Dimensions of Self-Reported Driving Difficulty in Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults and their Relationship with Autistic Traits

A survey asked autistic and non-autistic people about the driving difficulties they experience and their autistic traits. Principle components analysis was used to identify how reported difficulties clustered together in each group, and regression was used to determine which subscales of the Autism Spectrum Quotient predict these factors. For autistic drivers three factors of driving difficulty emerged: a Driving Executive factor, predicted by Attention Switching; a Driving Understanding factor, predicted by Communication; and a Driving Social Interaction factor, predicted by Attention Switching. For non-autistic drivers only one Driving General factor emerged, predicted by Communication. This suggests autistic people may experience at least three distinct domains of difficulty when driving which may relate to their particular profile of autistic features.

Power Enhancement of WEC Array via Wave Runup in Channel

When waves pass through a channel, wave elevation is observed to increase, a phenomenon known as wave runup. Attempts are made to utilize the wave runup along a channel supported on a floating platform to enhance the energy generation from the array of point absorber WECs. Such floating platforms could be integrated into the floating breakwater, floating pier or other floating platforms utilized as floating cities for efficient ocean space utilization. The channel is created by modelling two vertical walls supported on a floating platform with WECs deployed in the channel. The performance of the wave farm in terms of energy generation and interaction factor are assessed. The paper investigates the effect of channel widths and depths on the power absorption of the arrays. A three-stepped floating platform with varying depths along the channel is then studied to obtain optimal depths along the channel where the highest energy is harvested. Thereafter, three arrays of WECs deployed in a larger three-stepped channel floating platform are considered and the effectiveness of such configuration in harvesting energy is assessed. The wave elevation surrounding the wave farm is presented to show the effect the wave runup has on energy generation. The results show that the energy generation of wave energy converters when the arrays are placed in a three-stepped channel floating platform could be increased significantly. A q-factor above 1.0 could be achieved for wave periods greater than 6s and the array can generate greater energy for omnidirectional waves.

Synergistic Effect Formation Mechanism

Synergy, also known as synergism, refers to the combined effects produced by two or more parts, elements, or individuals. Simply stated, synergy results when the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. For example, two people can move a heavy load more easily than the two working individually can each move their half of the load. Synergy can be a positive or negative outcome of combined efforts. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the term "synergy" is derived from the Greek word sunergos, meaning "working together." Positive synergy is sometimes called the 2 + 2 = 5 effect. Operating independently, each subsystem can produce two units of output. However, by combining their efforts and working together effectively, the two subsystems can produce five units of output. Negative synergy can be called the 2 + 2 = 3 effect. Again, individuals operating alone can each produce two units of output. However, with negative synergy, the combination of their efforts results in less output than what they would have achieved if they had each worked alone. Negative synergy can result from inefficient committees, business units that lack strategic fit, and from other poorly functioning joint efforts. The state and efficiency of any organization is influenced by many internal and external factors. According to the property of emergence, the combined effect of several factors is almost always different from the sum of separate effects. It is this difference, commonly referred to as the synergy effect, interaction factor, or cooperative effect, that is the quantitative expression of synergy. The paradigm of synergy proceeds from the recognition of the fact that in the process of development, beneficial results obtained by the integrity of the organization are responsible for the well-being of its parts, members. In essence, the doctrine of synergy is an "economic" theory of complexity. Synergy is emphasized in organization theory. The principle of emergence of complex systems is put at the head of the law of synergy: the joint action of several factors always or almost always differs from the sum of separate effects. Thus, the synergy effect is not only a favorable combination of resources, but also coordinated behavior, connections, relationships; in a word, the entire set of parameters characterizing a complex developing Key terms Keywords: Synergy effect, Combined efforts, Statistical and dynamic synergy, Investment synergy system.

Exploring the Factors Influencing the Selection of Traditional Travel Agencies: A Case of Banjarmasin, Indonesia

Highly developed online facilities by travel agents have grown drastically over the past years. Internet is taking over the businesses of traditional travel agents in their existing as well as emerging markets. Due to the dynamic and diverse nature of technology, the travellers are seeking to optimize their travel attitude in an effective manner while implicating several threats. Amidst all changes, this study investigated the attitude of Indonesian travellers visiting traditional travel agents. A self-administrated online survey was used to collect the data from local travellers of Banjarmasin, Indonesia. A sample of 277 respondents showed a significant relationship between the expertise of travel agents, handling capacity, technological adoption towards visiting traditional travel agents. Interestingly, the social interaction factor has no significant influence. Further, the analysis identified that secure transaction shows a partial mediating effect between travellers visiting traditional travel agents and their habitual selection behaviour. The results of the study indicate that Indonesian travellers have an overall positive attitude towards traditional travel agencies due to their expertise and handling capacity of travel services. An important finding reveals transactional security as a vital factor in habitual selection behaviour of Indonesian travellers. In future, there is a necessity for a holistic approach towards the understanding of both demand and supply perspectives of travel services.

A Method of Demarcating Critical Failure Impedance Boundary of Multi-Infeed HVDC Systems Based on Minimum Extinction Angle

A method of rapidly demarcating the critical commutation failure (CF) region of a multi-infeed high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) system is proposed. Based on the nodal impedance matrix and nodal voltage interaction factor, for different AC fault conditions—both balanced and unbalanced—a method of calculating the extinction angles of converters in multi-infeed HVDC systems is deduced in detail. First, the extinction angles of convertor stations under single-phase, double-phase, and three-phase ground faults and line-to-line faults occurring at any bus in an AC system are calculated. The minimum extinction angle serves as a CF criterion. If the calculated extinction angle for a certain bus is smaller than the minimum extinction angle, then a fault at that bus will cause CF of the HVDC system and put that bus into a failed bus set. The critical failure impedance boundaries of the topology diagram can therefore be demarcated by examining every bus in the AC system. The validity and accuracy of the proposed index and the method were verified by calculation results based on the three-infeed HVDC system model of the IEEE 39-bus system. Finally, the critical failure impedance boundary was demarcated in the IEEE 118-bus system to demonstrate the application in a wider range of systems.

Cerebral Microbleeds and White Matter Hyperintensities are Associated with Cognitive Decline in an Asian Memory Clinic Study

Background: Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD); lacunes, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) have a vital role in cognitive impairment and dementia. SVD in lobar location is related to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, whereas SVD in a deep location with hyper- tensive arteriopathy. It remains unclear how different locations of SVD affect long-term cognitive de- cline. The present study aimed to analyse the association between different locations and severity of SVD with global and domain-specific cognitive decline over the follow-up interval of 3 years. Methods: We studied 428 participants who had performed MRI scans at baseline and at least 3 neuro- psychological assessments. Locations of lacunes and CMBs were categorized into strictly lobar, strictly deep and mixed-location, WMH volume into anterior and posterior. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke-Canadian Stroke Network Harmonization Neuropsychological Battery was used to assess cognitive function. To analyse the association between baseline location and severity of SVD with cognitive decline, linear regression models with generalized estimated equations were constructed to calculate the mean difference, 95% confidence interval and two-way interaction factor between time and SVD. Results: Increased numbers of baseline CMBs were associated with a decline in global cognition as well as a decline in executive function and memory domains. Location-specific analysis showed simi- lar results with strictly lobar CMBs. There was no association with strictly deep and mixed-location CMBs with cognitive decline. Baseline WMH volume was associated with a decline in global cogni- tion, executive function and memory. Similar results were obtained with anterior and posterior WMH volumes. Lacunes and their locations were not associated with cognitive decline. Conclusion: Strictly lobar CMBs, as well as WMH volume in anterior and posterior regions, were associated with cognitive decline. Future research focuses are warranted to evaluate interventions that may prevent cognitive decline related to SVD.

G6PD distribution in sub-Saharan Africa and potential risks of using chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine based treatments for COVID-19

Chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine have been proposed as potential treatments for COVID-19. These drugs have warning labels for use in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Analysis of whole genome sequence data of 458 individuals from sub-Saharan Africa showed significant G6PD variation across the continent. We identified nine variants, of which four are potentially deleterious to G6PD function, and one (rs1050828) that is known to cause G6PD deficiency. We supplemented data for the rs1050828 variant with genotype array data from over 11,000 Africans. Although this variant is common in Africans overall, large allele frequency differences exist between sub-populations. African sub-populations in the same country can show significant differences in allele frequency (e.g. 16.0% in Tsonga vs 0.8% in Xhosa, both in South Africa, p = 2.4 × 10−3). The high prevalence of variants in the G6PD gene found in this analysis suggests that it may be a significant interaction factor in clinical trials of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for treatment of COVID-19 in Africans.

How to Effectively and Efficiently Communicate Research Results? Experimental Study on the Influence of Interactivity and Presentation form on Knowledge Transfer and Cognitive Activity

When it comes to presenting research results, the usual approach is to use PowerPoint or similar slide applications, or to opt for alternative presentation tools. A central question is how well the knowledge is transferred and to what extent the target audience is addressed emotionally. Based on a 2*2 factorial design, the effects of presentation form (PowerPoint slide presentation vs. explainer video) and interaction (no interaction vs. interaction by means of additional questions on the topic) were investigated. Overall, the presentation factor is more important for learning success than the interaction factor and explainer videos perform significantly better than the PowerPoint presentation. This applies to the objective and subjective learning success, but also to the emotional appeal and the increase in engagement, interest and other cognitive activities. The effects of the interaction factor are relatively low, achieving minor improvements in combination with the PowerPoint presentation, while no statistically significant and relevant effects were found in combination with the explainer video.

Ageism Among Dentists in Greece. A Quantitative Survey

Aims and objectivesThe phenomenon of ageism is a significant threat to elderly people’s well-being. Ageism is a social determinant of their dental health. While a preliminary validation of the Greek version of the ageing scale for dental students has recently been made, there is a literature gap regarding the topic of ageism among dental professionals in Greece. This study aims to contribute to filling this gap.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. A recently validated in Greece 15‐item ageism 6-point Likert-scale for dental students (ASDS) was anonymously administered to dentists. In addition, participants were asked to provide information regarding their socio-demographics. ResultsA total of 365 dentists responded to the questionnaire. As to the internal consistency of the scale, Cronbach's alpha found to be very low (α = 0.590) to support the reliability of a total of 15 Likert-type questions (items) of the scale. However, the factor analysis resulted in three factors that achieved high reliability towards validity: Adherence of the elderly patient to the instructions of the dentist (factor 1), Dentist-elderly patient interaction (factor 2), and Values/ethics of dentists for elderly patients (factor 3). The demographic comparison with these factors and single items revealed statistically significant gender differences (with females appeared more ageist than men) in ageism and differences related to other socio-demographic factors, which however, were related to factors or items individually.ConclusionThe study revealed that the Greek version of the ageism scale for dental students had not further validity and reliability among dentists. However, some items were distributed into three factors that presented significant validity and reliability. The demographic comparison with these factors and single items revealed interesting socio-demographics-related trends in ageism among dentists.

The Impact of Market Relocation to Roadway and Sidewalk Functions at Patiunus Street Pekalongan

The more advance establishment of the country leads to the more developed economic progress. The economic activities require better supporting facilities and infrastructure. Market is one of infrastructure that can support economic activities. In addition, it requires a market location, it also requires a road to distribute the commodities in or out of the city. Roadway and sidewalk are supporting infrastructures that improve the economy in a country. One of market in Pekalongan city, Banjarsari Market’s was in fire. Then Banjarsari market was relocated in Patiunus Street. This research was conducted in Patiunus street, the sidewalk that was used for Banjarsari market relocation. The market relocation in the roadway and sidewalks can affect road functions and road users’ activities. Especially in the balancing interaction factor between the pedestrians and the vehicles, the safety factor of adequate space for pedestrians, the facilities offered a pleasurable experience on the sidewalk, the availability of public facilities unites, becomes supporting elements of the sidewalk. This research used the qualitative method and used three data collection techniques: direct observation, questionnaire, and documentation. The conclusion of this study is the existence of the Banjarsari market relocation on Jalan Patiunus affected the function of roads and sidewalks. By analyzing the result of the field survey and questionnaire to the road user and sidewalk users from Patiunus street, it can be concluded that the four standards for sidewalk (the balancing interaction between the pedestrians and the vehicles, safety factor, the facilities offered a pleasurable experience on the sidewalk and the availability of public facilities unites and becomes supporting elements of the sidewalk). Therefore, Patiunus street can have good functions for road user and sidewalk users.