Cargo/Logistics Airlift System Study (CLASS), Volume 2

Air containerization is discussed in terms of lower freight rates, size and pallet limitations, refrigeration, backhaul of empties, and ownership. It is concluded that there is a need for an advance air cargo system as indicated by the industry/transportation case studies, and a stimulation of the air cargo would result in freight rate reductions

Cargo/Logistics Airlift System Study (CLASS), Volume 1

Current and advanced air cargo systems are evaluated using industrial and consumer statistics. Market and commodity characteristics that influence the use of the air mode are discussed along with a comparison of air and surface mode on typical routes. Results of on-site surveys of cargo processing facilities at airports are presented, and institutional controls and influences on air cargo operations are considered

Cargo/Logistics Airlift System Study (CLASS), Executive Summary

The current air cargo system is analyzed along with advanced air cargo systems studies. A forecast of advanced air cargo system demand is presented with cost estimates. It is concluded that there is a need for a dedicated advance air cargo system, and with application of advanced technology, reductions of 45% in air freight rates may be achieved

Understanding The Process Model Of Leadership: Follower Attribute Design And Assessment

Early leadership studies produced significant research findings that have helped differentiate between leader and follower personal attributes and their consequent behaviors (SEDL, 1992), but little attention was given to the follower’s contribution to the leadership process. This study represents a continuation of research by Henderson, Antelo, & St. Clair on the process model of leadership begun in 2006. Initial research efforts concentrated on leader-held attributes that contribute to the process. Research in work group motivation indicates that individual worker motivation influences performance and productivity; thus, leaders seek to understand what motivates followers to reach extraordinary performance. Employees, however, respond in a variety of ways to their jobs and their organizations’ practices. A paramount task for the leader is to determine what factors impact work motivation. The idea is based on the premise that individual attributes are brought to the workplace by each member of the group.  The concept of individual differences involves personal needs, values, attitudes, interests, and abilities people bring to their jobs. Job characteristics refer to the nature of the position determining its limitations and challenges. Organizational practices are the rules, policies, managerial practices, and reward systems of the organization. This complexity is increased with the construct of motivation, which is understood as the process that moves a person toward a goal. In consequence, “motivated behaviors are voluntary choices controlled by the individual employee.” The leader, therefore, attempts to influence the factors that motivate employees. (Authors

Ethics And Values In The Context Of Teaching Excellence In The Changing World Of Education

This article focused on the ethical problems associated with teaching in a transnational or multicultural environment. Authors offer a review of related literature, as well as extensive global teaching experience, to proffer a model that is designed to allow professional educators to maintain excellence in teaching in the problematic context. Recommendations for research are also offered as part of the conclusions (Henderson)

Executive functions and functional impairment in Latin seniors suffering from depression

Functional impairment (FI) relates to the condition of executive functions (EFs). While EFs become affected by age and educational level (EL). Seniors suffering from depression (SSDs) on the other hand show EF-related deficiencies; however, there is hardly any literature available regarding their relationship with FI in Latin SSDs, who usually have low ELs. Objective: To verify the relationship between EFs and FI in SSDs of Latin origins, by controlling the effects associated with age and educational level. Methodology: Cross-sectional study, of cases and controls, conducted on a nonprobability sample, made up of 102 self-sufficient SSDs and 142 control subjects over age 50, monolinguals of Latin origin (Chileans), all assessed by means of a battery of assessments such as: Geriatric Depression Scale, Addenbrook's Cognitive Assessment III, Trail making Tests A and B, STROOP word-color test, and semantic and phonological verbal fluency tests. A domain of composite EFs was established with standardized Chilean population scores, where age and educational levels were controlled. A simple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between EFs and FI in SSDs. Results: Upon controlling age and educational levels, EFs explained an FI variance of 3.9% in SSDs; depression explained an EF variance of 3.2%, and 3.7% of FI. Conclusion: The results of the present study highlight the importance of a timely intervention when it comes to geriatric depression, considering the negative effect it has over the executive functions and the functionality of seniors

The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on emotional state among older adults in Latin America

In Latin America, the volume of care of infected patients, higher presence of comorbidities among older adults, and restricted access to clinical controls have become this age group into one with the highest risk (Dubey etal., 2020). Under confinement circumstances, older people can experience feelings of helplessness and uncertainty about the future, difficulties to stay focused, anxiety, stress, agitation, withdrawal, and depression (Armitage and Nellums, 2020; Wang etal., 2020). Accordingly, a Consortium of universities, research centers, and clinical centers have joined forces to carry out research which seeks to know the emotional state of Latin American older adults during confinement by Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The study included the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. Between April and May, we carry out the piloting of the evaluation protocol, making cultural and linguistic adaptations. Later, between June and October, more than 7000 older adults were evaluated by telephone by an expert professional through filling out an online form. The protocol we used includes a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, information on confinement, lifestyles, and the abbreviated version of the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale (Martínez de la Iglesia etal., 2020). Sociodemographic characteristics of the final sample (n = 5245) show that 34% are men and 66% are women, with an average age of 69.61 years (SD = 7.28). Average schooling was 10.99 years (SD = 5.85) depending on the country, and 16.7% were illiterate. The major racial pattern of the population is Latin American mestizo (55.1%) followed by white (39.4%), South American indigenous (1.5%), and African American subjects (1.2%). Seventy-seven percentage of the participants have a monthly income, from retirement (45.9%) or independent work (26.4%), and 85% live with their spouses or relatives. Regarding quarantine, 86.7% of the respondents stated that they complied with the confinement measures, with an average of 123.15 days (SD = 42.43) of quarantine, which varies by country. Our data analysis has revealed that 30.27% of the older adults exhibit emotional disturbances. In Mexico and Peru, we have observed the highest levels of geriatric depression (38.9% and 38.1%, respectively) and in Venezuela the lowest (21.35%). Regression analysis shows that more years of schooling (OR = 0.943; IC95%: 0.93–0.95), having an economic income (OR = 0.764; IC95%: 0.64–0.90) and being a Latin American mestizo (OR = 0.832, IC95%: 0.71–0.98) are associated with reduced risk of geriatric depression. On the other hand, being widowed (OR = 1.428; IC95%: 1.10–1.85) or separated (OR = 1.352; IC95%: 1.01–1.82), lived in Bolivia (OR = 1.805; IC95%: 1.31–2.48), Mexico (OR = 2.320; IC95%: 1.70–3.16), and Peru (OR = 2.008; IC95%: 1.45–2.78) are associated with highest risk. This first multicenter study found that emotional status of older adults during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Latin America varies depending on the country where they live and sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. It is necessary for follow-up studies to validate diagnosis and analyze the greater risk of deterioration in the coming months

Trends and challenges in the use of drugs as forensic evidence:A scientometric approach to map the current literature

The rapid increase in the production and distribution of illicit drugs has led to vast amounts of data being generated through research and other publications, making it difficult to effectively distill and analyze current and emerging trends. The present study used a scientometric approach to identify trends and challenges in the use of drugs as an evidence type in forensic science by examining reference lists available in the INTERPOL IFSMS reports and the citation database Scopus. It has been identified that “new psychoactive substances” is one of the most frequently used keywords by authors, highlighting the swift response by communities to characterize these emerging compounds. However, it was also noted that despite drugs being a global threat, only limited international collaboration was observed between research groups and the majority of the studies are from authors affiliated within the same country. Finally, an argument is made to encourage a more comprehensive approach in aggregating results on drugs for greater transparency and broader distribution of findings