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Nowadays, problems facing Distribution System Operators (DSOs) due to demand increase and the wide penetration of renewable energy are usually solved by means of grid reinforcement. However, the smart grid paradigm enables the deployment of demand flexibility for congestion management in distribution grids. This could substitute, or at least postpone, these needed investments. A key role in this scheme is the aggregator, who can act as a “flexibility provider” collecting the available flexibility from the consumers. Under this paradigm, this paper proposes a flexibility market led by the DSO and aimed at solving distribution grid congestions. The proposal also includes a flexibility market clearing algorithm, which is easy to implement, has low computational requirements and considers the energy rebound effect. The proposed design has the advantage of excluding the DSO’s need for trading in energy markets. Also, the solution algorithm proposed is fully compatible with already existing grid analysis tools. The proposed electricity market is tested with two case studies from a real Spanish distribution network, where the proposed clearing algorithm is used, and finally, results are presented and discussed.

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: Range of motion measurements of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) are an essential component in assessing and classifying hallux rigidus (HR). However, they provide little information about joint function and are limited by variability in technique. As an alternative, measuring joint flexibility can characterize intrinsic properties of the joint—aside from simply maximum dorsiflexion and plantarflexion—that may prove more clinically meaningful. No prior study has assessed hallux MTPJ flexibility in patients with HR. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess the reliability of a custom flexibility device and to compare flexibility between HR patients and controls. Methods: Fifteen patients with Coughlin stage II or III HR indicated for cheilectomy and 20 healthy controls were recruited prospectively. Each of two raters performed a series of seated and standing tests on each subject with the device. Dorsiflexion angle and applied torque were plotted against each other to generate a flexibility curve. “Early flexibility” and “late flexibility” were defined as the slope of the curve in the first 25% and last 25% of motion, respectively. From these two parameters, three additional parameters were calculated: laxity angle, laxity torque, and torque angle (Figure). Differences between (1) HR patients and controls and (2) sitting and standing testing positions were assessed with t-tests. Intra-rater test-retest reliability, remove- replace reliability, and inter-rater reliability were assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results: Patients in the HR group were older than patients in the control group (p < 0.001) and had significantly lower maximum dorsiflexion (p < 0.001). HR patients were less flexible as measured by three of the five flexibility parameters: early flexibility (p = 0.027), laxity angle (p < 0.001), and torque angle (p = 0.002). After controlling for age on seated measurements, only laxity angle and maximum dorsiflexion differed significantly between HR patients and controls (p < 0.001). Generally, patients were more flexible in the seated position than in the standing position, with this effect being more marked in HR patients. All parameters had good or excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.60). Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate a reliable method of measuring first MTPJ flexibility in patients with HR. We found that flexibility, even early in the arc of motion, is impaired in patients with HR. Moreover, significant differences between sitting and standing measurements suggest that soft tissue tension may be a major contributor to this finding. We do not know yet how flexibility of the joint relates to symptomatology, or if the surgeries performed for HR affect flexibility. Further research will be required to determine the clinical utility of these measurements.

Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to quickly reconfigure our mind, as when we switch between different tasks. This review highlights recent evidence showing that cognitive flexibility can be conditioned by simple incentives typically known to drive lower-level learning, such as stimulus–response associations. Cognitive flexibility can also become associated with, and triggered by, bottom-up contextual cues in our environment, including subliminal cues. Therefore, we suggest that the control functions that mediate cognitive flexibility are grounded in, and guided by, basic associative-learning mechanisms and abide by the same learning principles as more low-level forms of behavior. Such a learning perspective on cognitive flexibility offers new directions and important implications for further research, theory, and applications.

Across species, communication systems may differ in their levels of flexibility, but comparisons are challenging, because flexibility is not operationalized in a consistent way. In this study, we investigated different aspects of flexibility in the gestural communication systems of 7 groups of captive apes (N = 53), including 19 chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ), 16 Sumatran orangutans ( Pongo abelii ), and 18 siamangs ( Symphalangus syndactylus ). We operationalized flexibility in four different ways: (i) the use of one gesture type across several contexts (i.e., contextual flexibility), (ii) the use of many gesture types in the same context (i.e., pragmatic flexibility), (iii) the production of one gesture type with different limbs and/or toward different target locations (i.e., morphological flexibility), and (iv) the ability to combine different signals into a sequence in different orders (i.e., combinational flexibility). Comparisons across individuals and species revealed variation in contextual and morphological flexibility. In particular, contextual flexibility increased with age and was overall higher in chimpanzees than siamangs. Moreover, morphological flexibility increased with social integration and was highest in siamangs and lowest in orangutans. Overall, variation largely reflected differences in social experience and possibly in the socioecological characteristics of the species. Our findings suggest that contextual and morphological flexibility might be good candidates to study interindividual and interspecific variation in primate gestural production.

Local flexibility markets or smart markets are new tools used to harness regional flexibility for congestion management. In order to benefit from the available flexibility potential for grid-oriented or even grid-supportive applications, complex but efficient and transparent allocation is necessary. This paper proposes a constrained optimization method for matching the flexibility demand of grid operators to the flexibility supply using decentralized flexibility options located in the distribution grid. Starting with a definition of the operational and stakeholder environment of smart market design, various existing approaches are analyzed based on a literature review and a resulting meta-analysis. In the next step, a categorization of the allocation method is conducted followed by the definition of the optimization goal. The optimization problem, including all relevant input parameters, is identified and formulated by introducing the relevant boundary conditions and constraints of flexibility demand and offers. A proof of concept of the approach is presented using a case study and the Altdorfer Flexmarkt (ALF) field test within the project C/sells. In this paper, we analyze the background of the local flexibility market, provide the methodology (including publishing the code of the matching mechanism), and provide the results of the field test.

Objective The study examines the associations between two distinct forms of workplace flexibility—flexible schedules and working at home—and workers' well‐being, with special attention to the distinct reasons for working at home and gender differences. Background Workplace flexibility can be a key resource to manage work and family responsibilities. However, there are gaps in knowledge regarding the types of flexibility that provide either a benefit or disadvantage for workers. In particular, insufficient attention has been paid to different reasons employees have for working at home and their implications. Method Using the General Social Survey, we created a pooled sample across the four waves of data (2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014, N = 6,945). Workers' well‐being was measured with job satisfaction, job stress, daily fatigue, and work‐to‐family conflict. Multivariate regression analysis and several sensitivity tests were conducted. Results The study found benefits of flexible schedules for work‐related well‐being. Working at home as part of one's job had some benefits, but working at home to catch up on work had consistent disadvantages for worker well‐being. Moreover, the ability to adjust start and end times of work and working at home to catch up on work were associated with elevated work‐to‐family conflict, particularly for female workers. Conclusion The findings suggest the potential advantages and unintended consequences of different flexibility arrangements for workers, and these implications may differ by gender.

Introduction: The volume in a resistance exercise (RE) session can change flexibility. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the acute effect of a training session with different volumes flexibility, immediately after the session and 24 and 48 hours after the training session. Methods: Study participants were 61 volunteers (24.31 ± 0,81 year) males randomly assigned to three groups: control group (CG), two series (G2S) and three series (G3S). All groups were assessed before and after training in the sit and reach test, Goniometry (shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and spine) and test 10 Maximum Repetitions (RM). The training was composed of nine exercises that involved all tested joints and was run 10 repetitions of each exercise with moderate intensity. Results: There was an increase of the flexibility levels for most shoulder movements; hip (extension) and trunk (flexion and extension) when comparing before and after training for all undergoing training groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A RE session with different volumes is able to modify the flexibility of triaxial joints. Introdução: O volume em uma sessão de treinamento de força (TF) pode alterar a flexibilidade. Objetivo: Verificar o efeito agudo de uma sessão de TF com diferentes volumes na flexibilidade, imediatamente após o término da sessão e 24 e 48 horas após. Métodos: Sessenta e um voluntários (24,31±0,81anos) do sexo masculino distribuídos aleatoriamente em três grupos: grupo controle (GC), duas série (G2S) e três séries (G3S). Todos os grupos foram avaliados pré e pós-treinamento no teste de sentar e alcançar, Goniometria (ombro, cotovelo, quadril, joelho e coluna) e teste de 10 Repetições Máximas (RM). O treinamento foi composto por nove exercícios que envolviam todas as articulações avaliadas e executado 10 repetições. Resultados: Houve aumento dos níveis de flexibilidade para maioria dos movimentos do ombro; quadril (extensão) e tronco (flexão e extensão) quando comparadas as situações pré e pós-treinamento para todos os grupos submetidos ao treinamento (p < 0,05). Conclusão: Uma sessão de ER com diferentes volumes é capaz de modificar a flexibilidade de articulações triaxiais.

The purpose of this research is to examine how different dimensions of organizational flexibility (strategic, structural, and operational) impact organizational ambidexterity within the higher education sector in Iraq. To collect data, a survey instrument is used and a quantitative approach is adopted, with 85 academic staff members participating out of a targeted sample size of 295 lecturers from colleges and institutes within Duhok Polytechnic University (DPU) located in Duhok city, Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Structural Equation Modelling is utilized to determine the direction of the relationship between the variables. Based on the study, it was found that Structure Flexibility has a positive and significant impact on both Exploration and Exploitation of organizational ambidexterity. Additionally, Operational Flexibility also had a significant and positive effect on Exploration and Exploitation. However, the effect of Strategy Flexibility on organizational ambidexterity (Exploration and Exploitation was not significant and surpassed the significance level of 0.05. In addition to the findings, this study addresses the key policy implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research regarding higher education institutions.