Sales comparison approach indicating heterogeneity of particular type of real estate and corresponding valuation accuracy

The article focuses on heterogeneity of goods, namely real estate and consequently deals with market valuation accuracy. The heterogeneity of real estate property is, in particular, that every unit is unique in terms of its construction, condition, financing and mainly location and thus assessing the value must necessarily be difficult. This research also indicates the rate of efficiency of markets across the types based on their level of variability. The research is based on two databases consisting of various types of real estate with specific market parameters. These parameters determine the differences across the types and reveal heterogeneity. The first database has been set on valuations by sales comparison approach and the second one on data of real properties offered on the market. The methodology is based on univariate and multivariate statistics of key variables of those databases. The multivariate analysis is performed by Hotelling T2 control chart and statistics with appropriate numerical characteristics. The results of both databases were joint by weights with regard to the dependence criterion of the variables. The final results indicate potential valuation accuracy across the types. The main contribution of the research is that the evaluation was not only derived from the price deviation or distribution, but it also draws from causes of real property heterogeneity as a whole.O

Forensic Engineering and the Importance of the Human Factor

AbstractForensic engineering and its significance from the perspective of history, its importance in the interdisciplinary context. Disciplines involved with their findings in expert assessment. Questions of expert activities at present. Technical and legislative aspects of expert activities. Personality factors in expert activities and their reflection in expert assessment. The influence of human factor involved in the causes giving rise to exposed situations which entail the origin of expert assessment. The importance of personality factors. Assessment of the reliability of the human factor, i.e. the probability of correctly performing the required activities during a given period of time or a situation which may give rise to chain reactions that lead to mistakes of human factor. Human reliability, or more precisely human mistakes as a very complex and unpredictable parameter. When assessing it, it is therefore necessary to understand the fact that this is not an isolated step or a single decision, but a set of causes, influences and factors (including their mutual combinations) that make up the overall reliability.Possibilities of applying forensic engineering into practice. Defects of expert assessment and their consequences. The most common and the most recent faults occurring in expert assessment

The Efficacy of Guided Imagery for Recovery from Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Replacement

As an exploratory, developmental injury intervention study, this research investigated the efficacy of providing psychological intervention in the form of relaxation and guided imagery to a group of orthopedic patients recovering from major knee surgery. Utilizing a prospective, experimental research design with 30 subjects randomly assigned to either an intervention, placebo, or control group, this study employed physiological as well as psychological outcome measures. Intervention consisted of 10 individual mental practice sessions for intervention group members as an adjunct to physical therapy. Content of these sessions was intentionally designed to facilitate physiotherapy goals. Imagery protocols with which to deliver these standardized sessions were also designed to directly parallel established physical rehabilitation protocols. Placebo group participants were exposed to nonspecific intervention factors of attention and support, while control group members completed their physical therapy as usual. Results of this study revealed that for this sample of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) orthopedic patients, psychological injury intervention in the form of relaxation and guided imagery contributed to statistically significant better physical and psychological outcomes. Strength and extension improvement, as well as reduction in state, trait, and reinjury anxiety, were superior for the intervention group as compared to placebo and control groups from preintervention (2 weeks postsurgery) to post-intervention (24 weeks postsurgery). Other benefits of the intervention, according to subject self-report, included pain and stress management, empowerment, control of recovery, and overall body wellness . Implications of these research findings are discussed, as well as suggestions offered for subsequent injury intervention research

In-car wireless power transfer

Tato práce se zaměřuje na návrh antén pro bezdrátový přenos energie uvnitř automobilu v blízkosti kmitočtu 8 GHz. Bezdrátovým přenosem energie se v minulém století zabývala řada vědců, kteří se soustředili na přenos velkých výkonů na velké vzdálenosti. V současnosti je věnována pozornost metodám schopným přenášet energii s dobrou efektivitou na vzdálenost jednotek metrů pro nabíjení mobilních zařízení, bezdrátových čidel a dalších zařízení s nízkým příkonem.The thesis is focused on the design of antennas for wireless power transfer inside a car near the frequency of 8 GHz. In the last century, a number of scientists dealt with wireless transmission of energy with high power and long distances. Currently, attention is given to methods capable of transmitting energy with good effectively over a distance of meters for charging mobile devices, wireless sensors and other devices with low power consumption.

Perceived Water Quality and Reported Health among Adults during the Flint, MI Water Crisis

Background and Purpose: In April 2014, the municipal water source for Flint, Michigan was changed from Lake Huron to the Flint River. Although residents reported concerns about the quality of tap water and resulting health problems, officials insisted that the water was safe. This study examined relationships between self-reported tap water quality during the water crisis and health conditions among Flint residents. Methods: Participants from each residential Census Tract in the City of Flint were recruited via address lists, online social media, and community-based events. The survey included mental and physical health items from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and an item on tap water quarter quality experiences. Analyses were weighted to be demographically representative. Results: Participants (N = 277) rated their tap water quality (taste, smell, appearance) as Poor (57%), Fair (20%), Good (13%), Very Good (6%), and Excellent (3%). Controlling for age, gender, years of education, whether respondents were African American or Hispanic/Latino/a, and population demographics, lower perceived tap water quality was associated with worse mental and physical health across all indicators. Conclusion: This study demonstrates associations of tap water quality experiences with reported poor physical and mental health among adults in Flint during the Flint Water Crisis

Relationships Among Disease, Social Support, and Perceived Health: A Lifespan Approach

We examined the relationship between the cumulative presence of major disease (cancer, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension), social support, and self‐reported general and emotional well‐being in a community representative sample of predominantly White and African American respondents (N = 1349). Across all ages, greater presence of disease predicted poorer reported general health, and predicted lower emotional well‐being for respondents 40 and above. In contrast, social support predicted better‐reported general and emotional well‐being. We predicted that different types of social support (blood relatives, children, friends, community members) would be relatively more important for health in different age groups based on a lifespan or life stage model. This hypothesis was supported; across all ages, social support was related to better reported general and emotional health, but sources of support differed by age. Broadly, those in younger age groups tended to list familial members as their strongest sources of support, whereas older group members listed their friends and community members. As a whole, social support mediated the effect of disease on reported well‐being, however, moderated mediation by type of support was not significant. The results are consistent with a lifespan approach to changing social ties throughout the life course.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/116357/1/ajcp9758.pd