Level Of Reliability Research Articles

Asymmetric Effect of Oil Prices on Kazakhstan’s Stock Market Index and Exchange Rate

In this study, the asymmetric effect of oil prices in Kazakhstan on the exchange rate (USD/KZT) and Kazakhstan stock market index (KASE) returns was analyzed using the non-linear ARDL cointegration (NARDL) method with monthly data for the period January 2010-February 2024. As a result of the findings of the study, both positive and negative changes in oil prices statistically affect stock returns and exchange rates in the long term. The estimated long-term positive (0.115982) and negative (0.111234) coefficients of oil prices on KASE returns were found to be statistically significant at the 5% significance level. Thus, in the examined period, the KASE variable gave different reactions to positive or negative shocks in the oil price. In the model where the exchange rate is the dependent variable, the estimated long-term positive (-0.093875) and negative (-0.092918) coefficients of oil prices were found to be statistically significant at the 95% reliability level.

Information mismatch in PHH3-assisted mitosis annotation leads to interpretation shifts in H&E slide analysis

The count of mitotic figures (MFs) observed in hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides is an important prognostic marker, as it is a measure for tumor cell proliferation. However, the identification of MFs has a known low inter-rater agreement. In a computer-aided setting, deep learning algorithms can help to mitigate this, but they require large amounts of annotated data for training and validation. Furthermore, label noise introduced during the annotation process may impede the algorithms’ performance. Unlike H&E, where identification of MFs is based mainly on morphological features, the mitosis-specific antibody phospho-histone H3 (PHH3) specifically highlights MFs. Counting MFs on slides stained against PHH3 leads to higher agreement among raters and has therefore recently been used as a ground truth for the annotation of MFs in H&E. However, as PHH3 facilitates the recognition of cells indistinguishable from H&E staining alone, the use of this ground truth could potentially introduce an interpretation shift and even label noise into the H&E-related dataset, impacting model performance. This study analyzes the impact of PHH3-assisted MF annotation on inter-rater reliability and object level agreement through an extensive multi-rater experiment. Subsequently, MF detectors, including a novel dual-stain detector, were evaluated on the resulting datasets to investigate the influence of PHH3-assisted labeling on the models’ performance. We found that the annotators’ object-level agreement significantly increased when using PHH3-assisted labeling (F1: 0.53 to 0.74). However, this enhancement in label consistency did not translate to improved performance for H&E-based detectors, neither during the training phase nor the evaluation phase. Conversely, the dual-stain detector was able to benefit from the higher consistency. This reveals an information mismatch between the H&E and PHH3-stained images as the cause of this effect, which renders PHH3-assisted annotations not well-aligned for use with H&E-based detectors. Based on our findings, we propose an improved PHH3-assisted labeling procedure.

Descriptive study of patient outcome and satisfaction with telemedicine and physical consultation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study was conducted to assess patients' outcome and satisfaction with the eye care received with telemedicine and physical consultation at a tertiary care hospital during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A descriptive study was carried out on 6052 patients who consulted for eye illness at a tertiary care hospital between April 2020 and December 2022. An outcome scoring system was developed and validated for the assessment of patient outcome after providing treatment on telemedicine consultation and physical consultation. Outcome scores for various symptoms were compared pretreatment and posttreatment. Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) was used through an online survey to assess patients' satisfaction with teleophthalmology services during the COVID-19 pandemic. An 18-item Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-18) was used to assess the same with physical consultation. A total of 6052 patients were included in the study. Physical consultation group had 2485 patients (41.06%) and the telemedicine group had 3567 patients (58.93%). Male patients constituted 63.11% and females were 36.89%. There was a significant improvement in outcome scores for pain and redness in both physical and telemedicine consultation groups (P < 0.0001). All subgroups of TUQ had significantly high scores (including usefulness, ease of use and learnability, interface quality, interaction quality, and satisfaction and future use), except one subgroup (reliability). Uneducated patients were significantly more satisfied with telemedicine compared to educated patients (P = 0.044). Majority of patients expressed satisfaction with teleophthalmology services. The recent pandemic paved the way for the future integration of telemedicine in ophthalmology, especially if virtual eye examinations attain a higher level of reliability.

Dynamic behavior of concrete filled steel tubular columns internally strengthened with I-shaped CFRP against vehicular bombs

Square concrete filled steel tubular columns internally strengthened with I-shaped carbon fiber reinforced polymer (SCFST-CFRP) demonstrate promising potential for application in building structures, particularly in high-risk buildings and critical structural elements, due to their exceptional static and impact resistance. High-risk buildings may be vulnerable to vehicular bomb attacks over their lifespan, resulting in blast loading. In this study, the blast resistance of SCFST-CFRP columns is investigated through field blast tests and numerical simulation. The plastic deformation of SCFST-CFRP members is low, and they exhibit promising blast resistance in explosion tests with a scaled distance of 0.07m/kg1/3. Subsequently, SCFST-CFRP columns with varying steel ratios were designed according to specifications to investigate their deformation and damage under typical vehicular bomb scenarios. It was found that the blast resistance of SCFST-CFRP columns is superior to that of ordinary SCFST columns, particularly when the steel ratio is smaller. Additionally, a protection distance of 3.95m (1.01H) is sufficient to ensure that the composite columns do not fail under these scenarios, highlighting favorable blast resistance for SCFST-CFRP columns. Based on the parametric analysis of 115 sets of data, a prediction formula for the critical failure distance of SCFST-CFRP columns under typical vehicular bomb scenarios is proposed. This study serves as a valuable reference for designing SCFST-CFRP columns with blast resistance.

Risk Analysis of Level Crossing Element Failures in a Fuzzy Environment

The concept of risk analysis is especially important because it examines and analyses in a detailed manner the factors that affect the normal functioning of a system. In this paper, the level crossing is considered as one system, composed of several elements. The failures of those elements were analysed with the aim of showing which are the most frequent and most critical failures. A multi-methodological approach was used in the analysis. The failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) method was used to determine risk factors, after that a multi-criteria model was created in a fuzzy environment, and as output, it gave a ranking list of critical failures in the system. Through the discussion of the results, a comparison of the basic model with two other similar ones was made, and the comparative results were analysed. The main aim of this paper is to present one of the possible ways to analyse the risk of the system of level crossings with the aim of improving traffic safety at the crossing.

Parameter-Independent Deformation Behaviour of Diagonally Reinforced Doubly Re-Entrant Honeycomb

In this study, a novel unit cell design is proposed, which eliminates the buckling tendency of the auxetic honeycomb. The novel unit cell design is a more balanced, diagonally reinforced doubly re-entrant auxetic honeycomb structure (x-reinforced auxetic honeycomb for short). We investigated and compared this novel unit cell design against a wide parameter range. Compression tests were carried out on specimens 3D-printed with a special, unique, flexible but tough resin mixture. The results showed that the additional, centrally pronounced reinforcements resulted in increased deformation stability; parameter-independent, non-buckling deformation behaviour is achieved; however, the novel structure is no longer auxetic. Mechanical properties, such as compression resistance and energy absorption capability, also increased significantly—an almost four times increase can be observed. In contrast to the deformation behaviour (which became predictable and constant), the mechanical properties can be precisely adjusted for the desired application. This novel structure was also investigated in a highly accurate, validated finite element environment, which showed that critical stress values are formed in well-supported regions, meaning that critical failure is unlikely. Our novel lattice unit cell design elevated the auxetic honeycomb to the realm of modern, high performance and widely applicable lattice structures.

Beyond security failures: The complexities of addressing Boko haram in Nigeria

The fight against Boko Haram in Nigeria highlights the complexities of addressing a multifaceted insurgency that thrives on political, social, and economic dysfunction. This article examines the critical failures in Nigeria’s security and justice systems, which have allowed Boko Haram to flourish despite military interventions. It explores the limitations of a purely military response and underscores the importance of addressing the broader socio-political issues that contribute to terrorism. The article evaluates how government corruption, poor governance, and the lack of accountability within the security apparatus have weakened Nigeria's capacity to combat Boko Haram effectively. Moreover, it considers the role of international stakeholders, including the United States, in supporting Nigeria's counterterrorism efforts, while emphasizing that foreign assistance must align with domestic reforms to be effective. The application of complexity theory is proposed as a framework to understand the interconnected factors contributing to the persistence of Boko Haram. This approach underscores that addressing Boko Haram requires more than just military solutions; it demands addressing economic stagnation, political corruption, and social grievances that fuel the insurgency. The article concludes by recommending a holistic strategy that combines security sector reform, governance improvements, and international cooperation as the path forward for Nigeria.

Advanced Methods for Monitoring and Fault Diagnosis of Control Loops in Common Rail Systems

Common rail systems are a key component of modern diesel engines and highly increase their performance. During their working lifetime, there could be critical damages or failures related to aging, like backlash or friction, or out-of-spec operating conditions, like low-quality fuel with, e.g., the presence of water or particles or a high percentage of biodiesel. In this work, suitable data-driven methods are adopted to develop an automatic procedure to monitor, diagnose, and estimate some types of faults in common rail systems. In particular, the pressure control loop operating within the engine control unit is investigated; the system is described using a Hammerstein model composed of a nonlinear model for the control valve behavior and an extended linear model for the process dynamics, which also accounts for the presence of external disturbances. Three different sources of oscillations can be successfully detected and quantified: valve stiction, aggressive controller tuning, and external disturbance. Selected case studies are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed methodology.

La cultura organizacional y el liderazgo servidor en una empresa agroindustrial de la región Lambayeque

The central purpose of this study is to examine how the culture of an agricultural Enterprise the relationship between the culture of an agricultural company and servant-centered leadership. The methodology is based on a fundamental correlational research with a quantitative non-experimental design, the data collection was done through questionnaires adapted and evaluated by means of expert judgment with acceptable levels of reliability, this survey was applied to 117 collaborators. The results indicate a significant correlation between the two (r = 0.429, p &lt; 0.001), highlighting the importance of a solid organizational culture for effective leadership. In addition, positive correlations were found between organizational culture and empowerment (r = 0.404, p &lt; 0.001), collective development (r = 0.346, p &lt; 0.001), empathy (r = 0.224*, p = 0.015) and authentic leadership (r = 0.267**, p = 0.004). These findings suggest that a well-defined organizational culture can strengthen various dimensions of leadership, promoting an engaged and productive work environment.

Experimental Study on Quick‐Locking Reinforcement Model for Local Defects in Pipelines in the Rich Water Area

ABSTRACTThe management of local defects in municipal pipelines in water‐rich areas remains a significant challenge, particularly under high‐pressure conditions. This study investigates the performance of quick‐lock steel sleeves as a trenchless repair method through full‐scale experiments on five different pipeline diameters. The experiments focus on the failure modes and critical buckling pressure of the sleeves under external pressure. A novel design model based on structural reliability theory was developed and validated against experimental results. The results show a close match between the calculated and experimental buckling pressures, with a ratio ranging from 0.87 to 1.15. These findings provide valuable insights for the design and application of quick‐lock sleeves in high‐pressure municipal networks. This study contributes to improving the reliability and effectiveness of pipeline repair technologies, offering practical solutions for addressing pipeline leakage and instability in challenging environments.

Public Health Literacy: a concept to develop – Qualitative study among public health professionals

Abstract Background Health literacy can be defined as individuals’ motivation and skills to access, understand, evaluate, and utilize information to make decisions about their health. Despite Sorensen’s widely used definition encompassing both individual and population levels, also known as Public Health Literacy, it remains poorly detailed and is rarely taken into account by measurement tools. As evidenced by the Covid-19 health crisis, limited public health literacy impacts reluctance to accept government recommendations, vaccine hesitancy, and fosters mistrust of science and conspiracy theories in the health field. The main objective of this study was to derive specific public health knowledge and skills from public health professionals for the general population constituted the first step of the development of a public health literacy measurement tools. Methods A qualitative study, based on ten semi-structured interviews with public health professionals from various settings (academic, hospital, health prevention, and promotion), working across various public health fields (nutrition, sexual health, mental health), has been conducted since March 2024. Results Preliminary analysis identified three main themes: (1) fundamental concepts including identification of health determinants, epidemiology and the purpose of public health interventions, (2) critical skills including the assessment of the level of evidence and reliability of public health information, and (3) civic orientation including environmental impact on health and community approach to interventions. Conclusions These detailed insights will guide the creation of a valid measurement tool for public health literacy. This will facilitate the investigation of specific impacts on people’s adherence to public health interventions or messages and the development of actions targeting literacy in a more holistic manner. Key messages • Specific public health dimensions have been identified to enrich the existed definition of health literacy. • Public health concepts, reliability of public health information and community approach constitute the core of public health literacy.

Taxon Boundaries Unifying Homogeneous Territories by Geocomplex Features in Climatic Zonation

Road-building climatic zonation developed in the 1950s for the territory of the former Soviet Union, does not take into account natural climatic conditions of many regions occupying a significant area of Russia, which limits periods between the highway repair. The development of new territories, for example, the vast Arctic zone, requires a methodological approach from various organizations to the areas by the geographical complex, within which the same type of road structures will be characterized by the same strength and stability. To date, there is no unified, standardized methodology of road-building climatic zonation, providing the required level of reliability of structural and technological solutions at design and construction stages of roads.Purpose: To summarize the results of long-term studies carried out by the authors on the territory of 14 administrative formations of the West Siberian region.Research findings: Schematic is proposed for taxonomic division of territories based on the elements of the geographical complex of administrative entities of the Russian Federation. Differences between the calculated values of clay soil properties given in normative documents and experimental data, are shown on the example of the territory of the Omsk region.

Comprehensive assessment of factors affecting the operational reliability of low-voltage asynchronous electric motors of a coal mining complex

THE RELEVANCE of this study lies in solving the problem of reliable functioning of elements of energy systems and ensuring their effective operation during open-pit mining. The paper presents a methodological approach that allows us to assess the level of reliability of low-voltage asynchronous electric motors in a coal mine with complex mining, geological and climatic conditions of production. THE PURPOSE of the work is to quantify the operational factors affecting the service life of an asynchronous electric motor with a short-circuited rotor. Attention is focused on how influencing factors, different in physical basis, among which electrical parameters are highlighted – the coefficient of voltage asymmetry in the reverse sequence, the coefficients of harmonic voltage components and environmental parameters – temperature, air humidity and dustiness, affect the dynamics of changes in the service life of an asynchronous electric motor. Asynchronous electric motors used at one of the enterprises of JSC SUEK in the Trans-Baikal Territory are considered as an object of research. METHODS. The main tool for the implementation of research tasks is computer modeling based on the Matlab software package. RESULTS. The studies were performed on an asynchronous electric motor with a short-circuited rotor with Ph = 3 kW, rated speed 1500 rpm. The simulation of the operating mode of the electric motor under study was performed by changing the experimental parameters: the values of the total coefficient of harmonic voltage components (KU) – from 4 to 12% with a range of 2%; the values of the voltage asymmetry coefficient in the reverse sequence (K2U) – from 0 to 4% with a range of 1%; the ambient temperature (∆Tокr) – from -30°C to +30°C with a range of 10°C; air humidity values (Vc) – 20% and 60%; dust thermal conductivity coefficient values (Kт) – 0,12 and 0,28. Based on the obtained research results, diagrams are constructed that clearly illustrate the dynamics of changes in the service life of an asynchronous electric motor depending on the combination of influencing factors. CONCLUSION. The trends in solving the issues of reliable functioning of a coal mining enterprise with the presence of asynchronous electric motors and ensuring their efficient operation are the most priority, mainly focused on maintaining the stability of technological processes and maintaining the production volumes of a coal mining enterprise. The stability of the electric motor to certain influencing factors is estimated and their critical values are established. Recommendations on the use of asynchronous electric motors are formulated, taking into account their operating conditions.

Implementation of Augmented Reality Teaching and Learning Kit to Enhance Visualization, Motivation and Understanding among TVET Students

Augmented Reality (AR) technology is one of the increasingly preferred choices for educational development of education. This study aims to identify the level of visualization, motivation and understanding by designing and developing an AR application for the topic of Engineering Drawing. This application enhances the user's clarity and comprehension on the types of drawings and the form of the drawing to be presented. The design and development process of this AR application uses the Hannafin and Peck model as a guideline. The research instruments used are expert review forms for product development and questionnaires. The study included a total of 52 students from Sungai Buloh Vocational College, Selangor, as participants. The findings were analysed descriptively using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 27. The evaluation was conducted on three (3) aspects, namely the level of visualisation, motivation and comprehension of the students, as well as the significance of research to examine the gender differences between the three aspects. The findings of the study revealed that the use of the AR application produced for the three (3) components yielded a favourable outcome with a reliability value of r=0.855, which demonstrates that the instrument possesses a high level of reliability. However, no significant difference was found between the genders of the students that participated in the study. In general, the findings of the study indicate that the implementation of the AR teaching and learning kit has yielded positive outcomes in terms of enhancing students' visualisation skills, motivation levels and comprehension of the Engineering Drawings subject.

Sommerfeld enhancement at NLO and the dark matter unitarity bound

We reexamine the consequences of perturbative unitarity on dark matter freeze-out when both Sommerfeld enhancement and bound state formation affect dark matter annihilations. At leading order the annihilation cross section is infrared dominated and the connection between the unitarity bound and the upper bound on the dark matter mass depends only on how the different partial waves are populated. We compute how this picture is modified at next-to-leading order with the goal of assigning a reliable theory uncertainty to the freeze-out predictions. We explicitly compute next-to-leading order corrections in a simple model with Abelian gauge interactions and provide an estimate of the theoretical uncertainty for the thermal masses of heavy electroweak n-plets. Along the way, we clarify the regularization and matching procedure necessary to deal with singular potentials in quantum mechanics with a calculable, relativistic UV completion. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Research on the Stability of Lining Structures Under Different Fault Moments Based on FDM-DEM

Currently, research on employing finite difference method and discrete element method (FDM-DEM) coupling to assess the stability of tunnel lining structures is limited. This study utilized the FDM-DEM coupling approach, with the F2 fault of the East Tianshan Tunnel as a case study, to develop a numerical model in conjunction with PFC3D 6.0 and FLAC3D 6.0 software. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the displacement deformation and crack progression of the tunnel lining structure under varying dislocation momentum conditions, unveiling the underlying mechanisms. The findings indicated that as the dislocation increased, the extent of damage to the vault intensified, and the particle contact force within the tunnel lining shifted from compression to tension, significantly contributing to the crack formation. Fault dislocation influenced the gradual expansion of cracks from the vault to the spandrel and arch waist, with the crack width increasing alongside the rising dislocation momentum. In particular, under substantial dislocation momentum, the overall stability of the tunnel lining was markedly diminished. The safety factor at the tunnel section declined progressively as the dislocation momentum escalated, with values of 2.53, 2.49, 2.43, 2.39, and 2.32 corresponding to dislocation momenta of 0.01 m, 0.05 m, 0.1 m, 0.15 m, and 0.2 m, respectively. This research offers valuable insights and a reference framework for investigating the stability of tunnel lining structures in proximity to fault dislocations, pinpointing potential failure points, and bolstering the structural integrity of tunnels.

Navigating the Social Shift: A Preliminary Study of Consumer Behavior on Malaysia's Social Commerce Platforms

The proliferation of online businesses coupled with the advancement of information and communication technologies (ICT) has led to the emergence of social commerce. The integration of social media platforms into e-commerce offers businesses a convenient avenue for engaging with consumers and a novel method for capturing additional sales volume. This seamless integration of social media platforms into current e-commerce practices has significantly increased its success. Research on the factors that affect purchase intentions in social commerce is still sparse, especially in the context of Malaysian consumers. In general, the causal model of purchase intentions on social commerce in this study aims to investigate the impact of the constructs of visibility and metavoicing on purchase intentions among Malaysian millennial consumers. Henceforth, this initial study specifically aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the IT affordance constructs of visibility and metavoicing through rigorous assessments. At the items-construct level, the internal consistency assessment was conducted using McDonald’s Omega, which is known for its robustness in measuring the reliability of multi-item constructs. At the construct level, discriminant validity and the strength of linear relationships among variables were assessed using Pearson correlation analysis. The pilot dataset gathered was analyzed with SPSS 29, and the results have validated that the predictive model achieved high levels of reliability and validity at both the item and construct levels. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that the independent variables, metavoicing and visibility, have a significant association with purchase intentions, underscoring their importance in understanding consumer behavior.

The impact of widely used algorithms of large language models on information retrieval and the associated potential risks

Thesis. The aim of this work is to perform an analysis concerning the subject of arti- ficial intelligence integration and its application in modern knowledge acquisition. The article will be an overview of scientific research and papers to raise a discussion of the ad- vantages and potential hazards associated with the widespread implementation of large language models. Concept. The main part of the article will focus on describing the AI enhanced tools available on the market and common ways of utilising them. This knowledge will be jux- taposed with psychological research on human consciousness in the context of decision- making, creativity, and held beliefs to list potential threads related. Results. The analysis of tools that have recently been enhanced with algorithms un- equivocally indicates the dominance of the sector providing informational and creative support. These tools possess a measurably high level of reliability among the public, re- sulting in a reduced number of verification actions. A review of existing literature and research on human psychology shows a very strong correlation between the influence of previous social authorities on decision-making behaviour and an uncritical approach to information obtained through AI. Studies have shown that access to these tools, without proper controlling actions of results, exposes users to bias, manipulation, or susceptibility to marketing activities. Alternatively, with proper and rational use of these implemented algorithms, humans are able to obtain extraordinarily precise and knowledge-based sup- port in decision-making. Similar polarisations of results have been observed in the con- text of creativity, innovation, and inquisitiveness. Originality. The article addresses topics that relate to the psychological nature of hu- mans in the context of new and expanded AI augmented tools. The results of the explora- tory study clearly indicate that programmes supported by algorithms show potential in terms of both scientific and social development. Unfortunately, they also present many potential dangers for both, which, discussed in the foundation, provide the groundwork for more in-depth research.

Human Factors Considerations in Artificial Intelligence Applications for Nuclear Power Plants

In recent years, there has been a wave of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that offer to solve problems from shopping habits to mortgage approvals to critical systems operations. The rapidity of the development of these systems has led to both excitement and apprehension about the roles these systems should play in our modern societies. This paper focuses on the critical infrastructure industry, in general, and nuclear power generation, in particular, and seeks to scrutinize how we can leverage these novel technologies in human-centered ways to maintain or enhance the established high levels of reliability and resilience in these industries. First, we discuss the broader aspects of cognitive systems and activities that are critical to understanding the human-AI space. Then we explore different approaches to explainability in AI and the notions of trust. We then move on to discuss several human factors concepts and methods and how they can support the design of human-AI teams. We then explore recent research related to nuclear power that has been undertaken and evaluate the current industry and regulatory landscapes. Finally, we discuss identified research gaps and recommendations for solving these for the critical infrastructure space.

The Digitalization of Social Care in England and Implications for Older, Unpaid Carers: Constructionist Thematic Analysis

Background Globally, populations are aging, generating concerns about the sustainability of health and social care provision. In terms of the public provision of social care in particular, unpaid carers provide much of the support to people with disabilities and older people. In addition, there is an increased onus in many countries on digital transformation projects, in the hope that the digitalization of services can create efficiencies and savings in both costs and care labor. In England, the focus of this paper, the shift to digital services is also framed as a means to enhance choice and control for older unpaid carers, while being part of a broader offering that includes nondigital alternatives and support to mitigate digital exclusion. Objective This study examines the impact of digitalization on older, unpaid carers—a group more likely to be both expected to engage digitally with services and at risk of digital exclusion—in England, focusing on their lived experiences in terms of caring and access to social care. Methods We used a constructionist approach to thematic analysis, where data from 48 older unpaid carers collected through focus groups were analyzed using thematic analysis, resulting in 4 prevailing themes. Results Our findings indicated that while unpaid carers largely acknowledge the benefits of digitalization, they also highlight several points of failure, whereby engagement with digital spaces is experienced as coercive and exacerbates feelings of exclusion. These are further worsened by government failures to address issues of connectivity, imposing additional financial burdens and complicating tasks such as benefit applications. Conclusions In this study, we have highlighted the need for greater involvement in shaping both policy and technological solutions, which in turn will be more inclusive and aligned to the aspirations and circumstances of older carers.