Exposure of FeCrAl Overlay Welds on Superheater Tubes: Influence of Local Environment on Degradation

Two experimental FeCrAl alloy overlay welds on tube shields were exposed in the superheater of a full-size waste fired boiler for 6 months. The tube shields were in different tube lines and positions within the superheater chamber to investigate possible heterogeneities in the exposure environment. The visual inspection of the exposed tube shields and the corrosion-erosion rates calculated from the analysis of cross-sections showed that the mid-length roof location experienced the most aggressive environment. The compositional differences between the two experimental alloys were not found to be determinant in their performance under these specific exposure conditions. It was concluded that erosion had a decisive influence on the results. The identification of local differences within the superheater chamber is important when deciding on the material selection for the different areas and locations to be protected. The output of this study is therefore interesting for further design consideration of superheaters as well as for future planning of exposures.

Trends and Issues in Strategic Human Resources Management

The key function of human resources will continue to play a key role in the process of firms' future planning. The chapter has highlighted, discussed, and explored key activities at the strategic levels of human resource management and planning including introductory comments and definitions of current understanding of HRM, the flexible firm, HRM planning and its benefits, HRM planning at the strategic levels, the role of individuals within their wider teams and organisations, and the development of technological advancement and its reflection in the planning process for HRM leading to further embedding of virtual aspects and activities. Furthermore, the chapter also included current practices of outsourcing and different key stages of workforce planning. The chapter aimed to enhance application by providing several practical discussions and case studies reflecting current trends in HRM at a strategic level.

The Adult Transition Challenge of Autistic Individuals and the Way Ahead

Autism is a life-long neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in social communication, restricted and repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing issues. In India, there is a huge question mark regarding autistic individuals after they transition into adulthood, more specifically in housing and work options. In this chapter, beginning from the general considerations for upbringing of an autistic individual, attention is given to the need for future planning of autistic adults, more specifically in residential options. Some of the major residential centres are described followed by projections on establishing residential facilities. Following this, examples of life skills training, employment, and inclusion initiatives taking place in India are mentioned. Finally, research directions and other expectations aimed at increasing support for parents and siblings and also improving the lives of individuals on spectrum are discussed.

Availability of Special Education Related Services and Incentives for Children with Special Needs in Government Special Education Centres in Punjab: A Survey of Parental Perception

Parents' involvement in the rehabilitation process is very important. Parental views about the availability of related services and incentives are the significant indicators of their required particular needs. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the level of available related services and incentives in special education centers and to highlight their specific and suggestions for improvement of these services for students of four disabilities studying in these centers. A survey was conducted from 2019 to 2020 to collect data about demographic characteristics and information about related services and incentives provided to these special students from their parents and also their suggestions to improve these services. The sample consisted of 36 government special education centers at the Tehsil level, from which 479 questionnaires, filled by the parents of students, were received back. The results emphasized the low education and income of the parents, increasing incidence of disability in the families of special children, lack of available services and incentives in these centers, and acknowledged parental suggestions and recommendations. It was concluded from the survey that future planning of provisions of related services and incentives might be more helpful and effective if based on the requirements and preferences conveyed by parents of special students with four disabilities.

Facilitators and Barriers to Implementation of the EIT-4-BPSD Intervention

This study aimed to explore the perceptions of stakeholders (site champions, administrators, and front-line, social service, and activity staff) regarding the EIT-4-BPSD implementation strategy, including its utility, and the barriers and facilitators to implementation in real-world settings. A process evaluation included qualitative data from focus groups conducted with 93 stakeholders of 21 nursing homes (NHs) that implemented the EIT-4-BPSD strategy. Data were analyzed using a conventional content analysis. Emerging codes were sorted into categories then organized in meaningful clusters based on the domains of the RE-AIM framework. Challenges, facilitators, and contextual factors explain variability in implementation of EIT-4-BPSD strategy among NHs in six key categories: multi-stakeholder engagement, multi-level outcomes, process adaptations, uptake and utility of EIT resources, adoption barriers and facilitators, and future planning. Overall, stakeholders reported that the EIT-4-BPSD strategy can be successfully implemented in NHs and is helpful in improving staffs’ approach to BPSD.

A remote Tai Chi program for diverse older adults with multisite pain during the COVID-19 pandemic

The goal of this study was to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of a remote Tai Chi program in diverse older adults with multisite pain and risk for falls during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adults aged ≥65y living in diverse Boston neighborhoods were invited through mailed letters to participate in a recruitment and screening survey. Eligible adults were re-contacted to join a 4-week Tai Chi or light exercise program offered online twice weekly. We conducted pre- and post-interviews to assess pain characteristics, fall risk, computer use, and satisfaction with the program. Primary outcomes were class attendance, experience, and program safety. Among 335 survey respondents, 105 (31%) were eligible based on multisite pain and fall history or cane/walker use. Of the eligible respondents, average age was 74y, 75% were women, 62% were Black, and 31% had high school education or less. We assigned 32 participants to 4 Tai Chi (Yang-style Tai Chi tailored to older adults with pain) or 2 light exercise (stretching and strength exercise) groups conducted via zoom; of these, 24 (75%) completed the program. Overall, 79% attended ≥6 of 8 classes. There were no adverse events reported. Regarding experiences with remote exercise, 67% reported it was very easy to join, 88%, very easy to see the instructor and 83%, very easy to participate. For future planning, 29% prefer remote classes, 33% prefer in-person classes, and 38% could do either. In conclusion, remote exercise programming is safe and feasible for diverse older adults who have multisite pain and risk of falls.

No evidence for future planning in Canada jays ( Perisoreus canadensis )

In the past 20 years, research in animal cognition has challenged the belief that complex cognitive processes are uniquely human. At the forefront of these challenges has been research on mental time travel and future planning in jays. We tested whether Canada jays ( Perisoreus canadensis ) demonstrated future planning, using a procedure that has produced evidence of future planning in California scrub-jays. Future planning in this procedure is caching in locations where the bird will predictably experience a lack of food in the future. Canada jays showed no evidence of future planning in this sense and instead cached in the location where food was usually available, opposite to the behaviour described for California scrub-jays. We provide potential explanations for these differing results adding to the recent debates about the role of complex cognition in corvid caching strategies.

Mental Health of Adults with Covid-19 and without Covid-19

This systematic comparative study aimed to examine measuring the mental health of adults with and without covid-19 in Pakistan. A purposive sampling technique was utilized in this study. The sample consisted of 72 participants. Mental Health Inventory (MHI) by (Veit & Ware, 1983) was utilized for measuring the mental health of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases and the general population. Findings indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly associated with mental health and confirmed positive Covid-19 participants have less mental health than the general population. Anxiety was found higher in COVID-19 patients as compared to depression whereas in the general population depression was found higher than anxiety. Behavioral control was non-significant in both covid-19 patients and the general population. The positive effect was less in the general population than confirmed positive covid-19 patients. These findings are very important for future planning. But some limitations were that this research was conducted only in one district in Bhakkar and this sample was too short. In the future, this research should be on a large scale in which the maximum era of the country should be selected.

Acceptability of a Newly Developed Financial Program for Caregivers of Individuals Living with a Chronic Illness

Over 40 million informal caregivers provide care to adults aged 50 or older with a chronic illness. In addition to the negative health and well-being impact, caregivers experience financial difficulties including lost income, retirement benefits, future earnings, and unanticipated out-of-pocket costs. Few evidence-informed programs exist to assist caregivers in understanding and managing these financial tasks. This poster presents preliminary acceptability data from 71 caregivers who completed the newly developed Managing Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances program. The 60-minute program was delivered online by trained community educators and addressed caregiving costs/impacts; future planning; initiating conversations; avoiding financial abuse/fraud; and identifying needs. Participants (Mage = 59.45, SD = 11.31) were 87.32% female with 77.46% self-identified as White, 9.86%, as Black, and 8.45% as Hispanic/Latino. Using a Likert scale (1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree), participants indicated the program: 1) identified financial challenges (M= 4.11 ; SD = 0.73); 2) provided information for managing money (M = 3.99; SD = 0.64); 3) content was easy to read/understand (M = 4.49; SD = 0.61); 4) program length was appropriate (M = 4.18; SD= 0.68); and 5) activities were helpful (M = 4.13; SD = 0.69). Participants rated the program as very important (M = 4.54; SD = 0.82) and would highly recommend (M = 4.52; SD = 0.53). Results indicated the program was well-received by participants and highly acceptable. Discussion will highlight key program features designed to promote acceptability along with the importance of measuring acceptability for large-scale implementation along with next research steps.

Planning of Waste Management using Zero Waste Approach at SMAN 14 Bandung, Indonesia

SMAN 14 is one of the educational institutions that still adhere to waste management with a liner system, namely waste generated and disposed of in the final disposal site. In addition, SMAN 14 Bandung is a school with the title of an independent Adiwiyata School with environmental insight, but this school has not paid attention to managing its waste. This study aims to plan waste management with zero-waste approach so that the amount of waste sent to landfills is zero. Calculation of zero waste index (ZWI) was performed for a school scale wherein the results of ZWI were used for evaluation and as a basis for the future planning of solid waste management. Sampling measurements were carried out using the load count analysis method. The waste generated is 37,544 kg/day. With a composition of 13.12% organic, 60.42% plastic, 20.957% paper, 0.36 % metal, and a mixture of 5.14% with a zero-waste index of 0.80, the substitution of material savings of 30.09 kg, the substitution of energy 953.94 MJ, greenhouse effect reduction 26.89 Kg/CO2e, and water-saving -232.02 L. Furthermore, through this planning, the estimation of cost reduction was as much as Rp. 23,315 a day.