Temporal Dynamics of Subjective and Objective Alertness During Exposure to Bright Light in the Afternoon for 5 h

Light can induce an alertness response in humans. The effects of exposure to bright light vs. dim light on the levels of alertness during the day, especially in the afternoon, as reported in the literature, are inconsistent. This study employed a multiple measurement strategy to explore the temporal variations in the effects of exposure to bright light vs. regular office light (1,200 lx vs. 200 lx at eye level, 6,500 K) on the alertness of participants for 5 h in the afternoon. In this study, 20 healthy adults (11 female; mean age 23.25 ± 2.3 years) underwent the Karolinska sleepiness scale (KSS), the auditory psychomotor vigilance test (PVT), and the waking electroencephalogram (EEG) test for two levels of light intervention. The results yielded a relatively lower relative delta power and a relatively higher beta power for the 1,200 lx condition in comparison with the 200 lx condition. However, the light conditions elicited no statistically significant differences in the KSS scores and performance with respect to the PVT. The results suggested that exposure to bright light for 5 h in the afternoon could enhance physiological arousal while exerting insignificant effects on subjective feelings and performance abilities relating to the alertness of the participants.

Economic Consequences and the Motive to Discriminate

Past research indicates that increasing the economic consequences of evaluations should theoretically discourage discrimination by making it more costly. I theorize that such consequences may also encourage discrimination in settings in which evaluators may be motivated by performance expectations, e.g., stereotypes. I explore this theory using data from an online lending platform whose loan guarantee policy reduced the potential economic consequences of using borrowers’ demographics during lending decisions. I find evidence that with the policy in place, lenders evaluated female borrowers less favorably than male borrowers. This finding is consistent with the theory that the policy discouraged performance-motivated discrimination (that driven by beliefs about performance abilities) and simultaneously encouraged consumption-motivated discrimination (that driven by a like or dislike of others because of their demographic traits). Because I theorize about underlying motives for discrimination, the insights developed here should apply to a wide range of types of discrimination that vary according to these motives, including classic taste-based discrimination, homophily-driven discrimination, statistical discrimination, and status-based discrimination. Economic consequences may therefore represent an important dynamic link between different types of discrimination.

Time-modulated linear array synthesis with optimal time schemes for the simultaneous suppression of sidelobe and sidebands

An efficient analysis of time-modulated array (TMA) toward realizing less-attenuating radiation patterns with simultaneously suppressed sidelobe and sidebands is presented in this paper. In this framework, an optimal outer element-controlled time sequence is derived. The proposed time scheme, along with optimized array excitations, is profitably applied for the desired solution. TMAs are considered unconventional alternatives to the phased arrays. The desired array radiation features can be attained by periodically enabling and disabling the array elements through high-speed switches. Despite the advantages of architectural simplicity and real-time reconfigurability of periodic time sequences, time-domain antenna arrays inherently generate unavoidable sideband radiations (SRs). The undesired SRs obtained at multiple harmonics around the carrier frequency of the array resembles power loss in unintended directions. This paper aims to minimize the SRs as well as the sidelobe level (SLL) for an efficient analysis of time-modulated linear array (TMLA) with high-directive radiation patterns. The starting instants and the period of on-times are optimized to generate a unique shifted time scheme for the edge elements of the TMLA to reduce the sideband levels (SBLs). The array excitations and the uniform spacing between the elements are also optimized together with the shifted time scheme for the coveted solution. Other methods of suppressing SLLs and SBLs with shifted pulse schemes and sub-sectioned pulse schemes are also presented for a fair comparison. Modified versions of the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) are applied for the desired solutions. The optimal results attained by wavelet mutation-based novel PSO is compared with the conventional PSO and the modified novel PSO-based results. The representative results are reported, and the superior performance abilities of the proposed method compared to other published studies are assessed.

PROBLEMATIKA PEMBELAJARAN AL-QUR’AN DI ERA INDUSTRI DALAM KONTEKS INDONESIA

There are at least two factors that trigger problems in the Qur`an learning in the industrial era 4.0: the rejection of changes that occur in educators and acceptance of changes, but the available technological infrastructure cannot support learning of the Qur`an into the realm of education in the era industry 4.0. This resulted in failure in learning the Qur`an. The manifestations of this failure are in the form of unsuccessful character building for students to have Qur`anic characters, fading love of students for the Qur`an, loss of students' polite behavior, and limited material received only limited to cognitive knowledge without performance abilities. By using the descriptive-explorative method, this paper produces findings that the problems of learning the Qur`an in the industrial era, namely: the use of the Qur`an learning method which is monotonous, the learning strategy of the Qur`an is not yet right, the lack of facilities. infrastructure that supports learning Qur`an, there has not been any transformation and innovation of the Qur`an learning that takes advantage of technological sophistication, the lack of professional educators, and lack of support from the environment for the realization of a triple education center.

Investigation and Reliability Analysis of Fifteen Level Asymmetrical Multilevel Inverter Topology using Nearest Level Control Technique with low Component Count

Background:: In multilevel inverters (MLI) as the number of level increases, there is a proportionate increase in the count of the semiconductor devices that are employed. Methods:: An asymmetrical multilevel inverter topology using a bidirectional switch is presented which employs lesser number of power electronic devices to produce fifteen levels at the output voltage. Nearest Level modulation (NLM) technique is used to generate the switching pulses and reliability analysis is performed using Markov reliability methodology. The operating principle of the proposed MLI and its performance abilities is verified through MATLAB/Simulink and a prototype is developed to provide the experimental results. Results:: Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) is computed for proposed MLI for different types of loads in simulation environment as well as in the developed hardware prototype. The fifteen level is achieved by using only 9 switches and 3 DC sources in comparison to the 28 switches and 6 DC sources required by the traditional cascaded H-bridge inverter. Conclusion:: The simulation and hardware results confirm the suitability of the proposed fifteen level MLI as the total component count and the requirement of DC sources reduces considerably.

‘Producing’ childhood: The making of childhood and children in theatre

The performance of child roles and childhood on stage requires specific skills and resources. It also depends upon certain acting strategies and training. This article explores productions for children by theatre companies in India, analysing the meaning of these performance abilities, strategies and their relation to chronological age, experience and actors’ appearances. It shows how the conceptualisation of childhood and its ontological status can benefit from theatre as a locus of inquiry in which only adults can professionally perform childhood.

Performance Analysis of a Half Bridge Cell Based Asymmetrical Multilevel Inverter Topology with Minimum Components

Background: In Multilevel Inverters (MLI) as the number of level increases, there is a proportionate increase in the count of the semiconductor devices that are employed. Methods: This paper deals with an asymmetrical cascaded H-bridge inverter topology with half bridge cells to produce seven level output voltage waveform. Nearest Level Control (NLM) technique is used to produce the switching pulses. The operating principle of the proposed MLI and its performance abilities is verified through MATLAB/Simulink and a prototype is developed to provide the experimental results. Results: Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) is computed for proposed MLI for different types of loads in simulation environment as well as in the developed hardware prototype. Comparison between the proposed MLI and recent topologies demonstrates the advantageous features. Conclusion: The simulation and hardware results confirm the suitability of the proposed seven level MLI as the total component count, and the requirement of DC sources reduces considerably.

What is the motivation of Norwegian and New Zealand teacher educators for using digital technology when teaching?

There is a gap between policies regarding the use of digital technology in higher education in Norway and what is practiced. Therefore, we have conducted a comparative study of teacher education in Norway and New Zealand. Using Herzberg’s two-factor theory, this study investigates what motivates teacher educators to use digital technology when teaching. Although the professional application of digital tools is more frequent in New Zealand than in Norway, the ability to use digital technology seems to be greater in Norway than in New Zealand. Based on Meier’s formula (performance = abilities × motivation), teacher educators’ performance is considered a result of their abilities and motivation. This indicates that motivation is a key element in understanding why the use of digital tools is more frequent amongst New Zealand teacher educators. When explaining their motivation for using digital technology, Norwegian teacher educators mentioned nine motivation factors and nine hygiene factors. The hygiene factors relate to the mandatory policy and the work conditions when teaching online. New Zealand teacher educators explained their motivation with 14 motivational factors and only four hygiene factors. New Zealand teacher educators seemed to be more motivated to work with digital technology than their Norwegian counterparts. This lack of motivation is one reason that could explain why the application of digital tools seemed lower in Norway than in New Zealand. Norwegian teacher educators explained that the main reason they use digital tools is the top-down implementation of government policy. Therefore, a fundamental challenge in the use of digital technology in Norway is the policy related to its implementation; as a part of the job environment, policy creates job dissatisfaction. Teacher educators from both countries highlighted achievement and policy as their main reasons for using digital technology, but Norwegian teacher educators were especially critical of their own country’s policy.