Low Degree Of Flexibility Research Articles

Automation in Construction Industry it’s Application and Barriers to Implementation on Construction Site

Automation is transforming the construction sector, providing benefits such as better productivity, improved safety, and lower prices. Automation is used in a wide range of construction applications, from heavy equipment to off-site construction approaches such as prefabrication and modular construction. In front of this, the focus of this research is to determine the extent to which the use of automation, if entirely applied in construction sector, it also has a negative impact on the delivery of building projects. Modern equipment has helped the development of the construction industry. Several disadvantages of automated constructions are causing worker displacement, creating emotional stress for the workers, higher level of maintenance, high capital expenditures, causing geographical displacement of workers, lower degree of flexibility, employee dissatisfaction, decrease in productivity and the enslavement of labor by automated machinery

Explaining EU influence in international environmental negotiations

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to explain variation in the EU’s influence on specific issues negotiated in international environmental forums. Analysing twelve issues in the United Nations Environment Assembly, the Convention on Biological Diversity as well as the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, the paper identifies combinations of conditions that explain the EU’s level of influence. Through a qualitative comparative analysis, it studies the impact of the EU’s ambition, flexibility and isolation on the EU’s influence. It finds a high ambition combined with a low isolation as a key explanation of the EU’s high influence. For the EU’s low level of influence, a variety of causal paths are possible, such as a low ambition combined with a low degree of flexibility. The paper’s primary data source are interviews with EU delegates, who were closely involved in the negotiations.

Modulating Protein-Protein Interactions by Cyclic and Macrocyclic Peptides. Prominent Strategies and Examples.

Cyclic and macrocyclic peptides constitute advanced molecules for modulating protein–protein interactions (PPIs). Although still peptide derivatives, they are metabolically more stable than linear counterparts, and should have a lower degree of flexibility, with more defined secondary structure conformations that can be adapted to imitate protein interfaces. In this review, we analyze recent progress on the main methods to access cyclic/macrocyclic peptide derivatives, with emphasis in a few selected examples designed to interfere within PPIs. These types of peptides can be from natural origin, or prepared by biochemical or synthetic methodologies, and their design could be aided by computational approaches. Some advances to facilitate the permeability of these quite big molecules by conjugation with cell penetrating peptides, and the incorporation of β-amino acid and peptoid structures to improve metabolic stability, are also commented. It is predicted that this field of research could have an important future mission, running in parallel to the discovery of new, relevant PPIs involved in pathological processes.

To Probe Full and Partial Activation of Human Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors by Pan-Agonist Chiglitazar Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Chiglitazar is a promising new-generation insulin sensitizer with low reverse effects for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and has shown activity as a nonselective pan-agonist to the human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) (i.e., full activation of PPARγ and a partial activation of PPARα and PPARβ/δ). Yet, it has no high-resolution complex structure with PPARs and its detailed interactions and activation mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we docked chiglitazar into three experimentally resolved crystal structures of hPPAR subtypes, PPARα, PPARβ/δ, and PPARγ, followed by 3 μs molecular dynamics simulations for each system. Our MM-GBSA binding energy calculation revealed that chiglitazar most favorably bound to hPPARγ (-144.6 kcal/mol), followed by hPPARα (-138.0 kcal/mol) and hPPARβ (-135.9 kcal/mol), and the order is consistent with the experimental data. Through the decomposition of the MM-GBSA binding energy by residue and the use of two-dimensional interaction diagrams, key residues involved in the binding of chiglitazar were identified and characterized for each complex system. Additionally, our detailed dynamics analyses support that the conformation and dynamics of helix 12 play a critical role in determining the activities of the different types of ligands (e.g., full agonist vs. partial agonist). Rather than being bent fully in the direction of the agonist versus antagonist conformation, a partial agonist can adopt a more linear conformation and have a lower degree of flexibility. Our finding may aid in further development of this new generation of medication.

A Scoping Review and Template Analysis of Manual-Based Complex Interventions in Dementia Care.

PurposeIn dementia care, the complexity of psychosocial needs and contextual variables often demands nonpharmacological interventions of a complex nature. The purpose of this scoping review was to investigate (1) how manuals published in refereed journals explaining procedures of complex interventions in dementia care are structured and their content disseminated and (2) to provide recommendations for future manuals.MethodsA systematic search was conducted using four databases (Embase, PsychInfo, CINAHL and Scopus) following PRISMA-ScR and PICo method. The results were analysed using template analysis aiming to describe the possibility of tailoring the intervention, degree of flexibility of the manual and dissemination elements used in the manual.ResultsA total of 882 records were identified, and 86 full-text articles were assessed. Nine articles containing manuals met the inclusion criteria. All of the included manuals allowed the user to tailor actions in the intervention to specific situations. Two-thirds of the manuals showed a medium degree of flexibility. The types of dissemination elements varied. All used written text, and some used various graphical organisers such as headlines and lists. None used illustrations or audio/video material.ConclusionCurrently, only few manuals for complex interventions in the field of dementia are published in refereed journals, all disseminated as written text. For future manuals, we suggest considering the inclusion of illustrations and/or audio/video material to describe actions, to allow for tailoring of the intervention, and to maintain a medium or low degree of flexibility by structuring the content hierarchically in phases while providing the user with detailed description of what to do, and how to decide what to.

NCAM2 Fibronectin type-III domains form a rigid structure that binds and activates the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor

NCAM1 and NCAM2 have ectodomains consisting of 5 Ig domains followed by 2 membrane-proximal FnIII domains. In this study we investigate and compare the structures and functions of these FnIII domains. The NCAM1 and -2 FnIII2 domains both contain a Walker A motif. In NCAM1 binding of ATP to this motif interferes with NCAM1 binding to FGFR. We obtained a structural model of the NCAM2 FnIII2 domain by NMR spectroscopy, and by titration with an ATP analogue we show that the NCAM2 Walker A motif does not bind ATP. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data revealed that the NCAM2 FnIII1-2 double domain exhibits a very low degree of flexibility. Moreover, recombinant NCAM2 FnIII domains bind FGFR in vitro, and the FnIII1-2 double domain induces neurite outgrowth in a concentration-dependent manner through activation of FGFR. Several synthetic NCAM1-derived peptides induce neurite outgrowth via FGFR. Only 2 of 5 peptides derived from similar regions in NCAM2 induce neurite outgrowth, but the most potent of these peptides stimulates neurite outgrowth through FGFR-dependent activation of the Ras-MAPK pathway. These results reveal that the NCAM2 FnIII domains form a rigid structure that binds and activates FGFR in a manner related to, but different from NCAM1.

Changes effectiveness assessment on the basis of sustainable development factor

The creation of new management methods that guarantee sustainable economic development in the long-term perspective is impossible without the overall analysis of the existing methods and system elements of enterprise management. Such analysis should take into account the influence of external and internal environment. Most of Russian organizations functioning at the market are characterized by low degree of flexibility and adaptability to the changes at the market and by traditional ways of management which do not correspond to the modern market conditions and it does not allow them to develop perfectly. The article defines the main components of the enterprise sustainable development and offers the matrix model of changes assessment on the basis of sustainable development criterion.Thus, the general aim of the article is to form theoretical and methodical basis for management mechanism aimed at sustainable development of the enterprise, the mechanism that meets the current demands and global trends of economy development. The main methodical instrument used for the enterprise position assessment is the system of matrix coordinates. The choice of the matrix form is due to the fact that matrices are the main tool for strategic positioning of enterprises and the choice of strategic solutions in conditions of multiplicity of parameters through which the expected and actually obtained results are formalized and measured.

Proposta de um modelo de análise da flexibilização da burocracia em organizações públicas com base nas dimensões sugeridas por Volberda: o caso da secretaria de estado da administração de Santa Catarina

O reconhecimento da necessidade de entender as mudanças que vem ocorrendo nas práticas organizacionais originou um conjunto de trabalhos que pode ser agrupado na temática denominada “novas formas organizacionais”. Este artigo se insere nesta temática, objetivando discutir a questão da flexibilização da burocracia em uma organização pública. Para tanto, foi estruturado um modelo de avaliação baseado nas dimensões propostas por Volberda (1988) - considerando a operacionalização da racionalidade substantiva em uma organização por meio do que o autor denomina controle dinâmico - na Secretaria de Estado da Administração de Santa Catarina. No que tange à metodologia, se configura como um estudo descritivo e se constitui em um estudo de caso. Utilizou-se como instrumento de intervenção metodologia ligada à Pesquisa Operacional, denominada metodologia MCDA-C. A contribuição da MCDA-C nesse contexto se dá pelo fato de essa metodologia permitir a organização dos critérios de análise propostos por Volberda, estabelecer uma escala de avaliação para cada um desses critérios e proceder a uma avaliação que permita quantificar o grau de flexibilização da organização em estudo. A organização obteve 35,4 pontos, o que se configurou, em uma análise geral, como baixo grau de flexibilização. Em uma análise mais específica, apresentou um maior grau de flexibilização na dimensão cultura organizacional e um menor grau de flexibilização na dimensão estrutura organizacional.

Work Standardisation in Logistics Processes

Purpose: The article presents a concept of synergy between MTM (Methods Time Measurement) and TWI (Training within the Industry) methods through a case study conducted on elementary logistics processes. MTM brings optimisation into logistics operations and creates quality and efficiency standards. TWI provides the means of application of these standards at work to drive improvement.Methodology/Approach: To show a prospective viability/added value of the MTM and TWI combination, we present a case study involving simple logistics processes. We use the MTM as a standardisation method and the TWI as a variability control and process improvement concept.Findings: The MTM times generally determined as an external regulation, may not reflect the level of skills of workers in a specific company and often create a barrier to internal improvement. The concept of work standardisation based on the MTM method synergised with the TWI creates a dynamic improving system.Research Limitation/implication: Individual variations in the processes need to be accounted for and the terminology of current optimisation method and improvement concept need to be adapted accordingly in the present analysis. The methods of MTM and TWI employed in our study now slowly penetrate the logistics processes.Originality/Value of paper: The paper introduces a new approach to the methodology of internal logistics improvement. The MTM work standards increase the stability and productivity in logistics. However, they often hinder the change by allowing for only low degree of flexibility. Combining them with the concept of TWI, we can enhance quality and foster the human potential to change.

Identification of important mechanical and acoustic parameters for the sensory quality of cocoa butter alternatives

In this study, the correlation between sensory attributes and the mechanical and acoustic properties of cocoa butter alternatives was elucidated. Needle penetration, cone penetration and compression tests were used to characterise mechanical properties and acoustic properties were evaluated by simultaneous texture and sound analyses. Results were correlated with a descriptive sensory evaluation. A significant correlation was found between hardness (needle penetration) and sensory hardness evaluated upon biting (r=0.91, p<0.05) and between Hencky strain (compression test) and the sensory toughness (r=0.94, p<0.05). In contrast, no significant correlation was found between brittleness (cone penetration) and the sensory brittleness. The use of different mechanical methods shed light on a complex rheological behaviour of fat which demonstrates the importance of not simply relying on results from penetration tests when evaluating fat texture. For instance, a hard fat was perceived very differently depending on the degree of elasticity. A significant correlation was found between sound pressure level (simultaneous sound and texture analyses) and the sensory evaluation of the sound intensity upon breakage (r=0.96 and 0.97, p<0.05). Both hardness and elasticity were found to be of great importance for the intensity of the sound emission i.e. a hard texture with a low degree of flexibility (less elastic) is more likely to provide a rapid energy release upon breakage and thus a high intensity sound emission.

The structure of the N-terminal domain of the Legionella protein SidC

The Gram-negative bacterium Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease. During infection of eukaryotic cells, the bacterium releases about 300 different bacterial effector molecules that aid in the establishment of the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV) among which SidC is one of these secreted proteins. However, apart from membrane lipid binding the function of SidC remains elusive. In order to characterize SidC further, we have determined the crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of SidC (amino acids 1-609, referred to as SidC-N) at 2.4Å resolution. SidC-N reveals a novel fold in which 4 potential subdomains (A-D) are arranged in a crescent-like structure. None of these subdomains currently has any known structural homologues, raising the question of how this fold has evolved. These domains are highly interconnected, with a low degree of flexibility towards each other. Due to the extended arrangement of the subdomains, SidC-N may contain multiple binding sites for potential interaction partners.

Effects of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome on adaptation of multi-digit forces to object mass distribution for whole-hand manipulation

BackgroundCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a compression neuropathy of the median nerve that results in sensorimotor deficits in the hand. Until recently, the effects of CTS on hand function have been studied using mostly two-digit grip tasks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the coordination of multi-digit forces as a function of object center of mass (CM) during whole-hand grasping.MethodsFourteen CTS patients and age- and gender-matched controls were instructed to grasp, lift, hold, and release a grip device with five digits for seven consecutive lifts while maintaining its vertical orientation. The object CM was changed by adding a mass at different locations at the base of the object. We measured forces and torques exerted by each digit and object kinematics and analyzed modulation of these variables to object CM at object lift onset and during object hold. Our task requires a modulation of digit forces at and after object lift onset to generate a compensatory moment to counteract the external moment caused by the added mass and to minimize object tilt.ResultsWe found that CTS patients learned to generate a compensatory moment and minimized object roll to the same extent as controls. However, controls fully exploited the available degrees of freedom (DoF) in coordinating their multi-digit forces to generate a compensatory moment, i.e., digit normal forces, tangential forces, and the net center of pressure on the finger side of the device at object lift onset and during object hold. In contrast, patients modulated only one of these DoFs (the net center of pressure) to object CM by modulating individual normal forces at object lift onset. During object hold, however, CTS patients were able to modulate digit tangential force distribution to object CM.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that, although CTS did not affect patients’ ability to perform our manipulation task, it interfered with the modulation of specific grasp control variables. This phenomenon might be indicative of a lower degree of flexibility of the sensorimotor system in CTS to adapt to grasp task conditions.

Reversibly controllable guest binding in precisely defined cavities: selectivity, induced fit, and switching in novel resorcin[4]arene-based container molecules

Two molecular baskets are presented, which were constructed based on a resorcin[4]arene platform. The molecules completely surround suitable guests, such as cyclo- or oxacycloalkanes, and bind them with high strength. The thermodynamic parameters for inclusion complexation were determined as well as the influence of encapsulation on the ring inversion barrier of bound cyclohexane. Two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy clearly shows the existence of a directed attractive interaction between oxacyclohexane and one of the hosts, which constrains the rotation of the bound molecule. Both containers exhibit remarkable binding selectivity as a consequence of their precisely defined structures. They both differentiate between homologous cycloalkanes, and whereas cyclohexane binds best within the larger of the two interior cavities, cyclopentane fits best in the smaller one. The selectivity is governed by ideal filling of space. We have conducted molecular dynamics experiments to understand the thermal fluctuations in the cavity sizes when a guest is bound. The simulations show that within a very narrow range the hosts adapt their binding site to different guests in order to optimize the fraction of occupied space. Once a binding geometry is established, it is characterized by a very low degree of flexibility. The guest-hosting properties of both molecules can be suspended by an external stimulus: addition of acid induces an opening of portals in the structures and immediately releases all bound cargo. Neutralization of the solution completely restores the initial state.

Characterisation of a high acyl gellan polysaccharide using light scattering and rheological techniques

Two high acyl gellan samples, one obtained from the aerobic fermentation using milk permeate-based medium, and the other, a commercial gellan (LT100, CPKelco), were converted to the sodium form (referred to as Na-31461 and Na-LT100, respectively) using a cation exchange resin. The Na-gellan solutions were characterised using rheological and static light scattering techniques. The shear rate dependence of viscosity master flow curve obtained for Na-LT100 solution gave an exponent value (1− n) of the Cross equation (∼0.76) typical of flexible random coil polymers. A higher exponent value (∼0.82) was obtained for Na-31461 suggesting that the molecules had a lower degree of flexibility than that of Na-LT100. The intrinsic viscosity ([ η]) and molar mass ( M w) values for Na-31461 ([ η]∼3950 ml/g, M w∼5.2×10 5 Da) were approximately twice that of Na-LT100 ([ η]∼2360 ml/g; M w∼2.5×10 5 Da). The mechanical spectra ( G′, G″) of Na-LT100 solution was characteristic of entangled random coil polymers whereas a weak gel characteristic ( G′> G″) was obtained for Na-31461 solution. All these suggest that Na-LT100 molecules were single-stranded, while Na-31461 molecules were double-stranded. Both Na-LT100 and Na-31461 formed gels when the Na + concentration was further increased. The complex moduli of Na-LT100 and Na-31461 superimposed closely at all Na + concentrations implied that the conformation of Na-gellan molecules (from single to double-stranded to three-dimensional gel network) were highly dependent on Na + concentration.