Powerful Contractions Research Articles

A novel multi-objective scheduling model for grid-connected hydro-wind-PV-battery complementary system under extreme weather: A case study of Sichuan, China

Affected by extreme hot and dry weather events, the power supplied by hydropower is seriously insufficient in Sichuan province during the summer of 2022, causing severe power shortage and incalculable economic losses for the society. Therefore, a novel multi-objective scheduling model based on grid-connected hydro-wind-solar-battery energy resources combining flexible reserves is proposed to collaboratively guarantee the power supply reliability of both the contracted long-distance power transmission and the local electricity demand under extreme hot and dry weather. The intermittent nature of water inflow, wind speed, solar irradiance, and load is considered, and the multi-scenarios are produced using Latin Hypercube Sampling method. In this work, thermal plants are regarded as flexible reserves for easing the load shedding level of local load. The McCormick's Envelope method is implemented to linearize the power production model of the hydropower station. A multi-objective model, including minimum penalty cost of load shedding and carbon dioxide emission, is proposed to achieve the economic-environmental equilibrium of the power system. The proposed multi-objective optimal hybrid energy complementary strategy is transformed into a single objective model via ε-constraint method, and the fuzzy satisfying method is introduced to select the best compromise solution in the Pareto Front. The meteorological information of the summer of 2022 is collected to verify the effectiveness of this proposed mixed-integer-linear-programming energy complementary model based on a hydropower station on the Jinsha River in Sichuan province, China. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed model is efficient and can enhance the reliability of real-world power systems under extreme hot and dry weather. A set of policy suggestions have been provided for Sichuan province to develop the power grid to face the extreme weather effect.

(054) Improvement of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms by Treating Pelvic Floor Muscle Increased Tone

Abstract Introduction Physical therapy is first line treatment for women diagnosed with urinary incontinence (UI). However, while pelvic floor muscle (PMF) strengthening for decreased PFM tone is well published, there is minimal data evaluating appropriate treatment strategies for PFMs increased tone on the improving of UI. Objective To retrospectively analyze the effectiveness of normalization of PFM tone on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) of women with either stress urinary incontinence (SUI), overactive bladder (OAB), or urgency urinary incontinence (UUI). Methods Medical records of women who received physical therapy care from January 2017 till July 2021 for LUTS and who had increased PFM tone were included in this retrospective, cohort study. Exclusion criteria: previous pelvic surgeries or physiotherapy treatment for PFM dysfunction, neuromuscular diseases, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, and missing data. Baseline and post-treatment assessments were carried out for: (i) LUTS trough voiding diaries (data on urinary frequency, episodes of SUI, urinary urgency and UUI, nocturia and enuresis) and Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID), assessing LUTS with scores from 0-15 (no symptoms to maximum symptomatology); (ii.) PFM tone, via digital palpation using a 7-level grading score (Reissing Scale) from -3 (most decreased) to +3 (most increased PFM tone); (iii.) pain intensity - PFMs active trigger points (TP) were each rated from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain) according to the Numerical Rate Scale (NRS); and (iv.) PFM power of contraction (PERFECT scheme). Treatment consisted of in-office physical therapy (including myofascial release, manual stretching of the vaginal walls and perineal massage) twice weekly during six weeks. Self-vaginal stretching and perineal massage was to be done daily by the women over the duration of care. Results Women (n=127) presenting LUTS and increased PFM tone were diagnosed with SUI (35%), OAB (21%), or mixed UI (44%). Mean age was 52 (±13.4). Women presenting normal PFM tone (0) after treatment showed a greater power of PFM contraction when compared to those who maintained tone (≥1) after treatment (2.7±0.9 vs. 2.2±0.6; p=.01; d=0.6) as well as a reduction in SUI episodes (0.1±0.31 vs. 1±1.5; p=.01; d=0.8). Women with improved SUI symptoms at the post-treatment assessment (QUID-SUI score ≤1) compared to those who maintained them (QUID-SUI score >1), had decreased mean of pain intensity (0.88±1.77 vs. 2.59±2.78; p=.002; d=.73) as well as at any given PFM TP according to NRS (0.97±1.92 vs. 2.90± 3.26; p=.002; d=.72). With regard to symptoms of OAB, women who scored ≤1 on the QUID-OAB post-treatment compared to those who scored >1 also showed significant decrease in pain intensity at all trigger points (0.85±1.76 vs. 2.16±2.52; p=.009; d=.60), with maximum pain intensity (0.94±2 .00 vs. 2.42±2.92; p=.010; d=.59), and experienced decreased tone in the right vaginal wall (0.05±0.22 vs. 0.41±0.73; p=.019; d=.67). A mild correlation between increased tone and SUI (p=0.04; r=0.32), episodes of urinary urgency (p=0.02; r=0.37), and nocturia (p=0.007; r=0.43) were shown. Conclusions These study findings points toward to the importance of focusing physiotherapeutic techniques to normalize PFM tone in women with LUTS and increased PFM tone. Disclosure No

Surviving revolution and democratisation: the Sudan armed forces, state fragility and security competition

AbstractSudan has for decades been one of Africa's most fragmented polities. Yet arguably the single most consequential actor in its recent history is among the least well studied: the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF). For most of post-independence statehood, Khartoum has been ruled by generals. This article places SAF in a longitudinal context of the expansion and contraction of state power and the functions of the coercive apparatus in these processes. It situates SAF in institutional logics, driven by historically contingent ideas about the nature of the polity, the role of the army within it and its likely partners and enemies. Doing so historicises the strategic calculus of SAF during the 2018–2019 December Revolution which mobilised millions but ended with a new coup in October 2021. I underscore how institutionalised rivalry between SAF and other security services has moulded patterns of regime change and consolidation: from Ja'afar Nimeiri and Omar Al-Bashir to Abdelfatah Al-Burhan today, anxieties over security competition and state fragility shape SAF's willingness to break with regimes it once dominated and its subsequent subversion of revolutionary change and democratisation.

Annual Effect of the VRF Control Algorithm in Response to the TOU Rate Plan

Many countries adopt a time-of-use (TOU) rate system, in which electricity rates vary by season and time of day, to reduce power usage during peak power consumption hours. South Korea offers a TOU rate plan that depends on the electricity usage of a building and its contracted power; in this plan, the electricity rate reaches up to 300% depending on the time of day. Hence, electrically powered variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems are increasingly being installed in small- and medium-sized buildings requiring individual cooling and heating operations. This study aims to develop a new control algorithm to reduce electricity consumption and electricity rates for cooling and heating by VRF systems in university buildings adopting the TOU rate plan and apply it to actual buildings to verify the reduction effect. The proposed control algorithm primarily consists of a module that controls the refrigerant evaporation temperature (cooling) and high pressure (heating) according to the indoor heat load and a module that controls the indoor set temperature based on the hourly electricity rate. The developed algorithm was installed in the controller of a VRF system installed in an actual university building and the annual effect was verified using the method proposed by the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol. As a result, power consumption was reduced by 17.8% for heating and 4.0% for cooling due to the application of the control algorithm, and the electricity rates reduced by 19.2% and 7.3%, respectively.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ КРОВОТОКА ЧЕРЕЗ МИТРАЛЬНЫЙ КЛАПАН СЕРДЦА ЧЕЛОВЕКА С УЧЕТОМ КАРДИОТИПА И В СВЯЗИ С ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНЫМИ НАГРУЗКАМИ

Background. Studies of the cardiovascular system originated in the 60s of the last century, including the work of P. O. Astrand, according to which, with extreme functional loads (FL), accompanied by maximum heart rate, stroke volume (SV) decreases. The study of the mechanism of this effect requires the use of a complex of electro- and echocardiographic methods. The purpose of this work is to determine the dependence of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters on cardiotype and physical activity. Material and methods. The study involved 30 males aged 18 to 32 years. Based on the heart rate indicators in the controls, which were determined by the electrocardiogram (ECG), the participants were divided into three groups: bradycardia (9 people) – 60 or less beats/min, normocardia (9 people) – 61-80 beats/min, tachycardia (12 people) – more than 80 beats/min. The indicators were taken in the standing position (controls) and after exercise (experimental group) – squats (according to Martine) in combination with an arbitrary cessation of external respiration on inspiration (according to Stange) as long as one could. Results. The lower was the heart rate, the greater was the total volume of the transmitral blood flow. With an increase in electrical diastole (TR segment), myocardial excitability decreased. With FL, this dependence persisted. The duration of the PQ ECG element did not differ between groups and depending on the effect of physical activity. But the volumes of blood passing during the duration of PQ varied markedly. In all three groups, they increased, which was probably due to the increasing power of myocardial contraction during atrial systole. Conclusions. In terms of absolute value, the volume of blood flow through the mitral valve of the human heart is increased in bradycardia and reduced in tachycardia. In terms of relative value, in the series from bradycardia to tachycardia and from conditions without exercise to conditions with the use of exercise, the proportion of flow A increases. The share of flow E decreases accordingly.

Research on optimization of power dispatching under the constraint of deviation electricity

In the medium- and long-term electricity market, uncertain power output, and power load will lead to the deviation between the actual generation and the signed medium- and long-term contract electricity. In order to reduce the system deviation balance cost and ensure the balance of power supply and demand, it is necessary to find a suitable dispatch method. First, a monthly electricity decomposition model of thermal power units is proposed in this paper. After that, we propose a power dispatching model under the constraint of deviated electricity quantity to minimize the cost of electricity deviation. The simulation results of numerical examples show that the proposed dispatching model and method can effectively reduce the monthly contract power deviation and the balance cost.

Transaction decision optimization of new electricity market based on virtual power plant participation and Stackelberg game.

This study intends to optimize the trading decision-making strategy of the new electricity market with virtual power plants and improve the transmission efficiency of electricity resources. The current problems in China's power market are analyzed from the perspective of virtual power plants, highlighting the necessity of reforming the power industry. The generation scheduling strategy is optimized in light of the market transaction decision based on the elemental power contract to enhance the effective transfer of power resources in virtual power plants. Ultimately, value distribution is balanced through virtual power plants to maximize the economic benefits. After 4 hours of simulation, the experimental data shows that 75 MWh of electricity is generated by the thermal power system, 100 MWh by the wind power system, and 200 MWh by the dispatchable load system. Comparatively, the new electricity market transaction model based on the virtual power plant has an actual generation capacity of 250MWh. In addition, the daily load power of the models of thermal power generation, wind power generation, and virtual power plant reported here are compared and analyzed. For a 4-hour simulation run, the thermal power generation system can provide 600 MW of load power, the wind power generation system can provide 730 MW of load power, and the virtual power plant-based power generation system can provide up to 1200 MW of load power. Therefore, the power generation performance of the model reported here is better than other power models. This study can potentially encourage a revised transaction model for the power industry market.

Doppler flow velocity profile of the left anterior descending in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and markedly elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure: a novel observation.

Left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery blood flow predominantly occurs in diastole and depends on the pressure differential across the myocardium, referred to as the coronary perfusion pressure (CPP). LAD flow can be visualized using two-dimensional/Doppler echocardiography. Restrictive diastolic filling patterns were previously described in the coronary artery Doppler profile as the ‘Doppler square root sign’ [EHJ CVI. 2017; 18(9):1067. doi: 10.1093/ehjci/jex061]. We present a case of a 44-year-old male with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and no left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The echocardiogram demonstrated septal wall thickness of 35 mm (Panel A), normal left ventricular ejection fraction (75%), impaired global longitudinal strain (−10%) (Panel B), and grade II diastolic dysfunction with a left atrial volume index of 56 mL/m2, E/A ratio 1.9 (Panel C), and septal e’ velocity 0.05 m/s. Further assessment of diastology revealed a mitral A wave duration of 120 ms (Panel D) and a pulmonary venous A wave duration of 220 ms (Panel E). The difference between the venous and transmitral A wave durations was 100 ms (normal < 30 ms). This degree of difference in the duration of flows is consistent with and indicative of a marked increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). The LAD pulsed wave doppler flow (Panel F) profile (Panel G, see Supplementary data online, Video S1) demonstrated a transient reduction in end-diastolic velocity (‘a’ dip), which correlated with a decrease in CPP secondary to elevated LVEDP from a powerful atrial contraction, indeed a novel observation. Also noted is a small systolic flow reversal.

MP74-18 DETRUSOR VOIDING CONTRACTION VELOCITY IS RELEVANT TO PATIENTS WITHOUT BLADDER OUTFLOW OBSTRUCTION

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP74-18 DETRUSOR VOIDING CONTRACTION VELOCITY IS RELEVANT TO PATIENTS WITHOUT BLADDER OUTFLOW OBSTRUCTION Peter F. W. M. Rosier Peter F. W. M. RosierPeter F. W. M. Rosier More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003348.18AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Bladder outflow obstruction (BOO) is prevalent in male patients >45 y with LUTS but much less in women. Detrusor voiding contraction underactivity (DVC-DU) is (equally?) prevalent in in both sex. BOO affects DVC through 'compensation'; muscle training, to gain force, which is represented in DVC-detrusor- pressure. DVC-muscle shortening velocity (muscle function Hill equation) is less known/studied and is potentially relevant as an element of DVC-DU. We analysed DVC parameters including contraction velocity in a large cohort of adult men and women without BOO. METHODS: Patients without relevant neurological or anatomical abnormalities, voiding (pressure flow studies PFS) >100 mL and <800 mL with PVR <500 mL, representative, after ICS (quality) standard UDS, for all usual/possible indications, with 7F double lumen water fill cystometry, were included. All known DVC parameters were analysed and DVC-velocity is calculated: (bladder circumference (based on mL) at begin voiding minus circumference at end) / voiding time (tQ>0). All patients had BOO<3 linPURR (ICS- noOBS). 2488 patients were 63.5 y (sd 16.8) men (n1511) 66.3 y (15.1) and women (n977) 59.2 y (18.3). They voided 359 mL with PVR 47 mL; void% 89.3. RESULTS: PFS-voided volumes were not different Void% was slightly lower in men (88.6 vs 90.4). Men's Qmax 12.5 mL/s; pdetQmax 43.3 cm H2O; BOOI 18.1; and Wmax 12.3 W/m2 differed signific. from women Qmax 19.9 mL/s; pdetQmax 25.7 cm H2O; BOOI -14.1; and Wmax 13.0 W/m2. DVC-velocity was 0.37 cm/s in men vs 0.56 cm/s (p.000). 58.4% of men had void%100 62.2% of women. The Figure 1 demonstrates the relevance of DVC-velocity to predict incomplete voiding, in absence of BOO. CONCLUSIONS: Men with LUTS have somewhat higher outflow resistance than women even when they are all within the no BOO -category. Anatomical differences likely the cause. Only a small percentage of all female patients has outflow obstruction (>grade 2) and diagnosing DVC especially in cohorts of female patients (but also in men without BOO) requires a parameter that includes detrusor contraction velocity. Most of the currently available parameters to represent the contraction force or -strength of the DVC include detrusor pressure -with a certain weight- in a mathematical product. If there is no or low grade outflow resistance however, not contraction power (≈pressure), but contraction speed (velocity or (flow)rate) is more important. This is now supported by this analysis showing that, in patients without BOO (<grade3) DVC-velocity, has the highest predictive value to predict incomplete micturition. Source of Funding: none © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e1077 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Peter F. W. M. Rosier More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Differences in the effects of a startle stimulus on rate of force development between resistance-trained rock climbers and untrained individuals: Evidence for reticulospinal adaptations?

The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to determine if chronic rock climbing and climbing-specific resistance training (RT) would modify the reticulospinal tract (RST) efficacy. Sixteen healthy, elite level climbers (CL; n=16, 5 F; 29.8 ± 6.7 years) with 12 ± 7 years of climbing and climbing-specific RT experience and 15 healthy recreationally active participants (CON; n=15, 4 F; 24.6 ± 5.9 years), volunteered for the study. We quantified RST efficacy by comparing the effects of a startle stimulus over reaction time (Rtime ) and measured rate of force development (RFD) and surface electromyography (sEMG) in representative muscles during powerful hand grip contractions. Both groups performed two Rtime tasks while performing rapid, powerful gripping with the right hand (Task 1) or during 3-s-long maximal voluntary right hand grip contractions in response to an imperative visual signal alone (V), or combined with a auditory-non startle stimulus (A) or/and startling auditory stimulus (S). We also tested the reproducibility of these responses on two separate days in CON. Intersession reliability ranged from 0.34 to 0.96 for all variables. The CL versus CON was 37% stronger (p=0.003). The S stimulus decreased Rtime and increased RFD and sEMG in both groups during both tasks (all p < 0.001). Rtime was similar between groups in all conditions. However, CL had a greater RFD from 50 to 100 ms compared with CON only after the S stimulus in both tasks (p < 0.05, d=0.85-0.96). The data tentatively suggest that chronic rock climbing and climbing-specific RT might improve RST efficacy, by increasing RST input to the α-motoneurons.

Optimization of location and rating of unified power flow controllers for congestion management

Large number of contracted power exchanges among sellers and purchasers, in a deregulated power market causes transmission line congestion. Congestion of lines undermines the security and economy of power networks. Flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) devices are introduced at appropriate spots to change the power flow in order to keep the flow of the lines within their capability. In this work, the most commonly used unified power flow controller (UPFC) is proposed for achievement of changing the line flow and for easing congestion from the over loaded lines. The size and site of UPFC controllers significantly impact their performance in congestion management task. The location and size of the UPFC devices are to be optimized by using an optimization algorithm. Whale optimization algorithm (WOA) is exploited in this effort for realizing the aim of determination of site and size of the FACTS converters. The present method has lesser quantity of variables which are tuned to get best outcomes. The suggested WOA based technique is executed on the IEEE 57 bus system. The outcomes comparison is made with particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) and firefly algorithm (FFA) and the better improved outcomes are found.

MYH7 mutations induce changes in single cell mechanobiology.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by thickening of the left ventricular wall and hypercontractility and has been linked to mutations in the sarcomere motor protein β-myosin (MYH7). Using single cell mechanobiology studies, we examined how the effects of single point mutations propagate to change the contractile dynamics and cellular morphology (sarcomere spacing, spread area, myofibril alignment) of human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). We micropattern islands of adhesive protein to constraining the spreading and alignment of hiPSC-CM on hydrogel substrates containing fluorescent microbeads as fiducial markers for traction force microscopy (TFM). We deployed substrate stiffnesses ranging from physiological (10 kPa) to heavily diseased/fibrotic (100 kPa) to test the role of increased “afterload” in functional phenotypes. We use image and video analysis to assess the contractile dynamics of the hiPSC-CM in terms of force, power, and velocities of relaxation and contraction. For example, we assessed multiple MYH7 mutations edited into the WTC line along with isogenic controls. Some lines carried an endogenously labeled alpha-actinin GFP reporter of sarcomere structure to enable visualization of sarcomere structure and dynamics. We assessed the magnitude and dynamics of contractile force output from TFM video analysis and observed increased the contractile force when compared to the control hiPSC-CMs. We also measured significantly different dynamics in the relaxation or contraction velocities compared to control hiPSC-CMs. Interestingly, not all HCM mutant lines presented a significant increase in cell spread area, a proxy for hypertrophy, and this correlated with culture conditions, such as the size of the protein pattern constraining the cells or stiffness of the substrate. Taken together, these results suggest a role for MYH7 mutations driving remodeling of structure and function at a cell-intrinsic level via changes in mechanosignaling.

Anatomic and histomorphometric study of the nerve to the vastus lateralis in cadaver for its clinical application in facial reanimation.

The innervated vastus lateralis flap (IVLF) is a barely used possibility for facial palsy reconstruction because of its thickness compared to the gracilis, latissimus dorsi, and pectoralis minor flaps. The aim of this study is to perform a precise description of the intramuscular distribution of the nerve motor branches and its relationship with the vascular pedicle in order to harvest a segmental muscle flap with the best contractile strength to restore facial reanimation. The study was performed on 16 adult cadaver thighs identifying the vastus lateralis muscle and the distribution and relationships of its neurovascular pedicle and branches. We evaluated where the nerve pierced the muscle and the course of the nerve within it. Transverse segments of the nerve were obtained from the proximal and distal ends of the nerve and stained using anti-ChAT (Choline acetyltransferase) antibodies which are specific of motor neurons. A nerve for the vastus lateralis from the posterior division of the femoral nerve divided into 2 branches in 56% of cases; the principal branch coursed along the vascular pedicle and pierced the muscle more proximally than the respective vessels, and a minor branch that pierced the muscle 25-60 mm proximally. There were 3 main intramuscular branches. The nerve length (mean 132.65 ± 22.89 mm) allowed to reach the contralateral side of the face in almost all cases (95%). The mean ChAT positive fibers was 351.0± 92.4/mm2 at the proximal end, and 270.3± 87.9/mm2 at the distal end (p= 0.49). The number of ChAT negative fibers was higher than ChAT positive in both proximal and distal ends of the nerve. We propose the IVLF as a one-step surgical flap for facial paralysis reanimation due to the constant neurovascular pattern and lengthy pedicle. The amount of motor fibers in several segments of the nerve is appropriate to produce a powerful contraction for dynamic reconstruction.

Aggregated Use of Energy Flexibility in Office Buildings

Due to climate change consequences, all Member States of the European Union signed an agreement with the goal of becoming the first society and economy with a neutral impact on the planet by 2050. The building sector is one of the highest energy consumers, using 33% of global energy production. Given the global increase for energy demand, implementing energy flexibility strategies is crucial for a better integration of renewable energy sources and a reduction of consumption peaks arising from the electrification of energy demand. The work described in this paper aims to develop an optimization algorithm to use the existing aggregated energy flexibility in office buildings to reduce both the electric energy costs of each office, considering the tariffs applied at each moment and the total power peak, aiming to reduce the entire building’s cost of the contracted power, considering the Portuguese context. The obtained results conclude that it is possible to reduce both the costs associated with electric energy consumption and contracted power. Nevertheless, since the cost of contracted power has a lower impact on the overall energy bill, it is more beneficial to focus only on the reduction of costs associated with electric energy consumption in the considered case study.

ChainSure: Agent free insurance system using blockchain for healthcare 4.0

The health insurance industry requires a secure data management architecture characterized by reliable information processing and fast response. Classical health insurance management system runs on a manually controlled centralized architecture which leverages a vulnerable single point failure and requires frequent human intervention. This makes the model prone to human errors and security attacks. The existing system also lacks the flexibility to choose appropriate health insurance policies for different consumers. To this end, we propose an Ethereum blockchain-based framework, ChainSure, to address this problem. With the power of TOPSIS and smart contracts, ChainSure provides an automated, tamperproof, transparent, scalable system that takes care of all the major functional blocks in a medical insurance environment. We have used the TOPSIS method in this proposed model to help the users to find an insurance policy that best suits their needs. ChainSure works in a decentralized environment and provides an interactive interface for the user. The proposed model is implemented on the Ethereum test network and its performance has been compared empirically with other state-of-art models. ChainSure is found to outperform others in terms of service integrity, latency and cost.

Impact of Psychological Capital and Emotional Intelligence on the Job Performance; Reference to Higher Education Institutes in Sri Lanka

Psychological capital and emotional intelligence have been identified as a new approach to increase employee performance despite the fact that there are various factors that lead to the performance of the academic staff, which fulfills a very high national mission by producing educated and intelligent young generations who need to develop to protect the future of the country. Later, researchers found that it can change the way employees feel about their jobs. So, the researcher decided to investigate the impact of psychological capital and emotional intelligence on job performance in higher education institutions in Sri Lanka as this aspect has not been examined in the Sri Lankan context. The question investigated in this study is the effect of psychological capital and emotional intelligence on job performance in higher education institutions in Sri Lanka. It is the primary objective of this study. As a specific objectives of the study were developed on the four variables of the Psychological Capital and four variable of emotional intelligence construct. In summary, the researcher found that there is a positive effect of psychological capital and emotional intelligence on job performance. Finally, the study gives some recommendations for improving job performance by increasing psychological capital and emotional intelligence. Although psychological capital is a novel idea for many Vietnamese managers, they see it as a resource that can assist people improve their job performance (NGO, 2021). Understanding psychological capital, developing a questionnaire to measure its level based on work characteristics, business industries, conducting annual evaluations, and convening short-term psychological training courses for employees are some managerial initiatives. Furthermore, in order to improve employees’ job performance, managers should implement two-way internal communication activities that successfully match employees’ requirements, work goals, and assigned tasks at the personal level. Employee selection and promotion decisions can benefit from psychological capital and emotional intelligence. That is, management should prioritize self-efficacy, power contracts, and high levels of self-efficacy among those who can pay. Assist these employees in performing effectively in the workplace, they will be less likely to participate in risky behavior. During the hiring/promotion process, a psychological development status assessment might be conducted.

Von mandatum zum Bevollmächtigungsvertrag

The contract of authorization in the Austrian civil code (ABGB) is based on the mandatum of Roman law, but differs from it in two crucial points: First, the ancient mandatum was a necessarily gratuitous transaction. Within a contract of authorization, on the other hand, the parties can either agree on a remuneration for the representative or not. Second, the ancient manda‐tum was a form of indirect agency, while the power of attorney contract can lead to direct agency. This article examines how these two differences evolved in the drafting of the Austrian civil code.

Market Power and Long-term Gas Contracts: The Case of Gazprom in Central and Eastern European Gas Markets

We explore a major European competition decision, the 2012–18 Gazprom case, using a global gas market simulation model. We find that access to LNG markets alone is insufficient to counterbalance Gazprom’s strategic behaviour; central and eastern Europe (CEE) needs to be well interconnected with bidirectional flow capability. ‘Swap deals’ created by the decision facilitate CEE market integration, while limiting Gazprom’s potential market power. Such deals may increase the diversity of contracted gas and number of market players, but do not improve physical supply diversity. In the next five years, swap deals could marginally impact negatively the utilization of strategic assets in CEE, but since Gazprom’s commitments expire by mid-2026, utilization of these strategic assets may fall considerably, especially if Gazprom withholds supplies. As an unintended consequence, CEE markets may disintegrate from the rest of Europe. Avoiding such outcomes will require further gas market reforms, particularly, market design for gas transportation.

The pricing method for abandoned wind power contract between wind power enterprises and desalination plants in bilateral transactions

In Northeast China’s electric power auxiliary service market, guiding interruptible load users to participate in bilateral transactions is an effective measure to ease the difficulty of grid peak regulation and improve the utilization rate of wind power. Aiming at the lack of theoretical guidance in the current bilateral transactions, this paper proposes a two-stage pricing (TSP) method. Firstly, the freshwater supply and demand balance model of the desalination plant is constructed. The upper-level optimization model of bilateral transaction for profit maximization of the desalination plant is constructed. Then, considering the profit distribution among transaction parties and constraints on wind power utilization, a low-level calculation model of wind power pricing is constructed. Finally, the TSP method is applied to the numerical analysis of bilateral transaction between a desalination plant and a wind power company. The TSP method jointly optimizes the dispatching scheme between the variable speed pump and the water storage tank of the desalination plant. Under the constraints of reasonable profit distribution and wind power utilization, the transaction price finally converges to a range acceptable to both parties. The TSP method can effectively improve the utilization rate of wind power and optimize the flexibility of energy utilization. • A detailed mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is developed for desalination plants. • A model for seawater desalination plants to participate in bilateral trading markets is proposed. • A TSP method for calculating the price of bilateral transactions is proposed. • The TSP method can effectively optimize the flexibility of energy utilization.

The Four Main Principles That Become the Pillars of Legal Building National Treaty

Contract law as regulated in Book III of the Criminal Code. Civil Code is a legacy of the Dutch Colonial which is more than a century and a half old. Considering the development of the business world which is closely related to the law of agreement or contract, it becomes a sine qua non to reform the law of agreement. The renewal of treaty law cannot be separated from the search for legal principles that serve as the basic foundation so that legal issues arise to seek and find the legal principles that are the pillars of the building of national treaty law. This research is a normative juridical research, namely research that conducts an assessment of library materials. The data source used is secondary data. Secondary data is “data sourced from library research related to publications, namely library data listed in official documents. The search and discovery of these legal principles is carried out through normative legal studies by relying on the search for various theoretical legal materials obtained from literature studies. The results of the study found four main legal principles as the main pillars of the building of national contract law, namely the principle of consensualism, the principle of freedom of contract, the principle of binding contractual power and the principle of good faith