables while minimizing labor expenditures. The current study concentrates on developing an advanced model that can effectively categorize the freshness status of each fruit and vegetable as 'good,' 'medium,' or 'spoiled.' To achieve this objective, various artificial intelligence models, including CNN, AlexNet, ResNet50, GoogleNet, VGG16, and EfficientB3, have been implemented, attaining remarkable success rates of 99.75%, 97.97%, 96.71%, 99.49%, 98.75%, and 99.81%, respectively.

How much does clinical prediagnosis correlate with electrophysiological findings?: a retrospective study.

Electrodiagnostic testing (EDX) is important in the diagnosis and follow-up of neuropathic and myopathic diseases. This study aimed to demonstrate the compatibility between clinical prediagnosis and electrophysiological findings. EDX results from 2004 to 2020 at the physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) clinic were screened. Tests with missing data, reevaluation studies, and cases of peripheral facial paralysis were excluded. The clinical prediagnosis and EDX results were recorded, and their compatibility was evaluated. A total of 2,153 tests were included in this study. The mean age was 49.0±13.9 years and 1,533 of them (71.2%) were female. The most frequently referred clinic was the PM&R clinic (90.0%). Numbness (73.6%) was the most common complaint, followed by pain (15.3%) and weakness (13.9%). The most common prediagnosis was entrapment neuropathy (55.3%), radiculopathy (16.1%), and polyneuropathy (15.7%). Carpal tunnel syndrome was the most frequently identified type of entrapment neuropathy (78.3%). Six hundred and seventy EDX results (31.1%) were within normal limits. While the EDX results were consistent with the prediagnosis in 1,328 patients (61.7%), a pathology different from the prediagnosis was detected in 155 patients (7.2%). In the discrepancy group, the most common pathologies were entrapment neuropathy (51.7%), polyneuropathy (17.3%), and radiculopathy (15.1%). The most common neuropathy type was carpal tunnel syndrome (79.3%). After adequate anamnesis and physical and neurological examinations, requesting further appropriate tests will increase the prediagnosis accuracy and prevent unnecessary expenditure of time and labor.

경영 효율성 측정 및 영향요인 분석

The purpose of this study is to measure the management efficiency using SFA, and to examine the determinants using fixed and random effects model, panel tobit model in the 34 regional public hospitals. In the first-stage, management efficiency was evaluated based on total revenue, the number of licensed hospital beds, capital stock, and the number of doctors. The overall average efficiency was 0.402, and the highest efficiency was 0.558 and the lowest efficiency was 0.226, confirming that there are many things that can improve efficiency. In the second-stage, estimated management efficiency was used as the dependent variable, and the ratio of the elderly aged 65 or older, the total number of beds in the region, the urban size, and the management characteristics were analyzed using subsidies, labor cost expenditures, total debt, and whether training institutions were designated as independent variables. In addition, dummy variables were included to control the impact of the occurrence of COVID-19. As a result of the analysis, the ratio of the elderly aged 65 or older, labor expenditure, subsidies, urban size, and variables of COVID-19 were positive (+) relationships with management efficiency, and the total debt had a negative (-) relationship with management efficiency and satisfied the significance level.

Preparation of grape branch-derived porous carbon by one-step blending and its multifunctional applications

In this study, an innovative methodology is presented for the rapid one-step synthesis of carbon materials with high specific surface area through doping and activation processes, utilizing ball milling techniques to reduce the particle size of the materials effectively and to achieve activation and doping. Nitrogen-doped grape branch carbon (NGBC) was characterized by abundant micro- and mesoporous structures with specific surface areas up to 1364 m2/g and high nitrogen content (atomic fraction of 4.89 %). At pH 8 and room temperature, NGBC showed excellent adsorption performance for malachite green (MG, a cationic dye) and reactive blue 19 (an anionic dye) with adsorption capacities of 409.91 mg/g and 213.36 mg/g, respectively, and the material can be reused several times. The analysis of adsorption kinetics revealed that multiple factors controlled the adsorption process of NGBC on MG, and the analysis of adsorption isotherms showed that the adsorption process was mainly monomolecular layer adsorption. Compared with the common carbon-based adsorbents for biomass currently available on the market, NGBC showed better adsorption efficacy, indicating its great potential for practical application. Further, when NGBC was applied to electrochemical performance tests as supercapacitor electrodes, the introduction of nitrogen significantly improved the specific capacitance and ion transport properties of the porous carbon material, effectively reducing the electrical resistance. At a current density of 0.5 A/g, the nitrogen-doped porous carbon showed a specific capacitance of 258.4 F/g, much higher than that of the undoped 136.8 F/g, as well as a high specific capacitance retention of 90.43 % after 5000 cycles. The sensitivity analysis points out that nitrogen source and labor expenditure are the key factors in the cost components. This research not only provides a simple method for industrialized recovery and reuse of grape branches, but also lays an experimental and theoretical foundation for promoting further applications of biomass waste in the fields of water purification and supercapacitor electrode materials.

Microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES)—A useful tool for the determination of silicon contents in plant samples?

The accurate quantification of silicon (Si) contents in plant materials represents a fundamental prerequisite for agricultural plant-soil system or terrestrial ecosystem studies. Si contents in plants are usually calculated from Si concentrations determined spectroscopically in corresponding plant extracts. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) is widely used in environmental sciences for Si measurements, because this technique is characterized by relatively high sensitivity and low expenditure of human labor. However, as an ICP-OES instrument is also characterized by relatively high acquisition and running costs, it is not readily available to most laboratories. Microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES) might represent a cost-effective alternative to ICP-OES. In our study we compared the results obtained from ICP-OES and MP-AES measurements of Si concentrations in Tiron extracts of husk and straw samples of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) to evaluate the capability of the MP-AES technique for the determination of Si contents in plant materials. Moreover, we correlated these results with data on plant available Si concentrations in corresponding soil samples as well as phytolith contents in the husk and straw samples to evaluate the performance of MP-AES in biogeochemical Si plant-soil studies. Based on our results we found MP-AES to represent a suitable technique for the reliable determination of Si concentrations in Tiron extracts with negligible matrix effects. Our results clearly indicate that MP-AES represents a promising alternative for all researchers with a focus on biogeochemical Si cycling in general.

The lived experience of young adults emotionally labouring with type 1 diabetes: Findings of an interpretive phenomenological study

BackgroundType 1 diabetes is a life-long metabolic illness. Typically diagnosed in childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood, this diagnosis is often associated with increased psychological vulnerability. Diabetes distress is associated with the daily demands of managing complicated medication and dietary regimes that are emotionally, psychologically, and physically taxing. Emotional labour may be required to manage or negotiate the demands of diabetes distress. Emotional labour is the process of managing feelings and expressions that come with fulfilling the emotional demands of necessary tasks or roles. However, the meaning of emotional labour has not been explored for young people living with Type 1 diabetes. MethodsUsing Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, we conducted this study to explore the lived experience of emotional labour for young adults living with Type 1 diabetes in adulthood. ResultsThemes were identified that constituted sources of emotional labour inherent to participants’ experiences of diabetes management. The over-expenditure of emotional labour suggests profound implications for mental health outcomes and diabetes distress levels, and participant experiences revealed institutionally imbedded ableism that elicited further expenditure of emotional labour. ConclusionThe findings suggest that reconsideration of educational frameworks and praxis within diabetes healthcare may alleviate emotional labour and diabetes distress.

Calculation for variations in resistance force during trailer unloading device operation

Transportation tasks can make up up to 20% of the labor expenditures associated with growing, harvesting, and shipping agricultural commodities, and their expenses can reach up to 35.40 percent of the entire cost of production. In addition, labor-intensive loading and unloading procedures involve packed and piece items Employing mobile loading equipment that can travel straight across the field is the foundation for mechanizing the loading and transfer of packed, packaged, and piece items. Conflicting needs for the loading and transport systems of such units lead to insufficient serial unit efficiency metrics, most notably productivity and resource intensity. The article comprehensively studied the changes in the resistance force and their equations in the working process of the liftingtipping device trailers.

Economic Valuation of Bubohu Religious Tourism Village in Gorontalo District

The development of industrial tourism at local level directly opens up employment in tourism areas which can be managed and utilised by local communities. Bubohu religious tourism village is one of the tourism villages having a good potential economy, however there still are identified poverty issues in the village. This research calculates the value of potential economic and multiplier effect value of religious tourism village Bubohu by identifying the amount of visitor expenditure, business unit income, expenditure of business units and labour expenditure in this village. The research results obtained the average value of Willingness to Pay (WTP) indicating the expenditure of individual tourists visiting amounted to Rp 395.555/person. Then the estimated economic valuation of Bubohu religious tourism village which is based on tourist expenditure amoundted Rp 7.512.391.111. Furthermore, economic value will increase along with tourists coming to visit Bubohu religious tourism. The multiplier effect analysis results acquired that Keynesian Income Multiplier value is 1,25, and Ratio Income Multiplier type 1 is 1,45 as well as Ratio Income Multiplier type 2 is 1,87. The results indicated that the existing tourism activities at Bubohu religious tourism village have a good economic impact on the local communities.

Labor leverage and firm risk: Evidence from Korea

Labor expenditure can induce a form of operating leverage at the firm level due to the relative smoothness of wages compared to output. This study investigates the effect of labor-induced operating leverage (i.e., labor leverage) measured by labor share on a firm's risk dimensions in the Korean stock market. We find that labor share increases both equity returns and the default probability at the firm level. Moreover, the amplification of liability risk translates into the riskiness of a firm's assets proxied by asset volatility. Finally, we show that the value premium is stronger for high labor share firms, suggesting a new channel of the book-to-market effect in the cross-section of returns.

ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ НЮАНСЫ ПРОМЫШЛЕННОГО УКРЫВНОГО ВИНОГРАДАРСТВА

On industrial covered for winter vineyards the reaction of experimental vine varieties to vari-ous agrotechnical techniques (vine training sys-tem, age and arm length), their influence on productivity indictors and crop quality in the environmental conditions of the Rostov region and the Chechen Republic is shown. The func-tional dependence of the parameters of agro-biotechnological features on the developed agrotechnical techniques has been established. The optimal values for vine and eye number, plant productivity indicators, crop quality, labor productivity and economic efficiency were ob-served when using the long-arm training we proposed with a different combination of struc-tural elements, the method of vine pruning and the load rate of bushes. To conform the re-quirements of industrial technologies two 150−200 cm long arms are formed in bush structure with 2−4 branches on each arm. The principal requirement in the method is the for-mation of strict Z-shaped bend at the base of the arms which ensures the bushes after releas-ing from trellis, their strict orientation along the row and high-quality mechanized winter cover-ing of bushes by vinehandlers. In spring, after opening the bushes, the fruit vines grow at a height of 70−120 cm. (on the first and second levels of tree-leveled trellis). Vine is pruned at the length of 6−12 eyes, the load is 80−90 thousand shoots per hectare, with a bush plant-ing scheme 3×1.5−2.0 m. Such parameters of agricultural practices increase the productivity of plantings by 20−25 % with high technologi-cal conditions, and a reduction in labor expend-itures costs by 15−20 man-days per hectare.

Comprehensive transcriptome profiling and hormonal signaling reveals important mechanism related to dwarfing effect of rootstocks on scion in Japanese apricot (Prunus mume)

Dwarfing rootstocks are a valuable genetic resource for managing high-density plantations because it decreases the vegetative growth of scion and minimizes labor expenditures. The scion architecture of grafted Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) is affected by various characteristics of the rootstocks. A leaf and root RNA-Sequencing of the two scion/rootstock combinations (LY/PM and LY/PP) was conducted to explore molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of rootstock on scion vigor and dwarfing related genes. The phenotypic observations showed that size reduction in p. mume (PM) rootstock is due to lower node number, reduced internode length, and decreased trunk diameter of the scion, while trees grafted with P. persica (PP) rootstock increased all the values of morphological index. After cutoff and pairwise comparison analysis, we retrieved 1827 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in LY/PM and LY/PP graft combinations. The KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the most DEGs were found predominantly enriched in complex plant hormone transduction networks involving the auxin (IAA), cytokinin (CK), abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), brassinosteroid (BR) and gibberellic acid (GA) pathways. Several transcription factor families, such as WRKY, NAC, LBD and bZIP, might be involved in the complicated growth induction process. These findings provide a framework for exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying differential scion growth mediated by rootstock.

Does minimum wages affect executive compensation? – Evidence from China

Based on the urban minimum wage data in China from 2011 to 2021 and the Chinese listed firm data, this study empirically examined the impact of the minimum wage hike on corporate executive compensation. We found that the increase in the minimum wage significantly increased executive compensation. This conclusion still holds through multiple endogenous analyses. Labor expenditure and investment expenditure are the main mechanisms by which minimum wage hikes lead to increases in executive compensation. The impact of minimum wages on executive compensation is more pronounced in competitive industries and labor-sensitive companies, but less pronounced in companies with stricter internal and external monitoring. Further, we found that a minimum wage hike will reduce pay-performance sensitivity and widens the pay gap between executives and employees.

ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN MALFUNCTIONS OF GRAIN HARVESTERS AND WAYS TO INCREASE THEIR EFFICIENCY IN HARVESTING GRAIN, LEGUMINOUS AND OTHER CROPS

The article indicates the main problems connected with the technology of harvesting grain and leguminous crops (wheat, barley, soybeans, peas) and other crops, as the machine operator often encounters a number of technological and constructive malfunctions that prevent proper threshing of those or other crops, directing the harvesting process to significant expenditure of time and labor, and at the same time to crop losses. An analysis of the main malfunctions of structures that occur during the harvesting of grain, leguminous and other crops, both of the combine itself and of the headers for them, was made. This is especially emphasized during harvesting with high humidity, which significantly worsens the conditions for harvesting crops, and thereby increases the likelihood of frequent emergency stops of grain harvesters. Constructive and technological solutions have been revealed that allow harvesting various crops with minimal possible losses. Based on the given analysis of structures, the possibility of effective use of grain harvesters during the implementation of agrotechnical evaluation indicators, i.e. productivity, throughput capacity of the thresher, grain losses, as well as the avoidance of regular stoppages related to malfunctions, which should be paid special attention, is considered. CLAAS LEXION combine harvesters designed for harvesting grain, legumes and other crops, including soybean and rapeseed, are the basis of the analysis. The analysis of the main malfunctions and ways to improve the performance of CLAAS LEXION combine harvesters shows that during their use in production conditions for harvesting grain, legumes and other crops, positive results, high quality and reliability of work will be obtained, and at the same time increasing productivity due to the avoidance of emergency stops.

A Study into the Relationship Between Whistleblowing, Organizational Commitment and Personal Ethical Values: Hirschman’s Exit, Voice and Loyalty in Tourism

Presently, unethical practices are a major concern in almost every sector. Among these industries is tourism. Requiring large expenditure of labor in particular is one of the causes underlying frequently observed unethical practices. The efforts to prevent such issues are of the utmost value for the sector’s long range sustainability, productivity, and economic contributions. The aim of this study is to discuss the results of the tourism employees with ethical values and high organizational commitment to disclose or not to disclose unethical practices in the enterprise within the framework of Hirschman's Exit, Voice and Loyalty theory and to enhance the understanding the consequences of whistleblowing. Under normal circumstances, an employee with serious ethical concerns and strong organizational commitment is expected not to remain silent about any unethical behavior. However, individuals are not frequently taken actions. From time to time, an employee may choose to take no action and ignore unethical behaviors. They may think that these misconducts will disappear or leave the organization in the belief that nothing in the organization will change nor will be as it should be. In this sense, in the study, the relationship between whistleblowing, personal ethical values and organizational commitment has been conceptually discussed and evaluated in terms of the tourism industry within the framework of Hirschman's Theory.

Wi-Fi Module based Vegetable Plucking Robot

To overcome labor shortages and meet the increasing demand for high-quality yield, the agriculture field is moving towards technological solutions. The Wi-Fi module controlled vegetable plucking robot is a modern technology that can effectively automate the vegetable harvesting process. The proposed robot contains a Wi-Fi module which enables remote control from a computer or smartphone. It makes use of sensors and advanced algorithms to identify the ideal time for harvesting and to pluck vegetables gently to avoid hurting the plants. This technology has the possibilities to improve crop quality, enhance yield, and reduce labor expenditure for farmers. This Wi-Fi module controlled vegetable plucking robot set out as an outstanding example of how technology can address the current challenges in modern agriculture. Key Words: Wi-Fi module, sensors

ANALISIS PENDAPATAN USAHATANI PADI ANGGOTA GAPOKTAN WIDODO DESA NGEMBALREJO KECAMATAN BAE KABUPATEN KUDUS

The aims of the study was to analyze the income of rice farming who are members of Gapoktan Widodo and analyze the relationship between the independent variables in the form of seed costs, fertilizer costs, pesticide costs, labor expenditure, land area, the amount of production on the dependent variable, namely the income of rice farmers who are members of Gapoktan Widodo in Ngembalrejo Village, District Bae, Kudus Regency. This research was used survey method. Methods of data collection using observation and interviews with questionnaires. The method of determining the sample using the census is as many as 88 rice farmers. Data analysis used descriptive and quantitative analysis, namely income analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. The results showed that the average production cost incurred was Rp 7 , 71 4, 838 . 809 .00 , the average income was Rp 15 , 721 , 647 . 73 .00 , and the income earned by the rice farmers who were members of Gapoktan Widodo was an average of Rp. 7 , 745 , 187 . 849 .00 with an R/C Ratio of 2 . 038 and an average profitability of 1 . 03%. The factors of seed costs, fertilizer costs, pesticide costs, labor expenditure, land area, and the amount of production have a significant and very strong relationship or correlation with the income of rice farmers who are members of the Widodo Gapoktan. In addition, these factors also have a direct correlation with the income of rice farmers who are members of Gapoktan Widodo.

Evaluation of the Operating Parameters of Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters During Maize Silage Harvest

Abstract This study aims to determine and evaluate the operating parameters of three modern self-propelled forage harvesters during maize silage harvest. The machines were equipped with operator assistance systems. Field tests were conducted for three self-propelled forage harvesters: Claas Jaguar 870, Claas Jaguar 950, KroneBiG X 650. The tests were conducted in large-scale farms located in Wielkopolskie and Pomorskie voivodeships. Maize was harvested at the beginning of the full-grain maturity stage. A complete time study covering four control shifts in accordance with BN-76/9195-01 was performed to determine operating ratios and indicators. Fuel consumption was determined using the full tank method. The Claas Jaguar 950 forage harvester had the highest effective mass performance: 141.3 Mg·h-1. The same machine also achieved the lowest fuel consumption per tonne of fresh matter (FM) harvested: 0.51 kg·Mg-1. Labour expenditure for the self-propelled forage harvesters tested during the total time of change ranged from 0.38 to 0.62 labour hour per hectare. The tested machines also had very high technical and technological reliability.