Demand High Levels Research Articles

Post-Lunch Napping as a Strategy to Enhance Physiological Performance and Cognitive Function in Elite Volleyball Players

Background and Objectives: Volleyball demands high levels of anaerobic strength, flexibility, agility, and mental focus. Adequate sleep has been shown to enhance athletic performance and cognitive function. This study investigates the impact of post-lunch naps of varying durations (25 and 45 min) on the physiological performance and cognitive focus of elite volleyball players. Materials and Methods: Sixteen elite volleyball players (8 male, 8 female) with at least 7 years of competitive experience participated in a randomized crossover study. They underwent three experimental conditions: no nap (No-Nap), a 25-min nap (N25), and a 45-min nap (N45). Physical performance was measured through counter-movement jumps (CMJ) and volleyball agility tests, while cognitive function was assessed using the D2 attention test. Statistical analysis included repeated measures ANOVA to examine the differences between nap conditions and gender-specific responses. Results: Significant improvements in both physical performance and cognitive focus were observed in the N25 and N45 conditions compared to the No-Nap condition (indicating the effectiveness of short naps in enhancing both physical and mental performance). Males outperformed females in most physical metrics, while females scored higher on the D2 attention test (suggesting possible gender-specific responses to napping). The 25-min nap showed slightly better results in terms of sleep quality and subsequent performance (confirming that shorter naps may be more beneficial). Conclusions: Post-lunch naps, especially of 25 or 45 min, enhance both physiological and cognitive performance in elite volleyball players. These findings suggest that integrating short naps into athletes’ training regimens can improve performance and focus, with potential gender-specific benefits. Further research is needed to explore long-term effects and variations across other sports.

Baseline Health of University Workers Pre-Intervention in Lifestyle: HaSEN

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyse and compare the initial health situation before starting the lifestyle programme in 4 editions of the programme. Theoretical framework: HaSEN is an annual intervention programme for the generation of healthy habits on eating behaviour (psychonutrition) and active lifestyle (physical exercise) in university workers in the contemplative phase of motivation to change. Methods: A total of 74 workers participated between the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions from a Spanish university (24-59 years; M = 42.3; SD = 8.5) 19 men (26%) and 55 women (74%). Anthropometric, biological, lifestyle and psychological variables were analysed. Results and Discussion: Anthropometric, biological, lifestyle and psychological variables were analysed. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet in the 2021 edition workers at the start of the intervention was found to be higher than in 2019 and achievement motivation higher than in 2020, results that could be related to the special situation derived from the Covid-19 pandemic. Implications of the research: This shows the importance of knowing the baseline health status of workers in behaviours such as those observed in the last edition (2022) in terms of worsening adherence to the Mediterranean diet. This aspect highlights the need to apply interventions such as the HaSEN programme for the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle in terms of nutrition and physical exercise behaviour in the population under study. Originality/value: This study contributes to the scientific literature on public health in the population of university workers. It provides retrospective and prospective information on baseline health status and motivation to change habits to maintain a lifestyle in a working population subjected to high levels of work demands and the implications that this may have on the overall health status of this population.

Social support mediates job demands, and burnout relation among public senior high school teachers, Ghana

We investigated the extent to which job resources mediated the relation between job demands and burnout among public senior high school teachers in Ghana. We determined how job demands influenced the level of burnout among these teachers. Participants included 1028 public senior high school teachers (female = 491) who have been teaching between 1 year and 32 years. The participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory Educators Survey, the Job Content Questionnaire, and the Social Provisions Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis results indicated that job demands and social support predicted burnout among the teachers. Furthermore, social support partially mediated the effect of job demands on burnout. Thus, there was a high level of job demands among this group of teachers, which triggered high levels of burnout. In such a situation, quality teaching and supervision of students for effective learning could be compromised. There is the need for safety leadership in all matters that concern teachers’ health and safety.

Job Characteristic Profiles and Presenteeism Among Shift Nurses: A Latent Profile Analysis Based on the Job Demands–Resources Model

ABSTRACTAim(s)To investigate job characteristic profiles based on the job demands–resources (JD‐R) model and the association between job characteristic profiles and presenteeism.DesignCross‐sectional study.MethodsData were collected from shift nurses in South Korea in January 2023 using an online survey. This study included 544 nurses working in tertiary and general hospitals in South Korea. The participants were classified into four job characteristic profiles based on the JD‐R model using latent profile analysis. Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to examine the association between job characteristic profiles and presenteeism.ResultsFour profiles were derived from the latent profile analysis: low strain–low motivation, high strain–low motivation, low strain–high motivation and high strain–high motivation. The high strain–low motivation, low strain–high motivation and high strain–high motivation groups were 1.74, 1.37 and 3.51 times more likely to experience presenteeism than the low strain–low motivation group respectively. The number of days worked while sick and the level of reduced job productivity was also the highest in the high strain–high motivation group. In addition, general health, multimorbidities and insomnia were significant factors affecting presenteeism, number of days worked while sick and productivity loss among shift nurses.ConclusionsThis study found that even with higher levels of job resources, work environments with high levels of job demands were associated with higher rates of presenteeism.ImpactStudy findings suggest that various strategies are needed to improve the physical and mental health of shift nurses, and create a healthy organisational environment by reducing excessive job demands to reduce presenteeism and increase productivity.Reporting MethodSTROBE guidelines.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.

An examination of the cognitive demand levels posed by problems in the middle grades mathematics textbooks

This research investigated the cognitive demand levels of mathematics tasks within the middle school mathematics textbooks endorsed by the Ministry of National Education for the academic year of the 2023-2024. To achieve this, a qualitative research method was utilized, and document analysis was performed. In this direction, the textbooks were analyzed using descriptive analysis. The tasks within the textbooks were examined through the lens of Smith and Stein’s (1998) theoretical framework. The findings indicate that the majority of mathematics tasks in middle school mathematics textbooks exhibit a low level of cognitive demand. It was found that over 80% of the tasks fell into the categories of memorization and procedures without connections levels. It has been revealed that tasks at the levels of procedures with connections and doing mathematics, which are high cognitive demand levels, are uncommon. This shows that textbooks do not sufficiently support the potential of students to develop mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills. Based on these results, various suggestions have been made for textbooks. The most important of these suggestions include ensuring that students are cognitively exposed to higher level tasks and increasing the number of tasks that will improve their mathematical thinking skills. Thus, it will be possible for students to have a more effective learning process by deepening their mathematical understanding.

ANALIZA STATYSTYK SIECI KOMPUTEROWYCH W CELU IDENTYFIKACJI PRZEPŁYWÓW INFORMACJI ZAKŁÓCAJĄCYCH STABILNOŚĆ W WOJSKOWYCH SIECIACH LOKALNYCH

The increasing complexity and scope of military computer networks necessitate robust methods to ensure network stability and security. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of computer network statistics in military local networks to develop a method for detecting information flows that disrupt stability. By leveraging advanced statistical techniques and machine learning algorithms, this research aims to enhance the cybersecurity posture of military local networks globally. Military networks are vital for communication, data exchange, and operational coordination. However, the dynamic nature of network traffic and the persistent threat of cyberattacks pose significant challenges to maintaining network stability. Traditional monitoring techniques often fail to meet the unique requirements of military networks, which demand high levels of security and rapid response capabilities. This study employs a multi-faceted approach to detect anomalies in network traffic, utilizing statistical methods such as Z-score analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models. Machine learning techniques, including Support Vector Machines (SVM), Random Forests, Neural Networks, K-means clustering, and Reinforcement Learning, are also applied to identify patterns indicative of stability-disrupting information flows. The integration of statistical and machine learning methods forms a hybrid model that enhances anomaly detection, providing a robust framework for network security. The research problem is formulated as follows: does data collection include comprehensive network traffic data from various segments of military local area networks, including packet flows, transmission rates, and error rates over a specified period? Statistical analysis identifies patterns in the network traffic, which are then used to train machine learning models to classify normal and abnormal traffic. The research hypothesis states that machine learning models achieve high accuracy in detecting stability-disrupting information flows, with a precision rate exceeding 90%. The models identified several instances of stability-disrupting events, correlating these with known security incidents to validate the effectiveness of the detection method. This study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and analysis of network statistics to ensure stability and security. The proposed method can be integrated with existing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems, providing a comprehensive approach to network security. Future research can build on these findings to develop more sophisticated models and explore additional factors influencing network stability, including the incorporation of advanced machine learning techniques, such as deep learning, and the exploration of other network metrics, like latency and packet loss. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance the security and operational reliability of military local networks.

Dynamic Multi-Function Lane Management for Connected and Automated Vehicles Considering Bus Priority

Bus lanes are commonly implemented to ensure absolute priority for buses at signalized intersections. However, while prioritizing buses, existing bus lane management strategies often exacerbate traffic demand imbalances among lanes. To address this issue, this paper proposes a dynamic Multi-Function Lane (MFL) management strategy. The proposed strategy transforms traditional bus lanes into Multi-Function Lanes (MFLs) that permit access to Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs). By fully utilizing the idle right-of-way of the MFL, the proposed strategy can achieve traffic efficiency improvement. To evaluate the proposed strategy, some experiments are conducted under various demand levels and CAV penetration rates. The results reveal that the proposed strategy (i) improves the traffic intensity balance degree by up to 52.9 under high demand levels; (ii) reduces delay by up to 80.56% and stops by up to 89.35% with the increase in demand level and CAV penetration rate; (iii) guarantees absolute bus priority under various demand levels and CAV penetration rates. The proposed strategy performs well even when CAV penetration is low. This indicates that the proposed strategy has the potential for real-world application.

Primary tooth wear in children from different social environments

Bilingual schools have more hours and high levels of academic demands. Aims: To compare the degree of dental wear and frequency of severe wear facets between children from public rural schools (RG) and children from private bilingual schools in Buenos Aires City (PG). To compare the presence of facets to parents’ reports on bruxism and their opinion on the importance to health of bruxism and snoring. Materials and Method: The sample (n=90) consisted of 5- and 10-year-old children. Their parents/ guardians were asked to complete a structured questionnaire on bruxism and snoring. Children’s degrees of dental wear on primary incisors, canines and molars were identified and recorded. The data were analyzed statistically. Results: The relative risk of wear between PG and RG was 1.82. Bruxism and snoring were reported by 22.9% of the parents/guardians of 5-year-olds and 8.8% of the parents/ guardians of 10-year-olds. In 10-year-olds, significant differences were found between RG and PG for canine wear degree 3 (p=0.01). Conclusions: Children from highly demanding schools presented more dental wear. Higher frequency of severe dental wear was observed in primary canines and molars late in the tooth replacement period regardless of whether sleep bruxism was reported. Parents/guardians from different social conditions considered that bruxism and snoring are important to health to similar degrees.

Adaptive and low-cost resource synchronization based on data distribution service in high dynamic networks

In disaster-stricken areas monitoring, management, search, and rescue operations, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) play a crucial role in disaster management and emergency communication due to their high mobility. To efficiently coordinate and plan UAVs and their carried sensor and base station resources, synchronization is essential to establish consistency, laying the foundation for high-level demands. In such scenarios, synchronization relies on request–response (RR) or publish–subscribe (PS) forms of information exchange. Existing research in the field typically focuses on higher-level applications and selects either RR or PS synchronization, thereby overlooking the potential advantages that could be gained from combining both methods to meet synchronization requirements. We propose a resource synchronization method based on the Data Distribution Service (DDS) and a linear time complexity subscription mechanism tailored to specific query demands, which considers the pros and cons of the above two information exchange forms and the bottom-layer network topology. Experimental results using open-source simulation tools demonstrate that the proposed method adapts to scene requirements and decreases bandwidth by at least 21.2% and packet rate by at least 3.7% compared to different baseline methods across three topologies, while satisfying delay and query success rate requirements. Furthermore, the method maintains robust performance in the face of dynamic changes in network topology, showcasing its robustness.

Forward contracting and the endogenous activity of heterogeneous firms

AbstractForward contracting in an ‐firm quantity‐setting oligopoly with heterogeneous costs introduces the possibility that relatively efficient firms deter the activity of inefficient rivals by reducing their margins. The equilibrium number of firms producing positive quantities can be any of depending on the level of demand relative to firm‐specific activity thresholds, with more firms active at higher demand levels. If only one firm is active, the Bertrand outcome is obtained. This potential reduction of the number of active firms may lessen the procompetitive effect of forward sales, but does not eliminate it entirely. We explore the competition policy implications of the endogenous activity of firms, in particular for merger analysis.

Leadership Challenges in The Era of Globalization for Poverty Alleviation in Sabu Raijua District, East Nusa Tenggara

Globalization has developed into a cliché where some people think that globalization is a force to reduce adversity, others think that globalization has negative implications and is seen as an increase in inequality, poverty, unemployment and environmental destruction. Globalization has played a key role in the standard of living and development of a country. Global poverty is one of the worst problems facing the world today. The world's poorest people are often hungry, have far less access to education, are regularly without light at night, and suffer from far poorer health. Therefore, making progress against poverty is one of the most pressing global goals. About 8 percent of the world's population lives in extreme poverty. Most of the population in Sabu Raijua Regency, 82.3 percent work as farmers out of a total population of 74,403 people, although they work as farmers, the number of paddy fields in Sabu Raijua Regency is only 2.49 percent and the rest is dry land with a percentage of 97.52 percent. This shows that some of the people of Sabu Raijua has just reached the stage of subsistence farming, where this method of production has a high level of demand for water. This means that the agricultural sector has not been able to save the people of Sabu Raijua in alleviating poverty.

A composite control method of PWM and phase shift for a three-level DC-DC converter

Abstract This research introduces a control strategy for the Three Level Active Half Bridge (TL-DAHB) DC-DC converter that integrates PWM combined with phase-shift control. This composite control method precisely regulates the output voltage by adjusting the phase-shift duty cycle between the input and output sides. Additionally, the application of the PWM control loop optimizes the duty cycle of the switches, effectively reducing the current stress on the converter during operation, improving transmission efficiency, and decreasing conduction losses of the switches. These enhancements boost the overall performance and the reliability of the converter. With its excellent voltage regulation capabilities and safety features, this converter is an ideal choice in the field of power conversion, especially in applications that demand high levels of stability and safety.

Профессиональная востребованность педагога в цифровой образовательной среде

<p><em>The relevance of the study of the problem of professional demand for teachers, which has both an objective and subjective, personal dimension, is due to the need to develop methods of psychological support for their personal and professional development in conditions of increasing demands on the results of the educational process in modern socio-cultural conditions. The article examines the substantive characteristics and levels of formation of professional relevance based on the provisions of L.M. Mitina’s concept of the internal determination of personal and professional development as complementary and mutually reinforcing processes. A stable, correlated relationship and the relationship between the characteristics of the results of activity and personal characteristics allows the teacher to achieve a high level of professional demand. The purpose of the article is to study the professional relevance of a teacher in the context of professionalism of activity and professionalism of a person, to determine the levels of formation and factors preventing its achievement.</em></p>

Potential of Vermifiltration Technique to Reduce Chemical Oxygen Demand, Biological Oxygen Demand, and Total Suspended Solid of Farm Dairy Effluent in Developing Countries: Case of Indonesian Farm Dairy Industry

Farm dairy effluent (FDE) contains high level of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) which caused river and groundwater pollution. To reduce those parameters, vermifiltration technique was utilized for dairy effluent treatment. It also could reduce greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions, removing organic and excessive nutrients without odor and recovering manure nutrients in the treated dairy effluent and vermicompost. The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential of Vermifiltration in reducing COD, BOD and TSS of the FDE. Samples of wastewater were collected from dairy farm industry from 3,542 of total cow populations located in Bandung regency, Indonesia. The sample characteristics of COD, BOD, TSS, pH, NH3-N, organic carbon, and macro nutrients (total N, P2O5, and K2O) were measured before and after vermifiltration treatment. Vermifiltration treatment will produce two types of products i.e.: tea water and vermicompost. The result showed that Vermifilter removed the COD, BOD, and TSS of 93%, 95%, and 93% respectively. The organic carbon NH3-N, and total macro nutrients generally decreased after treated by Vermifilter (2.01 to 0.0001% of organic carbon, 718 to 3.75 mg L-1 of NH3-N, 0.2 to 0.02% of total N, 0.19 to 004% P2O5, 0.57 to 0.18% of K2O); however, the pH was not significantly changing (from 8.13 to become 8.05). Vermicompost produced by vermifiltration beds by earthworms consumes sewage solids and excreting them in the vermicast which produces high macronutrients (2.4% of total N, 5.5% of P2O5, and 0.75% of K2O), and organic carbon (15.6%), hence beneficial for soil fertilizer. Vermifilter effectively degrades the organic matter in the dairy effluent. Derivatives produced by the Vermifiltration process, namely tea water and Vermicompost, can be used as substitutes for irrigation materials and organic fertilizers on agricultural land, and act as soil conditioners to improve soil properties.

Machine learning-based understanding of aquatic animal behaviour in high-turbidity waters

Inspired by the ambitions envisioned in the Fourth Industrial Revolution for aquaculture, also known as Aquaculture 4.0, the aquaculture (marine animal farming) industry is seeking to adopt data-driven Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help significantly improve business operations. One of the major barriers is the manual annotation of animal behaviour data, which is a time-consuming task that demands high levels of concentration from biologists. To address this challenge, this paper proposes novel automatic animal behaviour monitoring tailored for industrial scenarios. Our approach introduces a real-time machine-learning-based instance segmentation system that is specialised for underwater environments, where large groups of shrimp are farmed. The implemented system achieves an accuracy rate of 89% at 30 frames per second (fps) and can accurately detect shrimp in high-density areas under poor lighting conditions and high turbidity waters, despite the challenges of occlusion and overlapping. A key innovation of our method is the implementation of a new density cluster algorithm for time series and video analysis. This approach provides a more efficient and accurate way of monitoring animal behaviour, significantly saving time and effort for biologists and advancing the capabilities of automated aquaculture systems.

FRESHMAN SYNDROME IN MEDICAL UNIVERSITIES: ADAPTATION AND PSYCHOLOGY

The article aims to explore the essence of the freshman syndrome in medical universities, to consider the psychological aspects influencing it, and to propose practical approaches to overcoming this phenomenon. The freshman syndrome in medical universities arises from a combination of factors, such as unusual workload, knowledge and skill requirements, a new social environment, and separation from home. This syndrome can cause stress, anxiety, information overload, and fatigue. Students starting their journey in medical universities face a high level of academic demands and a large volume of material they need to master. This situation often leads to stress and anxiety as students need to adapt to a new pace of learning and choose effective learning methods. Additionally, the new social environment at the university can evoke feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially among those who are distant from family and old friends. This can lead to anxiety and the emergence of the syndrome of social adaptation. Therefore, the freshman syndrome in medical universities can be a complex challenge for students and requires support and adaptation strategies to overcome these problems. The article discusses the psychological aspects of the freshman syndrome and the impact of stress on students of medical universities. It explores how students perceive this syndrome, how to cope with stress, and what practical approaches can help facilitate adaptation.

Survey on Psychosocial Conditions of Official Veterinarians in Germany: Comparison with Other Professions and Differences between Age Groups, Gender, and Workplace Characteristics.

Even though the mental health of veterinarians has raised concerns, little is known about the wellbeing of official veterinarians ensuring animal welfare, food safety, and control of infectious diseases and performing other tasks for veterinary public health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the psychosocial conditions of official German veterinarians and to compare them with those of other employees. An online survey was conducted including 82 items of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ III) and additional questions on workplace and demographics. The answers of 838 respondents were analyzed, representing 26% of the target population. The average values for the dimensions Quantitative Demands, Emotional Demands, and Burnout Symptoms were substantially higher than those for German employees in other professions. Official veterinarians mainly working in animal welfare frequently experienced physical violence (6.7%) or threats of violence (53%). However, the profession also provides advantages: official veterinarians reported higher average values concerning the dimensions Control over Working Time and Influence at Work than other employees. Most participants stated that they experienced their work as meaningful, and the Job Insecurity dimension was low. Official veterinarians frequently experience offensive behavior and high-level demands. Therefore, measures to support and protect official veterinarians are needed. The positive aspects of this job should be emphasized to recruit and retain veterinarians in this field of the profession.

Analysis of educational needs of migrant families raising children with disabilities

Problem and purpose. In terms of increasing migration flow, it is important to provide conditions for building an open, accessible multicultural educational space. To accomplish this objective, it is required to study in detail the educational needs of migrant families. Particularly relevant are studies that involve the analysis of parents’ requests for children with disabilities to receive preschool primary and basic education. The purpose of the study is to analyze the educational needs of migrant families raising children with disabilities of school age. Materials and methods. 228 respondents took part in the pilot study. The experiment used a questionnaire developed by the authors for migrants raising children with disabilities of school age. The criteria for its compilation are presented and the structural components are described. The questionnaire was supplemented by conversations with migrants raising children and special and inclusive education teachers. Results. The results obtained make it possible to analyze the direction and content of requests to an educational organization and a teacher. The expectations and ideas of respondents regarding children's education were studied. 60.5% of parents prioritize their child’s mastery of the educational program, especially in-depth study of the Russian language. All participants in the experiment show a high level of demands on the correctional, developmental and educational work of the school. 68.8% of families do not expect teachers to help in carrying out career guidance work with students with disabilities. Requests for psychological support from parents were not presented in the results of the experiment, and all participants in the survey expected the teacherpsychologist support for the child. Conclusion. The conclusions obtained during the pilot study can be useful for building a comprehensive system of school support for migrant families raising children with disabilities. Taking into account the risks and problem areas in the interaction between the educational organization and parents will optimize the process of adaptation of migrants to new socio-cultural conditions and make education accessible and open.

A Study on The Relationship Between Digital Competencies, Mindfulness, Social Media Usage and Work Performance in Automobile Industry of Pakistan

This study aims to investigate the relationship between mindfulness, digital competencies, social media usage, and work performance in Pakistan's automobile sector. The research explores the roles of trust, mindfulness, shared vision, digital competency, knowledge transfer, and network ties within this industry. The automobile industry demands high levels of employee performance, and social media networks are increasingly used for communication and interaction. This research hypothesizes that social media usage fosters trust among employees, leading to better interaction and knowledge transfer. Additionally, mindfulness training is proposed to enhance work performance and reduce employee turnover. A quantitative approach with a conceptual framework will be used to test these hypotheses. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of how these factors influence work performance in the Pakistani automobile industry.

Brand Identity and Brand Image Congruence to improve branding Practices: A Multi-Case Study on Startups

This study investigates the relationship between mindfulness, digital competencies, social media usage, and work performance in Pakistan’s automobile sector. The research explores the roles of trust, mindfulness, shared vision, digital competency, knowledge transfer, and network ties within this industry. The automobile industry demands high levels of employee performance, and social media networks are increasingly used for communication and interaction. This research hypothesizes that social media usage fosters employee trust, leading to better interaction and knowledge transfer. Additionally, mindfulness training is proposed to enhance work performance and reduce employee turnover. A quantitative approach with a conceptual framework will test these hypotheses. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of how these factors influence work performance in the Pakistani automobile industry.