Field evaluation of WALS truck-mounted A1 super duty mist sprayer® with VectoBac® WDG against Aedes aegypti (Diptera:Culicidae) populations in Manatee County, Florida

Aedes aegypti, the Dengue and Zika vector, is a domestic mosquito that is difficult to control. The challenge lies in the mosquito’s preference to lay its eggs in cryptic habitats such as fence post openings, buckets and bird baths, cups. Additionally, current methods of control are labor-intensive. We employed the WALS strategy to evaluate the operational efficacy of applying VectoBac WDG using a truck-mounted mister to control local populations of Ae. aegypti in urban settings with difficult-to-reach larval mosquito habitats. Our study was conducted in Cortez (Manatee County), Florida, USA (27° 27’ N, 82° 40’ W). We selected two study sites, one untreated control (21.9 ha) and one treatment site (23.1 ha) where historical data have shown high populations of Ae. aegypti based on weekly ovitrap surveillance. Weekly BGs and ovitraps (10–15 traps/site) were deployed to monitor adult population dynamics. A total of 50 bioassay jars were placed in the field each afternoon of the Bti application (8 application events) at fixed locations to collect droplets and gauge efficacy. We found significant reduction in female adults (P = 0.0002) and landing rate counts (P = 0.0058) as a result of treatment. Larval bioassays during the eight applications confirmed Bti deposit in a variety of coverage types regardless of placement in the yards. WALS applications with a truck-mounted mister can be effective at reducing disease carrying mosquito populations in residential areas and can be implemented in an integrated vector management program.

Frequency regulation of a RES integrated power system with AC/DC parallel link employing a fuzzy tuned fractional order controller

This paper demonstrates the operational efficacy of a newly proposed fuzzy tuned fractional order controller to offer an improved frequency regulation of a multi area renewable energy source (RES) integrated nonlinear power system. The effect of governor dead band nonlinearity and generation rate constraint of hydro and thermal power plants are considered in the system. Moreover, a proposed appropriate High voltage direct current (HVDC) tie line model is incorporated in this work, to verify the frequency deviation. Different test cases are applied to verify the robustness of the controllers on frequency response. The superiority of the proposed controller upon Proportional integral and derivative (PID), fuzzy logic controller and fuzzy PID controller in minimizing frequency deviation has been verified through MATLAB SIMULINK environment.

Critical Re-evaluation of the Slope Factor of the Operational Model of Agonism Short Title: Slope Factor of the Operational Model of Agonism

Although being a relative term, agonist efficacy is a cornerstone in the proper assessment of agonist selectivity and signalling bias. The operational model of agonism (OMA) has become successful in the determination of agonist efficacies and ranking them. In 1985, Black et al. introduced the slope factor to the OMA to make it more flexible and allow for fitting steep as well as flat concentration-response curves. Functional analysis of OMA demonstrates that the slope factor implemented by Black et al. affects relationships among parameters of the OMA. Fitting of the OMA with Black et al. slope factor to concentration-response curves of experimental as well as theoretical data (homotropic allosteric modulation, substrate inhibition and non-competitive auto-inhibition) resulted in wrong estimates of operational efficacy and affinity. In contrast, fitting of the OMA modified by the Hill coefficient to the same data resulted in correct estimates of operational efficacy and affinity. Therefore OMA modified by the Hill coefficient should be preferred over Black et al. equation for ranking of agonism and subsequent analysis, like quantification of signalling bias, when concentration response curves differ in the slope factor.

Efficiency Assessment of Seaport Terminal Operators Using DEA Malmquist and Epsilon-Based Measure Models

Today, over 80% of global trade is seaborne. In a world of global supply chains and complex industrial development processes, seaports and port operators play an integral role of utmost importance and act as an incentive to the development of the marine economy and particularly, the national economy in general. Most importantly, the supply chain and demand shocks of Covid-19 on container ports and the container shipping industry have intensified competition among terminal operators. Thus, it is imperative that managers evaluate competitiveness by measuring their past and current performance efficiency indexes. In so doing, we present a hybrid data envelopment analysis (DEA) model that combines the DEA Malmquist method and the epsilon-based measure (EBM) for the first time to address the issue of performance evaluation of seaport terminal operators. The applicability of the proposed hybrid approach is illustrated with a case study of the top 14 seaport companies in Vietnam. First, the Malmquist model is used to assess the total productivity growth rates of the companies, and its decomposition into technical efficiency change (catch-up) and technological investment (frontier-shift). Second, the EBM model is used to calculate the efficiency and inefficiency score of each company. Besides indicating the best-performing companies from certain aspects during the research period (2015–2020), the results reflect that the gap of applying the EBM method in the field of the maritime industry was successfully addressed, and together with the Malmquist model, the integrated framework can be an effective and equitable evaluation model for any area. Furthermore, the managerial implication provides a useful guideline for practitioners in the maritime sector in improving their operational efficacy and helps customers in selecting the best seaport companies in the outsourcing strategy.

The Sleep Paradox: A Retrospective Exploration into Sleeplessness and Aberrant Sleep Patterns to Gain Insights into Entrepreneurial Psychology and Behaviour

The need for sleep has important implications for entrepreneurship. Researchers have come to understand that sleep insufficiency affects creativity, innovation, self-control and operational efficacy. Yet quality sleep often eludes an entrepreneur because of the demands from the business environment, fear of failure and job insecurity, among other things. Hence, a sleep paradox exists where aberrant sleep patterns or sleeplessness undermine success. However, aberrant sleep patterns and sleeplessness are a necessary part of successful entrepreneurial experiences. The current research used a qualitative design to understand how successful entrepreneurs retrospectively perceive aberrant sleep patterns or sleep restriction (i.e., sleeplessness); but, more importantly, how they implement coping mechanisms to overcome this paradox to achieve positive outcomes for their business. Successful entrepreneurs of the current research were seen to self-regulate their actions to address the vagaries of entrepreneurial experience. They manage aberrant sleep patterns or sleeplessness by taking steps to develop adaptative tools (i.e., coping mechanisms such as mental, physical and behavioural shortcuts) to aid decision-making in an uncertain business environment and to facilitate the sustainability of their entrepreneurial endeavours.

Emergence of Emergency Logistics Centre (ELC): Humanitarian Logistics Operations at the Straits of Malacca

Despite the apprehension of certain parties, the demand for maritime emergency logistics has emerged following the occurrence of maritime accidents around the world while trading activities are performed. The requirement of Emergency Logistics Centre (ELC) is crucial as part of the maritime disaster preparedness at the Straits of Malacca (SOM). The ELC prevents massive losses, should any disaster occur in the rough ocean. Based on unforeseen situations at sea, this paper explores the contributing factors of the ELC in proposing and improving strategies for Kuala Linggi seaport as an ELC. The Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) has been employed to achieve the objectives of this paper. The outcome of this paper indicates that resource availability, risk management, and geographical factors are the three key attributes that are substantially required to transform Kuala Linggi seaport into an ELC. Furthermore, disaster preparedness, ELC supply-chain management system, and safety procedures are the crucial components to enhance the operational efficacy at this seaport as an ELC. The findings of this research may contribute to the safety of the maritime route and disaster preparedness at the SOM.

Case study on the Competitiveness Comparisons of Karachi Port with the Neighbouring Emerging Ports in Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.

Purpose: This study evaluates competitiveness of emerging ports located in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. Traditionally, ports operational efficacy is evaluated only on basis of throughput, a case in point being the Lloyds International Port ranking. However, we do not concur with this approach and adopt a multicriteria methodology. Methodology: Three criteria - throughput, physical infrastructure, and performance are used to assess the operational efficacy of the ports. TOPSIS augmented with the “entropy weight” is used to devise weights for the chosen criteria and overall operational efficacy for each port is calculated. Results: The study revealed that infrastructure plays a critical role in the overall operational efficacy of the port. Karachi port is behind the contemporary ports in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf because of its inadequate infrastructure. The results also highlighted that Jawaharlal Nehru Port ranked highest in considered ports while Port of Mundra ranked the worst. Practical Implications: The study can provide an insight to the port users about the competitive advantage amongst ports. Moreover, it also identifies the areas that can be improved for better efficiency. Originality: The research article is novel because no similar study has been conducted specifically on the ports in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf.

Merging the E-journaling and the Workshop Methods to Reduce Prep-Year Students’ Writing Apprehension: An Experimental Study

Preparatory (prep) year students presently encounter a significant disparity between prior to college English writing and the much superior level of competence needed for potential academic programs in Saudi Arabia. Study has verified the operational efficacy of the methods of e-journaling and writing workshop on alleviating writing apprehension but on a separate basis. This study represents an original contribution to knowledge through exploring the effects of merging these two outstanding methods. Accordingly, the degree to which this new method reduced Saudi prep-year students' writing apprehension was statistically examined. Tools included an instructional program and a writing apprehension test. The researcher applied the randomized control-group posttest-only design in the experiment. Students were randomly assigned to an experimental group, that studied the new program and a control group, that did not experience such treatment. At the end of the experiment, the two groups were post-tested using the writing apprehension test. Statistical treatment of the results was carried out, and the findings revealed that there is a statistically substantial difference between mean scores in favor of the experimental group students. This indicates that the integration of the e-journaling and the writing workshop methods has substantial effects on minimizing students’ writing apprehension as compared to the control group students. Further research is needed to develop new consistent methods of teaching writing that cope with and benefit from the current digital outbreak, especially in the Saudi, Arab and EFL foundation/prep-year contexts.

Call Details Record Analysis: A Spatiotemporal Exploration toward Mobile Traffic Classification and Optimization

The information contained within Call Details records (CDRs) of mobile networks can be used to study the operational efficacy of cellular networks and behavioural pattern of mobile subscribers. In this study, we extract actionable insights from the CDR data and show that there exists a strong spatiotemporal predictability in real network traffic patterns. This knowledge can be leveraged by the mobile operators for effective network planning such as resource management and optimization. Motivated by this, we perform the spatiotemporal analysis of CDR data publicly available from Telecom Italia. Thus, on the basis of spatiotemporal insights, we propose a framework for mobile traffic classification. Experimental results show that the proposed model based on machine learning technique is able to accurately model and classify the network traffic patterns. Furthermore, we demonstrate the application of such insights for resource optimisation.