Women in IT-ITES Industries: Their Coping Styles and Quality of Work Life

<p>Women have chosen to establish their names in the competitive globe along with being good home-makers. Information Technology-Information Technology Enabled Services (IT-ITES) industries have helped women to establish their names in the competitive globe along with being good home-makers. With increasing responsibilities, women have been subjected to increasing stress. Women tend to use different coping styles to protect themselves against stress. Not all coping mechanisms are healthy. Meanwhile attention needs to be paid on the quality of their work life, as it’s a very competitive and dynamic industry. This study emphasizes on the different coping styles adopted by the women employees, their quality of work life and the relationship between these two variables. The research design used for the study is descriptive design. The researcher adopted convenient sampling technique to collect data from 307 women employees representing six IT-ITES companies in Bangalore city. The study revealed that the ‘distractive positive’ method of coping style was the most widely used by the women employees. The ‘quality of work life’ of these women employees was on the higher side. The results also showed that there is a significant relationship between coping style and quality of work life.</p>

Ozonation, a novel bio-preservation technique for food processing in food industries

Application of ozone as a replacement to traditional sanitizers requires thorough understanding of its benefits and limitations; in some food a lesser log reduction rate is observable virtually less than the required 5log reduction rate. Ozone’s ability to destroy microorganisms is through the oxidation of some important cellular components, specifically the bacterial cell surface being the major target, ozone does not significantly affect the nutrients contents or sensory qualities in food; it has lesser effect on increasing temperature of food during processing, ozonation is an effective technology in extending the shelf-life of fruit and vegetables, rinsing or dipping vegetables in water saturated with ozone is a positive method. Onions treated with ozone during storage was positive, mold and bacterial populations was greatly decreased and no any sign of change in chemical composition and sensory quality of the product. Ozone has great advantage in the food industry; it is sufficiently soluble and stable in water with high antimicrobial activity, no need for storage of hazardous substances when used it, has low running cost with no residual problems after treatment and it autodecomposes and its stable end-product is oxygen so the by product is virtually oxygen. However, ozone’s limitation is still a threat in the food industry, it has the ability to desolubilize or decompose, or react with food constituents and targeted microorganisms. The reaction and the degradation of ozone diminish the residuals of this sanitizer during processing and subsequently lack of residuals could limit the ability of the processor’s for in-line testing of effectiveness. This paper reviewed the different application of ozone in the food industry.

Novel Approach for Robotic Process Automation with Increasing Productivity and Improving Product Quality using Machine Learning

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is one of the smartest technology evolutions in recent years. It is, a software installed on a system. RPA can be implemented in a well-defined environment with defined procedures and clarity with reference to decision making. RPA’s limitation is that it cannot be automated if it involves decision making supported by knowledgebased application. Highly invasive and intertwined supply chains are now confronted by producers, which reduce manufacturing life cycles and raise product sophistication. You therefore sense the need, at all stages of value formation, to change and adjust more rapidly. The theory of self-optimization is a positive method to coping with uncertainty and unexpected delays within supply chains, devices and processes. It would also boost manufacturing industries' stability and productivity. This paper explores the idea of development processes that are self-optimized. Following a quick historical analysis and understanding the particular needs, specifications and self-optimizing criteria of the various stages of value generation from supply chain planning and management to manufacture and assembly. Examples at both stages are used to demonstrate the self-optimization principle and to explain its simplicity and efficiency ability.. We proposed Novel approach for Robotic Process Automation with increasing productivity and improving product quality using machine learning

An EEG investigation on planning human-robot handover tasks

<div>Human-robot joint action is a key requirement in many advanced robotic applications where robots are not only</div><div>expected to work alongside humans but also collaborate with them in the performance of physical tasks. Robots are already programmed to model and predict human actions in order to ensure smooth collaboration and overall task efficiency. However, little is known on how humans represent and account for robot’s actions as part of their own plans. This paper presents a first joint psychological and HRI user study designed to answer this question in the context of human-robot handover scenarios.</div><div>Our analysis showed that the participants had a positive userexperience of the interaction and adopted gaze patterns similar to a large extent to the ones in human-to-human handover tasks.</div><div>The EEG analysis suggests that, compared to solo action, the human participants were at a state of higher motor readiness when they prepared to hand over the object to the robot either because they represented the robot’s action in advance or alternatively that they anticipated that passing the object to the robot would be a more effortful action, thus highlighting the increased demands in planning a human-to-robot interaction.</div><div>Our findings highlight the value of gaze as a positive method of non-verbal communication in HRI and provides new insights in the neural mechanisms that allows a person to plan an effective interaction with a robot.</div>

An EEG investigation on planning human-robot handover tasks

<div>Human-robot joint action is a key requirement in many advanced robotic applications where robots are not only</div><div>expected to work alongside humans but also collaborate with them in the performance of physical tasks. Robots are already programmed to model and predict human actions in order to ensure smooth collaboration and overall task efficiency. However, little is known on how humans represent and account for robot’s actions as part of their own plans. This paper presents a first joint psychological and HRI user study designed to answer this question in the context of human-robot handover scenarios.</div><div>Our analysis showed that the participants had a positive userexperience of the interaction and adopted gaze patterns similar to a large extent to the ones in human-to-human handover tasks.</div><div>The EEG analysis suggests that, compared to solo action, the human participants were at a state of higher motor readiness when they prepared to hand over the object to the robot either because they represented the robot’s action in advance or alternatively that they anticipated that passing the object to the robot would be a more effortful action, thus highlighting the increased demands in planning a human-to-robot interaction.</div><div>Our findings highlight the value of gaze as a positive method of non-verbal communication in HRI and provides new insights in the neural mechanisms that allows a person to plan an effective interaction with a robot.</div>

In vitro plant regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of a carnivorous plant, Nepenthes mirabilis

In nutrient-poor habitats, carnivorous plants have developed novel feeding strategies based on the capture and digestion of prey and the assimilation of prey-derived nutrients by specialized traps. The Nepenthes genus, comprising nearly 160 species, presents a remarkable pitcher-shaped trap, leading to great interest among biologists, but the species of this genus are listed as threatened. In this work, we developed a protocol for reproducing Nepenthes mirabilis through shoot regeneration from calli. The cultivation of stem segments of N. mirabilis on MS medium containing thidiazuron induced organogenic calli after 10 weeks. Subcultured calli exposed to 6-benzylaminopurine showed shoot regeneration in 3 weeks with considerable yields (143 shoots/g of calli). Excised shoots transferred to medium with indole-3-butyric acid allowed rooting in 4 weeks, and rooted plantlets had a 100% survival rate. Based on this method, we also developed an Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation protocol using calli as explants and ipt as a positive method of selection. Twelve weeks post infection, regenerated shoots were observed at the surface of calli. Their transgenic status was confirmed by PCR and RT-PCR. In conclusion, this study provides an efficient method for regenerating Nepenthes and the first protocol for its stable genetic transformation, a new tool for studying carnivory.

An EEG investigation on planning human-robot handover tasks

<div>Human-robot joint action is a key requirement in many advanced robotic applications where robots are not only</div><div>expected to work alongside humans but also collaborate with them in the performance of physical tasks. Robots are already programmed to model and predict human actions in order to ensure smooth collaboration and overall task efficiency. However, little is known on how humans represent and account for robot’s actions as part of their own plans. This paper presents a first joint psychological and HRI user study designed to answer this question in the context of human-robot handover scenarios.</div><div>Our analysis showed that the participants had a positive userexperience of the interaction and adopted gaze patterns similar to a large extent to the ones in human-to-human handover tasks.</div><div>The EEG analysis suggests that, compared to solo action, the human participants were at a state of higher motor readiness when they prepared to hand over the object to the robot either because they represented the robot’s action in advance or alternatively that they anticipated that passing the object to the robot would be a more effortful action, thus highlighting the increased demands in planning a human-to-robot interaction.</div><div>Our findings highlight the value of gaze as a positive method of non-verbal communication in HRI and provides new insights in the neural mechanisms that allows a person to plan an effective interaction with a robot.</div>

Honesty, Shame, Courage: Reconsidering the Socratic Elenchus

The elenchus (gr. ἔλεγχος, literally “argument of disproof”, “refutation”, “cross-examining”) is the core of the Socratic method represented by Plato in his early dialogues. This enquiring technique, employed by Socrates to question his interlocutors about the nature or definition of ethical concepts, is the object of a never-ending scholarly debate, concerning especially its primary purpose: is it a positive method, leading to knowledge, or is it rather a negative method, aiming exclusively at refuting the interlocutor’s belief? This paper, through the analysis of some key passages in Plato’s early dialogues, focuses on the structural features of the elenchus in order to understand how the elenctic refutation is developed, why Socrates chooses a dialectical method often ending in aporia, and whether the Socratic method can be considered, not merely an instrument aiming at the recognition of one’s ignorance, but primarily a positive search for knowledge.

Histology-Based Blood Leukocyte Profiling Reveals Parallel Th2 and Th17 Signatures in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

Background : Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common medical conditions in the westernized world. Recent data suggest AR to be far more immunologically complex than the archetypical allergic Th2-driven eosinophilic inflammation and new methodological approaches are needed to decode this complexity. Methods : This study explores a novel histology-based analysis of circulating leukocytes for detailed profiling of immune cells using routine clinical blood samples. In brief, leukocytes were purified with minimal ex-vivo artefacts, embedded into agarose-paraffin pellets and sectioned for cutting-edge immunohistochemistry-based immune cell profiling. Blood leukocyte mapping was performed in 16 patients with seasonal AR outside and during the birch pollen season. Results : Our methodological feasibility test confirmed that the > 5000 cross sectioned leukocytes typically present in a pellet section had well preserved morphology and cell marker epitopes, allowing for robust quantitative analysis of immune-stained slides. Blood leukocyte samples collected during the allergen season had statistically higher levels of markers for eosinophils, neutrophils, monocytes and CD8 lymphocytes compared to the off-season baseline. No change was observed for CD20 B-lymphocytes, total CD3 T cells and basophils. Subclassification of CD4+ T-helper cells demonstrated a parallel and significant expansion of Th2 and Th17 cells during the pollen season, while Th1 cells remained unchanged. Whereas absolute basophils numbers were unaltered, a significant increase of the basophil markers GATA2 and CPA3 was observed during the pollen season. Conclusions: Apart from representing a positive method feasibility validation, our study provides further evidence of complex and parallel Th2 and Th17 immune signatures in seasonal AR. Our data also forward GATA2 and basophil CPA3 as potential biomarkers for ongoing allergic inflammation. It is thus proposed that the present histology-based approach, with its broad applicability, represents a powerful tool for decoding systemic immune alterations and guide novel biomarker strategies for improved personalized medication.

Fitness-Orientated Mutation Operators in Genetic Algorithms

Genetic Algorithms are the most popular metaheuristics used in search-based program solving. They search for a solution by repeating the following operators: selection, crossover, and mutation. By going through several generations of these operators, a solution is reached. The total number of generations depends on the reproduction of offspring. Of the reproduction operators, the mutation operator tends to be chosen with a random approach because the concept of mutation is from the natural evolution cycle. But the effectiveness of genetic algorithms should be monitored, especially in software testing. The effectiveness is represented by the total number of generations, which corresponds to the speed of solution acquisition. This work focuses on mutation as a factor in reducing the total number of generations and devises two contrasting ways to define mutation operators. One is fitness-positive, and the other is fitness-negative. The fitness-negative definition thus appears to fit more aptly. This work determines which of these two methods of mutation achieves the higher effectiveness through conducting a controlled experiment. The result shows that the fitness-positive method takes a smaller number of generations than the fitness-negative method.