A study on the success of group formation and cohesiveness in virtual teams using computer-mediated communications

While the Internet is a major business tool nowadays, individuals are still challenged to form team s and collaboration virtually. To evaluate the success of team formation in a virtual setting, this research study assessed the role of different computer – mediated communications (CMC) employed on the success of team formation measured by task performance (TP), team cohesiveness (TC), computer skills (CS) and social bond (SB), while assessing the differences on such relationships when controlled for gender, age, education level, academic major, as well as academic year. This research used analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to address the hypotheses proposed. Using three teams and 140 participants, the results indicated that there is a significance difference in the role of CMC levels employed on the level of perception of CS in team formation. Also, there is a significance difference in the role of CMC levels employed on the levels of TP, when controlled for gender .In addition, there is a significance difference in the role of CMC levels employed (No - CMS/F2F,OLS,&OLS+SNS) on the levels of CS, when controlled for education, academic major and academic year. The results of this study contribute to the body of knowledge by helping organizations identify ways to support effective team formations

Shape and structure of N=Z 64Ge; Electromagnetic transition rates from the application of the Recoil Distance Method to knock-out reaction

Transition rate measurements are reported for the first and the second 2+ states in N=Z 64Ge. The experimental results are in excellent agreement with large-scale Shell Model calculations applying the recently developed GXPF1A interactions. Theoretical analysis suggests that 64Ge is a collective gamma-soft anharmonic vibrator. The measurement was done using the Recoil Distance Method (RDM) and a unique combination of state-of-the-art instruments at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL). States of interest were populated via an intermediate-energy single-neutron knock-out reaction. RDM studies of knock-out and fragmentation reaction products hold the promise of reaching far from stability and providing lifetime information for excited states in a wide range of nuclei

Transition probabilities in the X(5) candidate 122^{122}Ba

To investigate the possible X(5) character of 122Ba, suggested by the ground state band energy pattern, the lifetimes of the lowest yrast states of 122Ba have been measured, via the Recoil Distance Doppler-Shift method. The relevant levels have been populated by using the 108Cd(16O,2n)122Ba and the 112Sn(13C,3n)122Ba reactions. The B(E2) values deduced in the present work are compared to the predictions of the X(5) model and to calculations performed in the framework of the IBA-1 and IBA-2 models

Lifetime determination of excited states in Cd-106

Two separate experiments using the Differential Decay Curve Method have been performed to extract mean lifetimes of excited states in 106 Cd. The inedium-spin states of interest were populated by the Mo-98(C-12, 4n) Cd-106 reaction performed at the Wright Nuclear Structure Lab., Yale University. From this experiment, two isomeric state mean lifetimes have been deduced. The low-lying states were populated by the Mo-96(C-13, 3n)Cd-106 reaction performed at the Institut fur Kernphysik, Universitat zu Koln. The mean lifetime of the I-pi = 2(1)(+) state was deduced, tentatively, as 16.4(9) ps. This value differs from the previously accepted literature value from Coulomb excitation of 10.43(9) ps

Assessing awareness and use of HIV self-testing kits after the introduction of a community-based HIV self-testing programme among men who have sex with men in Kenya

Men who have sex with men (MSM) bear a disproportionate burden of new HIV infections in Kenya, while experiencing discrimination, leading to suboptimal levels of HIV care. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a tool to increase HIV screening and earlier diagnosis; however, questions remain regarding how best to scale-up HIVST to MSM in Kenya. The main objective of this study was to examine changes in knowledge and use of HIVST after implementation of a community-led HIVST project. Participants were MSM recruited from Kisumu, Mombasa, and Kiambu counties. Data were collected from two rounds (Round 1: 2019; Round 2: 2020) of serial cross-sectional integrated biological and behavioural assessments (IBBA), pre-, and post-project implementation. Two main outcomes were measured: 1) whether the respondent had ever heard of HIVST; and 2) whether they had ever used HIVST kits. Changes in outcomes between IBBA rounds were examined using modified multivariable Poisson regression models; adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) are reported. A total of 2,328 respondents were included in main analyses. The proportion of respondents who had heard of HIVST increased from 75% in Round 1 to 94% in Round 2 (aPR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.2-1.3), while those reporting using an HIVST kit increased from 20% to 53% (aPR: 2.3, 95% CI: 2.0-2.6). Higher levels of education and HIV programme awareness were associated with both outcomes. Awareness and use of HIVST kits increased after implementation of a community-led HIVST implementation project, demonstrating the importance of integration with existing community groups

Collectivity and Configuration Mixing in \u3csup\u3e186,188\u3c/sup\u3ePb and \u3csup\u3e194\u3c/sup\u3ePo

Lifetimes of prolate intruder states in 186Pb and oblate intruder states in 194Po have been determined by employing, for the first time, the recoil-decay tagging technique in recoil distance Doppler-shift lifetime measurements. In addition, lifetime measurements of prolate states in 188Pb up to the 8+state were carried out using the recoil-gating method. The B(E2) values have been deduced from which deformation parameters lβ2l = 0.29(5) and lβ2l = 0.17(3) for the prolate and the oblate bands, respectively, have been extracted. The results also shed new light on the mixing between different shapes

HIV prevalence, testing and treatment among men who have sex with men through engagement in virtual sexual networks in Kenya: a cross-sectional bio-behavioural study

INTRODUCTION: In Kenya, men who have sex with men (MSM) are increasingly using virtual sites, including web-based apps, to meet sex partners. We examined HIV testing, HIV prevalence, awareness of HIV-positive status and linkage to antiretroviral therapy (ART), for HIV-positive MSM who solely met partners via physical sites (PMSM), compared with those who did so in virtual sites (either solely via virtual sites (VMSM), or via both virtual and physical sites (DMSM)). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional bio-behavioural survey of 1200 MSM, 15 years and above, in three counties in Kenya between May and July 2019, using random sampling of physical and virtual sites. We classified participants as PMSM, DMSM and VMSM, based on where they met sex partners, and compared the following between groups using chi-square tests: (i) proportion tested; (ii) HIV prevalence and (iii) HIV care continuum among MSM living with HIV. We then performed multivariable logistic regression to measure independent associations between network engagement and HIV status. RESULTS: 177 (14.7%), 768 (64.0%) and 255 (21.2%), of participants were classified as PMSM, DMSM and VMSM respectively. 68.4%, 70.4% and 78.5% of PMSM, DMSM and VMSM, respectively, reported an HIV test in the previous six months. HIV prevalence was 8.5% (PMSM), 15.4% (DMSM) and 26.7% (VMSM), p < 0.001. Among those living with HIV, 46.7% (PMSM), 41.5% (DMSM) and 29.4% (VMSM) were diagnosed and aware of their status; and 40.0%, 35.6% and 26.5% were on antiretroviral treatment. After adjustment for other predictors, MSM engaged in virtual networks remained at a two to threefold higher risk of prevalent HIV: VMSM versus PMSM (adjusted odds ratio 3.88 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.84 to 8.17) p < 0.001); DMSM versus PMSM (2.00 (95% CI 1.03 to 3.87), p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Engagement in virtual networks is associated with elevated HIV risk, irrespective of individual-level risk factors. Understanding the difference in characteristics among MSM-seeking partners in different sites will help HIV programmes to develop subpopulation-specific interventions

Influence Analysis in Consensus Search - A Multi Criteria Group Decision Making Approach in Environmental Management

The environmental decision problems often are divisive, even in a technical realm, decision makers with strong personalities influence outcomes. The purpose of this study is to define and quantify the factors that affect the conservation objectives of a national natural park located in Colombia, South America adding the judgments of six decision makers with different knowledge (every decision maker is also a stakeholder representative). This paper uses a hybrid multiple criteria group decision making model (MCDM), combining the social network analysis (SNA), analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and similarity measures to solve the consensus and anchoring problem among environmental decision makers. The SNA technique is used to build an influential network relation map among decision makers and to obtain their weights for applying a weighted analytic hierarchy process. Then, the final decision matrices for every decision maker are compared between them in order to identify the consensus level of the problem.Romero Gelvez, JI.; García Melón, M. (2016). Influence Analysis in Consensus Search - A Multi Criteria Group Decision Making Approach in Environmental Management. International Journal of Information Technology and Decision Making. 15(4):791-813. doi:10.1142/S0219622016400034S791813154Regan, H. M., Colyvan, M., & Markovchick-Nicholls, L. (2006). A formal model for consensus and negotiation in environmental management. Journal of Environmental Management, 80(2), 167-176. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2005.09.004Reed, M. S. (2008). Stakeholder participation for environmental management: A literature review. Biological Conservation, 141(10), 2417-2431. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2008.07.014Gomez-Navarro, T., & Garcia-Melon, M. (2011). DESIGN OF AN EFFICIENCY INDEX FOR THE RANK ORDER OF SOIL REMEDIATION TECHNIQUES. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 10(5), 603-613. doi:10.30638/eemj.2011.083Aragonés-Beltrán, P., García-Melón, M., & Estruch-Guitart, V. (2015). ANALYSIS OF THE PARTICIPATION OF STAKEHOLDERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BASED ON ANP: APPLICATION TO A SPANISH NATURAL PARK. International Journal of the Analytic Hierarchy Process, 7(1). doi:10.13033/ijahp.v7i1.276Belton, V., & Stewart, T. J. (2002). Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis. doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-1495-4Ginevičius, R., & Podvezko, V. (2009). EVALUATING THE CHANGES IN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF LITHUANIAN COUNTIES BY MULTIPLE CRITERIA METHODS. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 15(3), 418-436. doi:10.3846/1392-8619.2009.15.418-436Ramzan, N., Degenkolbe, S., & Witt, W. (2008). Evaluating and improving environmental performance of HC’s recovery system: A case study of distillation unit. Chemical Engineering Journal, 140(1-3), 201-213. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2007.09.042Sólnes, J. (2003). Environmental quality indexing of large industrial development alternatives using AHP. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 23(3), 283-303. doi:10.1016/s0195-9255(03)00004-0Beccali, M., Cellura, M., & Mistretta, M. (2003). Decision-making in energy planning. Application of the Electre method at regional level for the diffusion of renewable energy technology. Renewable Energy, 28(13), 2063-2087. doi:10.1016/s0960-1481(03)00102-2Varvasovszky, Z. (2000). A stakeholder analysis. Health Policy and Planning, 15(3), 338-345. doi:10.1093/heapol/15.3.338Prell, C., Hubacek, K., & Reed, M. (2009). Stakeholder Analysis and Social Network Analysis in Natural Resource Management. Society & Natural Resources, 22(6), 501-518. doi:10.1080/08941920802199202Charnley, S., & Engelbert, B. (2005). Evaluating public participation in environmental decision-making: EPA’s superfund community involvement program. Journal of Environmental Management, 77(3), 165-182. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2005.04.002Reed, M. S., Graves, A., Dandy, N., Posthumus, H., Hubacek, K., Morris, J., … Stringer, L. C. (2009). Who’s in and why? A typology of stakeholder analysis methods for natural resource management. Journal of Environmental Management, 90(5), 1933-1949. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2009.01.001Bonner, B. L., & Bolinger, A. R. (2013). Separating the confident from the correct: Leveraging member knowledge in groups to improve decision making and performance. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 122(2), 214-221. doi:10.1016/j.obhdp.2013.07.005Kirchler, E., & Davis, J. H. (1986). The influence of member status differences and task type on group consensus and member position change. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(1), 83-91. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.51.1.83Sniezek, J. A., & Henry, R. A. (1989). Accuracy and confidence in group judgment. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 43(1), 1-28. doi:10.1016/0749-5978(89)90055-1Bonner, B. L., Sillito, S. D., & Baumann, M. R. (2007). Collective estimation: Accuracy, expertise, and extroversion as sources of intra-group influence. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 103(1), 121-133. doi:10.1016/j.obhdp.2006.05.001Burgman, M. (2005). Risks and Decisions for Conservation and Environmental Management. doi:10.1017/cbo9780511614279Mitchell, R. K., Agle, B. R., & Wood, D. J. (1997). Toward a Theory of Stakeholder Identification and Salience: Defining the Principle of who and What Really Counts. Academy of Management Review, 22(4), 853-886. doi:10.5465/amr.1997.9711022105Bryson, J. M. (2004). What to do when Stakeholders matter. Public Management Review, 6(1), 21-53. doi:10.1080/14719030410001675722Biggs, S., & Matsaert, H. (1999). An actor-oriented approach for strengthening research and development capabilities in natural resource systems. Public Administration and Development, 19(3), 231-262. doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-162x(199908)19:33.0.co;2-eWu, J., & Chiclana, F. (2014). A social network analysis trust–consensus based approach to group decision-making problems with interval-valued fuzzy reciprocal preference relations. Knowledge-Based Systems, 59, 97-107. doi:10.1016/j.knosys.2014.01.017Sabidussi, G. (1966). The centrality index of a graph. Psychometrika, 31(4), 581-603. doi:10.1007/bf02289527Chiclana, F., Tapia García, J. M., del Moral, M. J., & Herrera-Viedma, E. (2013). A statistical comparative study of different similarity measures of consensus in group decision making. Information Sciences, 221, 110-123. doi:10.1016/j.ins.2012.09.014Wu, J., Chiclana, F., & Herrera-Viedma, E. (2015). Trust based consensus model for social network in an incomplete linguistic information context. Applied Soft Computing, 35, 827-839. doi:10.1016/j.asoc.2015.02.023Xu, J., & Wu, Z. (2011). A discrete consensus support model for multiple attribute group decision making. Knowledge-Based Systems, 24(8), 1196-1202. doi:10.1016/j.knosys.2011.05.007Herrera, F., Herrera-Viedma, E., & Verdegay, J. . (1998). Choice processes for non-homogeneous group decision making in linguistic setting. Fuzzy Sets and Systems, 94(3), 287-308. doi:10.1016/s0165-0114(96)00251-5Chiclana, F., Herrera-Viedma, E., Herrera, F., & Alonso, S. (2007). Some induced ordered weighted averaging operators and their use for solving group decision-making problems based on fuzzy preference relations. European Journal of Operational Research, 182(1), 383-399. doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2006.08.032Xu, Z. (2000). On consistency of the weighted geometric mean complex judgement matrix in AHP. European Journal of Operational Research, 126(3), 683-687. doi:10.1016/s0377-2217(99)00082-xRosso, M., Bottero, M., Pomarico, S., La Ferlita, S., & Comino, E. (2014). Integrating multicriteria evaluation and stakeholders analysis for assessing hydropower projects. Energy Policy, 67, 870-881. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2013.12.00

Lifetimes of intruder states in 186 Pb, 188 Pb and 194 Po

Lifetimes of prolate intruder states in 186Pb and 188Pb and oblate intruder states in 194Po have been determined through recoil distance Doppler-shift lifetime measurements. Deformation parameters of | β2 | = 0.29 (5) and | β2 | = 0.17(3) have been ext