Towards Electron-Beam-Driven Soft / Polymer Fiber Microrobotics for Vacuum Conditions

The possibility of creating vacuum robotics based on the polymer structures irradiated by an electron beam, in particular, polymer fibers, which provide high functional flexibility and a variety of states, is discussed. The possibility of using polymer fibers as different types of MEMS-like electromechanical elements is demonstrated - from elastic cantilevers to springs that change their state under the electron beam. Experimentally proved the presence of different functional types of fibers, correlating with their thickness, as well as the phenomenon of the fiber break. A number of exotic forms of dynamics have been demonstrated and a method for their detection has been developed using 2D Fourier spectra, integral spatial characteristics, time resolved correlograms and wavelet transforms (visualized as the scaleograms / scalograms). Access barcodes for the full video records of the corresponding experiments are provided.

(R)urban Synergy vs. Climate Change

The chapter provides an insight into the relationship between synergic (r)urban systems, information networks and climate change, discussing the emerging ideas, and concepts related to the increasing use of information networks in the process of climate adaptation and mitigation. Emphasizing the strategic role of both digital and material information flows, supported by ICT tools, the chapter focuses on two main domains of data exchange and knowledge transfer: the public communication of climate change and the connectivity and interaction within (r)urban hybrid systems. Underlining the issues of effectiveness, accessibility, and low-carbon outcomes of synergic (r)urban reactions to climate shift, recent environmental and technological trends are considered in accordance with the preferred spatio-functional flexibility of emerging (r)urban hybrid settlements. The chapter also identifies and analyses three areas of ICT applicability, targeting the role of information networks in the anticipated climate-friendly development: human behavior, ecological awareness, and general efficiency.

Transformation of Danube Recreational Sites

The purpose of the research was to verify models of sustainable urbanization of the Danube riverside landscape in the suburban surroundings of Bratislava. The research focused on landscape-ecological forms of suburban urbanization in the contact of the river Danube, in the context of meanders of the Danube branches with the formation of recreational localities. The implementation of ecological principles was based on the concept of regional structures with a vision of the renewal of the ancient branches of the Danube for the creation of the climatic envelope of Bratislava from the southwestern side. The completion of the Petržalka, Slnečnice, Južné Mesto, and rural structures near Jarovce, Rusovce, and Čuňovo, conditioned by ecological urbanization, will acquire more landscape elements and a system of blue and green infrastructure. The hierarchical transition of the city to the suburban localities is solved by creating zones of recreation and sports on the Danube. Variant case studies of the "Danubia Park" near the village of Čuňovo are located on the southwestern bank of the Hrušov Reservoir of the Danube, with access to the Wild Water sports zone and the Danubiana Gallery complex. The research followed up on the verification of the recreational function in the landscape and focused on the level of low occupancy, the integration of sports and recreational functions, accessibility by all modes of transport, the penetration of recreation into the open landscape. For the identity of the original landscape, freely modeled connections to the riparian zone, work with water flow in the area, port, pedestrian and cycling connections to the EuroVelo route, outdoor museums of the Danube meadows, lakes and wetland communities, workouts, and multifunctional playgrounds, forms of wellness, sauna world and natural swimming. Ecological recreation concepts in the landscape of the Danube floodplains on the banks of the Danube used the modeling of banks, watercourse lines, meandering of recreational areas, green axes, play areas, elements, and zones. They used lighthouses and lookout towers for accent and orientation. The hierarchy of the release of small urban structures and loose forms of sensitive urbanization with functional flexibility and attractiveness proved the justification and location in the landscape of the Danube meadows, in the contact zones of the protected landscape and the watercourse. In this way, the importance of the suburban landscape structure is beneficial for the city not only in terms of functional attractiveness but also in terms of landscape protection and the climatic influence of the city's hinterland on its compact structures.

An integrative framework of innovative work behavior for employees in SMEs linking knowledge sharing, functional flexibility and psychological empowerment

PurposeThis study aims to propose a model based on knowledge sharing (KS) to explore that how functional flexibility (FF) and psychological empowerment (PE) plays a mediating role between KS and innovative work behavior (IWB) among employees of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachCross-sectional plan was employed to investigate the hypothesized model. Survey instrument was used to collect data from 769 employees of SMEs through self-administered questionnaires. Furthermore, correlation and structural equation modeling approach was used for the analysis of collected data.FindingsThe findings revealed that KS has a significant positive relationship with IWB. Second, FF and PE fully mediate between KS and IWB.Originality/valueThis study offers empirical evidence how to flourish a mechanism of IWB among employees in SMEs. Furthermore, this study highlighted some facts that should be meaningful options for human resource managers to understand the nexus of KS, FF and PE for enhancing the IWB among workers in SMEs. Moreover, the study in hand provided significant implications for management by focusing on KS as a fundamental predictor for IWB via FF and PE.

Does Differential Receptor Distribution Underlie Variable Responses to a Neuropeptide in the Lobster Cardiac System?

Central pattern generators produce rhythmic behaviors independently of sensory input; however, their outputs can be modulated by neuropeptides, thereby allowing for functional flexibility. We investigated the effects of C-type allatostatins (AST-C) on the cardiac ganglion (CG), which is the central pattern generator that controls the heart of the American lobster, Homarus americanus, to identify the biological mechanism underlying the significant variability in individual responses to AST-C. We proposed that the presence of multiple receptors, and thus differential receptor distribution, was at least partly responsible for this observed variability. Using transcriptome mining and PCR-based cloning, we identified four AST-C receptors (ASTCRs) in the CG; we then characterized their cellular localization, binding potential, and functional activation. Only two of the four receptors, ASTCR1 and ASTCR2, were fully functional GPCRs that targeted to the cell surface and were activated by AST-C peptides in our insect cell expression system. All four, however, were amplified from CG cDNAs. Following the confirmation of ASTCR expression, we used physiological and bioinformatic techniques to correlate receptor expression with cardiac responses to AST-C across individuals. Expression of ASTCR1 in the CG showed a negative correlation with increasing contraction amplitude in response to AST-C perfusion through the lobster heart, suggesting that the differential expression of ASTCRs within the CG is partly responsible for the specific physiological response to AST-C exhibited by a given individual lobster.

Vocalisations and the Dynamics of Interpersonal Arousal Coupling in Caregiver-Infant dyads

We currently understand little about how autonomic arousal influences early vocal development. To examine this, we used wearable microphones and autonomic sensors to collect multimodal naturalistic datasets from 12-month-olds and their caregivers. We observed that clusters of vocalisations occurred during elevated infant and caregiver arousal, but the relationship is stronger in infants than caregivers. Caregivers show greater functional flexibility, and their vocal production is more influenced by the infant’s arousal than their own. Negative affect vocalisations occur following reduced arousal stability and lead to increased child-caregiver arousal coupling, and decreased infant arousal. Positive vocalisations also occur at elevated arousal, but lead to increases in arousal, and elicit more parental speech. Our results point to important bi-directional associations between vocalisations and arousal regulation across caregiver-infant dyads.

Towards Employee Creativity in the Healthcare Sector: Investigating the Role of Polychronicity, Job Engagement and Functional Flexibility

Given the importance of individual level creativity, this paper investigates the influence of employee polychronicity on employee creativity among nurses in the healthcare sector. The current research also tests how job engagement acts as a mediator between employees’ polychronicity and creativity. Finally, thepaper analyzes the role of functional flexibility as a moderator that enhances the influence of polychronicity on employee creativity. The current paper presents empirical research, and cross-sectional data were gathered from 457 nurses (Subordinate Staff) and 127 doctors (Supervisors) working in 37DHQ (District Head Quarters) hospitals in Pakistan. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple-regression techniques were applied for analyzing the collected data. The findings proved that the nurses’ polychronic attitude increases their creativity. Findings revealed that job commitment plays a mediating role between polychronicity and employee creativity. The findings proved that functional flexibility enhances the link between polychronicity and creativity. This research has contributed to both theory and managerial practice about the interplay of polychronicity, creativity, job engagement, and functional flexibility among nurses. The management in practice should focus on employee attitude, i.e., polychronicity, for improving their creativeness.

Getting involved in innovation: how High-Involvement HRM practices support employee’s to be innovative

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Based on research from the manufacturing industry in Pakistan, the authors find that high-involvement HR practices have a direct positive impact on individual employee functional flexibility and innovative workplace behavior Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.