Overcoming Engineering Challenges to Enable Commercial-Scale mRNA Vaccine Manufacturing

Increasing production capacity may necessitate the facility to cater for higher hazardous area category (e.g., H-Occupancy) design features, such as specialized building construction and potential blast zones. [...]an assessment should cover: * Quantification of flammable material use for production steps, including buffer preparation and LNP storage * Equipment and facility cleaning strategies that contribute to the facility flammable materials inventory * Impact of HVAC design to avoid hazardous atmospheres (e.g., full fresh air), use of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) or fume hoods * Solvent distribution methods (e.g., closed solvent delivery and waste removal systems) * Location of solvent bulk storage outside of the processing area/ facility, and piping in what is necessary plus removing spent solvent in a timely manner (e.g., piped transfer to a waste tank for removal by a specialist contractor). At present, the process cannot be fully single-use, so thought needs to be put into the cleaning and sterilization processes, plus the analytical support infrastructure needed for reusable product-contact surfaces. [...]it is recommended that for each mRNA project, consideration is given to the following aspects to determine the link between the equipment available and the facility design: * Need for custom/proprietary equipment * Independent production rooms with "through-wall" buffer transfer through iris ports in from logistics corridor (Buffer Prep/Hold) * Room electrical classification needs versus process step. * Equipment selection versus electrical and fire code requirements * Benefits and limitations of implementing single-use technologies, given that the process will be hybrid (with stainless steel). [...]the limited capacity for outsourcing of supporting functions, such as facility environmental monitoring or product sterility testing, should be considered during concept design.

Culture meets commitment: how organizational culture influences affective commitment

PurposeOrganizational culture has been identified as an important factor in increased employee commitment. Particularly during a shortage of skilled workers, commitment is a meaningful indicator of higher loyalty and retention. However, limited research has studied the relationship between organizational culture and commitment from a global perspective. Most research focuses on specific aspects of culture and examines the aspects' effects on commitment separately. The author's objective is to identify influential organizational culture's dimensions and assess dimensions' relationship to commitment holistically.Design/methodology/approachFor this purpose, the author analyzed a data set with 241,648 participants from 9 industries in Germany. The survey captures individual attitudes toward certain aspects of organizational culture and assesses workers' commitment to their organizations.FindingsThe results of a linear regression show that all cultural dimensions considered, namely transformational leadership behavior, team cohesion, compensation, fairness and caring attitude, if well-developed, positively and significantly influence organizational commitment. Interestingly, team cohesion has the greatest effect on commitment, followed by transformational leadership behavior, compensation, caring attitude and fairness.Originality/valueThis paper aims to examine the relationship between organizational culture and commitment holistically, thereby revealing which aspects of corporate culture are particularly important for increasing workers' commitment.

‘Will I be able to see my family ever again?' Tales from the Indian diaspora in times of COVID-19 in Singapore

The novel coronavirus began spreading worldwide since 2020 leaving behind hundreds of thousands of Indian Diaspora stranded. Indian diasporas are heterogeneous, diverse and are perceived as wealthy, dynamic and generally thriving, especially in highly developed countries. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light both strengths and weaknesses of these diasporas. Thus, this paper explores the various ways in which COVID-19 has impacted the lives of the high-skilled Indian diaspora in Singapore. In explaining their varied experiences, I used the concept of commonality. Through a qualitative study, collected data shows their struggles of commonalities embraced by COVID-19. In spite of living an affluent lifestyle in Singapore, they confront uncertainty, pain, fear of losing the loved ones back home. They are nevertheless happy and content, and are very grateful for the ways in which their Singapore have supported them during troubled times. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Recovery from the COVID-19 Recession: Uneven Effects among Young Workers?

In this paper, we examine the labor market recovery from the COVID-19 recession and test for effects of termination of pandemic unemployment insurance programs among 15-24-year-olds. We use data from the January 2016-October 2022 Current Population Survey. Using regression-based methods, we show that while 15-19-year-olds experienced a brisk, full recovery in labor market outcomes from the COVID-19 recession, the recovery was sluggish and incomplete among 20-24-year-olds, with some work outcomes lagging below pre-pandemic norms well into 2022. Termination of pandemic UI programs led to increased work hours and full-time employment among 20-24-year-olds but did not have these effects among 15-19-year-olds. © 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.

Cohort-Based Analysis of Foreign Residents' Growth in Japan

In Japan, the cohort structure of foreign residents and its spatial distribution significantly change along with the acceptance of a specialized and technically skilled workforce. This study aims to analyze the transition of foreign residents' characteristics with time series with statistical viewpoints, in order to clarify the policy building for foreign migrants by local government. A nonnegative matrix factorization model (NMF) is applied to the cohort data of foreign residents in 47 Japanese prefectures in 2010, 2015 and 2020. By applying NMF to the ratio by cohort shifting, the common basis of foreign residents among the prefectures and its structures are obtained. The results show the cohort transition for foreign migrants with infants or children were significantly different, especially between Tohoku and Kyusyu regions from 2010 to 2020. The elderly cohort also had a significant change in Tohoku region from 2015 to 2020. Since the regions highlighted in this analysis include many depopulated areas, and the capacity of those local governments for the policy building would not be enough, they should be supported well by the national government.

Sources of Stress, Burnout, and Career Decisions of Male Health and Nursing Professionals: A Qualitative Inquiry of the Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The human resources and workforce shortage of registered health and nursing professionals has been a long-term problem in health systems internationally, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many health and nursing professionals face stress and burnout, which may influence their career decisions and long-term human resources development. The purpose of this study is to investigate and understand the relationship(s) between sources of stress and the reasons why male health and nursing professionals decide to leave the profession within the next six months. With the employment of the social cognitive career and motivation theory and general inductive approach with 40 male health and nursing professionals, the results outlined personal considerations: my physical and mental health conditions, surrounding environments and individuals: pressure from my co-workers, and political considerations: unsupportive government policies, were categorized. The study provides recommendations to healthcare leadership, government agencies, human resources planners, and researchers to establish sustainable human resources strategies to solve the ongoing and long-term workforce shortage internationally.

Income Inequality, Innovation and Human Capital Nexus: A Comparative Analysis of Asia-Pacific Countries

Global economy has shown a rising income inequality as well as increasing the influence of innovations. Economic theory of income inequality-innovation nexus and empirical evidence are counter intuitive. Therefore, the present study attempts to examine a comparative analysis of income inequality, innovation and human capital relationship among the 15 Asia-Pacific countries using timeseries data from 1990 to 2020. The study employs the Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Phillips-Perron unit root test methods to examine the stationarity of variables and the ARDL bounds co-integration approach to estimate the long run relationship between income inequality, innovation and human capital development. Results of the bounds co-integration test indicated that there is a long run equilibrium relationship between income inequality, innovation and human capital in both models with interaction term and without interaction term for all the 15 countries. With human capital as a mediating variable, findings of the long run ARDL model indicated that innovation variable adversely affects income inequality across countries and over time in majority of the sampled countries. This study examined the innovation-inequality connection over time and unraveled the puzzle why innovations generate income inequality in some countries but not in others. Therefore, it is suggested that there is a dire need to relook at the innovation system that should use both bottom-up and top-down approach with a right mix to have an impact on the reduction of income inequality in the long run.

Migrant construction workers' demography and job satisfaction: a New Zealand study

PurposeThe demand for construction-related occupations has increased consistently over many years in New Zealand (NZ). This has necessitated recourse to migrant workers to address capacity and capability requirements. Migrant construction workers hail from various backgrounds with a complex set of their needs being met through employment in NZ. Research on understanding the satisfaction levels of this category of construction workers is scarce. With recent insinuations about migrant exploitations, research investigations into this knowledge area are significant. In this study, the authors sought to establish the moderating effect of migrants' demography on the determinants of job satisfaction in NZ's construction sector.Design/methodology/approachData were obtained from migrant construction workers of Chinese extraction through a structured questionnaire survey. From 200 questionnaires administered, 108 samples were completed by migrant construction workers involved in major projects in Auckland city, NZ. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics to establish the moderating effects of their demography on job satisfaction.FindingsResults from this study support the internal validity and reliability of these personal characteristics as moderators of job satisfaction for migrant construction workers. These results suggest the relevance of personal characteristics of Chinese migrants in any improvement initiatives being developed for this group of construction workers.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings from this study contribute to the discourse on the relevance of construction migrants as a strategic alternative to addressing skill shortages within the NZ construction sector. They also provide evidence that contributes to an improved understanding of the migrant workforce to meet their aspirations and enhance their general well-being.Originality/valueAlthough the study is ethnic-specific, the conclusions show the relevance of personal characteristics in the experiences of construction migrant workers. The study is representative of the catchment of temporary migrant workers in the construction industry in NZ. The study provides insights for organisations employing migrants about putting in place appropriate measures to enhance their satisfaction levels. Finally, this study's findings may contribute to policy initiatives on the optimal categories of migrants engaged on construction activities to derive the maximum benefits for NZ.

Penglibatan dan Produkviti Buruh Tempatan dalam Industri Kelapa Sawit

Abstrak: Produktiviti merupakan faktor penting untuk memastikan output yang optimum. Dalam industri kelapa sawit, produktiviti buruh memainkan peranan penting untuk memastikan kelestrarian pengeluaran hasil kelapa sawit mencapai sasaran. Sarawak yang merupakan negeri utama penyumbang industri kelapa sawit di Malaysia terpaksa berhadapan dengan masalah kekurangan tenaga buruh yang serius. Pemberhentian buruh asing disebabkan oleh pandermik Covid 19 menjadikan isu buruh di Sarawak lebih parah. Penglibatan buruh tempatan diharapkan dapat menyelesaikan isu pemberhentian buruh asing. Namun begitu, rata-rata orang tem-patan kurang berminat untuk terlibat dalam sektor pertanian kelapa sawit. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk membin-cangkan penglibatan buruh tempatan dalam pertanian kelapa sawit dan juga strategi untuk meningkatkan produktiviti buruh tempatan. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah kuantitatatif dan persampelan bertujuan dalam pengutipan data. Seramai 56 orang pekebun kecil kelapa sawit (PKS) yang mempunyai buruh tempatan telah dipilih. Hasil kajian menunjukkan, jenis buruh tempatan adalah ahli keluarga, sanak saudara dan buruh kam-pung. Mereka ini dibayar secara kontrak dan juga mengikut bilangan pokok kelapa sawit. Dari segi strategi untuk meningkatkan produkviti buruh, menggunakan pekerja yang berkemahiran, amalan pertanian baik, modal yang mencukupi, kemahiran menguruskan haiwan perosak dan penyakit tanaman, pengkhususan kerja, kerja berkumpulan serta memberikan ganjaran merupakan antara saranan yang dikemukan oleh PKS. Jika masalah ini tidak ditangani ia akan menjejaskan keseluruhan industri kelapa sawit khususnya di Sarawak me-mandangkan negeri ini merupakan antara penyumbang terbesar kelapa sawit negara. Jika kerajaan negeri dan persekutuan tidak dapat menyelesaikan isu kekurangan buruh dalam industri kelapa sawit, ia akan men-jejaskan seluruh industri kelapa sawit Malaysia.Alternate :Productivity is an essential factor in ensuring optimal output. In the oil palm industry, labour productivity is vital in ensuring that oil palm production reaches its target/production. Sarawak, a significant contributor to the oil palm industry in Malaysia, faces a severe labour shortage. The layoffs of foreign labour due to the Covid 19 pandemics made the labour issue in Sarawak even worse. The involvement of local labour is expected to resolve the decrease in foreign labour. However, local people have minimal interest in getting involved in the oil palm agriculture sector. This study aims to examine the involvement of local labour in oil palm and strategies to increase local labour productivity. This study uses quantitative methods and purposive sampling in data collection. A total of 56 oil palm smallholders (PKS) who have local labour were selected. The results showed the type of local labour are family members, relatives, and village labour. They are paid on a contract basis and according to the number of oil palm trees. In terms of strategies to increase labour productivity, employing skilled workers, good agricultural practices, adequate capital, skills in managing pests and crop diseases, job specialization, group work, and rewards are among the recommendations put forward by PKS. If this problem still occurs, it will affect the entire oil palm industry, especially in Sarawak, as the state is one of its most significant contributors to oil palm. If the local and federal governments cannot resolve labour shortage issue in the oil palm industry, it will affect Malaysia's entire oil palm industry.

Women of Color in Emerging Technology: Breaking Down the Barriers

These past two years, COVID-19 has added to the industry's gender and ethnic underrepresentation issues. The pandemic's reallocation shock has caused more than 31 million Americans to rely on unemployment. A recent study estimates 32-42% of these layoffs will become permanent, which will be felt more acutely by minority communities. As the pandemic continues to sharpen inequalities in America's economy, nearly eight times the number of women left the workforce compared to men last year. These rates were higher for women of color. To broaden participation and fill a growing need for skilled workers in computing, it is important to consider innovative pathways that delve into untapped pools of talent for training and recruitment. It has been estimated that by 2030, approximately one-third to a half of employees may desire new occupations or may need to either reskill or upskill. Some niches within the computing fields, like emerging technologies (EmTech) (e.g., cloud computing, data science, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence), are expected to grow job opportunities more quickly than others. The demands of these jobs can only be fulfilled by creating opportunities for one of the largest untapped Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) talent pools: adult women. We conducted a series of four virtual focus groups with 18 adult women of color in total, specifically Hispanic and Black women. These women are (re-)entering the computing field through emerging technology pathways. The goal of the focus group interviews was to identify the reasons for their career and/or educational breaks, barriers they faced and/or are currently facing in their studies and/or employment, and suggested strategies and actions to mitigate these barriers. In this paper, we present the details of the focus group findings summarized based on the qualitative study. The proposed mitigations voiced by the participants can be used as a baseline to build or increase the pipeline in the computing field by providing a suitable and flexible learning environment for returning and adult women. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2022.

Die Zeitenwende erreicht den deutschen Arbeitsmarkt

The COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war mark a turning point for the German labour market. These crises accelerate transformative forces that have been at work for some time, such as digitalisation and decarbonisation, and are likely to permanently change the international division of labour and mobility. The shortage of skilled workers, which already hampered development ahead of the crisis, has now grown into a broader labour shortage and has also reached the low-wage sector. This article outlines how labour shortages could be countered by concerted action from the supply and demand sides. It shows that coping with the changes in the German labour market requires more efforts from policymakers, firms and the labour force.

The Overlooked Partners That Can Build Your Talent Pipeline

America has a skill problem. It's not the result of inadequate educational systems letting down younger workers or a lack of aptitude among older workers, as some claim. The problem is the widespread failure of American companies to share responsibility for skill development. Many employers are simply unwilling--or unable--to invest sufficient resources, time, and energy into work-based learning and the creation of skill-rewarding career pathways that extend economic opportunity to workers on the lowest rungs of the labor market ladder. Here, Lowe discusses how workforce intermediaries can help develop skilled workforces.

How Does Enterprises’ Digital Transformation Impact the Educational Structure of Employees? Evidence from China

Digital transformation has had extensive impacts on enterprises and increased the concern that employees will be replaced by digital technologies. Achieving sustainability at the human resource level is a problem for enterprises. In this case, improving academic qualifications is regarded by most Chinese employees as an approach to improving their competitive advantages. Based on the panel data of China’s listed enterprises from 2014 to 2020, the twice fixed effects (TWFE) and continuous difference-in-differences (DID) methods are used to study the impact of enterprises’ digital transformation on employees’ educational structure (EES). The results show that enterprises’ digital transformation has a significantly positive impact on EES. For enterprises, specifically, the digital transformation increases the demand for employees with undergraduate degrees and reduces the demand for employees with high school degrees and below. The above results remain significant after controlling for endogeneity. However, the impact of digital transformation on employees with graduate degrees and above and associate degrees is not significant. We explain the above phenomena from the technological change assumption, the concept of human capital specificity, and the resource-based view. Results in this study provide references for employees to balance study or find a job and are beneficial for enterprises seeking to take advantage of digital transformation. Furthermore, the results can provide suggestions for achieving sustainability at the human resource level for enterprise development.

Raising the bar (21)

This editorial summarizes the papers published in issue 17(3) (2022). The first paper analyses the impact of knowledge spillovers on patent applications using a Tobit model. The second paper sets out an economic-theoretical model of industrial specialization patterns across cities and their impact on the spatial agglomeration of skilled workers and long-term productivity growth. The third paper analyses the price and average cost functions of a competitive industry in which firms face diseconomies of scale but enjoy economies of scale when they agglomerate. The fourth paper shows that productivity spillover effects and their endogeneity are key to understanding the productivity-compensation gap. The fifth paper studies geographical and sectoral specialization versus concentration of global supply chains. The sixth paper combines spatial autoregressive (SAR) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models to test whether urban residents have reacted to the Covid-19 pandemic by moving out of US metropolitan centres into the suburbs. The seventh paper investigates the impact of natural disasters caused by climate change on forced outmigration flows in South and South-East Asian countries.

A fuzzy synthetic evaluation of vulnerabilities affecting supply chain resilience of industrialized construction in Hong Kong

Purpose>Demands for Industrialized Construction (IC) have intensified with growing construction industry imperatives to (A) boost performance;(B) reduce reliance on “in-situ and on-site” operations;and (C) strengthen supply chain resilience (SCR) not just for survival but also to fulfill obligations to clients in the coronavirus disease 2019–induced (COVID-19–induced) “new normal”. In addressing these imperatives, this paper targets more effective leveraging of latent efficiencies of off-site-manufacture, based on findings from a Hong Kong (HK)–based study on assessing and improving SCR in IC in a high-density city.Design/methodology/approach>Starting with the identification of critical supply chain vulnerabilities (CSCVs), this study developed a multilevel–multicriteria mathematical model to evaluate the vulnerability levels of IC supply chains (SCs) in HK based on an in-depth questionnaire survey followed by experts' inputs and analyzing them using fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE).Findings>The overall vulnerability index indicates that IC in HK is substantially vulnerable to disruptions, while production-based vulnerabilities have the highest impact. Top management attention is needed to address these CSCVs in IC in HK.Originality/value>To the authors' knowledge, this is the first structured evaluation model that measures the vulnerability level of IC, providing useful insights to industry stakeholders for well-informed decision-making in achieving resilient, sustainable and performance-enhanced SCs.

STUDENT MOBILITY AND SOCIAL WELFARE: AN EMPIRICAL AND THEORETICAL INQUIRY INTO THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF SKILLED MIGRATION *

In recent years, the global mobility of tertiary students has increased considerably. However, students disproportionately migrate to English-speaking countries, which host nearly half of all international students worldwide. If twostep migration takes place, students transition towards becoming skilled workers within their host countries can bring about non-trivial losses in economic performance and social welfare in their countries of origin. Due to this concern, the first part of this paper empirically demonstrates the countries that receive more international students and why. The second part of the paper presents a theoretical model that explains social welfare changes caused by skilled migration, which includes a simulation to estimate sending countries losses if students do not return home to work after completing their studies. By using Japan as the sending country and the US as the receiving country in this case study, we found that Japan loses approximately US$423,721 for each international student that remains in the host country for life. Further, the empirical analyses show that students are more likely to move to countries with stronger economic power, higher income inequality, higher quality of education and research, and greater government funding for tertiary education. This suggests that disparities in education quality and earnings within host countries, as well as between origin and host countries, will widen over time. This paper concludes by highlighting the need to develop a financial arrangement between countries such that they can share the costs and benefits of education to foster a global balance of social welfare.

Analysing the impact of artificial intelligence on the competitiveness of tourism firms: a modified total interpretive structural modeling (m-TISM) approach

Purpose>This study explores the variables that drive the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the competitiveness of a tourism firm. The relationship between the variables is established using the modified total interpretive structural modelling (m-TISM) methodology. The factors are identified through literature review and expert opinion. This study investigates the hierarchical relationship between these variables.Design/methodology/approach>The modified total interpretive structural modelling (m-TISM) method is used to develop a hierarchical interrelationship among variables that display direct and indirect impact. The competitiveness of a tourism firm is measured by investigating the effect of variables on the firm's financial performance.Findings>The study identifies ten key factors essential for analysing the impact of AI on a firm's competitiveness. The m-TISM methodology gave us the hierarchical relationship between the factors and their interpretation. A theoretical TISM model has been constructed based on the hierarchy and relationship of the elements. The elements that fall in Level V are “AI Skilled Workforce”, “Infrastructure” and “Policies and Regulations”. Level IV includes the elements “AI Readiness”, “AI-Enabled Technologies” and “Digital Platforms”. Elements that fall under Level III are “Productivity” and “AI Innovation”. Level II and Level I comprise “Tourist Satisfaction” and “Financial Performance”, respectively. The levels indicate the elements' hierarchical level, with Level I the highest and Level V the lowest.Research limitations/implications>Tourism and AI scholars can analyse the given variables by including the transitive links and incorporate new variables depending upon future research. The m-TISM model constructed from literature review and expert opinion can act as a theoretical base for future studies to be conducted by researchers.Practical implications>Management/Practitioners can focus on the available characteristics and capitalise on them while working on the factors lacking in their organisation to enhance their competitiveness. Entrepreneurs starting their own business can utilise the elements in understanding the ecosystem of strengthening a firm's competitiveness. They can work to improve on the aspects which are crucial and trigger the impact on competitiveness. The government and management can devise policies and strategies that encompass the essential factors that positively impact the competitiveness of the firms. The approach can then be looked at with a holistic approach to cater to the other related components of the tourism industry.Originality/value>This study is the first of its kind to use the modified TISM methodology to understand the impact of AI on the competitiveness of tourism firms.

Hungarian Development Opportunities of the Resilient and Innovative Space Industry

This study was motivated by the fact that space industry has become one of the most innovative, rapidly developing, least crisis-sensitive industries, which grows dynamically worldwide. Its resilience to shocks is quite apparent. Since the outbreak of the pandemic1 in spring 2020, the sector preserved many jobs and created new ones, while its innovative and technological advances remained uninterrupted. This study – based on surveys, statistical and other databases – aims to take stock of the current state of the Hungarian space sector and industry, and to set out possible directions for state involvement to enhance further progress. Our research confirmed that the Hungarian space industry, although its direct contribution to social performance is moderate today, employs a significant number of highly skilled workers and introduces cuttingedge technologies. Furthermore, through its innovations and technological and scientific transfers, its contribution to the competitiveness of the Hungarian economy is significant, even at the current level of its capacities. With adequate support and wise investments, the added value, the growth and international potential and the global space industry value chain involvement the space industry can be exploited to a much greater extent than at present.

Immigration, skills and changing urban income inequality in New Zealand

Policies have been implemented in New Zealand since the early 1990s that encourage long-term immigration of skilled workers and greater temporary immigration of unskilled workers. This paper investigates the contribution of immigration to change in income inequality of New Zealand's urban population and compares that with the contribution of the changing skill composition of the population. We apply sub-group and Shapley-value-regression decompositions of inequality to calculate contributions of eight population groups, defined by skill level and migration status, to inequality. We use microdata from six consecutive population censuses between 1986 and 2013. We find with both methodologies that: (1) more than 90 per cent of income inequality in each census can be attributed to within-group inequality;(2) the growth in the share of the population that is highly skilled and the growth in the share of foreign born in the population both had inequality-increasing effects;(3) the skill effect exceeded the migration effect. The findings suggest that changes to the level and skill composition of future immigration - triggered by the anticipated 'reset' of New Zealand immigration policies when the border re-opens after the subsiding of the COVID-19 pandemic - will impact on future income inequality. Hence our decomposition approaches ought to be revisited after the 2023 census data become available to measure early effects of any new policies.

Innovation and the Related Importance of VET

In a world, which is characterised by globalization and a high speed of changes to working processes and jobs, the topic of innovation as a driver and precondition of economic growth becomes more and more important. The aim of this conference paper is to document the role of vocational education and training and its influence on innovation. Innovation is the basis for economic growth and the basis for economic growth is a well-trained workforce, which is only available when education systems, especially occupational education systems, target to bring forth highly qualified people, who have foresight and the potential to excel. The success of a country and its position in world economy is a result of its capability to develop human resources, to make people ready and open-minded for innovation and innovation processes. A result of this study is that innovation ensuing from vocational education and training is measurable and becomes visible by comparing economies' key education and innovation parameters.