Understanding factors affecting non-participants’interest in community-supported agriculture

Community-supported agriculture(CSA)has emerged as a viable solution for addressing the agricultural challenges faced by countries like Indonesia.This study uses the wellestablished unified theory of acceptance and use of technology(UTAUT2)model to examine the interest in CSA of potential customers in Indonesia.A standardized questionnaire was distributed to 1200 respondents,and the data were analyzed using structural equation model-partial least square(SEM-PLS)in SmartPLS 4.0 software.The results capture potential CSA consumer interest and will help to improve CSA development strategies in Indonesia.The model explains 44.4%of customers’intentions,and identifies performance expectancy as the decisive factor in customers’willingness to participate in CSA.Performance expectancy(0.292),hedonic motivation(0.262),social influence(0.259),and facilitating conditions(0.086)positively influence customers’interest in participating in a CSA program.The adoption of CSA programs by both farmers and customers could be increased by implementing regulations that provide tax incentives and subsidies,offering training on sustainable farming practices,facilitating the establishment of distribution channels,and establishing guidelines for fair price and quality standards.This study shows the high potential for the implementation of CSA in Indonesia.It could also be used as a foundation for the development of new policies regarding sustainable agriculture markets in Indonesia.

EXPECTED DISCOUNTED PENALTY FUNCTION OF ERLANG(2) RISK MODEL WITH CONSTANT INTEREST

The purpose of this paper is to consider the expected value of a discounted penalty due at ruin in the Erlang（2） risk process under constant interest force. An integro-differential equation satisfied by the expected value and a second-order differential equation for the Laplace transform of the expected value are derived. In addition, the paper will present the recursive algorithm for the joint distribution of the surplus immediately before ruin and the deficit at ruin. Finally, by the differential equation, the defective renewal equation and the explicit expression for the expected value are given in the interest-free case.

EXPECTED DISCOUNTED PENALTY FUNCTION AT RUIN FOR RISK PROCESS PERTURBED BY DIFFUSION UNDER INTEREST FORCE

In this article, the risk process perturbed by diffusion under interest force is considered, the continuity and twice continuous differentiability for Фδ（u,w） are discussed,the Feller expression and the integro-differential equation satisfied by Фδ （u ,w） are derived. Finally, the decomposition of Фδ（u,w） is discussed, and some properties of each decomposed part of Фδ（u,w） are obtained. The results can be reduced to some ones in Gerber and Landry＇s,Tsai and Willmot＇s, and Wang＇s works by letting parameter δ and （or） a be zero.

Childbirth expectations and correlates at the final stage of pregnancy in Chinese expectant parents

Purpose:To explore the childbirth expectations of Chinese expectant parents during their transition to parenthood.Methods:A cross-sectional descriptive survey was used through the Chinese version of the Childbirth Expectations Questionnaire.A total of 240 expectant parents were recruited when they were admitted to the obstetric units waiting for delivery at a large Maternal and Child Health care Center in Beijing,and 210 couples completed the questionnaires,yielding a response rate of 87.5%.Results:The expectant parents had a high level of childbirth expectations towards caregiving environment,spousal support,control and participation and medical support.Conversely,their expectations toward labor pain and their own ability to cope with the pain were relatively low.Expectant fathers’childbirth expectations and preference of partner’s accompany were two significant predictors of expectant mothers’childbirth expectations,explaining 18.9%and 3.3%of the total variance,respectively.While expectant mothers’childbirth expectations was the only significant predictor of expectant fathers’childbirth expectations.Conclusion:This study adds to understanding of the childbirth expectations of Chinese expectant parents.It is suggested that maternity healthcare providers pay close attention to the childbirth expectations of expectant parents,and improve the nursing care service to promote positive childbirth experiences and satisfaction of expectant parents.

Assessment of Knowledge and Attitudes of Expectant Mothers towards HIV Screening and Counselling at Jachie-Pramso in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Background: The prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is paramount in safeguarding the lives of unborn children and young babies. The study sought to examine the knowledge and attitudes of expectant mothers towards HIV screening and testing in the Jachie-Pramso Community of the Ashanti Region. Methods: The study adopted a descriptive survey approach as its research design. The population of the study comprised 158 expectant mothers who were registered and attended regular antenatal care sessions at the community hospital. The census approach to sampling was adopted for the study. A structured questionnaire was used as the tool for data collection. Chi-square and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Results: The findings from the study indicated that awareness level of HIV and its related issues were high among expectant mothers. It was also found that attitude of healthcare workers, community members and sexual partners are the main factors that prevent expectant mothers from patronising voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services. It was generally, recommended that intensive educational programmes be instituted to sensitize both healthcare workers and the general public on discriminative behaviours. Conclusion: Most of the expectant mothers have knowledge of HIV and attitudes of the expectant mothers towards VCT of HIV were positive. The healthcare facility and its professionals may consider training the expectant mothers so they can act as snow-ballers in the dissemination of relevant health education and coerce other expectant mothers in the community to participate in the VCT and HIV programmes.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Anxiety and Depression in Expectant Mothers at Parakou in 2018

Background: Anxiety and depressive disorders can disturb the development of pregnancies. The goal was to study the prevalence and factors associated with anxiety and depression in expectant mothers followed in public maternity wards of Parakou in 2018. Population and methods: It was a cross- sectional study which consisted in an exhaustive census and a consecutive recruitment of 835 expectant mothers from June 14th to September 14th, 2018. Data collection was realized through interview between the investigator and the respondent basing on a questionnaire in which were integrated Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-3 (EPDS-3), EPDS and modular Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (IHLCS-2015) to assess respectively anxiety, depression and expectant mothers’ socio-economic level. Results: The prevalences of anxiety and depression were respectively 44.91% and 35.33%. Many factors were associated with anxiety and depression. Low socio-economic level increased 6.7 times the risk of developing anxiety (OR = 6.70;IC95% [2.83 - 13.00];p = 0.000) and 8.64 times the risk for the onset of depression (OR = 8.64;IC95% [3.09 - 17.18];p = 0.000). Celibacy increased 2.67 times the risk of developing anxiety (OR = 2.67;IC95% [1.19 - 5.98];p = 0.000) and 2.18 times the one of depression (OR = 2.18;IC95% [1.07 - 4.40];p = 0.000). Low economic level and celibacy were the main psychosocial determinants of anxiety and depression in expectant mothers. Conclusion: The implementation of multidisciplinary action program centred on improving purchasing power would reduce the risk of anxiety and depression in expectant mothers.

Expectant Management of Preterm Ruptured Membranes before 34 Gestational Weeks at the University Hospital of Kinshasa, a Tertiary Referral Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM) with the resulting prematurity remains a major public health issue in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study aimed to assess expectant management of PPROM before 34 weeks at the university hospital of Kinshasa. We conducted a retrospective analysis of expectantly managed PROM before 34 weeks between January 2008 and December 2018. Maternal and fetal outcomes were collected, and all data were analyzed using the SPSS 23.0 software. Of the 113 patients included in the study, 2.6% were diagnosed with PROM before 34 weeks. We observed prolongation of the pregnancy duration;the median latency period was eight days, and the average gestational age at delivery of 32.85 ± 2.5 weeks. Chorioamnionitis (23%), severe oligoamnios (7%), and acute fetal distress (4%) were complications observed during the latency period. In the postpartum period, endometritis (6.2%), neonatal jaundice (39.8%), anemia (25.7%), ulcerative necrotizing enterocolitis (6.2%), cerebromeningeal hemorrhage (5.3%), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (4.4%) were complications observed. The risk of infection during the latency period was significantly associated with irregular (P = 0.045) or lack (P = 0.006) antenatal care (ANC) attendances and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) results 6 (P = 0.013). The risk of neonatal death was significantly associated to infection during the latency period (P = 0.011), irregular (P = 0.009) or lack of ANC (P = 0.000) attendances, Birth weight g (P = 0.039) as well as Gestational age at birth between 28 to 30 Weeks (S) (P = 0.021). These findings report first-time pregnancy outcomes related to the management of PPROM before 34 weeks in our setting. We found that the conservative attitude adopted allowed the prolongation of pregnancies, reducing the risks associated with prematurity. Nevertheless, attendance in good quality ANC could reduce the frequency of PROM and related adverse outcomes.

Interest Rate and Some of Its Applications

Interest rates are a fundamental aspect of the economy and have a significant impact on various financial decisions such as borrowing, investing, and saving. They are the cost of borrowing money or the return on investment and are determined by various factors such as the supply and demand for credit, inflation expectations, and monetary policy decisions made by central banks. Changes in interest rates can have a major effect on the economy and can influence consumer spending, business investment, and overall economic growth. This makes it crucial for individuals, businesses, and policymakers to have a clear understanding of the dynamics of interest rates. Interest rates play an important role in determining the cost of borrowing money for individuals and businesses. A rise in interest rates can increase the cost of borrowing and make it more difficult for people and companies to access credit. This can lead to a decrease in consumer spending and business investment, which can slow down economic growth. On the other hand, a decrease in interest rates can make it easier for individuals and businesses to access credit and increase consumer spending and business investment, boosting economic growth. Central banks, such as the Federal Reserve in the United States, play a key role in determining interest rates by setting monetary policy. They use interest rate changes to influence the economy and reach their goals of stable prices, maximum employment, and moderate long-term interest rates. In conclusion, understanding the dynamics of interest rates is essential for making informed financial decisions and assessing the overall health of the economy. The impact of interest rates on the economy and individual financial decisions is far-reaching and long-lasting, making it a crucial topic for continued study and discussion.

Parental Educational Expectations,Academic Pressure,and Adolescent Mental Health:An Empirical Study Based on CEPS Survey Data

Background:This study aimed to investigate the relationship between parental educational expectations and adolescent mental health problems,with academic pressure as a moderating variable.Methods:This study was based on the baseline data of the China Education Panel Survey,which was collected within one school year during 2013–2014.It included 19,958 samples from seventh and ninth graders,who ranged from 11 to 18 years old.After removing missing values and conducting relevant data processing,the effective sample size for analysis was 16344.The OLS(Ordinary Least Squares)multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between parental educational expectations,academic pressure,and adolescents’mental health problems.In addition,we established an interaction term between parents’educational expectations and academic pressure to investigate the moderating effect of academic stress.Results:The study found that adolescents whose parents had high educational expectations reported less mental health problems.(β=−0.195;p<0.001).Additionally,adolescents who had high academic pressure reported more mental health problems.(β=0.649;p<0.001).Furthermore,the study found that academic pressure had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between parental educational expectations and adolescents’mental health problems(β=0.082;p<0.001).Conclusion:Parental educational expectations had a close relationship with adolescents’mental health problems,and academic pressure moderated this relationship.For those adolescents with high levels of academic pressure,the association between high parental educational expectations and mental health problems became stronger.On the contrary,for those adolescents with low levels of academic pressure,the association between high parental educational expectations and mental health problems became weaker.These findings shed new light on how parental educational expectations affected adolescent mental health problems and had significant implications for their healthy development.

Impact of cancer diagnosis on life expectancy by area-level socioeconomic groups in New South Wales, Australia: a population-based study

Objective: Improvement in cancer survival over recent decades has not been accompanied by a narrowing of socioeconomic disparities. This study aimed to quantify the loss of life expectancy(LOLE) resulting from a cancer diagnosis and examine disparities in LOLE based on area-level socioeconomic status(SES).Methods: Data were collected for all people between 50 and 89 years of age who were diagnosed with cancer, registered in the NSW Cancer Registry between 2001 and 2019, and underwent mortality follow-up evaluations until December 2020. Flexible parametric survival models were fitted to estimate the LOLE by gender and area-level SES for 12 common cancers.Results: Of 422,680 people with cancer, 24% and 18% lived in the most and least disadvantaged areas, respectively. Patients from the most disadvantaged areas had a significantly greater average LOLE than patients from the least disadvantaged areas for cancers with high survival rates, including prostate [2.9 years(95% CI: 2.5±3.2 years) vs. 1.6 years(95% CI: 1.3±1.9 years)] and breast cancer [1.6 years(95% CI: 1.4±1.8 years) vs. 1.2 years(95% CI: 1.0±1.4 years)]. The highest average LOLE occurred in males residing in the most disadvantaged areas with pancreatic [16.5 years(95% CI: 16.1±16.8 years) vs. 16.2 years(95% CI: 15.7±16.7 years)] and liver cancer [15.5 years(95% CI: 15.0±16.0 years) vs. 14.7 years(95% CI: 14.0±15.5 years)]. Females residing in the least disadvantaged areas with thyroid cancer [0.9 years(95% CI: 0.4±1.4 years) vs. 0.6 years(95% CI: 0.2±1.0 years)] or melanoma [0.9 years(95% CI: 0.8±1.1 years) vs. 0.7 years(95% CI: 0.5±0.8 years)] had the lowest average LOLE.Conclusions: Patients from the most disadvantaged areas had the highest LOLE with SES-based differences greatest for patients diagnosed with cancer at an early stage or cancers with higher survival rates, suggesting the need to prioritise early detection and reduce treatment-related barriers and survivorship challenges to improve life expectancy.

Transforming education:Developing a practice-ready workforce

The well-known question,why do people keep doing the same thing but expect a different result,applies to nursing education.Healthcare delivery systems are in constant evolution yet much of nursing education operates with traditional teaching approaches expecting to produce graduates suitable for rapidly changing healthcare delivery systems.Nursing is a practice-based discipline with its own body of knowledge situated within the context of dy-namic nursing practice.It is the responsibility of nursing academia to prepare graduates suitable for practice.If we are to change prac-tice,we must rethink education.The impact and interruptions of the global COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to questions on best prac-tices to guide nursing education into the future.

Kinematic calibration under the expectation maximization framework for exoskeletal inertial motion capture system

This study presents a kinematic calibration method for exoskeletal inertial motion capture (EI-MoCap) system with considering the random colored noise such as gyroscopic drift.In this method, the geometric parameters are calibrated by the traditional calibration method at first. Then, in order to calibrate the parameters affected by the random colored noise, the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm is introduced. Through the use of geometric parameters calibrated by the traditional calibration method, the iterations under the EM framework are decreased and the efficiency of the proposed method on embedded system is improved. The performance of the proposed kinematic calibration method is compared to the traditional calibration method. Furthermore, the feasibility of the proposed method is verified on the EI-MoCap system. The simulation and experiment demonstrate that the motion capture precision is significantly improved by 16.79%and 7.16%respectively in comparison to the traditional calibration method.

Novel method for extraction of ship target with overlaps in SAR image via EM algorithm

The quality of synthetic aperture radar(SAR)image degrades in the case of multiple imaging projection planes(IPPs)and multiple overlapping ship targets,and then the performance of target classification and recognition can be influenced.For addressing this issue,a method for extracting ship targets with overlaps via the expectation maximization(EM)algorithm is pro-posed.First,the scatterers of ship targets are obtained via the target detection technique.Then,the EM algorithm is applied to extract the scatterers of a single ship target with a single IPP.Afterwards,a novel image amplitude estimation approach is pro-posed,with which the radar image of a single target with a sin-gle IPP can be generated.The proposed method can accom-plish IPP selection and targets separation in the image domain,which can improve the image quality and reserve the target information most possibly.Results of simulated and real mea-sured data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Optimization of Generator Based on Gaussian Process Regression Model with Conditional Likelihood Lower Bound Search

The noise that comes from finite element simulation often causes the model to fall into the local optimal solution and over fitting during optimization of generator.Thus,this paper proposes a Gaussian Process Regression(GPR)model based on Conditional Likelihood Lower Bound Search(CLLBS)to optimize the design of the generator,which can filter the noise in the data and search for global optimization by combining the Conditional Likelihood Lower Bound Search method.Taking the efficiency optimization of 15 kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor as an example.Firstly,this method uses the elementary effect analysis to choose the sensitive variables,combining the evolutionary algorithm to design the super Latin cube sampling plan;Then the generator-converter system is simulated by establishing a co-simulation platform to obtain data.A Gaussian process regression model combing the method of the conditional likelihood lower bound search is established,which combined the chi-square test to optimize the accuracy of the model globally.Secondly,after the model reaches the accuracy,the Pareto frontier is obtained through the NSGA-II algorithm by considering the maximum output torque as a constraint.Last,the constrained optimization is transformed into an unconstrained optimizing problem by introducing maximum constrained improvement expectation(CEI)optimization method based on the re-interpolation model,which cross-validated the optimization results of the Gaussian process regression model.The above method increase the efficiency of generator by 0.76%and 0.5%respectively;And this method can be used for rapid modeling and multi-objective optimization of generator systems.

Exploring the Interplay between Job Stress,Work Performance,and Attitudes toward Professional Psychological Help among Employees

Objective:This study explores the interplay between job stress,job-related factors,work performance,and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among Vietnamese employees.Methods:A total of 374 employees in Vietnam were surveyed using random sampling and an online questionnaire from November 07 to November 28,2023.Demographic data and self-reported from three scales:The New Job Stress Scale(NJSS),Work Performance(WP),and Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help(ATSPPH_SF)were collected.Results:Significant variations were found across several variables,including forms of work,operating hours,education levels,monthly income,numbers of daily working hours,and the presence of a psychological counseling department within the company.Our analysis has highlighted direct relationships between key latent variables.Employees who were more open to seeking professional help tended to report higher levels of job stress.The negative relationship was found between job stress and attitudes toward seeking professional help.Additionally,work effort was positively associated with work quality.Moderation analyses revealed the influence of co-worker support on role expectation conflict and work effort,role expectation conflict and work-life balance,as well as interactions between role expectation conflict and attitudes needed toward seeking professional help.Mediation analyses showed that work effort mediated relationships between openness to seeking professional help,co-worker support,work-life balance,role expectation conflict,and work quality.Attitudes toward seeking professional help also mediated relationships between work-life balance,job stress,and work quality.Conclusion:The study highlights the complex dynamics surrounding job stress,job-related factors,work performance,and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among Vietnamese employees.It highlights the importance of addressing help-seeking barriers,promoting work engagement,and fostering healthy work-life balance for employee well-being and productivity.Further research across diverse contexts and interventions is needed.

Lottery Numbers and Ordered Statistics

The lottery has long captivated the imagination of players worldwide, offering the tantalizing possibility of life-changing wins. While winning the lottery is largely a matter of chance, as lottery drawings are typically random and unpredictable. Some people use the lottery terminal randomly generates numbers for them, some players choose numbers that hold personal significance to them, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or other important dates, some enthusiasts have turned to statistical analysis as a means to analyze past winning numbers identify patterns or frequencies. In this paper, we use order statistics to estimate the probability of specific order of numbers or number combinations being drawn in future drawings.

Exact controllability of rational expectations model with multiplicative noise and input delay

This paper considers the rational expectations model with multiplicative noise and input delay,where the system dynamics rely on the conditional expectations of future states.The main contribution is to obtain a sufficient condition for the exact controllability of the rational expectations model.In particular,we derive a sufficient Gramian matrix condition and a rank condition for the delay-free case.The key is the solvability of the backward stochastic difference equations with input delay which is derived from the forward and backward stochastic system.

Managing Homework-Related Stress:Strategies for Balancing Academic Demands and Mental Well-Being in Students

This paper examines the growing issue of homework-related stress among students,focusing on the impact of academic demands,parental expectations,and social comparisons on students’mental health.While homework serves as an important educational tool,its excessive volume and pressure can lead to psychological issues such as anxiety,depression,and burnout.Parental involvement,although beneficial,can heighten stress when coupled with unrealistic expectations.Additionally,social media exacerbates these pressures by promoting comparisons and idealized standards.The paper proposes a holistic approach,involving educators,parents,and students,to mitigate these stressors.Key strategies include assigning meaningful homework,fostering open communication,teaching time management skills,and encouraging a balance between academic success and mental well-being.By addressing homework-related stress,students can be supported in achieving both academic and personal success while maintaining their mental health.

Modeling Expected Failure Considering Repair Time and Degradation: A Rail System Case Study

The repeated failures of any equipment or systems are modeled as a renewal process. The management needs an assessment of the number of future failures to allocate the resources needed for fast repairs. Based on the idea of expectation by conditioning, special Volterra-type integral equations are derived for general types of repairs, considering the length of repair and reduced degradation of the idle object. In addition to minimal repair and failure replacement, partial repairs are also discussed when the repair results in reduction of the number of future failures or decreases the effective age of the object. Numerical integration-based algorithm and simulation study are performed to solve the resulting integral equation. Since the geometry degradation in different dimensions of a rail track and controlling and maintaining defects are of importance, a numerical example using the rail industry data is conducted. Expected number of failures of different failure type modes in rail track is calculated within a two-year interval. Results show that within a two-year period, anticipated occurrences of cross level failures, surface failures, and DPI failures are 2.4, 3.8, and 5.8, respectively.

Management Practices:Shaping Employee Satisfaction and Commitment in Large German Companies

The rapid evolution of the political,economic,and social landscape has generated increased interest in understanding the contextual application of management styles and behaviours toward employees.In this context,organizations must comprehend and assess employee satisfaction to enhance productivity and realize their strategic and economic goals.Therefore,this study aims to investigate the prevailing and significant management behaviours toward employees in large German companies and their impact on employee satisfaction and job commitment.To achieve the research objective,the study will employ a qualitative method to explore management behaviours toward employees.Data were collected through interviews with randomly selected managers from different companies and departments.The study aims to uncover discrepancies or variations in employee expectations regarding management behaviour.The findings will provide a better understanding of the most prevalent and significant management behaviours toward employees in large German companies and their impact on employee satisfaction and job commitment.The results will be valuable to management in adopting suitable leadership styles and improving employee satisfaction,leading to increased productivity and organizational performance.The research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field of management and human resource management by providing insights into the impact of management behaviours on employees.It will also offer recommendations to management on how to enhance employee satisfaction and job commitment,leading to improved organizational performance.In conclusion,this study will investigate the prevailing management behaviours toward employees in large German companies and their impact on employee satisfaction and job commitment.