A Lightweight Learning Method for Stochastic Configuration Networks Using Non-Inverse Solution

Stochastic configuration networks (SCNs) face time-consuming issues when dealing with complex modeling tasks that usually require a mass of hidden nodes to build an enormous network. An important reason behind this issue is that SCNs always employ the Moore–Penrose generalized inverse method with high complexity to update the output weights in each increment. To tackle this problem, this paper proposes a lightweight SCNs, called L-SCNs. First, to avoid using the Moore–Penrose generalized inverse method, a positive definite equation is proposed to replace the over-determined equation, and the consistency of their solution is proved. Then, to reduce the complexity of calculating the output weight, a low complexity method based on Cholesky decomposition is proposed. The experimental results based on both the benchmark function approximation and real-world problems including regression and classification applications show that L-SCNs are sufficiently lightweight.

Perceptions and attitudes of University of Johannesburg chiropractic students toward a blended learning approach and a shift to an e-learning approach necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to explore and compare the perceptions and attitudes of chiropractic students on a blended learning offering in 2019 and a subsequent shift to an e-learning approach in 2020 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This was an exploratory descriptive study of 4th-year BHSc chiropractic students enrolled in the Clinical and Applied Biomechanics IV module in 2019 (n = 31) and 2020 (n = 33). The survey used close-ended Likert scale questions collected from 29 July to 14 August 2020. Data were analyzed using frequencies and descriptions, exploratory factor analysis, and reliability. Trends and interrelationships of and between student attitude, satisfaction, social influences, ease of use, accessibility, and effectivity were investigated for each year and compared between successive years' cohorts. Results Students were mostly female (76.6%), aged 20 to 24 years (84.4%). Although both cohorts showed similar positive attitudes, accessibility, and satisfaction levels, the e-learning group showed increased effectivity (p = .016) and ease of use (p = .038) compared with the blended learning cohort. Face-to-face time with the lecturer was shown to be more important to the blended learning cohort (p = .006). Strong correlations were demonstrated in both cohorts between accessibility and satisfaction with attitude, effectivity, and ease of use. Conclusion Findings suggest that students were more receptive to an e-learning approach than they may have been in the past. This may be as a direct consequence of the response to COVID-19, and the adapted offerings of the curriculum.

“Is there anybody out there?” Using a telepresence robot to engage in face time at the office

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the impact of mobile robotic telepresence systems on face time – which refers to people “seeing and being seen” – and analyse whether they allow overcoming the challenges associated with telecommuting.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on a qualitative methodology in two French high-tech companies using interviews to better understand how the use of a telepresence robot is experienced by teleworkers, co-workers and their managers.FindingsThe results demonstrate that telepresence robots do offset the absence of teleworkers by allowing them to engage in face time, even remotely. It shows how the telepresence robot's affordances impact the different dimensions of face time and examine the processes through which teleworkers and co-workers anthropomorphize the robot and manage their privacy needs.Originality/valueThis article further elaborates the concept of face time and offers six dimensions to study in a digitally driven environment, including two newly identified dimensions. It also discusses the surveillance and privacy needs issues raised by the use of mobile robotic telepresence (MRP) systems.

The Effectiveness of Smart Learning Based on Expert Systems in Cryptography Courses

The development of science and technology requires universities not only to matter but also to have abilities in their respective fields including Security System. The unavailability of network design laboratory and its minimum, network design, cryptography design and flexibility of face-to-face time in the discussion of material compiled not in accordance with the competencies in this course. To overcome these deficiencies in learning activities, development of a project-based blended learning model is carried out. The development carried out in this study uses the Puslitjaknov development model which reduces the Borg and Gall stages to five stages namely product analysis, initial product design, expert validation and revision, field trials and implementation. Data were collected by interview, observation, questionnaire and test. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods to produce research products in the form of books, modules, learning plans and manuals for the use of learning applications. Product validation by experts, practicality tests carried out by users and effectiveness tests with student learning outcomes. Based on the results of data analysis, the results of this study are: 1) Research has successfully developed a project-based blended learning model in Cryptography courses. 2) The developed learning model syntax consists of 9 stages / syntax. 3) In supporting learning activities, modules, RPS and manuals are used for learning applications. All products and models developed have been developed and are categorized as valid, practical and effective.

COT-7 Online supports for opening of the tumor treating field

Background: EF-14 trial showed the efficacy of tumor treating fields (TTF), and TTF was approved as a standard therapy for glioblastoma in Japan. In TTF opening, Device Support Specialist (DSS) explains how to use it for the patient and the family. Because there is no DSS in Yamaguchi prefecture, DSS has to come to our hospital across other prefectures. On the other hand, COVID-19 is still spreading and it is sometimes tough to move from a big city to countryside. Here, we would present the experiences of TTF opening with online DSS support. Method: From June 2020, Zoom was used for 4 patients, and from June 2021, iPad/Face-Time was used for one patient. TTF was introduced via online DSS support with direct support from our nurse in our out clinic. After that, initial times of TTF change were performed via online DSS support in patient’s home. Two patients who used Zoom had trouble to connect to internet, however finally completed with relative helps.Conclusion: Online medicine should be absolutely spreading in country sides. Now, we change from Zoom to iPad, because the old patients in country sides were hard to use internet utility. We should make efforts to provide patients more brief methods of online support.

Qualitative Analysis of Risks Affecting the Delivery of Land Surveying Project Activities

Land surveying projects (LSPs) suffer from the effects of many risk factors on the time and accuracy of these projects. Using field surveys, the main objective of this study was identifying the major activities and risk factors associated with LSPs’ execution, as well as assessing and analyzing the effects of the risk factors on the LSPs’ time and accuracy. Furthermore, the study aimed to classify and determine the responsibility of each risk factor and evaluate the responsibilities. Four main activities were categorized and presented, including reconnaissance works, planning works, data collection works, and data adjustment works. Moreover, forty-three risk factors that control the main activities and affect the time and accuracy of LSPs were recognized. The probabilities of occurrences for the risk factors and impacts on the time and accuracy of LSPs were determined as well as their combined effects. Key risk factors that had high threats on LSPs and affect time and accuracy were highlighted as the most critical risk factors. Many correlations were determined among risk factors affecting LSPs’ activity groups and their various effects on time and accuracy. The responsibilities of the surveying crew (chief, surveyor, assistance, office engineer) for each risk factors were correspondingly defined. The results showed that “Data collection works” is considered the riskiest activity group in LSPs and most of the key risk factors belonged to this group. Around 25% of the LSPs face time overrun and do not meet the required specifications. On the other hand, the surveyor was found to be responsible for most of the risk factors and the office engineer was signified by the lowest responsibility, while the responsibilities for most risk factors were single responsibility and few were shared by only dual responsibility.

The Relationship Between Perceived Leader Busyness and Perspective Taking and Interaction Behavior of Followers

How leaders influence followers have been a hot topic in both research and practice. Yet, prior studies have primarily focused on the impact of one leadership style, while overlooking how a leadership role may influence behavioral expressions of leaders. Particularly, being a leader means having to face time demands and workload pressure, and thus, busyness becomes a common phenomenon for leaders. Focused on perceived leader busyness, we had examined how it may influence employee interactions with leaders and how those interactions influenced leader evaluations of the performance of followers. Based on sensemaking theory, we propose that when followers have a high level of perspective taking, they are more likely to take avoidance behavior when perceiving leaders as of high busyness. Further, when followers engage in interaction avoidance behavior, leaders may consider followers as hiding errors or intentionally concealing their work process, which reduces positive evaluations (i.e., task performance and conscientiousness evaluation) while enhancing negative evaluation (i.e., deviance behavior) toward followers. We conducted two studies. Study one was conducted with a 25 participants interview and data of 297 employees to show scale validity of perceived leader busyness. Study two was conducted with 377 employees and their direct supervisors. Applying the complex modeling method, we found that followers with low-level perspective taking are less likely to engage in interaction avoidance behavior, even when perceiving leaders as high busyness; interaction avoidance behavior of followers has a positive relationship with counterproductive behavior evaluation of leaders, but a negative relationship with conscientiousness behavior evaluation. This study enriches the dyadic interactions between leaders and followers. In addition, it also shows the burden of perspective taking.

A new hybridization filtering-based linear-nonlinear models for time series forecasting

In recent years, the idea of using a mathematical model to describe the behavior of physical phenomena has been very much considered. Specifically, a definitive model, based on physical laws, enables researchers to calculate the number of time dependencies precisely at any moment in time. However, in the real world, we often face time-dependent phenomena with many unknown or unavailable factors (Lindley, 2010; Roulston et al., 2003). In this case, when it is not possible to achieve a definite - model, the prediction methods are wide used, especially when the past observations of a variable and primary relationships between specific observations are available. Forecasting methods that are used in different fields of science can be categorized based on various aspects. For example, the prediction methods used in the field of wind energy can be divided into four categories of 1) ultra short term (several seconds to four hours), 2) short term (4 to 24 hours), 3) medium-term (1 to 7 days), and 4) long term (more than 7 days) (Zack, 2003; Soman et al., 2010). Also, the structure of forecasting methods can be divided into two types of 1) single methods and 2) hybrid methods. Each of these categories can also be subdivided into smaller subgroups.

Frontline Nurses Experiences of the Covid-19 Pandemic - A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had unquestionably caused a massive crisis worldwide. This pandemic had obstructed nearly all aspects of the population’s lives and widely affected healthcare institutions, especially nurses, who are the frontline fighters of the pandemic. Their presence and duties are crucial in controlling the pandemic. Therefore, the study was done to explore the experiences of nurses in delivering healthcare throughout the pandemic and the objectives of this research were to a) explore the experience of frontline nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, and b) to understand how COVID-19 had affected frontline nurses. METHODS This study is a qualitative study reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Taif University, Saudi Arabia, under the application code: 42 - 174. The total number of participants were twenty-four nurses from King Faisal Medical Complex, Taif city, Saudi Arabia. The study conducted semi-structured interviews and the data was obtained via face time. The average time of the interview was between 40 and 60 minutes. RESULTS The results indicated two major themes. First, the negative effects of COVID-19 on nurses, which included fear of infection and transmission of the disease, challenging working conditions and a change in social lifestyle. The second theme is the positive impact of the Covid pandemic on nurses, which included increased awareness of the role of nursing in society, an increase in nurses' self-confidence and the strength of support from nursing directors. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 has had an impact on nurses, both physically and mentally. They have struggled with factors surrounding their occupation and personal lives. It is well established that this pandemic has had more drawbacks than favourable outcomes with regard to nurses. Nevertheless, the funding and development that nurses obtained have improved their professional skills, experience and acceptance of future potential outbreaks. KEY WORDS Nurses Experience of COVID-19, A Qualitative Study, Saudi Arabia.