Human Behavioral Factors Research Articles

An Approach to Multivariable Regression Analysis of a Rooftop PV System in Households’ Sector in Tirana. A Novel Approach using Energy Modeling Tool

Solar power prediction plays an essential role in functioning, mapping, and obtaining energy and climate goals in 2030 and beyond and contributing to real-time balancing of the power system. On the other side, electricity consumption is influenced by Heating Degree Days (HDD), Cooling Degree Days (CDD), average monthly temperature, energy management, human behaviour, architecture, orientation, and many other factors. The simulations are performed based on three consecutive energy consumption data for a typical dwelling in Tirana city. Once the base case scenario is designed, the model is validated based on the monthly electricity bills. In the base case scenario are included some energy efficiency measures (EEM) afterward the optimization of the supply side using PV and Solar Water Heating is part of our simulation, too. The focus of our work is to design a correlation between the relationship between consumption and generation of electricity given as a dependent variable (Y), which is regressed with weather parameters given as independent variables (Xi) under Durbin Watson statistics. The output of the study can help designers to compile a reliable power system, better utilization of energy resources, and forecasting accuracy analysis from both sides of the energy system (demand and supply side). The tested household and EEM applied in the proposed scenario may lead to an electricity reduction level of 8655 kWh per year and 76.6 % of solar fraction is used to meet the hot water demand.

Water Management as a Social Field: A Method for Engineering Solutions

This paper proposes the use of Pierre Bourdieu’s sociological concepts of social fields, capital, and habitus to analyze water management in Colombia. By mapping the social dynamics of water management, this study examines the interactions and power relationships among agents, including government agencies, private companies, academic institutions, non-profits, and local communities. The analysis reveals how various forms of capital, such as economic, cultural, social, and symbolic, influence water management practices, policies, and the distribution of power. Integrating agent-based modeling with hydrological simulations provides a more nuanced understanding of how social dynamics influence water management. This interdisciplinary approach helps develop more adaptive and equitable strategies by capturing the complex interactions between human behavior and environmental factors. This study highlights the need to localize the analysis of the social field to capture regional customs and specific social dynamics. This localized approach ensures that water management strategies are more relevant, context sensitive, and sustainable. This paper advocates for the wider adoption of agent-based modeling in water management, proposing a methodology that combines the engineering principles of practical problem solving and adaptive design with an understanding of the social complexities in water management.

Enhancing work zone crash severity analysis: The role of synthetic minority oversampling technique in balancing minority categories

Road work zones are becoming increasingly common due to the aging infrastructure and the need for capacity enhancement. They present significant safety risks due to narrow lanes, uneven traffic flow, lower speed, and reduced visibility. It is particularly important to understand the role of human behavioral factors in WZ crash injury severity due to difficulty navigating such areas. Furthermore, the crash injury data available is mostly imbalanced, primarily due to the lower incidence of high-cost fatal and severe injuries, and can benefit from the use of emerging analysis techniques. This research study examines a unique dataset comprising 7,855 WZ crashes in Tennessee from 2018 to 2022 as a case study to provide useful insight into the behavioral factors associated with injury severity and how they change after adjusting for the underrepresented fatal and serious injuries within the dataset. The study applies frequentist methods and a machine learning technique enhanced with the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE), addressing the data imbalance (relatively fewer fatal and serious injuries) for useful inferences and predictions. The study results indicate that aggressive driving, overspeeding, and drunk driving significantly elevate injury severity. Additionally, after balancing the minority categories of crash injury severity levels, the importance of contributing factors changes. The study offers engineers and data analysts a framework for analyzing imbalanced data, a prevalent issue in crash injury severity analysis. By exploring key behavioral factors responsible for injury severity in WZ crashes, the study provides useful insight and valuable information to traffic safety engineers, transportation agencies, and policymakers to implement enhanced safety measures in WZ design and management, ultimately aiming to mitigate injury severity and to improve overall safety for road users.

KAJIAN PERILAKU MASYARAKAT PESISIR YANG MENGAKIBATKAN KERUSAKAN LINGKUNGAN SEKITAR EKOSISTEM MANGROVE DI PANTAI HAMADI KOTA JAYAPURA

Background : Environmental damage around the Hamadi coastal mangrove ecosystem, South Jayapura District, Jayapura City, which is caused by many human behavioral factors on the coast, one of which is due to tourism activities that throw away garbage so that it becomes dirty and the natural beauty is damaged. he waste has not been fully addressed effectively if the management is not carried out properly, which then becomes a serious threat to the sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem area near Hamadi Beach which is used as a tourist spot. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a study of the behavior of the community living around the area and utilizing the area. Method: The researcher used 30 respondents as samples and conducted in June to August 2024 on Hamadi Beach, South Jayapura District, Jayapura City using the data usage technique in this study is Simple Random Sampling, which is carried out randomly from members of the population without considering the level of the population. The data that has been obtained is analyzed using the Likert Scale. Results: Respondents were dominated by men, productive age 36-45 years old, predominantly high school education, fishermen, who had an income Rp 1.000.000 -Rp2.000.000. Socio-economic characteristics describe respondents who live, sell and travel around the area. The characteristics of the respondents were seen from the community's perception of the knowledge of the function of the mangrove ecosystem (3,39) including the category strongly agree, Public Perception of Environmental Conditions for the Growth of Mangrove Ecosystems (3,5) Including the category of strongly agreeing, public perception of the utilization of mangrove ecosystems (3,14) including the category of agree. Conclusion: The development of science about public perception that results in environmental damage to the mangrove ecosystem on Hamadi beach needs to be known in early countermeasures.

Artificial Punishment Signals for Guiding the Decision-Making Process of an Autonomous System

Somatic markers have been evidenced as determinant factors in human behavior. In particular, the concepts of somatic reward and punishment have been related to the decision-making process; both reward and somatic punishment represent bodily states with positive or negative sensations, respectively. In this research work, we have designed a mechanism to generate artificial somatic punishments in an autonomous system. An autonomous system is understood as a system capable of performing autonomous behavior and decision making. We incorporated this mechanism within a decision model oriented to support decision making on stock markets. Our model focuses on using artificial somatic punishments as a tool to guide the decisions of an autonomous system. To validate our proposal, we defined an experimental scenario using official data from Standard & Poor’s 500 and the Dow Jones index, in which we evaluated the decisions made by the autonomous system based on artificial somatic punishments in a general investment process using 10,000 independent iterations. In the investment process, the autonomous system applied an active investment strategy combined with an artificial somatic index. The results show that this autonomous system presented a higher level of investment decision effectiveness, understood as the achievement of greater wealth over time, as measured by profitability, utility, and Sharpe Ratio indicators, relative to an industry benchmark.

Interacting particle models on the impact of spatially heterogeneous human behavioral factors on dynamics of infectious diseases.

Human behaviors have non-negligible impacts on spread of contagious disease. For instance, large-scale gathering and high mobility of population could lead to accelerated disease transmission, while public behavioral changes in response to pandemics may effectively reduce contacts and suppress the peak of the outbreak. In order to understand how spatial characteristics like population mobility and clustering interplay with epidemic outbreaks, we formulate a stochastic-statistical environment-epidemic dynamic system (SEEDS) via an agent-based biased random walk model on a two-dimensional lattice. The "popularity" and "awareness" variables are taken into consideration to capture human natural and preventive behavioral factors, which are assumed to guide and bias agent movement in a combined way. It is found that the presence of the spatial heterogeneity, like social influence locality and spatial clustering induced by self-aggregation, potentially suppresses the contacts between agents and consequently flats the epidemic curve. Surprisedly, disease responses might not necessarily reduce the susceptibility of informed individuals and even aggravate disease outbreak if each individual responds independently upon their awareness. The disease control is achieved effectively only if there are coordinated public-health interventions and public compliance to these measures. Therefore, our model may be useful for quantitative evaluations of a variety of public-health policies.

Hubungan Perilaku Manusia dengan Kejadian Malaria di Desa Daiama Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Sotimori Kecamatan Landu Leko Kabupaten Rote Ndao

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the Plasmodium genus transmitted to humans through the bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes. Behavioral factors Humans also play an important role in the emergence of a disease, behavioral factors humans consist of the habit of using mosquito nets, the habit of using drugs mosquitoes, the habit of hanging clothes, and the habit of going outside at night day. In 2022, the incidence of malaria in Rote Ndao Regency will increase namely, there were 253 cases and the most cases were in Landu sub-district In particular, in Daiama Village there were 95 cases. The aim of this research is to analyze the relationship between human behavioral factors and events malaria in Daiama Village, Sotimori Health Center working area, Landu Leko District Rote Ndao Regency. This type of research is an analytical survey, with a case design control. The total sample was 92 people selected using simple random techniques example. The results of bivariate analysis using the chi-square test show that there is significant relationship between the habit of using mosquito nets (p-value=0.000), habit of using mosquito repellent (p-value=0.0019), habit of hanging clothing (p-value=0.0021) and the habit of leaving the house at night (p-value=0.0030) with the incidence of malaria. It is hoped that health workers who is at the Sotimori Community Health Center providing education to the community in a way carry out outreach in order to increase public knowledge about malaria and how to prevent malaria.

Understanding the factors influencing biosecurity adoption on smallholder poultry farms in Ghana: a qualitative analysis using the COM-B model and Theoretical Domains Framework.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global threat to public, animal, and environmental health, consequently producing downstream economic impacts. While top-down approaches to addressing AMR (e.g., laws regulating antimicrobial use) are common in high-income countries, limited enforcement capacities in low- and middle-income countries highlight the need for more bottom-up approaches. Within agriculture, efforts to apply bottom-up approaches to AMR have often focused on the promotion of biosecurity, which should reduce the need for antimicrobials by mitigating disease risk and limiting AMR transmission. Traditionally, efforts to encourage biosecurity adoption have emphasized training and awareness-raising initiatives. However, a growing body of research suggests a disconnect between knowledge and behavior, highlighting the existence of a knowledge-action gap. To understand the barriers and enablers patterning the knowledge-action gap in on-farm biosecurity uptake, we draw upon models from behavioral science. We analyzed in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions with smallholder poultry producers in Ghana to understand factors underlying the intention-action gap in adopting biosecurity. As an analytical framework, we draw upon the Theoretical Domains Framework in combination with the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation Behavioral Model. While smallholder poultry farmers in Ghana were aware of the importance of biosecurity practices, they struggled with consistent implementation. Financial constraints, challenges in adapting practices to the local context, and limited resources hindered adoption. Additionally, cognitive biases like prioritizing short-term gains and underestimating disease risks played a role. However, some farmers found motivation in professional identity and social influences. These findings highlight the need for designing biosecurity interventions that consider human behavioral factors and the context in which behavior occurs. This underscores the importance of collaboration across disciplines, including veterinary science and the social and behavioral sciences. Implications and recommendations for researchers and practitioners are discussed.

Work-Related Psychosocial Factors and Their Effects on Mental Workload Perception and Body Postures.

The perception of work is closely linked to body reactions that facilitate task performance. Previous studies have shown that psychosocial work factors significantly impact employee health on both psychological and physical levels, though their cross-sectional designs limit causal interpretations. In this study, participants performed sitting and standing tasks under four different levels of mental workload. The NASA-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) assessed mental workload perception across six dimensions, while Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) scores evaluated body postures for standing and sitting tasks, respectively. This study examined the effects of alarms, distractions, and time constraints-common psychosocial factors in healthcare environments-on human behavior. We compared NASA-TLX scores with corresponding REBA/RULA scores to evaluate how perceived mental workload affects body postures. One-way ANOVA assessed the impact of experimental conditions on response variables, and Pearson correlation analyses explored the relationships between psychosocial factors and these variables. Results indicated that alarm conditions most negatively impacted mental workload perception and body postures. Temporal demand and effort scores were particularly affected by psychosocial factors in both tasks. Gender influenced physical demand and performance scores (higher in females) for the standing task but did not affect REBA and RULA scores. These findings suggest that organizational and psychosocial factors significantly influence healthcare workers' behavior, health, and patient safety. Further research is needed to evaluate the specific effects of psychosocial factors on both physical and mental workload to understand the relationship between overall task workload and occupational disorders.

Exploring the Anthropological Dynamics of Tuberculosis Transmission

TB is truly one of the major public health concerns, with transmission dynamics being quite complex and very much influenced by anthropological factors. Specifically, in this research paper, the researcher investigates the social and cultural backgrounds that shape TB transmission by exploring how human behavior, cultural beliefs, and socioeconomic factors interconnect to preserve the spread of the TB disease. In the depth of available literature review and ethnographic fieldwork, this study exposes complex anthropological dynamics that sustain the transmission of TB, showing how social and cultural factors call for a more nuanced understanding. Focal group discussions were how the researcher used to work. Among the main findings brought out by the researcher include the cultural beliefs and practices that influence health-seeking behavior and socioeconomic factors. The research shows that anthropological insight is indispensable in the development of effective, culturally sensitive interventions in the struggle against tuberculosis.

Exploring the Anthropological Dynamics of Tuberculosis Transmission

TB is truly one of the major public health concerns, with transmission dynamics being quite complex and very much influenced by anthropological factors. Specifically, in this research paper, the researcher investigates the social and cultural backgrounds that shape TB transmission by exploring how human behavior, cultural beliefs, and socioeconomic factors interconnect to preserve the spread of the TB disease. In the depth of available literature review and ethnographic fieldwork, this study exposes complex anthropological dynamics that sustain the transmission of TB, showing how social and cultural factors call for a more nuanced understanding. Focal group discussions were how the researcher used to work. Among the main findings brought out by the researcher include the cultural beliefs and practices that influence health-seeking behavior and socioeconomic factors. The research shows that anthropological insight is indispensable in the development of effective, culturally sensitive interventions in the struggle against tuberculosis.

Interplay of human capital development and related behavioural factors as panacea for turnover intentions

Interplay of human capital development and related behavioural factors as panacea for turnover intentions

Retraction notice: The critical human behavior factors and their impact on knowledge management system–cycles

Retraction notice: The critical human behavior factors and their impact on knowledge management system–cycles

How using light touch immersion research revealed important insights into the lack of progress in malaria elimination in Eastern Indonesia.

By 2022, the Government of Indonesia had successfully eliminated malaria in 389 out of 514 districts but continues to face a challenge in Eastern Indonesia where 95% of the total 2021 malaria cases were reported from Papua, West Papua and Nusa Tenggara Timur provinces. There is an increased recognition that malaria elimination will require a better understanding of the human behavioural factors hindering malaria prevention and treatment, informed by local context and local practice. This research used a light-touch immersion research approach. Field researchers lived in communities over several days to gather data through informal conversations, group-based discussions using visual tools, participant observation and direct experience. The study was conducted in four high malaria endemic areas in Papua, West Papua, and Sumba Islands in Nusa Tenggara Timur. The research highlights how people's perception of malaria has changed since the introduction of effective treatment which, in turn, has contributed to a casual attitude towards early testing and adherence to malaria treatment. It also confirms that people rarely accept there is a link between mosquitoes and malaria based on their experience but nevertheless take precautions against the annoyance of mosquitoes. There is widespread recognition that babies and small children, elderly and incomers are more likely to be seriously affected by malaria and separately, more troubled by mosquitoes than indigenous adult populations. This is primarily explained by acclimatization and strong immune systems among the latter. Using immersion research enabled behaviour research within a naturalistic setting, which in turn enabled experiential-led analysis of findings and revealed previously unrecognized insights into attitudes towards malaria in Eastern Indonesia. The research provides explanations of people's lack of motivation to consistently use bed nets, seek early diagnosis or complete courses of treatment. The felt concern for the wellbeing of vulnerable populations highlighted during light touch immersion provides an entry point for future social behaviour change communication interventions. Rather than trying to explain transmission to people who deny this connection, the research concludes that it may be better to focus separately on the two problems of malaria and mosquitoes (especially for vulnerable groups) thereby resonating with local people's own experience and felt concerns.

Storage Location Assignment for Improving Human–Robot Collaborative Order-Picking Efficiency in Robotic Mobile Fulfillment Systems

The robotic mobile fulfillment (RMF) system is a parts-to-picker warehousing system and a sustainable technology used in human–robot collaborative order picking. Storage location assignment (SLA) tactically benefits order-picking efficiency. Most studies focus on the retrieval efficiency of robots to solve SLA problems. To further consider the crucial role played by human pickers in RMF systems, especially in the context that the sustainable performance of human workers should be paid attention to in human–robot collaboration, we solve the SLA problem by aiming to improve human–robot collaborative order-picking efficiency. This study specifically makes decisions on assigning multiple items of various products to the slots of pods in the RMF system, in which human behavioral factors are taken into account. To obtain the solution in one mathematical model, we propose the heuristic algorithm under a two-stage optimization method. The results show that assigning correlated products to pods improves the retrieval efficiency of robots compared to class-based assignment. We also find that assigning items of each product to slots of pods, considering behavioral factors, benefits the operation efficiency of human pickers compared to random assignment. Improving human–robot collaborative order-picking efficiency and increasing the capacity usage of pods benefits sustainable warehousing management.

The Study of Psychology and Intimate Relationships

Intimate relationships represent some of the most complex and significant interpersonal connections in human life, encompassing a range of emotions such as familial love, friendship, and romantic love. In our daily lives, we are constantly engaged in establishing and maintaining intimate relationships. However, forming and sustaining these relationships is not a simple task; it requires understanding, trust, respect, and communication from both parties. Hence, the study of intimate relationships in psychology is of great importance. As a discipline that explores human behavior and mental processes, psychology aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms and influencing factors of human behavior. Within psychology, intimate relationships are viewed as complex social interactions, influenced by various factors such as personality traits, communication styles, and cultural backgrounds. Research in intimate relationships allows for a deeper understanding of the nature and principles of interpersonal relations, providing a scientific basis for establishing and maintaining healthy, stable intimate relationships. In summary, the study of psychology and intimate relationships is vital for a profound comprehension of interpersonal relations and human social behavior. This paper offers a comprehensive review and analysis of this field, aiming to provide references and insights for research and practice in related areas.

Designing an Efficient Administrative System Model with a Jihadi Management and Organizational Justice Approach (Case Study: Social Security Organization)

The Social Security Organization, as one of the largest institutions providing social and insurance services in Iran, plays a significant role in ensuring the social and economic security of various segments of society. The objective of this research is to present a model of an efficient administrative system based on justice-oriented and jihadi management principles. This research follows an interpretive philosophy, an inductive approach, a qualitative method, and a grounded theory strategy with an emergent approach. The study population consists of the Social Security Organization, where the qualitative sample includes individuals with at least 10 years of work experience who possess theoretical and practical knowledge related to the research topic and understand the efficient processes of the administrative system within the Social Security Organization. Out of these individuals, 21 were selected as the sample through purposive sampling. To assess the validity of the research, the four criteria of Lincoln and Guba (1987) were used. The findings revealed that 548 initial codes were extracted, categorized into 104 categories and 31 components. For theoretical coding, Glaser's "6 Cs" family was utilized. In this context, the causal components include environmental and structural conditions, participatory management, interaction with insurance parties, jihadi management, training and empowerment, initiative, human resource management, process simplification, and behavioral factors. The correlational factors include supportive policies, organizational innovation, and service compensation. The contingencies involve Islamic and human values, jihadi culture, and time management. The mediating conditions consist of justice-oriented principles, utilization of modern technologies, a supportive political and economic environment, and social capital. The outcomes encompass improved productivity, enhanced justice, increased motivation and commitment, economic and social improvement, better performance, employee satisfaction and motivation, and increased customer and societal satisfaction. Finally, the environmental context includes government support for workers' rights, low government support for employers, public unawareness of laws, the existence of general laws, and unfavorable general-economic conditions.

Analytical presentation of the Finnish model of road safety

Aim: The aim of the research is to apply situational crime prevention methods to improve road safety, focusing on pedestrians, who are particularly vulnerable in traffic. This study examines the relationship between road safety and situationalcrime prevention and how it can be used to protect pedestrians.Methodology: The Finnish model, using the Vision Zero concept, provides an example of how to improve road safety. The analysis shows that road safety is a complex system that affects both human behaviour and environmental factors,and that the situational crime prevention method can be used effectively to improve road safety.Findings: The success of the Finnish model is supported by lower speed limits, strict controls and public support. Vision Zero is spreading as a global movement to address road safety as a public health issue.Value: The research highlights the importance of road safety and the key role of prevention in avoiding tragedies.

Interaction of Human Behavioral Factors Shapes the Transmission of Arboviruses by Aedes and Culex Mosquitoes.

Arboviruses, i.e., viruses transmitted by blood-sucking arthropods, trigger significant global epidemics. Over the past 20 years, the frequency of the (re-)emergence of these pathogens, particularly those transmitted by Aedes and Culex mosquitoes, has dramatically increased. Therefore, understanding how human behavior is modulating population exposure to these viruses is of particular importance. This synthesis explores human behavioral factors driving human exposure to arboviruses, focusing on household surroundings, socio-economic status, human activities, and demographic factors. Household surroundings, such as the lack of water access, greatly influence the risk of arbovirus exposure by promoting mosquito breeding in stagnant water bodies. Socio-economic status, such as low income or low education, is correlated to an increased incidence of arboviral infections and exposure. Human activities, particularly those practiced outdoors, as well as geographical proximity to livestock rearing or crop cultivation, inadvertently provide favorable breeding environments for mosquito species, escalating the risk of virus exposure. However, the effects of demographic factors like age and gender can vary widely through space and time. While climate and environmental factors crucially impact vector development and viral replication, household surroundings, socio-economic status, human activities, and demographic factors are key drivers of arbovirus exposure. This article highlights that human behavior creates a complex interplay of factors influencing the risk of mosquito-borne virus exposure, operating at different temporal and spatial scales. To increase awareness among human populations, we must improve our understanding of these complex factors.

Cryptic Zika virus infections unmasked from suspected malaria cases in Northeastern Nigeria

Introduction Although environmental and human behavioral factors in countries with Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreaks are also common in Nigeria, such an outbreak has not yet been reported probably due to misdiagnosis. The atypical symptoms of malaria and ZIKV infections at the initial phase could leverage their misdiagnosis. This study randomly recruited 496 malaria-suspected patients who visited selected health institutions in Adamawa, Bauchi, and Borno states for malaria tests. These patients’ sera were analyzed for ZIKV antibodies using ELISA and plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT) at 90% endpoint. About 13.8% of Zika virus-neutralizing antibodies (nAb) did not cross-react with dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile viruses suggesting possible monotypic infections. However, 86% of the sera with ZIKV nAb also neutralized other related viruses at varied degrees: dengue viruses (60.7%), West Nile viruses (23.2%), yellow fever virus (7.1%) and 39.3% were co-infections with chikungunya viruses. Notably, the cross-reactions could also reflect co-infections as these viruses are also endemic in the country. The serum dilution that neutralized 90–100% ZIKV infectivity ranged from 1:8 to 1:128. Also, our findings suggest distinct protection against the ZIKV between different collection sites studied. As indicated by nAb, acute ZIKV infection was detected in 1.7% of IgM-positive patients while past infections occurred in 8.5% of IgM-negatives in the three states. In Borno State, 9.4% of IgG neutralized ZIKV denoting past infections while 13.5% were non-neutralizing IgM and IgG indicating other related virus infections. The age, gender, and occupation of the patients and ZIKV nAb were not significantly different. ZIKV nAb from samples collected within 1–7 days after the onset of symptoms was not significantly different from those of 7–10 days. A wider interval with the same techniques in this study may probably give better diagnostic outcomes. ZIKV nAb was significantly distinct among recipients and non-recipients of antibiotic/antimalaria treatments before seeking malaria tests. The inhibiting effect of these drugs on ZIKV infection progression may probably contribute to the absence of neurological disorders associated with the virus despite being endemic in the environment for several decades. Also, protection against ZIKV as marked by the nAb was different among the vaccinated and unvaccinated YF vaccine recipients. Thus, the YF vaccine may be a good alternative to the Zika vaccine in resource-constrained countries. Conclusion The cryptic ZIKV infections underscore the need for differential diagnosis of malaria-suspected febrile patients for arboviruses, especially the Zika virus. The absence of systemic surveillance for the virus is worrisome because of its association with neurological disorders in newborns. Co-infections with other arboviruses may impact adversely on the management of these diseases individually.