Tool-Box- Standardized Tool-Box for the assessment of the stress-physiological consequences of digitalization for medical practitioners

A valid assessment of digitization-associated stress appears to be crucial for the successful and health-promoting design of digitization processes in the healthcare sector. The present Tool-Box aims to contribute to this goal by providing an overview of central methods for assessing stress and associated constructs in the context of digitization processes, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. The methods included in the Tool-Box were selected based on an extensive review of existing literature on assessment of stress and associated constructs in the context of digitalization processes and beyond. In addition, we conducted expert interviews and pilot studies for the final selection and shaping of the Tool-Box.The target groups of our Tool-Box are researchers as well as all individuals which are involved in the design and implementation of digital innovations within the health care sector: monitoring digitalization-associated stress throughout the entire implementation process with methodologically sound tools might be one of the key factors for successful digital transformations.

Optimizing Gas Production from Giant Multi-Reservoir Onshore Abu Dhabi Gas Field by Introducing Wellhead Compressors and Reconfiguring the Surface Network Using an Integrated Asset Model IAM

The giant onshore gas field in this study consists of six stacked reservoirs and has been producing for over three decades. The field has more than 150 gas producing wells and has several wells which have low-intermittent gas production rates. The low production is attributed to weak wells sharing common trunk lines with prolific wells. This study investigates the impact of choke optimization, surface network reconfiguration and wellhead compression to improve the gas production from weak wells after performing detailed analysis of possible root causes from the surface network by using an Integrated Asset Model (IAM) as the digital twin of the field. The investigation begins by identifying weak producers and involves studying the integrated surface network and determining the root causes for backflow and unstable hydraulics. After surface network issues have been recognized, remedial modification will be implemented. The impact of different choke settings on the wells are studied. The final step will be to introduce wellhead compressors on the weak producers. Extensive sensitivity scenarios are performed to identify the optimum compressor inlet pressure for each individual wellhead compressors and the wells which benefit most from the application of wellhead compressors are ranked. The multi-reservoir gas field contains six stacked reservoirs which are producing under depletion mode and share a common surface network. Root causes of weak or shut-in wells due to backflow or hydraulic issues are successfully identified by using an IAM simulation tool. The investigated remediations were simple optimization of the choke settings, reconfiguration of the surface network, and application of wellhead compressors to improve the gas production from the problematic wells. It is observed that the addition of wellhead compressors resulted in the most significant increase and more sustainable production from the weaker wells. Furthermore, the final selection of candidate wells for wellhead compressors can be dictated according to the highest gain from the ranking. The study revealed that the implementation of wellhead compressors will significantly increase the cumulative gas production from the selected wells at the end of field life and will result in positive production acceleration from the field perspective. This study shows that adding wellhead compressors to weak producers can mitigate the production bottlenecks and backflow issues and that higher and more sustainable gas production can be achieved from the weak wells after understanding the primary causes for low/intermittent production from the IAM which is acting as the digital twin of the field.

Can a repository site be safer than safe? – Criteria and methods for a safety-oriented comparison of repository sites

In the course of the German site selection procedure, repository potential sites will be rejected if it becomes apparent that they will probably not meet the regulatory safety requirements (EndlSichAnfV). It is therefore likely that the remaining sites of the final selection phase (which is specified by paragraph 19 of the StandAG) will meet the safety requirements and are therefore capable of being approved. Under these circumstances, finding the site with the highest possible level of safety (as required by the StandAG) calls for a further differentiation of safety above the level of safety that is prescribed by the safety requirements. Based on this differentiation, operational criteria have to be developed for a safety-oriented comparison of repository sites and systems; however, finding suitable criteria is not a trivial task if the repository systems that are available for selection make use of different host rocks and therefore differ with respect to the internal structure and safety concept. Between 2007 and 2010, criteria and associated evaluation methods for a safety-oriented comparison of approvable repository sites were developed by project 3607R02589 of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) within the joint project VerSi. The robustness of the repository system was proposed as a central criterion for site comparison. In the years to follow, criteria and evaluation methods were tested and refined by BfE/BMU projects 05504/2 and 4719E03250, which finally showed a substantial need for further research and development. The presentation outlines the results of these three projects and discusses the questions that are still open.

Lightweight Structural Materials in Open Access: Latest Trends

The aeronautical and automotive industries have, as an essential objective, the energy efficiency optimization of aircraft and cars, while maintaining stringent functional requirements. One working line focuses on the use of lightweight structural materials to replace conventional materials. For this reason, it is considered enlightening to carry out an analysis of the literature published over the last 20 years through Open Access literature. For this purpose, a systematic methodology is applied to minimize the possible risks of bias in literature selection and analysis. Web of Science is used as a search engine. The final selection comprises the 30 articles with the highest average numbers of citations per year published from 2015 to 2020 and the 7 articles published from the period of 2000–2014. Overall, the selection is composed of 37 Open Access articles with 2482 total citations and an average of 67.1 citations per article/year published, and includes Q1 (62%) and Q2 (8%) articles and proceeding papers (30%). The study seeks to inform about the current trends in materials and processes in lightweight structural materials for aeronautical and automotive applications with a sustainable perspective. All the information collected is summarized in tables to facilitate searches and interpretation by interested researchers.

A student-focused checklist for creating infographics

PurposeThis paper discusses efforts to produce instructional support objects for undergraduate students engaged in creating infographics, an alternative assignment growing in popularity at the authors' university.Design/methodology/approachThe authors examined scholarly, professional, trade and open-web sources to identify best practices for design and data visualization for this type of assignment. They categorized their findings and used a preponderance-of-evidence method for final selection of relevant practices. The authors detail the creation of their support products (instructional checklists and example infographics) and offer recommendations for librarians engaged in similar efforts.FindingsDespite the growing popularity of alternative assignments, guidance for best practices in data and design as they relate to student-created infographics is nascent, and best practices for design and data visualization in this context have yet to be concretely identified. Without extant guidance for student-created infographics, the authors developed a checklist of potential best practices for design and data visualization.Practical implicationsThe use of alternative projects assigned in lieu of traditional research papers is growing. Additional guidance may be required for students creating non-traditional works as standards and best practices for these projects are under-developed in the academic setting. Librarians will want to consider their role in supporting students assigned to create an alternative project.Originality/valueA consideration of best practices for data and design visualization for students designing research infographics has not yet been written.

Intelligent information system for supporting design solutions in the conditions of multivariate selection

The modeling of multivariate choice problems in the design of products within the framework of an information and software system is considered. The typical elements and functions of the information and software system of multivariate choice are given. Models of optimization problems of forming acceptable sets of alternative solutions when choosing analogs of parts and components are proposed. The formation of the initial set of alternative solutions is carried out on the basis of an assessment of the design, technological, electrical and operational characteristics of the alternatives of choice. The formalization of the problem of the final selection of the composition of parts and components according to technical and economic indicators is given. The proposed models are based on the use of Boolean variables describing the alternatives of choice. The structure of a specialized database of bath rooms for storing the characteristics of parts and components and the results of intermediate and final selection of design solutions is also given.

Meta-análisis del efecto en el rendimiento académico de los Smartphones como herramienta educativa en educación superior (2016-2020)

La presente investigación pretende aunar los esfuerzos de distintos investigadores realizados en los últimos 5 años (2016-2020) sobre el análisis del efecto producido por los Smartphones en la educación reglada, concretamente en el ámbito universitario. En relación con la metodología seguida se tomó como referencia las fases recomendadas por Meca (2010). Los estudios incluidos en este meta-análisis han sido seleccionados de entre los que se obtuvieron como respuesta en la búsqueda de las siguientes bases de datos: Scopus, WoS, Eric y Dialnet, y cumplían con los criterios determinados a priori basados en las necesidades del estudio. Finalmente 25 artículos configuraron la población de este meta-análisis tras haber sido sometidos un total de 2286 a riguroso análisis. Durante la investigación se consideró necesario analizar la influencia del tiempo, al que estuvo cada grupo expuesto a la metodología m-learning y las posibles diferencias entre estudios sobre idiomas u otros ámbitos en la magnitud del efecto. Los resultados obtenidos, en cuanto a la magnitud del efecto y los análisis realizados, muestran una clara influencia positiva de la metodología m-learning en el rendimiento académico de los alumnos. Por tanto, se considera congruente la implementación de la metodología m-learning en las aulas universitarias y la profundización en el estudio de su efecto explorando otros niveles y áreas de conocimiento. This study aims to bring together the efforts made by different researchers over the last 5 years (2016-2020) regarding the analysis of the effect produced by Smartphones in formal education, specifically in university settings. In relation to the methodology followed, the phases recommended by Meca (2010) were taken as a reference. The studies included in this meta-analysis were selected through a search in the following databases: Scopus, WoS, Eric and Dialnet, and met the criteria determined a priori based on the needs of the study. The final selection included 25 articles, after a total of 2286 articles were subjected to rigorous analysis. During the investigation, the authors considered necessary to analyze (i) the influence of time of exposure of each group to the m-learning methodology and (ii) the possible differences between studies on languages or other aspects in the magnitude of the effect. In terms of the magnitude of the effect and the analyses conducted, the results show a clear positive influence of the m-learning methodology on students’ academic performance. Therefore, implementing m-learning methodology in university classrooms and to study its effect in depth by exploring other levels and areas of knowledge is considered congruent.

Breeding and genetic peculiarities of spring barley 1000 kernel weight under conditions of the central part of the Ukrainian Forest-Steppe

Purpose. To reveal the breeding and genetic peculiarities for spring barley 1000 kernel weight and to identify genetic sources for breeding under conditions of the central part of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Investigations were carried out at the V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat of the NAAS of Ukraine. Spring barley F1 of two comp­lete (6 ´ 6) diallel crossing schemes was investigated. The first scheme included modern both domestic and foreign spring barley malting varieties (‘MIP Tytul’, ‘Avhur’, ‘Datcha’, ‘Quench’, ‘Gladys’, ‘Beatrix’), the second – classic covered awned (‘MIP Myroslav’, ‘Sebastian’), awnless (‘Kozyr’, ‘Vitrazh’) and naked (‘Condor’, ‘CDC Rattan’) varieties. Results. Various types of inheritance of 1000 kernel weight were revealed, with the exception of negative dominance. The proportion of combinations with corresponding values ​​of the degree of phenotypic dominance varied depending on the genotypes involved in the crossing and the years of testing. In both crossing schemes, both in 2019 and in 2020, positive overdominance was found in most combinations. The grea­test number of combinations with the manifestation of hete­rosis under different growing conditions was noted when varieties ‘Gladys’ and ‘MIP Myroslav’ were used in crossing. According to the parameters of genetic variation, it was revealed that the trait was determined mainly by the additive-dominant system. The dominance was aimed at increasing the 1000 kernel weight. Only in the second crossing scheme in 2019 the value of the directional dominance indicator was unreliable. In the loci, incomplete dominance in 2019 and over-dominance in 2020 were revealed. Reliably high effects of the general combining ability in both years were noted for varieties ‘Datcha’, ‘Gladys’, ‘MIP Myroslav’, ‘Kozyr’ and ‘Vitrazh’. Conclusions. The revealed breeding and genetic peculiarities indicate that for the overwhelming majority of created hybrid combinations will be required the final selection in later generations, when the dominant alleles are homozygous. Spring barley awned varieties ‘Gladys’, ‘MIP Myroslav’ and ‘Datcha’, as well as awnless varieties ‘Kozyr’ and ‘Vitrage’ can be used as effective genetic sources for increa­sing the 1000 kernel weight

Applications of assistive technology in skills development for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a systematic review

The purpose of this systematic review was to present, through a critical approach, interpretation and evaluation, the current assistive technology research directions, and the range, capabilities and efficiency of mobile devices and their respective software applications and the virtual reality and augmented reality environments used for people with autism. The aim was to identify the assistive technology practices applied for the development of communication, social and vocational-employment skills for people with autism, and to evaluate their acceptability and effectiveness. Search in electronic databases resulted in a final selection of 63 studies that met the inclusion criteria of the review, covering a total of 406 participants with autism. Analysis of the data from the studies provided largely positive results.