Occupation Time Research Articles

Examining the influence of intolerance of uncertainty on (occupational) future time perspective and retirement-related outcomes in working adults

Abstract Uncertainty regulation models have recently challenged the assumption that uncertainty is inherently negative, describing ways that uncertainty regulation can lead to effectiveness. The goal of this study was to empirically test a small component of these dynamic frameworks. We accomplished this through measuring intolerance of uncertainty—a predisposition towards fearing an uncertain future—as a predictor of retirement-related outcomes, via future time perspective and occupational future time perspective. In Study 1, based on a heterogenous two-wave sample of working adults, (T1 N = 975, T2 N = 875), we tested intolerance of uncertainty as a predictor of financial risk tolerance towards retirement, retirement saving behaviors, and motivation to continue working, via future time perspective. Study 1 revealed that intolerance of uncertainty had a significant indirect effect on motivation to continue working and financial risk tolerance towards retirement, via future time perspective—suggesting that tolerating uncertainty is beneficial for aging workers through shaping an open-ended future time perspective. In Study 2, we used a heterogenous three-wave sample of working adults (T1 N = 587, T2 N = 454, T3 N = 406) and evaluated intolerance of uncertainty as a predictor of perceived work ability, via occupational future time perspective. Consistent with expectations, Study 2 reinforced the conclusions of Study 1. Overall, we provide empirical support for aspects of these uncertainty regulation frameworks. We discuss our findings in the context of uncertainty regulation, (occupational) future time perspective, and successful workplace aging.

Development of Conflict-Based Safety Performance Function for Safety Evaluation of Urban Roundabouts in India

This study evaluates the safety performance of urban roundabouts in India using conflict-based Safety Performance Functions (SPFs). High-resolution aerial videos were utilized to extract vehicle trajectories, and the Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM) was employed for conflict identification. Data were collected from 27 roundabouts across various Indian cities, focusing on non-lane-based heterogeneous traffic conditions. Four SPFs were developed utilizing a Generalized Linear Model with Negative Binomial (NB) distribution and log link function for different proximity levels based on Time-to-Collision (TTC) and Post-Encroachment Time (PET) values. Key factors influencing conflict frequency included conflicting traffic volume, occupancy time, ratio of approaching and conflicting traffic volume, percentage of cars and motorcycles, inscribed circle diameter, roundabout symmetry, and number of legs. The developed conflict frequency prediction models fitted well and demonstrated robust predictive performance. This proactive framework for roundabout safety assessment can be followed to enhance road safety in developing nations.

Impact of fundamentalism on human capital, women's social status and demographics: Evidence from Islamic state of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq

I analyze the impact of the religious fundamentalists’ rule on regional human capital development and women's social status by exploiting the unexpected rise and fall of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in northwestern Iraq (2014∼2017). I find a large downward impact of exposure to ISIS rule on female human capital and an upward one on fertility rate for women who were school-aged at the time of ISIS occupation. These women express more patriarchal family norms and are more likely to belong to a polygamous union, implying a decline in women's social status. This decline in human capital and the rise of patriarchal family norms doesn't cause a significant negative impact on the development of their pre-school-aged children, possibly implying that these women didn't decrease parenting effort for their children. In summary, even a brief period of extremist rule has potentially large impacts on human capital development and culture.

Feasibility of a custom-tailored, evidence-based, theory-informed, intervention to prevent burnout and reduce stress for healthcare professionals: protocol for a single-arm trial

BackgroundHealthcare professionals face high levels of occupational stress, time pressure, workload, and poor organizational support. This makes them particularly vulnerable to burnout. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this situation. This single-arm, multicenter, mixed-methods feasibility study pilots the LAGOM program: A tailored, evidence-based intervention to prevent burnout and reduce stress among healthcare professionals.MethodsParticipants will include healthcare professionals (N = 30) working at Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Immanuel Hospital, Berlin. LAGOM focuses on support for individual behavior change and personal resources and also addresses the organizational level. The intervention´s feasibility will be evaluated through a non-randomized feasibility trial with a mixed methods process evaluation. The exploratory primary study aims are to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the (1) evaluation procedures and of the (2) intervention content and structure using study records, standardized questionnaires, protocol checklists, and diaries. Exploratory effectiveness analysis will take place as well. Further, semi-structured interviews (n = 3 to 6) and electrophysiological measurements (n = 20) will be conducted.DiscussionCustom-tailored, well-implemented multi-level interventions are needed to prevent burnout and reduce stress among healthcare professionals. Long-term strategies are warranted to sustainably implement effective programs. This feasibility study helps to refine trial procedures and content of the LAGOM program for a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the intervention’s effectiveness.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00032014, registered 17th October 2023.

Archaeology on the edge: radiocarbon chronologies for Aboriginal cliff-top sites of the Murray River, South Australia

Abstract This paper presents new radiocarbon dates for two Aboriginal archaeological complexes situated on the cliff-lines of the Murray River in South Australia (SA); at Pooginook Flat and Tanamee. These dates represent the first age estimates for archaeological sites within the Upper Gorge section of the Murray River. The dates ranged from ca. 11 cal ka to the Late Holocene. The research supports previous evidence which has indicated that sites located along the Murray cliffs preserve much of the oldest evidence of Aboriginal peopling along the Murray River corridor in SA. The new dates also allow us to contribute to discussions concerning broader chronological trends in Aboriginal lifeways within the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB). Specifically, the new ages add some insight into the nature and timing of early Aboriginal occupation along the Murray River corridor in SA and further evidence that the LGM acted as a significant inhibitive factor for intensive occupation of this riverscape. The conservation of these significant and informative cliff-top sites remains precarious, however, and there is an imperative to continue to record and sample the extant sites.

Associations of back muscle endurance with occupational back muscle activity and spinal loading among subsistence farmers and office workers in Rwanda.

Over the course of the physical activity transition, machines have largely replaced skeletal muscle as the source of work for locomotion and other forms of occupational physical activity in industrial environments. To better characterize this transition and its effect on back muscles and the spine, we tested to what extent typical occupational activities of rural subsistence farmers demand higher magnitudes and increased variability of back muscle activity and spinal loading compared to occupational activities of urban office workers in Rwanda, and whether these differences were associated with back muscle endurance, the dominant risk factor for back pain. Using electromyography, inertial measurement units, and OpenSim musculoskeletal modeling, we measured back muscle activity and spinal loading continuously while participants performed occupational activities for one hour. We measured back muscle endurance using electromyography median frequency analysis. During occupational work, subsistence farmers activate their back muscles and load their spines at 390% higher magnitudes and with 193% greater variability than office workers. Partial correlations accounting for body mass show magnitude and variability response variables are positively associated with back muscle endurance (R = 0.39-0.90 [P < 0.001-0.210] and R = 0.54-0.72 [P = 0.007-0.071], respectively). Body mass is negatively correlated with back muscle endurance (R = -0.60, P = 0.031), suggesting higher back muscle endurance may be also partly attributable to having lower body mass. Because higher back muscle endurance is a major factor that prevents back pain, these results reinforce evidence that under-activating back muscles and under-loading spines at work increases vulnerability to back pain and may be an evolutionary mismatch. As sedentary occupations become more common, there is a need to study the extent to which occupational and leisure time physical activities that increase back muscle endurance helps prevent back pain.

Occupational future time perspective and mental health problems across adolescence: Random-intercept cross-lagged panel analysis and alternative variations.

Adolescence is a crucial developmental stage characterized by escalating mental health issues as well as an increasing awareness of future career possibilities. Occupational future time perspective has been shown to be a promotive factor for social functioning and mental health, and a component in evidence-based clinical practices and randomized controlled trial intervention studies. However, it requires more rigorous and ecological corroboration from longitudinal analysis at the within-person level. Random intercept cross-lagged panel models with several adjustments and sensitivity analyses were applied to the longitudinal data from the Zurich Project on the Social Development from Childhood to Adulthood (Zurich, Switzerland), to analyze how occupational future time perspective and psychological/neurodevelopmental outcomes (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms/externalizing/internalizing problems) covaried across ages 13 (N = 1365), 15 (N = 1446), and 17 (N = 1305) in the years 2016, 2018, and 2020, after controlling for sex (52% male), SES, and school type. A small effect was found in a random intercept cross-lagged panel model whereby occupational future time perspective at age 15 predicted externalizing problems at age 17 (β = .146, p = .05, [95% CI = 0.000, 0.292]), and in a random intercept (contemporaneous) reciprocal panel model specification attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms at age 17 were contemporaneously associated with occupational future time perspective at age 17 (β = -.310, p < .05, [95% CI = -0.580, -0.041]). No cross-lagged associations were found to be robust across different model specifications/adjustments. These findings suggest that improving occupational future time perspective may have limited impact on enhancing mental health, offering valuable insights for school-based interventions. Further research and replication are necessary to confirm these results.

Simulation Experiment Research on the Production of Large Box Girders

This paper introduces system simulation technology into large-scale beam field production and uses the simulation software Arena (14.0) to construct a simulation model of the beam field production system considering the randomness of the actual beam field production process operation time. The relationship between the production efficiency of the beam yard and the working time system was studied. In this paper, the improvement in beam-making efficiency in the existing beam field that is achieved by the commonly used reinforcement pre-binding method in the existing beam field is analyzed and calculated, and the improvements in the production efficiency in the ordinary beam field and the intelligent beam field are quantitatively calculated and compared. The results show that (1) when the working time system is increased from 8 h/d to 12 h/d, the average occupancy time of the traditional beam-making pedestal is shortened by 11.5 h when the working time is extended by 1 h per day; (2) with the extension of the working time system, the advantages of the pre-binding method of reinforcement gradually decrease; and (3) the application of intelligent technology not only improves the production efficiency of the beam yard but also makes the beam yard’s production more flexible and more resistant to risks.

The Effect of Pilot Reaction Time and Line-Up Time on Runway Occupancy Time Take-Off about Runway Capacity (Case Study: Soekarno-Hatta International Airport)

The Effect of Pilot Reaction Time and Line-Up Time on Runway Occupancy Time Take-Off about Runway Capacity (Case Study: Soekarno-Hatta International Airport)

Impaired brain ability of older adults to transit and persist to latent states with well-organized structures at wakeful rest.

The intrinsic brain functional network organization continuously changes with aging. By integrating spatial and temporal information, the process of how brain networks temporally reconfigure and remain well-organized spatial structure largely reflects the brain function, thereby holds the potential to capture its age-related declines. In this study, we examined the spatiotemporal brain dynamics from resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data of healthy young and older adults using a Hidden Markov Model (HMM). Six brain states were generated by HMM, with the young group showing higher fractional occupancy and mean dwell time in states 1, 3, and 4 (SY1, SY2 and SY3), and the older group in states 2, 5, and 6 (SO1, SO2 and SO3). Importantly, comparisons of transition probabilities revealed that the older group showed a reduced brain ability to transition into states dominated by the younger group, as well as a diminished capacity to persist in them. Moreover, graph analysis revealed that these young-specific states exhibited higher modularity and k-coreness. Collectively, these findings suggested that the older group showed impaired brain ability of both transition into and sustain well spatially organized states. This emphasized that the temporal changes in brain state organization, rather than its static mode, could be a key biomarker for detecting age-related functional decline. These insights may pave the way for targeted interventions aimed at mitigating cognitive decline in the aging population.

Safer Care for Older People in the Emergency Department

Abstract Background The number of over 75-year-old patients (O75YOs) presenting to our Emergency Department (ED) has increased by 35% since 2020 and continues to rise. It is well documented that older people present more frequently to EDs with a higher level of illness severity, a higher rate of admission or re-attendance and are at a greater risk of adverse outcomes such as falls, delirium, prolonged ED and/or hospital stay and ultimately mortality (Tan et al. 2012). We developed a safety huddle to identify and reduce risks to older people in our ED with a view to improving their outcomes. Methods Our 10-minute huddle took place each day at 3pm (peak occupation time of O75YOs). An ED physician, nurse, AHP and Geriatrician/Registrar were required to attend. The huddle script was developed based on feedback from clinicians and a literature review on risks associated with an ED presentation in older adults. The script focused on recording resourcing issues critical to patient care. The primary risk factors recorded included falls risk, delirium, administration of time critical medications and PET times. Following the huddle, HCPs involved in the patient’s care were updated by the relevant member of the MDT in attendance to ensure agreed interventions were completed/in place. Results We observed a decrease in the number of falls from 2 to 0. Delirium screening improved from 0% to 26%. Identification and administration of time critical medications improved from 0% to 78%. PET times increased slightly (2%), however admission rates decreased indicating value added to the patients’ journey. Conclusion Whilst we acknowledge there is still room for improvement, these results will clearly have a positive impact on patient outcomes.

EVALUATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE RUNWAY OCCUPANCY TIME STANDARD AT SOEKARNO-HATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The research aims to calculate the runway occupancy time (ROT) at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. ROTs are crucial in calculating the runway capacity, which can influence the time it takes for the aircraft to exit the runways after landing or enter a runway before takeoff. This may have an impact on the quantity of aircraft that utilize the runway for takeoffs and landings within an hour. The Runway Occupancy Time calculation model, which is the Doratask model in the Runway Capacity Calculation Manual, is employed in this study along with quantitative methodologies and questionnaires. The data collection techniques used are observations, documentation studies and interviews. The results of this study showed that the average ROT at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport was 95.36 seconds for ROTT and 54.63 seconds for the ROTL.

Multi-method dating reveals 200 ka of Middle Palaeolithic occupation at Maras rock shelter, Rhône Valley, France

The emergence of the Middle Palaeolithic, and its variability over time and space are key questions in the field of prehistoric archaeology. Many sites have been documented in the south-eastern margins of the Massif central and the middle Rhône valley, a migration path that connects Northern Europe with the Mediterranean. Well-dated, long stratigraphic sequences are essential to understand Neanderthals dynamics and demise, and potential interactions with Homo sapiens in the area, such as the one displayed at the Maras rock shelter (“Abri du Maras”). The site is characterised by exceptional preservation of archaeological remains, including bones dated using radiocarbon (14C) and teeth using electron spin resonance combined with uranium series (ESR/U-series). Optically stimulated luminescence was used to date the sedimentary deposits. By combining the new ages with previous ones using Bayesian modelling, we are able to clarify the occupation time over a period spanning 200,000 years. Between ca. 250 and 40 ka, the site has been used as a long-term residence by Neanderthals, specifically during three interglacial periods: first during marine isotopic stage (MIS) 7, between 247 ± 34 and 223 ± 33 ka, and then recurrently during MIS 5 (between 127 ± 17 and 90 ± 9 ka) and MIS 3 (up to 39,280 cal BP).

Concurrent Functional Linear Regression Via Plug-in Empirical Likelihood

AbstractFunctional data with non-smooth features (e.g., discontinuities in the functional mean and/or covariance) and monotonicity arise frequently in practice. This paper develops simultaneous inference for concurrent functional linear regression in this setting. We construct a simultaneous confidence band for a functional covariate effect of interest. Along with a Wald-type formulation, our approach is based on a powerful nonparametric likelihood ratio method. Our procedures are flexible enough to allow discontinuities in the coefficient functions and the covariance structure, while accounting for discretization of the observed trajectories under a fixed dense design. A simulation study shows that the proposed likelihood ratio-based procedure outperforms the Wald-type procedure in moderate sample sizes. We apply the proposed methods to studying the effect of age on the occupation time curve derived from wearable device data obtained in an NHANES study.

Electrophysiology lab efficiency using cryoballoon for pulmonary vein isolation in Latin America: A sub-analysis of the Cryo Global Registry Study.

Cryoballoon ablation for pulmonary vein isolation is a time-efficient procedure that can alleviate stress on electrophysiology lab resources. This analysis modeled the impact of cryoballoon ablation on electrophysiology lab operation using data from Latin America. Data from centers in Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile of the were used as inputs for an electrophysiology lab efficiency simulation model. The model used the assumption that either two (today's electrophysiology lab operations) or three (including electrophysiology lab operational changes) cryoballoon ablation procedures could be performed per day. The endpoints were the percentage of days that resulted in 1) overtime and 2) time left for an extra non-ablation electrophysiology procedure. Data from a total of 232 procedures from six Latin American centers were included in the analysis. The average electrophysiology lab occupancy time for all procedures in Latin America was 132 ± 62 minutes. In the Current Scenario (two procedures per day), 7.4% of simulated days resulted in overtime, and 81.4% had enough time for an extra electrophysiology procedure. In the Enhanced Productivity Scenario (three procedures per day), 16.4% of days used overtime, while 67.4% allowed time for an extra non-ablation electrophysiology procedure. Using real-world, Latin American-specific data, we found that with operational changes, three ablation procedures could feasibly be performed daily, leaving time for an extra electrophysiology procedure on more than half of days. Thus, use of cryoballoon ablation is an effective tool to enhance electrophysiology lab efficiency in resource-constrained regions such as Latin America.

The joint Laplace transforms for killed diffusion occupation times

The joint Laplace transforms for killed diffusion occupation times

Limit theorems of occupation times of normalized binary contact path processes on lattices

Abstract The binary contact path process (BCPP) introduced in Griffeath (1983) describes the spread of an epidemic on a graph and is an auxiliary model in the study of improving upper bounds of the critical value of the contact process. In this paper, we are concerned with limit theorems of the occupation time of a normalized version of the BCPP (NBCPP) on a lattice. We first show that the law of large numbers of the occupation time process is driven by the identity function when the dimension of the lattice is at least 3 and the infection rate of the model is sufficiently large conditioned on the initial state of the NBCPP being distributed with a particular invariant distribution. Then we show that the centered occupation time process of the NBCPP converges in finite-dimensional distributions to a Brownian motion when the dimension of the lattice and the infection rate of the model are sufficiently large and the initial state of the NBCPP is distributed with the aforementioned invariant distribution.

Characterization of the precision of PPP solutions as a function of latitude and session length

Abstract This study investigates the impact of observation session duration and station latitude on the precision of Precise Point Positioning (PPP). Global Positioning System-only Receiver Independent Exchange files from 516 continuous stations spanning latitudes from 90°N to 90°S across the Americas (30°–130°W) were binned into sessions of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 h and processed using the GPSPACE PPP software. These sub-daily solutions, along with the original 24 h ones, were compared against a reference coordinate derived from an extended linear trajectory model for each station. Analysis of the results, considering both accuracy and precision, was conducted across the entire latitude range of the study. We found that the precision of a PPP solution approximately follows a power-law relationship with observation duration. Parameters for these power-law relationships were determined for all latitude ranges that allow users to predict a result’s uncertainty as a function of session length. Findings indicate that longer observation sessions lead to reduced positioning errors, with vertical scatter decreasing with increasing latitude. Since all these stations are characterized by good to excellent sky view, our power-law rule-of-thumb provides a lower bound on the occupation time needed to achieve target positioning precision at locations with poorer sky visibility.

Machine learning and deep learning prediction of patient specific quality assurance in breast IMRT radiotherapy plans using Halcyon specific complexity indices

IntroductionNew radiotherapy machines such as Halcyon are capable of delivering dose-rate of 600 monitor-units per minute, allowing large numbers of patients treated per day. However, patient-specific quality assurance (QA) is still required, which dramatically decrease machine availability. Innovative artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms could predict QA result based on complexity metrics. However, no AI solution exists for Halcyon machines and the complexity metrics to be used have not been definitively determined. The aim of this study was to develop an AI solution capable of firstly determining the complexity indices to be obtained and secondly predicting patient-specific QA in a routine clinical setting. MethodsThree hundred and eighteen beams from 56 patients with breast cancer were used. The seven complexity indices named Modulation-Complexity-Score (MCS), Small-Aperture-Score (SAS10), Beam-Area (BA), Beam-Irregularity (BI), Beam-Modulation (BM), Gantry and Collimator angles were used as input to the AI model. Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models using tensorflow were set up to predict DreamDose QA conformance. ResultsMCS, BI, gantry and collimator angle are not correlated with QA compliance. Therefore, ML and DL models were trained using SAS10, BA and BM complexity indices. ROC analyses enabled to find best predicted probability threshold to increase specificity and sensitivity. ML models did not show satisfactory performance with an area under-the-curve (AUC) of 0.75 and specificity and sensitivity of 0.88 and 0.86. However, optimised DL model showed better performance with an AUC of 0.95 and specificity and sensitivity of 0.98 and 0.97. ConclusionThe DL model demonstrated a high degree of accuracy in its predictions of the quality assurance (QA) results. Our online predictive QA-platform offers significant time savings in terms of accelerator occupancy and working time.

Foraging ecology of southern sea otters at the northern range extent informs regional population dynamics

Sea otters Enhydra lutris are vital keystone predators throughout the North Pacific that were nearly extirpated during the maritime fur trade. Recovery of southern sea otters E. l. nereis has proceeded slowly, with much of their historical range remaining unoccupied, resulting in reduced ecosystem functioning. Numerous studies have used foraging metrics to assess the population status of southern sea otters throughout their current range, but little is known about the northern range extent, where a stall in expansion has limited recovery. Thus, we collected census and foraging data of sea otters at Año Nuevo State Park, California, from 2019 to 2021 to determine sea otter abundance, diet composition, diet diversity, and average energy intake rate at the northern range edge. We then assessed regional population status by comparing values from Año Nuevo with previously collected data from other locations in California, including high-density, range center sites and low-density, range periphery sites. We found that sea otter density at Año Nuevo was greater than surrounding areas at the northern range periphery, and the average (±95% CI) energy intake (9.51 ± 0.91 kcal min-1) more closely resembled values observed at high-density sites. Further, dietary diversity (using the Shannon-Wiener index, H) was intermediate between previously studied high- and low-density populations (H = 1.81), with crabs making up the largest proportion of the diet (~56%). Overall, this study highlights possible effects of occupation time and range stagnation, identifies unique aspects of the prey resource base at Año Nuevo, and provides insight into the ongoing lack of northern range expansion.