Multifactor Measure Research Articles

Modeling Drinking Milk Consumption Preferences under Climate Change and the Covid-19 Pandemics Conditions

Climate changes and Covid-19 pandemic have dramatically led to adverse impacts on not only the food supply chains but also consumers’ consumption preferences and purchase decisions in the last decade, and thus they have gradually threatened the welfare of current and next generations. The aim of the research was to determine the factors affecting consumers’ milk consumption preference and purchase decisions at TRA1 region in Turkey, and then to construct the first and second-order consumption preference models based on the factors, and finally to test validation of the models. For the purposes, the main data of the study consisted of primary data obtained from 765 households residing in TRA1 region. The data were firstly used in Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to determine factor dimensions, and then in Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) for first and second-order multi-factor measurement models. The results of the study indicated that convergent and discriminant validities for each factor dimension in the CFA model were accepted by according to the compare and goodness-of-fit test threshold criteria. On the other hand, the results also highlighted that hygiene, sensory quality, and reliability factors at a higher level, and brand image, concern and nutrition value factors at a moderate level and milk supply source factor at a minimum level were major indicators on consumers’ milk consumption preferences and purchase decisions. All the factors out of concern factor covering the variables related to climate change and Covid-19 pandemic were of positive relationships on their milk consumption pattern, indeed, but concern factor created the negative impacts on the others. Consequently, contraction of animal-based milk diet consumption could be relatively contributed to mitigate the effects of climate change by being transited gradually to moderate-mixed plant-based milk sources, and then to preparation of new national diet programs related to milk consumption.

Optimising Employee Talent with a Multifactor Measure of Performance

Optimising Employee Talent with a Multifactor Measure of Performance

Reputation-Based Consensus for Blockchain Technology in Smart Grid

Accurate and thorough measurement of all nodes' trustworthiness should create a safer network environment. We designed a blockchain-based, completely self-operated reputation system, R360, to enhance network security in decentralized network. R360 is a multi-factor measurement on the reputation of all nodes in the network. Specifically, a node's function, defense capability, quality of service provided, availability, malicious behavior, and resources are evaluated, providing a more accurate picture about a node's trustworthiness, which in turn should enhance the security of blockchain operations in a non-trust environment. Our design has been implemented on a single-machine, simulated setting, which demonstrates that, comparing to systems with few dimensions, R360's consensus took less time while at the same time providing better security to the system. Further security analysis shows that our design can defend common security attacks on reputation systems. Such a blockchain-based, self-operated reputation system could be used to manage smat grids for more efficient energy production and delivery.

The Bar-On Model and Multifactor Measure of Human Performance: Validation and Application.

In this article, we describe the ongoing validation and application of the Bar-On model of human performance that is assessed with the Multifactor Measure of Performance (MMP). (The Bar-On Multifactor Measure of Performance (MMP) is the intellectual property of Into Performance ULC.) The MMP is a psychometric instrument designed to study, evaluate and enhance performance. We discuss the meaning and importance of performance, and explain the need for creating and applying a comprehensive model and measure of this construct. To address this need, the MMP is structurally organized to assess and strengthen 18 Core Factors that contribute to performance. Five Ring Factors were added to facilitate a deeper understanding of leadership, industriousness, productiveness, risk for burnout, and coachability. Together, they represent a multifactor approach that focuses on current behavior of the “whole person” by evaluating physical, cognitive, personal, social, and inspirational factors combined. We discuss the properties of the MMP’s normative population, as the baseline for accurate reporting, tailored to different workplace activities and needs. Possible limitations of the research are indicated, together with the need for additional studies to address them. We reflect on the MMP within the Unified Validity Framework and conclude with recommendations for researchers and practitioners to apply this model and measure.

Adapting the Geriatric Institutional Assessment Profile for different countries and languages: A multi-language translation and content validation study

BackgroundHospitalization can be hazardous for older people, but most hospitals in Europe are not prepared to meet the unique needs of older adult inpatients. Adaptations of the physical environment, care processes, and staff knowledge and skills in geriatric care are essential to improve the quality of care for older people. An assessment of baseline organizational approaches to older adult care is an important first step toward recognizing the challenges organizations face when delivering acute care services to older adults and attempting to improve them. The Geriatric Institutional Assessment Profile could be a promising tool for this endeavor. ObjectivesTo describe a systematic process implemented across seven countries and languages that sought to develop valid and culturally-appropriate translations of the Geriatric Institutional Assessment Profile. DesignCross-cultural instrument translation and content validation study. Setting and participantsExpert review panels comprised of 68 practicing nurses from seven European or EU associated countries (Austria (German), Belgium (Dutch), Denmark (Danish), Israel (Hebrew), Poland (Polish), Switzerland (German, French), and Turkey (Turkish)) evaluated cross-cultural relevance, including translation, of the Geriatric Institutional Assessment Profile. MethodA systematic approach to translating and validating a cross-cultural survey instrument, including back-to-back translation, adaptation, and evaluation of content validity using content validity indexing (CVI) techniques for each country and language, assessing translation and relevance content validity separately. The item, subscale and domain content validity index scores were calculated and adjusted for chance agreement among raters for all parts of the Geriatric Institutional Assessment Profile: the four subscales of geriatric care environment, the general knowledge about older adults subscale, and the clinical geriatric knowledge subscale. Consensus discussions among the raters then finalized translations. ResultsCVI scores for relevance and translation were all in the “good” to “excellent” range. The geriatric care environment scale's CVI scores were 0.84 to 0.94 for relevance and 0.82 to 0.98 for translation. The clinical geriatric knowledge subscale's CVI scores were 0.83 to 0.97 for relevance and 0.94 to 0.98 for translation. The general knowledge about older adults subscale received high translation agreement (0.93 to 0.99) but slightly lower scores for relevance, ranging from 0.46 to 0.94. ConclusionStudy results provided preliminary evidence of the applicability and validity of a multi-factor measure of age-friendly care in diverse health care systems, in German, Dutch, Danish, Hebrew, Polish, French, and Turkish languages.

A Community-Based Management of COVID-19 in a Mobile Container Unit.

Vaccine uptake is a multifactor measure of successful immunization outcomes that includes access to healthcare and vaccine hesitancy for both healthcare workers and communities. The present coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the need for novel strategies to expand vaccine coverage in underserved regions. Mobile clinics hold the promise of ameliorating such inequities, although there is a paucity of studies that validate environmental infection in such facilities. Here, we describe community-based management of COVID-19 through a Smart Pod mobile clinic deployed in an underserved community area in the United States (Aldine, Harris County, TX, USA). In particular, we validate infection control and biological decontamination of the Smart Pod by testing surfaces and the air-filtration system for the COVID-19 virus and bacterial pathogens. We show the Smart Pod to be efficacious in providing a safe clinical environment for vaccine delivery. Moreover, in the Smart Pod, up-to-date education of community healthcare workers was provided to reduce vaccine hesitancy and improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake. The proposed solution has the potential to augment existing hospital capacity and combat the COVID-19 pandemic locally and globally.

Evaluation of ecological environmental quality and factor explanatory power analysis in western Chongqing, China

With accelerating economic growth, expanding demand, and increasing development intensity, the quality of the eco-environment has been decreasing. The western Chongqing area plays an important role in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China. There are many high-intensity development activities in this area, which lead to an increasingly prominent contradiction between humans and the environment. Thus, this paper first evaluates the eco-environment of western Chongqing by combining the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), coefficient of variation, matter element model, and geographic information system (GIS) using remote sensing image data and other reference data of this area. The powerful spatial analysis function of GIS and the comprehensive evaluation of multiple factors with multiple models have been fully used to improve the reliability of the evaluation results. Furthermore, the geographic detector model has been applied to detect the influence of various indicators on eco-environmental quality. The results show the eco-environmental quality of the counties in western Chongqing and the explanatory power of each indicator. Jiangjin District and Yongchuan District have the best eco-environmental qualities, while Tongnan District and Bishan have low qualities. Overall, the eco-environmental quality of this area is better in rural areas than in cities, better in the south than in the north, and better in places with high elevation than in places with low elevation. The main indicators influencing the eco-environmental quality in the study area are as follows: emissions of PM10(0.9472), population density (0.8802), proportion of professional teachers in primary and secondary schools (0.8773), per capita disposable income of all residents (0.8349), and natural population growth rate (0.8180). Eco-environmental quality is obviously affected by multiple indicators, and the influence of any two indicators is greater than that of a single indicator. Among the 171 interaction results, 58 (34%) are nonlinear enhancements and 113 (66%) are bifactor enhancements. The results indicate that a comprehensive multifactor measure based on the intensity of the interaction between indicators is an effective method for evaluating eco-environmental quality and may provide a useful reference to planners involved in eco-environmental protection and economic construction.

The relationship between mindfulness and individual adaptability in dynamic work contexts

Purpose: Individual adaptability has been proposed as a source of adaptive performance. This is an increasingly important performance dimension in dynamic contexts. Mindfulness has been demonstrated to improve dimensions of performance and well-being in the workplace, but the underlying mechanisms of this relationship are not well understood. Addressing this gap, the study hypothesised a link between mindfulness and individual adaptability in dynamic work contexts.Design/methodology/approach: One hundred and ninety-eight individuals in dynamic work contexts completed a self-rating survey that measured mindfulness and a multifactor measure of individual adaptability. These data were then analysed to test the hypotheses developed.Findings/results: A significant positive relationship was found between mindfulness and five dimensions of adaptability (work-stress adaptability, uncertainty adaptability, crisis adaptability, creative problem-solving adaptability and learning adaptability). Interpersonal and cultural adaptability were not found to correlate with mindfulness.Practical implications: This study demonstrates that mindfulness is not simply a stress management skill but is correlated with key aspects of adaptability such as learning and problem-solving. The findings suggest it may be possible to enhance individual adaptability through Mindfulness-Based Interventions and thus support adaptive performance.Originality/value: This study is original in examining the relationship between mindfulness and individual adaptability in the workplace. This study highlights how different methods of operationalising mindfulness can lead to different conclusions. It points to the value of broader measures of mindfulness that capture attitudinal dimensions. In addition, as few studies on mindfulness in African contexts have been performed, this study broadens the research contexts in which mindfulness is understood.

Flow Cytometry Detection of Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Apoptotic Markers in the Semen of Infertile Males.

The effect of sperm molecular defects on fertilization and pregnancy outcome after assisted reproductive therapy (ART) is widely documented by both research and clinical societies. Sperm DNA fragmentation and abnormal chromatin condensation represent critical causes of male infertility. Advanced androgenic techniques for accurately identifying molecular defects help in selecting an appropriate treatment strategy. Additionally, specific markers of apoptosis are increasingly important in predicting male infertility. The ability of flow cytometry to estimate the quantity of sperm with DNA fragmentation or damage and multifactor measurements in immotile sperm have made this developed technique essential in fertility centers. The study is aimed at assessing the level of DNA fragmentation and apoptosis by measuring flow cytometry using new techniques. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a varying degree of DNA damage. It was able to quantify the degree of impairment even in samples with minimal DNA fragmentation. DNA damage was observed even in samples that were considered normal with a routine semen analysis. Flow cytometry was sensitive to changes in sperm apoptosis. Elevated p53 activity levels were associated with high DNA fragmentation. Meanwhile, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) activities showed a different pattern. In conclusion, flow cytometry for sperm DNA fragmentation and markers of apoptosis can be a valuable tool in assisted reproductive centers.

A study of urban stormwater runoff and water quality control based on system coupling simulations

This study constructed a coupling model of an urban drainage (rainwater) flooding prevention system. Multifactor measures such as the internal source control, drainage pipe network, flooding prevention, and drainage of the system are coupled, the entire process from rainfall to urban rainwater drainage is simulated, and the control and improvement effects of low-impact development (LID) measures on urban stormwater runoff and water quality under different rainfall conditions are discussed. The results showed the following: (1) The constructed coupling model of the urban drainage (rainwater) flooding prevention system has good applicability and can accurately simulate the process and characteristics of urban stormwater runoff and water quality. (2) After LID measures are added, the runoff process is delayed, and the duration of runoff increases. The peak outlet flow of the study area under rainfall with a return period of 2, 3, 10, and 20 years decreases by 66.5%, 57.2%, 51.0%, and 48.2%, respectively. The peak pollutant concentrations decrease, the peaks are delayed, and the minimum removal rate of pollutants under rainfall with a return period of 1, 3, and 5 years is 51.1%, 49.7%, and 37.6%, respectively. (3) The LID measures play a role in improving the runoff flooding in the study area.

THE EFFICIENCY ESTIMATION OF MONITORING THE HUMAN RADIATION DOSES DURING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

X-ray imaging techniques have many advantages over other methods because they can be easily performed in a short time and are widely available, allowing doctors to quickly confirm or rule out a diagnosis with greater confidence. The main problem associated with the widespread use of radiological diagnosis and therapy is the significant exposure of patients. Over the last 30 years, the average radiation dose of the population and patients has doubled, despite the fact that exposure to natural factors has remained almost at the same level. The increase in the level of the average radiation dose of the population and patients of medical institutions is associated with an increase in the number of diagnostic procedures, despite the fact that the level of radiation with each procedure has decreased significantly. This is especially true in this period of coronary crisis - a rapid increase in the number of human diseases caused by the Covid-19 virus.
 The paper considers the principles of monitoring the level of radiation doses in diagnostic and therapeutic complexes of medical institutions. The analysis of research methods, comparison of doses obtained experimentally, in which multifactor measurements were performed with dosimeters located in the areas of major vital organs and doses adopted by treatment protocols according to state and sanitary rules and regulations.
 After the analysis and identification of the main problems of irradiation, a method of automated measurement of radiation doses with the installation of high-precision detectors and an algorithm for calculating irradiation parameters, according to the location of patients and staff during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, as well as separately for each body, method assessment of the accumulation of the level of radiation doses.

CERTIORARI AS CODA: After Lexmark Rejects Multifactor Measures for Standing, Which Challengers Stand in the Zone of Interests for Lanham Act Remedies?, 25 Fed. Circuit B.J. 699 (2016) and SSRN 2807167.

The U.S. Supreme Court interpreted the provision in Lanham Act that provides remedies to any who believes that he is or will be damaged, The Court set forth a two-prong test tied to the Act that should be used to assess whether a statutory person can seek remedies. The Fourth Circuit followed the Court's decision and applied the test to petitions to cancel trademarks. The Federal Circuit used a real interest and reasonable belief approach, which the Supreme Court criticized. A petition for certiorari will be filed which asks for the Court to resolve this conflict between the Circuits on a threshold issue of federal statutory law. The petition for certiorari is no. 20-1309 on the docket of the Supreme Court of the U.S.

Extending and operationalizing construction productivity measurement on building projects

Measuring construction productivity in an accurate, repeatable and reliable way represents a significant problem at a building project level of enquiry. The research develops a measurement framework that balances simplified data gathering against explanatory ability. It aims to assist analytically driven process improvement. Debate and discourse are used to draw upon the extant literature in creating a logic-based flow of ideas to develop the framework. Targeted use of empirical cost and site process data from case studies are presented to punctuate the discourse. The derived approach advocates multifactor measurement inclusive of labour and temporary production infrastructure inputs, set against Gross Floor Area outputs. Emphasis is placed on separately measuring homogenous and heterogeneous parts of work processes. A reductionist approach is used to operationalize measurement where projects are categorized according to fitness-for-purpose criteria and links made between systems, activities and tasks. Emphasizing measurement of homogenous parts of the work is new to the literature. It enables delineated measurement between work involving mass economies of scale (homogenous work), versus customized work (heterogeneous work). The approach enables improved benchmarking, diagnostic and predicative options. A course of ongoing research is provided to assist ongoing development and implementation.

Development and psychometric properties of the Evasive Attitudes of Sexual Orientation Scale (EASOS).

The purpose of this article was to develop and evaluate evidence for reliability and validity of a multifactor measure of evasive attitudes of sexual orientation across two studies. The Evasive Attitudes of Sexual Orientation Scale (EASOS) was inspired by Neville, Lilly, Duran, Lee, and Browne’s (20

The Multifactor Measure of Performance: Its Development, Norming, and Validation.

This article describes the development as well as the initial norming and validation of the Multifactor Measure of Performance™ (MMP™)1, which is a psychometric instrument that is designed to study, assess and enhance key predictors of human performance to help individuals perform at a higher level. It was created by the author, for the purpose of going beyond existing conceptual and psychometric models that often focus on relatively few factors that are purported to assess performance at school, in the workplace and elsewhere. The relative sparsity of multifactorial pre-employment assessment instruments exemplifies, for the author, one of the important reasons for developing the MMP™, which attempts to comprehensively evaluate a wider array of factors that are thought to contribute to performance. In that this situation creates a need in the area of test-construction that should be addressed, the author sought to develop a multifactorial assessment and development instrument that could concomitantly evaluate a combination of physical, cognitive, intra-personal, inter-personal, and motivational factors that significantly contribute to performance. The specific aim of this article is to show why, how and if this could be done as well as to present and discuss the potential importance of the results obtained to date. The findings presented here will hopefully add to what is known about human performance and thus contribute to the professional literature, in addition to contribute to the continued development of the MMP™. The impetus for developing the MMP™ is first explained below, followed by a detailed description of the process involved and the findings obtained; and their potential application is then discussed as well as the possible limitations of the present research and the need for future studies to address them.

Multiagent Approach to Coreference Resolution Based on the Multifactor Similarity in Ontology Population

The multiagent approach to coreference resolution in the process of extracting information from texts in natural languages for ontology population is described. Special class agents corresponding to ontology classes are defined. They analyze the available information in the corresponding ontology instances. The results of this analysis are used for values to instance attribute, for detecting duplicates and equivalents of instances, for fixing coreferential relations, and for determining the weights of information connections used to resolve ambiguities. Coreferences are resolved taking into account a multifactor similarity measure between extracted objects that combines the semantic, context, positional, and grammar similarity measures. The class agents work within the multiagent approach to text analysis aimed at ontology population.

The antecedents and impact of industry consultants on the future performance of new banks

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents and performance outcomes when startup firms in the US banking industry hire industry consultants.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a sample of prospective startup banks that applied for a new bank charter application in Florida between 1996 and 2005. Logistic regression, ordinary least squares or ordered logistic regression models were used to test hypotheses.FindingsAnalysis suggests complexity and regulatory change are factors in a founder’s decision to hire a consultant. Consultants have a positive impact on firm financial performance but not on a composite multifactor measure of performance. Additional analyses suggest the effectiveness of consulting assistance hinges on specific attributes of the consulting firm, but cumulative consulting experience is not one of these attributes.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on the impact of consultants on new venture performance in a single industry using archival data. Additional research is likely needed to test the generalizability of the findings in other research contexts and examine motives beyond the financial ones investigated in this study.Practical implicationsResults suggest that hiring a consultant at startup can satisfy financial stakeholders, but, in a regulated industry, hiring a consultant at startup does not improve a composite, multifactor measure of performance that is important to industry regulators. When deciding whether to commit scarce resources to hiring consultants, founding teams should be clear which external stakeholder and which measure of performance they are seeking to improve.Originality/valueWhile the business advisory role of informal players such as family and friends and more formal players such as board members and federal, state or local governments have been well documented, little attention has been paid to the contributions of industry consultants in startup firms. These overlooked intermediaries play an important role in the successful launch of a new firm. This study examines when and why such advisors might create value for new firms.

Online classification of frequent behaviours based on multidimensional trajectories

In early warning surveillance domain, frequent behaviours could be mined from historical trajectories. Based on the mined frequent behaviours, online classification technology could be used to classify the continuously updated target trajectories. Online classification of frequent behaviours is of great significance for situation assessment, threat assessment and command decision. There are a lot of researches on trajectory classification. However, they cannot distinguish behaviours whose space position is similar but the moving speed and direction are quite different. The online classification performances of them are also not appropriate for early warning surveillance application. The authors propose a conformal multi-class classifier based on conformal predictor and propose a multi-factor non-conformity measure based on multidimensional trajectories firstly. Then, they present a sequential multi-factor Hausdorff nearest neighbour conformal multi-class classifier, which could online learn and classify frequent behaviours. Experiments in both simulated military scenario and realistic civilian scenario show the presented algorithm has a good performance to online classify frequent behaviours and would have a wide prospect in early warning surveillance systems.

Development and validation of a multifactor mindfulness scale in youth: The Comprehensive Inventory of Mindfulness Experiences–Adolescents (CHIME-A).

Mindfulness-based interventions show consistent benefits in adults for a range of pathologies, but exploration of these approaches in youth is an emergent field, with limited measures of mindfulness for this population. This study aimed to investigate whether multifactor scales of mindfulness can be used in adolescents. A series of studies are presented assessing the performance of a recently developed adult measure, the Comprehensive Inventory of Mindfulness Experiences (CHIME) in 4 early adolescent samples. Study 1 was an investigation of how well the full adult measure (37 items) was understood by youth (N = 292). Study 2 piloted a revision of items in child friendly language with a small group (N = 48). The refined questionnaire for adolescents (CHIME-A) was then tested in Study 3 in a larger sample (N = 461) and subjected to exploratory factor analysis and a range of external validity measures. Study 4 was a confirmatory factor analysis in a new sample (N = 498) with additional external validity measures. Study 5 tested temporal stability (N = 120). Results supported an 8-factor 25-item measure of mindfulness in adolescents, with excellent model fit indices and sound internal consistency for the 8 subscales. Although the CFA supported an overarching factor, internal reliability of a combined total score was poor. The development of a multifactor measure represents a first step toward testing developmental models of mindfulness in young people. This in turn will aid construction of evidence based interventions that are not simply downward derivations of adult mindfulness programs. (PsycINFO Database Record

After Lexmark Rejects Multifactor Measures for Standing, Which Challengers Stand in the Zone of Interests for Lanham Act Remedies?

The commercial value of trademarks, brand names, and related assets depends heavily on the certainty and predictability of the laws for registering, opposing, protecting, and cancelling these intellectual property assets. Predictability about the trademark laws drives the private recommendations and risk assessments that clients receive from attorneys and advisers. Trademarks, brand names, and other source-identifiers can become the most valuable intellectual property of a company. However, during the five years after a trademark is registered, a petition to cancel that registration can be filed, which can plead any ground on which registration might have been denied at the outset. Thus, after four-plus years of establishing brand identity and committing substantial investment to promoting a trademark, some unknown “person who believes that he is or will be damaged...by the registration” can petition to have it cancelled — if that “person” has statutory standing. Using outdated, multi-factor tests for standing enables overuse or the threat of use of Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) procedures to challenge registered marks.Lanham Act-standing was bound up in Article III tenets and “prudential” limitations disconnected from the statutory text. The Act’s remedies required resort to civil suits and appeals, as well as petitions to an administrative tribunal whose decisions were reviewable in a district court or by direct appeal to the Federal Circuit.Recent Supreme Court decisions on the Lanham Act’s remedies impact, or should impact, the pleading, practice, and effect of actions to oppose or to cancel a registered trademark. The degree to which these decisions affect the predictability of the Lanham Act and the concomitant effect on the value of trademarks and brand names will evolve through the lower courts. One purpose of this Article is to urge that standing to petition the TTAB administrative tribunal for the remedies of cancellation or opposition should be governed by the pleading and practice standards the Supreme Court articulated in Lexmark International, Inc. v. Static Control Components, Inc. Although, Lexmark only considered Lanham Act § 43(a) claims. Yet, it dealt with statutory text virtually identical to that governing standing in §§ 13 and 14 actions, and as to all of these challenges, the harm typically claimed is a likelihood of marketplace confusion. Based on corresponding text in the statutes and similarities in the basis for the challenges, the Lexmark pleading requirements — being in the statutory “zone of interests” and alleging harm closely connected to those interests — should be extended to the pleading of TTAB challenges to registration of trademarks.