Factor Reliability Research Articles

A game theoretic approach to wireless body area networks interference control

AbstractIn this paper we consider a scenario where there are two wireless body area networks (WBANs) interfere with each other from a game theoretic perspective. In particular, we envision two WBANs playing a potential game to enhance their performance by decreasing interference to each other. Decreasing interference extends the sensors' batteries life time and reduces the number of re‐transmissions. We derive the required conditions for the game to be a potential game and its associated the Nash equilibrium (NE). Specifically, we formulate a game where each WBAN has three strategies. Depending on the payoff of each strategy, the game can be designed to achieve a desired NE. Furthermore, we employ a learning algorithm to achieve that NE. In particular, we employ the Fictitious play (FP) learning algorithm as a distributed algorithm that WBANs can use to approach the NE. The simulation results show that the NE is mainly a function of the power cost parameter and a reliability factor that we set depending on each WBAN setting (patient). However, the power cost factor is more dominant than the reliability factor according to the linear cost function formulation that we use throughout this work.

Taylor-Spotted Cat Optimization (Taylor-SCO): An Energy-Efficient Cluster Head Selection Algorithm with Improved Trust Factor for Data Routing in WSN

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) has inexpensive, small, and less energy sensor nodes, which are allocated in random ways in particular areas for measuring the phenomenon or events in that field. In recent days, WSN has played a vital role in various applications, like industrial monitoring, medical treatments, agricultural monitoring, and military operations. However, the security challenges and network lifetime are the main issues in the existing methods. In order to overcome these issues, the Taylor-Spotted Cat Optimization (Taylor-SCO) approach is devised in this paper. Here, the Cluster Heads (CHs) are selected based on the developed optimization method, named Taylor CSO. Moreover, the delay, distance, and energy parameters are considered for effective Cluster Head Selection (CHS). Here, route maintenance is also done for increasing network lifetime and reducing complexities. In addition, the Modified K-Vertex Disjoint Paths Routing (KVDPR) model is established for routing. The modification of KVDPR is carried out using several factors, such as link reliability, throughput, and various trust factors. Moreover, the developed Taylor-SCO algorithm is developed by combining the Spotted Hyena Optimizer (SHO), Cat Swarm Optimization (CSO) algorithm, and Taylor series. The Taylor-SCO achieved better performance with energy consumption, trust, and throughput of 0.00037 J, 0.51, and 793160 kbps.

Familiar Locations and Similar Activities: Examining the Contributions of Reliable and Relevant Knowledge in Offenders’ Crime Location Choices

This paper examines the recently theorized roles of the reliability and relevance of offenders’ knowledge of locations in their crime location choices. Using discrete choice models, we analyzed offenders’ pre-offense activity locations from police data (home addresses, family members’ home addresses, work, school, prior offenses, victimizations, non-crime incidents, and other police contacts) and 17,054 residential burglaries, 10,353 non-residential burglaries, 1,977 commercial robberies, 4,315 personal robberies, and 4,421 extra-familial sex offenses, in New Zealand. Offenders were most likely to offend where their prior activity locations indicated they had highly reliable and highly relevant knowledge—where they were both highly familiar with the area and had conducted similar activities—and less likely where offenders had less familiarity or less similar activities. The results support a recent extension of crime pattern theory and highlight the importance of including both reliability and relevance factors when modeling or predicting offenders’ crime location choices.

Immunophenotyping of blood and bone marrow cells as a way to search for differentiation syndrome risk factors in acute promyelocytic leukemia

Background. Differentiation syndrome (DS) is a potentially fatal complication of therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with an incidence of up to 48 %. To date, no reliable DS risk factors have been found, with the exception of leukocytosis at the APL onset.Aim. To determine the risk factors associated with DS in patients with APL during induction therapy with arsenic trioxide (ATO) and tretinoin (ATRA).Materials and methods. The study included 39 patients with APL, 29 (74.4 %) of them were classified as low-risk according to ELN (European Leukemia Net), 10 (25.6 %) were classified as high-risk. At the disease onset, cytological and molecular (chimeric transcript PML::RARα, FLT3-ITD mutation) bone marrow studies were performed, the expression of 28 differentiation antigens by blood and bone marrow blast cells was determined (markers of early precursors, myeloid and lymphoid differentiation, cell adhesion molecules, chemokine receptors, integrins, selectin), body mass index (BMI) and the leukocytes number dynamics during induction course were assessed. All patients received ATRA and ATO therapy. Patients from the high-risk group at the onset received 1–3 injections of idarubicin (12 mg/m2) and dexamethasone (8–10 mg/m2 2 times a day) to prevent DS until leukocytosis reduced. In cases of DS, dexamethasone was prescribed at a dose of 10 mg/m2 2 times a day; in cases of severe DS, the induction course was interrupted.Results. Of the 39 patients, 12 (30.8 %) were diagnosed with DS: 20 % of high-risk patients (2/10) and 34.5 % of low-risk patients (10/29). There was no statistically significant association of leukocytosis more than 10 × 109 /L at onset, microgranular morphology of blast cells, bcr3-variant PML::RARα, FLT3-ITD mutation with DS. In multivariate analysis, the probability of DS was associated with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and mean fluorescence intensity of CD38 antigen by blast cells, regardless of risk group. based on the results of the ROC-analysis, the threshold value of mean CD38 fluorescence intensity was set at 25,000 cu, if exceeded, DS is highly likely to develop.Conclusion. the high incidence of DS among low-risk patients is probably due to the lack of prophylactic glucocorticosteroids administration for the development of leukocytosis during ATRA and ATO therapy. BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and mean CD38 fluorescence intensity more than 25,000 cu were identified as statistically significant DS risk factors.

Child eating behavior predicts body mass index after 1 year: results from the Swiss Preschooler's Health Study (SPLASHY).

Child obesity is a growing global issue. Preventing early development of overweight and obesity requires identifying reliable risk factors for high body mass index (BMI) in children. Child eating behavior might be an important and malleable risk factor that can be reliably assessed with the parent-report Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ). Using a hierarchical dataset (children nested within child care centers) from a representative cohort of Swiss preschool children, we tested whether eating behavior, assessed with a 7-factor solution of the CEBQ, and BMI at baseline predicted the outcome BMI after 1 year, controlling for socioeconomic status (n = 555; 47% female; mean age = 3.9 years, range: 2.2-6.6; mean BMI = 16 kg/m2, range: 11.2-23; mean age- and sex-corrected z-transformed BMI, zBMI = 0.4, range -4 to +4.7). The statistical model explained 65.2% of zBMI at follow-up. Baseline zBMI was a strong positive predictor, uniquely explaining 48.8% of outcome variance. A linear combination of all CEBQ scales, taken together, explained 10.7% of outcome variance. Due to their intercorrelations, uniquely explained variance by any individual scale was of negligible clinical relevance. Only food responsiveness was a significant predictor, when accounting for all other predictors and covariates in the model, and uniquely explained only 0.4% of outcome variance. Altogether, our results confirm, extend, and refine previous research on eating behavior and zBMI in preschool children, by adjusting for covariates, accounting for intercorrelations between predictors, partitioning explained outcome variance, and providing standardized beta estimates. Our findings show the importance of carefully examining the contribution of predictors in multiple regression models for clinically relevant outcomes.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Quick Delay Questionnaire (C-QDQ) and ecological characteristics of reward-delay impulsivity of adults with ADHD

BackgroundThe Quick Delay Questionnaire (QDQ) is a short questionnaire designed to assess delay-related difficulties in adults. This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the QDQ (C-QDQ) in Chinese adults, and explore the ecological characteristics of delay-related impulsivity in Chinese adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).MethodsData was collected from 302 adults, including ADHD (n = 209) and healthy controls (HCs) (n = 93). All participants completed the C-QDQ. The convergent validity, internal consistency, retest reliability and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the C-QDQ were analyzed. The correlations between C-QDQ and two laboratory measures of delay-related difficulties and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), the comparison of C-QDQ scores between ADHD subgroups and HCs were also analyzed.ResultsThe Cronbach’s α of C-QDQ was between 0.83 and 0.89. The intraclass correlation coefficient of C-QDQ was between 0.80 and 0.83. The results of CFA of C-QDQ favoured the original two-factor model (delay aversion and delay discounting). Significant positive associations were found between C-QDQ scores and BIS-11 total score and performance on the laboratory measure of delay-related difficulties. Participants with ADHD had higher C-QDQ scores than HCs, and female ADHD reported higher scores on delay discounting subscale than male. ADHD-combined type (ADHD-C) reported higher scores on delay aversion subscale than ADHD-inattention type (ADHD-I).ConclusionThe C-QDQ is a valid and reliable tool to measure delay-related responses that appears to have clinical utility. It can present the delay-related impulsivity of patients with ADHD. Compared to HCs, the level of reward-delay impulsivity was higher in ADHD.

Auto retry circuit breaker for enhanced performance in microservice applications

Cloud-hosted distributed systems are much more resilient to failure. Resilience is the key factor in avoiding cascading failures in microservice architectures, where circuit-breaker, retry, bulkhead, and rate-limiter patterns are implemented. Through the implementation of these patterns, availability and reliability factors can be greatly improved. Circuit-breaker emphasizes a fail-fast mechanism, so it is highly recommended. Although they are beneficial, some factors, such as configuration, need to be improved to increase the system's throughput. In this paper, an approach called auto retry circuit breaker (ARCB) is implemented, which is a modified version of existing patterns of circuit breaker, and it has been found that the throughput of the system can be increased by 36% when compared to the existing manual circuit breaker pattern.

Analysis Of Water Availability In The Environmental Water Sources Of The Aikmampat River Sub-Region In Fulfilling The Need For Clean Water In The South Part Of Lombok Island

Clean waters infrastructure functions in utilizing water resources for the general public. General planning for clean water development in this study is focused on water resource management in the form of stewardship, provision, use, development, and exploitation of water resources considering that the social, environmental, and economic functions of water resources cannot be separated. To estimate water availability for biota or ecosystems, we use the discharge at Q-95% at each weir. To analyze waters availability for biota, we refer to the flow duration curve graph. We have calculated the water balance for the Lingkung sub watershed of Aik Mampat, taking into account the surface water sources. The water balance has been calculated under two conditions: existing conditions (which include needs of irrigation and existing water needs of raw) and planned conditions (which consider the development of a drinking water management system). The level of service in the south coast area for 5 sub-districts in the development plan year was obtained at 150 l/s and a maximum of 270,75 l/s in the plan year. The maximum irrigation water requirement is 320 l/s with an average of 50 l/s. The water balance in the Aikmampat Sub-watershed (Lingkung surface water source) saw a decrease in the minimum FK (Reliability Factor) from the existing condition of 40% to 25% (plan condition). Water rotation arrangements in the spider channel need to be carried out, especially in June and July.

Loss aversion predicts cigarette smoking status across levels of sociodemographic characteristics.

Loss aversion (LA) is a tendency to be more sensitive to potential losses relative to similar gains. Low LA is associated with increased risk for cigarette smoking and use of other substances. Previous studies of LA and smoking risk controlled for potentially confounding influences of sociodemographic characteristics associated with smoking risk. The present study replicates these earlier observations while also examining the generality of the association between low LA and smoking risk within different levels of each of the five sociodemographic risk factors for smoking (age, educational attainment, gender, income, race/ethnicity). Parallel analyses were conducted using delay discounting (DD) as a positive control; DD is a decision-making bias regarding the rate at which rewards lose value with increasing delay to receipt. Participants were recruited using standard crowdsourcing methods and completed a sociodemographics questionnaire, a hypothetical gamble task measure of LA, and a monetary choice measure of DD. Low LA was associated with increased risk of cigarette smoking after accounting for the influence of sociodemographic characteristics and DD. Similarly, high DD was associated with increased risk of cigarette smoking after accounting for the influence of sociodemographic characteristics and LA. Further analyses showed that associations of LA with smoking risk or DD with smoking risk generally although not always remained significant within varying levels of the sociodemographic characteristics of interest. These results provide support for low LA as a reliable risk factor for smoking that has generality within and across sociodemographic characteristics and closely parallels associations observed with DD and smoking risk. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

원자력규제기관활동이 방사선작업종사자의 원자력규제정책 만족도에 미치는 매개효과(mediation effect) 분석

In order to prevent radiation-related disasters for radiation workers, the higher the average radiation exposure dose for each industry, the stronger the regulatory level of nuclear and radiation safety regulatory agencies is for its purpose and relevance. Therefore, nuclear regulatory agencies must apply radiation safety-related licensing and technical standards for nuclear power facilities differently for each type of nuclear business operator depending on the degree of risk of exposure to radiation. From the perspective of a nuclear regulatory agency with limited administrative and financial resources, this study was conducted to efficiently prioritize the regulated sectors of nuclear power operators and promote scientification of regulatory administration by incorporating evidence-based administration. Using the results of the 「2021 Nuclear Safety Survey」 conducted on 2,000 radiation workers, we investigated how radiation workers' satisfaction with nuclear regulation policy changes depending on the activities of nuclear regulatory agencies between independent, mediating, and dependent variables. Direct effects and indirect effects were measured and tested. Four exogenous factors, including the accident response human management system (ERHMS), accident response material management system (ERMMS), in-house safety culture (CISC), and recurrence prevention safety education system (RPSES) for radiation workers subject to nuclear regulation by the nuclear regulatory administrative agency. The regulatory agency activity satisfaction (RAAS), which is a mediating factor, and the endogenous factor 'nuclear energy and radiation safety' regulatory policy satisfaction (NRPS) were set as independent variables, mediators, and dependent variables, respectively. We examined whether the reliability, validity, and correlation between survey items and measurement variables were significant through reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and factor analysis. As a result of multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) mediation effect analysis, the 'activities of regulatory agencies' regarding the accident response human and material management system, in-house safety culture, and accident recurrence prevention education system are related to the nuclear and radiation safety regulatory policy of radiation workers. It was confirmed that it was an influential factor that made a significant difference in satisfaction. When comparing the sizes of standardization coefficients, the sizes of factors affecting satisfaction with nuclear regulation policy are: in-house safety culture (β=0.395), accident response human management system (β=0.080), accident response material management system (β=0.077), Relapse prevention safety education system (β=0.042) appeared in that order. The implications of this study are that the direction of the nuclear safety regulation policy of regulatory agencies that carry out nuclear regulation administration with limited administrative and financial resources is related to the in-house safety culture (CISC) and accident response human management system of nuclear power operators to prevent nuclear and radiation safety accidents. It can be said that it has been verified through quantitative research that strengthening nuclear safety through reinforcement is more effective and efficient

The Function of Software in Satellite System and Its Reliability Analysis

This paper aims to discuss the function of software in satellite system and the reliability analysis of satellite software. Firstly, the overview of satellite system and the importance of software in it are introduced. Then, the concept of reliability, reliability evaluation method and factors affecting reliability of satellite software are expounded in detail. Then, the strategy to improve the reliability of satellite software is discussed. Finally, the article looks forward to the future development trend of satellite software reliability, including the application of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and distributed ledger technology. These new technologies are expected to further improve the reliability of satellite pieces and provide a solid guarantee for the safety of satellite communication.

Greenhouse gas emissions of sewage sludge land application in urban green space: A field experiment in a Bermuda grassland

Sewage sludge land application is recognized as a strategy for recycling resource and replenishing soil nutrients. However, the subsequent greenhouse gas emissions following this practice are not yet fully understood, and the lack of quantitative research and field experiments monitoring these emissions hampers the establishment of reliable emission factors. This study investigated the greenhouse gas emission characteristics of sewage sludge land application through a field experiment that monitoring soil greenhouse gas fluxes. Seven nitrogen input treatments were implemented in a typical Bermuda grassland in China, with D and C representing the amendment of digested and composted sludge, respectively, at the nitrogen input rate of 0, 100, 200, and 300 kg N ha−1. Soil CH4, CO2, and N2O fluxes were measured throughout the entire experimental period, and soil samples from different treatments at various growth stages were analyzed. The results revealed that sewage sludge land application significantly increased soil N2O and CO2 emissions while slightly reducing soil CH4 uptake. The increased CO2 emissions were biogenic and carbon-neutral, mainly due to enhanced plant root respiration. The N2O emissions were the primary greenhouse gas emissions of sewage sludge land application, which were mainly concentrated in two 50-day periods following base and topdressing fertilization, respectively. N2O emissions following base fertilization by rotary tillage were substantially lower than those following topdressing fertilization. A logarithmic response relationship between N input rates and increased soil N2O emissions was observed, suggesting lower N2O emissions from sewage sludge land application compared to conventional N fertilizers at the same N input level. Future field experiments and meta-analysis are necessary to develop reliable greenhouse gas emission factors for sewage sludge land application.

Prognostic Value of Liquid-Biopsy-Based Biomarkers in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Currently, there are no reliable prognostic factors to determine which upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients will progress after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). We aim to evaluate whether liquid-biopsy-based biomarkers (circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)) were able to predict clinical outcomes in localized UTUC patients undergoing RNU. Twenty patients were prospectively enrolled between 2021 and 2023. Two blood samples were collected before RNU and three months later. CTCs and cfDNA were isolated and evaluated using the IsoFlux system and Quant-iT PicoGreen dsDNA kit, respectively. Droplet digital PCR was performed to determine ctDNA status. Cox regression analysis was performed on CTCs, cfDNA, and ctDNA at two different follow-up time points to examine their influence on tumor progression and cancer-specific survival (CSS). During a median follow-up of 18 months, seven (35%) patients progressed and three (15%) died. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that cfDNA levels three months after RNU are a significant predictor of tumor progression (HR = 1.085; p = 0.006) and CSS (HR = 1.168; p = 0.029). No associations were found between CTC enumeration and ctDNA status with any of the clinical outcomes evaluated. The evaluation of cfDNA levels in clinical practice could improve the disease management of UTUC patients.

A study of evaporation duct characteristics in the South China Sea during the Winter of 2017

The evaporation duct (ED) near the sea surface is the most frequent type of duct that traps and redirects electromagnetic waves over longer or shorter distances. This study uses radiosonde data from the South China Sea Two-Island Monsoon Experiment (SCSTIMX) in 2017 and the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to study the ED and ED height (EDH). We enhanced the vertical resolution to 26 layers in the lowest 134 m. The simulations indicate that EDs were prevalent throughout the South China Sea (SCS) area in winter 2017, where the prevailing surface winds are strong northeasterly. The EDH exhibits diurnal variations and significant variability across the SCS. The WRF simulations of ED and EDH generally agree with observations of the trajectory of Taiwan-O.R.1. Our results indicate that the WRF model can simulate the pattern of ED and EDH over SCS. Results reveal that Yonsei University (YSU) boundary layer (BL) parameterization more accurately simulates the vertical temperature and humidity variations in the lower atmosphere, with stronger winds and higher EDH in most areas. The YSU and the Medium Range Forecast Model (MRF) BL schemes show similar ED patterns to the Taiwan-O.R.1 SCS radiosonde observations but consistently underestimate the EDH. While strong surface winds in the winter SCS may contribute to a higher EDH, the strong surface wind-induced vertical mixing also modifies sea surface air temperature, relative humidity, and vapor pressure, affecting the vertical refractivity. Our results indicate that sea surface air temperature is a more reliable factor affecting EDH in the simulations.

Predictors of anastomotic leak after anterior rectal resections for localized malignant neoplasms

Background:. Anastomotic leak (AL) is the most serious complication in rectal surgery. Predicting and preventing AL remains an urgent task. The purpose of the study is to analyze the 17-year experience of the Federal State Budgetary Institution Federal Research Center FMBA of Russia in performing anterior resection of the rectum in patients with cancer of the rectum and rectosigmoid junction and to establish risk factors for the development of AL. Methods. The results of treatment of 492 patients who were treated in 2006-2022 were studied. anterior resection of the rectum was performed. 21 patients developed AL. A retrospective comparison of the characteristics of two groups of patients was carried out: those with a smooth course of the postoperative period and those with the development of AL. Results. Reliable risk factors for the development of AL were identified and, based on statistical analysis, a prognostic scoring model was proposed: smoking (1 point), type 2 diabetes mellitus (1 point), preoperative chemotherapy (1 point), blood loss over 50 ml (2 points), preoperative radiation therapy (3 points), and the location of the colorectal anastomosis at a distance of up to 5 cm from the anus (4 points). The sensitivity of the model on the training set with 8 points or more was 85.6%, with a specificity above 97.4%. Conclusion. The following tactics are proposed: if there are 4 points and above, we form a preventive intestinal stoma; if there are 1-3 points, we install a transanal drainage. Complete abandonment of these two preventive measures is possible only if the patient does not have any of the listed risk factors for the development of anastomotic leak.

Factors Related to Pregnant Women’s Satisfaction with Antenatal Care Services at Puskesmas Purwokerto Utara II

Background: The maternal mortality rate is increasing along with the increasing number of pregnant women who experience health problems or even die during pregnancy. One of the causes of these health problems is the irregularity of pregnant women in antenatal care examination visits because pregnant women have unfulfilled expectations regarding satisfaction with the services they receive. Objective: to determine the correlation between satisfaction factors, which include empathy, assurance, responsiveness, facilities, reliability, and responsibility, with the satisfaction of pregnant women, and to determine the most dominant factor related to the satisfaction of pregnant women. Method: This quantitative research with a cross-sectional approach had 33 respondents. The sampling technique used consecutive sampling. The research instrument used a questionnaire, the bivariate analysis used the Spearman Rhos test, and the multivariate analysis used multiple logistic regression tests. Results: it is known that the empathy factor (p-value 0.029), the responsiveness factor (p-value 0.001), the facility factor (p-value 0.011), and the responsibility factor (p-value 0.009) have a significant correlation with the satisfaction of pregnant women, while the assurance factor (p-value 0.095) and the reliability factor (p-value 0.370), have no significant correlation with the satisfaction of pregnant women. The most dominant factor related to the satisfaction of pregnant women is the responsibility factor (p-value 0.024). Conclusion: factors significantly related to the satisfaction of pregnant women are empathy, responsiveness, facilities, and responsibility. The most dominant factor related to the satisfaction of pregnant women is the responsibility factor of health workers.

Effect of Liver Segments and Hepatic Fibrosis Grade on Repeatability, Reliability, and Diagnostic Efficiency of Intravoxel Incoherent Motion

Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) is considered a potential marker of hepatic fibrosis (HF). To explore the influencing factors of repeatability and reliability in IVIM-DWI parameters of ROI-based liver segments in participants with HF and healthy volunteers (HV) and to assess the diagnostic efficiency of these parameters in HF. Participants with early HF (EHF, n=59) or advanced HF (AHF, n=38) and HV (n=48) were recruited. Two examiners measured IVIM data using mono-, bi-exponential and stretched exponential models. The results and influencing factors of repeatability and reliability of IVIM-DWI, and the diagnostic efficiency were analyzed. The repeatability of D* (CV: 26.62-41.47%) and DDC (CV: 18.01-34.40%) was poor, the repeatability of ADC (CV: 4.95-9.76%), D (CV: 7.09-15.52%), f (CV: 9.35-17.15%), and α (CV: 7.48-13.81%) was better; ordered logistic regression showed statistically significant results of IVIM-derived parameters; the reliability showed no obvious trend, and ordered logistic regression showed statistically significant results of IVIMderived parameters, groups, and partial hepatic segments (all p<0.001). IVIM-derived parameters with relatively good repeatability (CV<20%) and reliability (ICC>0.4) were used to establish regression models for differential diagnosis. The AUC of regression models was 0.744-0.783 (EHF vs. AHF), but no statistically significant parameters were found in the HV vs EHF comparison. IVIM-derived parameters were the most important factors affecting the repeatability and reliability, while staging of HF and hepatic segments may be the influencing factors of reliability. IVIM-derived parameters showed medium diagnostic efficiency in distinguishing between EHF and AHF.

진로장벽과 취업 준비행동 간의 경로모형 탐색

Objectives This study is to explore the path model between career barriers and employment preparation behaviors of university students majoring in music in Hebei Province of China. parameters.&#x0D; Methods The subjects of the study are 317 university students majoring in music. The program of SPSS 25 is used for reliability, correlation, and confirmatory factor analysis, but LISREL 8.53 is used to verify the path model using the correlation between career barriers and employment preparation behaviors.&#x0D; Results In the path model finally adopted between career barriers and employment preparation behaviors for college students majoring in music, social ability barriers and home environment barriers reached the internal and external preparatory behavior, which is the employment preparatory behaviors, through major level barriers and occupational knowledge barriers. In this model, internal preparation behaviors acted as a preceding variable that had a positive effect on external preparation behaviors. Among the barriers of social ability, home environment, relative attitude, major level, and occupational knowledge, it is confirmed that the barriers of social ability and home environment act as predictors of fundamental education on employment preparation behaviors. However, it is confirmed that relative attitude barriers have no effect on employment preparation behaviors. The most influential factor of major level barriers is social ability barriers, followed by home environment barriers. The most influential factors on occupational knowledge barriers are major level barriers, and in the next order, the home environment barriers and social ability barriers are indicated.&#x0D; Conclusions In order to increase employment preparation behaviors for university students majoring in music at C University in Hebei Province, the education of internal preparation behaviors should be increased rather than that of external preparatoion behaviors. In order to increase employment preparation behaviors, the preparation behaviors will be increased only by education removing occupational knowledge barriers affected by social ability barriers, home environment barriers, and major level barriers. In addition, educational efforts are required to eliminate social ability barriers and home environment barriers by forming a work-related community and reducing the gap between the rich and the poor of each student in order to increase employment preparation behavior for university students majoring in music.&#x0D;

Using animation to develop a usability questionnaire: Scale development and psychological measurements

This paper describes the development of a cartoon animation system usability scale (A-SUS) based on the established text-based SUS questionnaire. We propose a methodology and design a short graphic interchange format (.GIF) animation for each SUS item. Experimental evaluations confirm that the scale has satisfactory psychometric properties (e.g., structural validity, reliability factor structure, concurrent validity, and sensitivity). A second experiment is used to evaluate and compare the questionnaire experiences associated with the SUS, a pictorial SUS (P-SUS), and the developed A-SUS. The results indicate that A-SUS performs well in terms of recommendations, aesthetics, motivations, and completion time. Compared with the SUS and P-SUS, the animated version is more interesting, and the overall questionnaire experience is better.

Fintech adoption and financial well-being of persons with disabilities: the mediating role of financial access, financial knowledge and financial behaviour

PurposeThe prime purpose of the study is to analyse the effect of fintech adoption on the financial well-being of persons with disabilities (PWDs), considering the intervening role of financial behaviour, financial access and financial knowledge.Design/methodology/approachA self-administered survey schedule collected primary data on fintech adoption and financial well-being among 205 PWD, through snowball sampling from January to May 2023. Researchers used exploratory factor analysis to identify reliable factors and PLS-SEM for testing mediation and research hypotheses.FindingsThe study’s outcome found that fintech adoption does not directly impact the financial well-being of PWDs. Instead, the impact on financial well-being is explained by mediating factors like financial access, financial knowledge and financial behaviour. Financial access is the most significant among these mediating factors.Research limitations/implicationsThe study demonstrates the significance of mediating factors in comprehending the influence of fintech adoption on financial well-being. These results underpin existing literature on determinants of financial well-being.Practical implicationsFindings evidenced that developing disabled-friendly fintech tools can enhance financial access, reduce inequality and improve the financial well-being of PWDs, which would be helpful for public policymakers.Originality/valueThere has been no comprehensive study conducted on this topic, particularly among PWDs. In the current study, an effort is being made to examine the relative effects of fintech adoption on financial well-being directly and indirectly through mediating variables.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-08-2023-0596