Tangible Components Research Articles

Exploring the Convergence of Visual Computing Across Machine Learning, Entertainment, Design, Medicine, Education and Beyond

Visual computing is an interdisciplinary field combining computer science, mathematics, physics, and cognitive sciences to develop, analyze, and produce visual information. It aims to enhance activity organization and interaction through visual elements, including images, videos, flowcharts, and icons. This field addresses tangible components, like touchscreens and interactive whiteboards, and intangible components, such as data patterns and algorithms, visually represented for better comprehension and decision-making. Key aspects of visual computing include the visual computer environment, which facilitates interaction through images and text, and visual applications that manage extensive image data, including videos and 3D scenes. Beyond its association with videos and 3D design, visual computing influences computer graphics and data visualization. Modern software's ability to generate detailed images and process visual data has driven advancements in computer vision and scientific analysis, linking visual computing with disciplines like machine learning, human-computer interaction, and data science.

Modeling social cognition in alcohol use disorder: lessons from schizophrenia.

A better understanding of social deficits in alcohol use disorder (AUD) has the potential to improve our understanding of the disorder. Clinical research shows that AUD is associated with interpersonal problems and the loss of a social network which impedes response to treatment. Translational research between animal models and clinical research may benefit from a discussion of the models and methods that currently guide research into social cognition in AUD. We propose that research in AUD should harness recent technological developments to improve ecological validity while maintaining experimental control. Novel methods allow us to parse naturalistic social cognition into tangible components, and to investigate previously neglected aspects of social cognition. Furthermore, to incorporate social cognition as a defining element of AUD, it is critical to clarify the timing of these social disturbances. Currently, there is limited evidence to distinguish factors that influence social cognition as a consequence of AUD, and those that precede the onset of the disorder. Both increasing the focus on operationalization of social cognition into objective components and adopting a perspective that spans the clinical spectrum will improve our understanding in humans, but also possibly increase methodological consistency and translational dialogue across species. This commentary underscores current challenges and perspectives in this area of research.

3D nasoalveolar moulding: A complete digital workflow model

Nasoalveolar moulding (NAM) is a paradigm shift from the presurgical orthopaedics used extensively over the past 20 years in infants with cleft lip and palate. It has been proposed that the gap between the clefted segments be filled up before surgical repair via presurgical nasoalveolar moulding. To attain the best practical and aesthetic results, it is a straightforward yet effective treatment that must be started at the appropriate age and time. In order to enhance treatment outcomes, convenience of use, compliance, and cost-effectiveness, recent developments in NAM therapy have focused on implementing changes to the nasal stent or intraoral moulding plate. Specifically, 3D technology has been used to improve the efficiency of NAM device design and develop standardised, objective methods of determining progressive morphological changes during therapy. The article discusses various methods that use 3D printing technology to produce tangible components from a virtual therapeutic strategy. It also looks at how developments in computational methods and printing materials could open up novel opportunities for computer-assisted NAM therapy.

#ChristianCheck: TikTok and the Construction of Generation Z Faith

Abstract This paper examines the media practices of young Christians as expressed in the TikTok trend “#ChristianCheck,” a challenge in which TikTokers create videos displaying objects that represent their faith. Through #ChristianCheck, Christian TikTokers emphasize the tangibility of their faith at a time when United States media expresses anxiety over the “dilution” of Christianity in a new generation of non-religious teens to whom the tangible components of religion do not seem to matter. Ultimately, in the face of notions that Christianity is “dead” or “uncool,” Generation Z TikTokers pose their own understandings of Christianity through reiterative processes oriented around race- and gender-based values.

Patient Satisfaction in Prescription Redemption at the Pharmacy Unit of X Hospital Surabaya

Background: One of the main services in hospitals are the pharmacy department. Pharmaceutical services are expected to be carried out according to established standards, to provide excellent service to patients.
 Aims: To determine the relationship between the quality of pharmaceutical services and patient satisfaction in the pharmaceutical installation of X Hospital Surabaya
 Methods: Quantitative research with cross sectional study design. The inclusion criteria in this study were patients/patients' families, aged 20-65 years, and willing to fill out a complete questionnaire. The independent variable is the quality of pharmaceutical services at X Hospital, the dependent variable is patient satisfaction at the X Hospital pharmacy installation. The study population was all patients both inpatient and outpatient at X Hospital, with a minimum sample size of 53 people.
 Results: Most of the respondents were female (60.38%), aged > 60 years (49.06%) with polyclinic visits mostly 3-4 times and most were college graduates (PT) (43.40%). There was a relationship between satisfaction of respondents with redemption process of drug prescriptions at the Pharmacy Unit of X Hospital Surabaya (p= 0.000 (α≤0.05) and r = 0.498). This shows that the respondents' expectations of the tangible, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy components were well fulfilled. Satisfaction from several of these dimensions indicates a good match between the quality of service at the X Hospital Pharmacy Unit and the level of patient satisfaction.
 Conclusion: The quality of service at the Pharmacy Installation of X Hospital must be maintained and improved to provide satisfaction to the community. Accuracy in carrying out procedures and supported by the optimization of tangible components, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy can certainly be a form of commitment in maintaining the quality of service in hospitals

Diatomite hemostatic particles with hierarchical porous structure for rapid and effective hemostasis

The development of fast, safe and effective hemostatic materials is crucial for pre-hospital first aid. In this study, diatomite hemostatic granules (Dhp) were developed by rotating granulation method using silica sol as binder. During rotating granulation process, the Pre-Dhp were prepared by rolling snowball effect, in which nano-silica in silica sol uniformly distributed on the surface of diatomite and polymerized through hydrogen bond to produce strong adhesion. After high-temperature calcination, the hydrogen bond transformed to silica oxygen bond and the three-dimensional gel network formed by silica sol was destroyed to exposed the pores of diatomite. Dhp retained the porous structure of diatomite with hierarchical porous structure (from nano to micro scale). Dhp could quickly adsorb the tangible components in the blood, exhibited rapid hemostatic ability (clotting time was shortened by 43 % than that of control group), and good biocompatibility (hemolysis rate < 7 %, no cytotoxicity). Dhp residue was not found in the wound of rat tail amputation model, indicating that the adhesion of silica sol and high-temperature curing treatment enhanced the stability of Dhp and reduced the hidden danger of micro thrombosis caused by residual substances entering blood vessels. Our study proved that Dhp prepared by silica sol bonding and rotary granulation was excellent hemostatic material with non-toxic side effects and rapid coagulation promotion.

Modeling the equilibrium of two and three-phase systems including water, alcohol, and hydrocarbons with CPA EOS and its improvement for electrolytic systems by Debye-Huckel equation

Calculation of the phase equilibrium of hydrocarbons in the presence of electrolyte solutions is one of the most important and practical topics in chemical and petroleum engineering. The aim is to obtain an improved thermodynamic model that can predict the phase behavior of hydrocarbons along with electrolyte solution and alcohol with a good approximation. In this work, various equilibrium data published by previous researchers were collected, and then phase behavior of different systems including water, alcohol, and hydrocarbons was modeled using cubic plus association equation of state. Moreover, modified cubic plus association equation of state by Debye-Huckel equation was utilized for the prediction of the phase behavior of different systems containing salt. The results showed, for systems without electrolyte components, the cubic plus association equation of state predicts the phase behavior of these mixtures very well and the absolute average deviation value in these mixtures was between 1 and 10% for different systems. In recent decades, several equations of state have been proposed to predict the behavior of electrolyte mixture but, to the best of our knowledge, they did not consider all four components (hydrocarbon, water, alcohol, and salt) at the same time. In this research, an equation of state was presented to predict the phase behavior of systems that simultaneously contain hydrocarbons, water, alcohol, and salt in a mixture that considers both hydrogen bonds and ion interactions. The electrolytic cubic plus association equation is an equation that considers the effect of hydrogen bonds between different components as well as the effect of forces between existing ions. The results obtained for predicting electrolyte systems using the electrolytic cubic plus association equation showed that this equation can predict the phase behavior of these mixtures satisfactorily. The error value obtained for electrolytic systems and tangible components was between 1 and 12%.

The Impact of Service Employees and Servicescape on Customers’ Perception of Quality Improvement Efforts

The present study contributes to the understanding of the influence of service employees and the tangible components of the service production and delivery system on perceptions of quality improvement efforts in a service organization. A hierarchical multiple regression with interaction analysis was performed on data collected from a convenience sample of 435 respondents in a higher education institution to assess the main effect of service employees and servicescape, as well as their interactive effect, on customers’ perception of the institution’s quality improvement efforts. The results show a significant effect of service employees, servicescape as well as the interaction between service employees and servicescape in their influence on customers’ perception of quality improvement efforts. The results also reveal that the servicescape intervenes as a moderator variable in the relationship between service employees and quality improvement efforts. Service organizations should therefore focus on the crucial role of service employees during the service encounter and recognize the importance of the servicescape, in view of increasing customers’ favourable perceptions towards the service organisation’s capability to provide better quality in order to satisfy their needs. The study has limited generalization given the convenience sample and the great variety of service industries. It would be helpful to realize similar studies in other service settings and to explore the exact nature of the interaction between service employees and servicescape. Keywords: Service employees, servicescape, quality improvement efforts

Changeability, Variability, and Malleability: Sharing Perspectives on the Role of Change in Time-based Art and Utilitarian Machinery Conservation

ABSTRACT This paper explores concepts of changeability, variability, and malleability in the different heritage genres of time-based artworks and utilitarian machinery. Case studies bring to the surface differences in understandings, norms, and boundaries, but also demonstrate similarities between the two areas of practice, showing that they can be viewed as poles of practice within a shared field of theory and practice rather than as separate and unrelated endeavours. The key issues for all communities caring for changeable objects are how to preserve the intangible sensory, cultural, and immersive experiences created by change, and how the practical actions required to maintain this intangible heritage interact with concepts of authenticity, performativity, and intention. This paper explores how these relationships evolve as time and contexts change, and how best practice in the conservation of changeable objects must acknowledge and manage the tension between the activation that preserves intangible, embodied experience, and the static maintenance that preserves the tangible components of an object with minimal physical change. Viewing objects through the lens of change opens the door to the development of a new field of conservation expertise, one focused on the challenges and opportunities presented by an object’s changeable qualities rather than by its original field of use. A lens of change has the capacity to draw together not only those working with time-based artworks and utilitarian machinery but also other communities of people caring for and activating changeable objects, such as horologists, roboticists, musicians, car enthusiasts, people activating historic costumes, and people managing still-active historic utilities such as water and transport infrastructure.

ACTIVE ROLES OF NGOs AND CBOs TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURS’ PASSION AND DRIVE IN THE TOWNSHIPS AND RURAL AREAS OF SOUTH AFRICA

In South Africa, entrepreneurial spirit is regarded as fundamental to the future development of the country. To that effect, regulatory reforms have been introduced, and others are still to be introduced to stimulate and bring about change to the entrepreneurial activity. Again, for instance, in some provinces non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community based organisations (CBOs) have been established. A point in case is that in North West Province, Chambers of commerce have been established to mobilise and facilitate relations between government and business community on issues related to the economy and enterprise development programmes. However, when one analyses these, one develops a sense that genuine aspects related to less tangible components of entrepreneurial activity, such as the drive for passion, enthusiasm, motivation and attitudes, have been partially stimulated through government programmes in South Africa, especially in townships and rural communities. Therefore, in order to position the contestation of this article, a desktop approach was adopted, where existing theoretical and empirical documents were consulted to highlight the discourse around these issues and the recent policy developments targeted to accelerate growth and development of small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs), including co-operatives. The findings from the literature show the disposition of government to support entrepreneurship endeavours, and challenges related to, inter alia, awarding of government contacts and access to markets. Consequently, the active roles of NGOs and CBOs as government partners to ensure entrepreneurs’ passion and drive in the townships and rural areas of South Africa are recommended.

A tale of two taonga: mutualistic research and management of heritage landscapes on Codfish Island (Whenua Hou), Aotearoa New Zealand

ABSTRACT Biological and cultural heritage features regularly coexist and overlap within landscapes, creating complex management challenges. Codfish Island (Whenua Hou), Aotearoa New Zealand, exemplifies such a landscape, containing cultural and biological taonga (treasures) of national and international importance. Here, the last breeding colony of the critically endangered Whenua Hou Diving Petrel (Pelecanoides whenuahouensis) exists within archaeological sites preserving a rich Māori history and the earliest documented European settlement in southern Aotearoa New Zealand. The proximity of the breeding habitat of an endangered species to significant cultural heritage previously led to competing stakeholder interests which limited research and effective management. We present a mutualistic approach to landscape management on Codfish Island, which has resulted in positive outcomes for archaeological research, cultural heritage management, biological research, and conservation management. Collaborations like this are applicable in other heritage rich landscapes. Our mutualistic approach also forms a foundation for future joint monitoring schemes and research, facilitating transparent and informed management of both tangible and intangible components of the landscape.

Fringe more than context: Perceived quality of life in informal settlements in a developing country: The case of Kabul, Afghanistan

Investigations of the quality and satisfaction of urban life in informal settlements remain largely overlooked in the existing literature especially in developing countries. About one-fifth of Afghanistan population is living in urban areas, however, the trend is changing very fast and the country observes now one of the highest urbanization rates in the world. Two principal reasons for rapid urbanization are the return of Afghan immigrants from other countries after a period of relative peace and domestic rural-urban migration. Kabul, the capital city, is the most attractive destination for all immigrants. Around 80 percent of the population of the city lives in informal and illegal settlements. To investigate the perceived quality of life (QoL) of citizens living in these settlements, a survey was administered to 400 households in informal areas of Kabul. Statistical treatment of the results, including regression and factor analysis, showed a general dissatisfaction with the quality of life components related to transportation, leisure, and governance. Material deprivation regarding basic services (water, energy, etc.) was also widespread. On the other hand, less tangible components such as sense of community and family scored higher. Still, informal settlements constitute a fundamental part of Kabul and authorities should seek to improve quality of life especially in what concerns the provision of urban public goods. The findings of this study attempt to provide basic results for managers, planners and urban policymakers to facilitate a reasonable evaluation of the current state of the city in order to take action in addressing planning problems and achieving urban sustainability.

Transformational Leadership’s Impact on Organizational Innovation: The Mediating Role of Management Control System

Contemporary organizations are made up of various tangible and intangible components. While several of these components have been subjected to a variety of scholarly studies, both individually and in relation to one another, a number of organizational components still require deeper investigation. The present study looks at the direct and indirect effects of transformational leadership (TL) on organizational innovation (OI) through management control system (MCS) as a mediating variable. This objective has been achieved through an exhaustive review of the literature on the impacts of TL and MCS on OI. The data were collected through questionnaire distribution among 400 high-level managers of seven universities in Saudi Arabia, within the period of May–July 2019. Subsequently, 264 surveys were acquired for the final analysis, indicating 66 per cent accuracy in the response rate. Furthermore, Partial least squares SmartPLS 3.0 used to assess the measurement model and the structural model. It is revealed that TL and MCS have a significant correlation with OI. However, the levels of influence of TL and MCS are quite different in terms of the influence on OI. Finally, our study proposes a few future studies for the research scholars and practitioners.

New method for assets sensitivity calculation and technical risks assessment in the information systems

One of the most important components constructing the information security management system is the risk assessment process. Information technology system risks have a direct impact on the mission of organisations. Risk assessment allows organisations to identify weaknesses and security threats, and adopt appropriate solutions to deal with risks. The risk identification and assessment is the most important and complex part of the risk management process. In this study, a method has been presented to asset technical risks with regard to the sensitivity of each of the assets. In this research, the cyber battlefield framework has been presented to analyse the assets' sensitivity and then to determine the risk of each. The cyber battlefield contains exact information about cyber environment, including a vulnerability of knowledge repository, tangible and intangible components of cyber environment, and the relationships between them. Cyber-attacks are performed using vulnerabilities in the cyber environment components, so the present study focuses on the provision of a method to determine the risk due to the vulnerabilities. Considering the cost of risks treatment, the risks have been prioritised.

Tourists’ Perspective on Ecotourism Destination Competitiveness: The Role of Tangible Components

In this evolving digitalized ecosphere, ecotourism is one of the important catalysts in tourism and the government has been looking forward to the opportunities in promoting the uniqueness of ecotourism attraction through Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign. Moreover, the development of ecotourism destination should be implemented in a way that maximizes destination competitiveness. In our study, we examine the relationship between the tangible components of ecotourism destination competitiveness, namely, accessibility accommodation, cultural heritage, entertainment, infrastructure, natural resources, range of activities, and special events offered with ecotourism destination competitiveness, from the demand side point of view. A total of 225 respondents comprising tourists both international and domestic tourists visited Gunung Gading National Park in Sarawak, Malaysia took part voluntarily in this study. To assess the developed model, WarpPLS (version 6.0) was applied based on path modelling and then bootstrapping to generate the standard error of the estimate and p-values. Interestingly, the findings suggested that accessibility, natural resources, infrastructure and range of activities had a significant positive impact on ecotourism destination competitiveness, whereas no significant impact found among accommodation, cultural heritage, entertainment, and special events. Implications of these findings were further discussed.

Trwanie granic rozbiorowych w praktykach, kolekcjach i krajobrazie

The Ongoing Existence of Partition Borders in Practices, Collections and Landscape: In Search of Common Points of Sociology, Museology and Landscape Architecture The subject of this paper is the phenomenon of the so called phantom borders – former political borders, presently non‑existing, however influencing the social environment. Concentrating on practices, collections and landscape we attempt to integrate three disciplines: sociology, museology and landscape architecture to study today’s manifestations of these boundaries separating the territories of Poland for 123 years. Recognizing the perspective of borderscaping we assume (phantom) borders as complex and multilevel phenomena thus requiring holistic approach reflected in the application of aforementioned disciplines during intensive ethnographic studies of former Kingdom of Poland and Kingdom of Galicia borderland communities. We argue that successful integration of methods can be based on the assumption of materiality as a common element of interactions, collections and space, making possible – in the second step – a study of meanings invoked by these tangible components and then a recreation of material‑symbolic systems shaping everyday life and festive times of phantom‑borderlands communities.

Dealing with multiple hazards and threats on cultural heritage sites: an assessment of 80 case studies

PurposeCultural heritage (CH) sites are not only important components of a country’s identity but can also be important drivers of tourism. However, an increasing number of extreme events associated with the impacts of climate change, natural hazards and human-induced threats are posing significant problems in conserving and managing CH worldwide. Consequently, improved climate change adaptation and enhanced hazard/threat mitigation strategies have become critical (but to-date under-researched) considerations. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key hazards and threats to CH sites, the most common types of risks to CH and the strategies being adopted to mitigate or even eradicate those risks.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reviews 80 CH case studies from around the world, which have been presented at a UNESCO International Training Course between 2006 and 2016. The case studies cover 45 different countries and provide practical insights into the key challenges being encountered in a variety of “at risk” locations.FindingsThe analysis assesses the key natural hazards and human-induced threats to the sites, an overview of the typical impacts to the tangible components of heritage and identifies the types of strategies being adopted to mitigate the risks, some of which could be transferred across cultural and geographical contexts.Originality/valueThe paper provides a wealth of useful information related to how challenges faced by CH sites might be addressed in the future.

‘They care rudely!’: resourcing and relational health system factors that influence retention in care for people living with HIV in Zambia

IntroductionDespite access to free antiretroviral therapy (ART), many HIV-positive Zambians disengage from HIV care. We sought to understand how Zambian health system ‘hardware’ (tangible components) and ‘software’ (work practices and...

Exploiting aggregate channel features for urine sediment detection

Urine sediment examination refers to the use of microscopes to examine various tangible components in urine sediment, e.g. red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), tube, and crystal, etc., having a very important role in infectious diseases and circulatory diseases diagnosis. The traditional method about urine sediment analysis depends on the observation of medical staffs. So the workload is particularly large and inefficient, and relevant staff need to own some experience. Recently, the automation of urine sediment analysis can be realized. However, due to the complexity of the urine sediment microscopic image, the accuracy and efficiency of the automatic recognition for the tangible components are still very low. To solve this problem, we investigate channel features to urine sediment detection which include diverse feature types like color channel features and gradient magnitude, etc. We propose aggregate channel features plus (ACF+) detector which is based on aggregate channel features (ACF) for urine sediment detection. We adopt improved Adaboost classifier. The input image does not require any preprocessing and the specific ingredients such as RBCs can be detected directly with a high precision and efficiency. On the testing set, our proposed ACF+ detector suppresses several competitive baselines e.g. Support Vector Machine (SVM) combined with Histogram of Oriented Gradient (HOG), vanilla ACF, and ACDS. In terms of speed, it runs 3FPS on 2592 × 2048 images.

One Step Forward: Development of a Program Promoting Active School Transportation.

BackgroundPhysical activity promotes health and learning. However, up to 80% of the children in industrialized countries do not achieve the recommended level of daily physical activity. By encouraging children to use active school transportation (AST), it is possible to increase their overall physical activity.ObjectiveThe aim of this paper was to present the development of an AST intervention using Intervention Mapping (IM) to promote children’s physical activity.MethodsThe principles of IM were applied to guide the development of the intervention. The process was divided into 3 phases. First, a literature review and collection of experiences of stakeholders were carried out to gain a broad perspective on the problem and possible solutions. Thereafter, an analysis of the critical environmental and behavioral factors affecting outcome was conducted, which guided the choice of tangible components of the intervention. Finally, a plan of evaluation and implementation was established.ResultsA structured program to increase AST among children was developed, consisting of 3 subsequent phases that are described in detail. Implementation took place, and evaluation of the intervention is being carried out.ConclusionsIM proved to be a valuable method to develop a structured AST intervention for children. By following the steps of the IM process, it became evident that empowerment and gamification are 2 promising avenues to consider when designing AST interventions in a school context. By engaging end users and including important agents, such as parents and teachers, who control the environmental factors, the possibility to design a sustainable program increases. In addition, gamification made it possible to integrate learning into AST, which could motivate schools to devote time and effort to implementing this program.