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Exploring the use of ICTs as a tool for job crafting
Get PDFIn this paper, we integrate Action-Regulation Theory into job crafting research to explore workers' agency in using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to redesign their work. Specifically, using a sequential mixed-methods design, we investigate workers' proactive use of ICTs for job crafting. In Study 1, we explore workers' use of ICTs to change their job demands and job resources using interviews and identify seven underlying ICT use crafting tactics. In Study 2, we find support for the factorial structure of the seven ICT use crafting tactics and provide evidence of their relevance by testing the relationships between these seven tactics and established measures of job crafting, key antecedents of job crafting (proactive personality, personal initiative), and key outcomes of job crafting (skill utilization, person-environment-fit), using a two-wave survey. We discuss theoretical implications for the literature on job crafting and work-related ICT use, and formulate practical recommendations for organizations to support the use of ICTs as a tool for job crafting
‘I’m glad my baby has weaned so I don’t need to make that decision.” Understanding breastfeeding-related COVID-19 vaccine narratives on social media.
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Challenges to gaining informed consent in a low-income urban community in Ghana: A case study of Tetegu, Weija Gbawe
Get PDFThere is a lack of data describing the physical, social, economic, and environmental conditions of low-income communities in Sub-Saharan African cities. Research to obtain this data requires informed consent from business owners and heads of households. This case study focuses on a small enclave of approximately 150 households and associated businesses and community services in Tetegu, Accra, Ghana. Low-altitude aerial and terrestrial surveys were conducted to identify all structures, business types, and occupancy levels of households. A sample of businesses and households were purposively chosen as potential participants in the study. Interviews were conducted and informed consent procedures were followed in accordance with the ethics approval. Data was collected online using a computer tablet and informed consent was recorded electronically. Language and literacy barriers required considerable patience when presenting the scope of the research and participants’ roles and rights. Distrust of researchers, resentment, indifference, and aggressive behavior towards researchers were encountered. Other challenges included health and safety concerns and the quality of telecommunication services. Informed consent was obtained from more than 30% of households and 10% of businesses. The research outcomes may not represent other urban low-income communities in Accra or other cities in Ghana, West Africa, or Sub-Saharan Africa
Self-compassion education for older adults' mental health and wellbeing: a mixed methods systematic review.
Get PDFOBJECTIVES: To assess and explore the influence of self-compassion education for older adults' mental health and wellbeing; and identify facilitators and challenges that may impact providing self-compassion education for older adults' mental health and wellbeing. METHOD: A mixed methods systematic review was conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. A three-stage search approach was undertaken that included six electronic databases: Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Emcare, Ovid Nursing, Cochrane Library, and grey literature. Quality assessment was conducted via mixed methods appraisal tools. Quantitative data were synthesised into a narrative summary of the characteristics and findings of the influence of self-compassion education for older adults. For the qualitative data, a thematic synthesis was conducted. RESULTS: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the included studies reported that self-compassion education for older adults was associated with improved psychological well-being, and higher levels of self-compassion, kindness towards oneself and others, and mindfulness. In addition, participants reported reduced distress, anxiety, and avoidance of negative experiences. CONCLUSION: The findings provide evidence to guide further research on developing, designing, facilitating, and evaluating self-compassion education programs and workshops for older adults. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: This systematic review is registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews: PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022310630
Evaluation of the Removal of PVDF Using ToF-SIMS: Comparing Dihydrolevoglucosenone and Pyrolysis as Pretreatments for Cathode Materials of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Get PDFEffective and environmentally benign removal of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binders from spent battery electrodes remains a critical hurdle in sustainable recycling, primarily due to issues related to the mitigation of fluorinated compound emissions. This work evaluates PVDF binder removal from cathode active material using either a green solvent-based dissolution process or pyrolysis, analyzed by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The solvent pretreatment involved mixing dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene™) with PVDF-coated NMC811 at 100 °C, followed by hot filtration to separate the Cyrene-PVDF solution. Pyrolysis was conducted at 800 °C under an argon atmosphere. Positive ToF-SIMS spectra for Cyrene showed characteristic peaks at ketene (42 m/z) and 1,3-dioxole (86 m/z), along with intense C2H3O+, C3H3O+, C4H7+, and C3H5O+ peaks. The characteristic peaks used to identify PVDF were C3H2F5+ (133 m/z), C3H2F3+ (95 m/z), and C3HF4+ (113 m/z). Both processes resulted in PVDF removal, with pyrolysis demonstrating higher effectiveness. Particle agglomeration was observed in both pretreated NMC811 samples, however agglomeration was more pronounced with Cyrene pretreatment due to PVDF redeposition. Following pyrolysis, PVDF was transformed into a defluorinated carbonaceous material
Optimizing multi-machine path planning for crop precision seeding with Lovebird Algorithm
No full textThis paper investigates path planning in agriculture, with a specific focus on the seeding process. It underscores the crucial role of path planning in enhancing the efficiency and productivity of agricultural machinery operations. The research is centered on minimizing the operational times for agricultural robots, encompassing sowing activities and auxiliary travel periods. The study compares the effectiveness of the Lovebird Algorithm against the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) in optimizing routes for precision seeding across various field layouts, addressing a range of geometric and operational challenges. The proposed Lovebird Algorithm demonstrates a runtime efficiency approximately three times faster than GA and one and a half times faster than ACO. Furthermore, it consistently reduces auxiliary travel distances by 14% compared to GA and 28% compared to ACO in the crop-seeding scenario. The findings align with the objectives of precision seeding by efficiently guiding machinery, thereby reducing travel-time and auxiliary travel distances. The proposed algorithm exhibits efficient computational performance, suggesting its suitability for time-sensitive agricultural operations that demand timely decision-making. Overall, the results have the potential to provide a tool that conserves resources and enhances efficiency in the agricultural sector, contributing to future advancements in precision agriculture technology
Spillover Effects of Sanctions on Airlines
Get PDFTo counter the escalating threat of direct conflict with rogue nations, the use of sanctions packages has become a preferred tactical response. However, although targeted, there are significantly elevated spillover effects that can generate sectoral damage. While the literature on sanctions has focused on analyzing the effectiveness and the impact on the sanctioned and sanctioning country, spillover effects have not been addressed in the tourism and travel industry. Based on behavioral decision theory and modern portfolio theory, this study states hypotheses and confronts two potential results derived from each theory regarding the way negative consequences of sanctions spill over into airlines. Using the aviation sanctions packages derived from the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 in different regions worldwide, the results indicate greater spillovers flow into airlines than other aviation-related corporations, into big firms than small firms, and with significant differential effects on each analyzed region