Search results for: administrative procedures
1238 Bulk Amounts of Linear and Cyclic Polypeptides on Our Hand within a Short Time
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Polypeptides with defined peptide sequences illustrate the power of remarkable applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, sensing and catalysis. Especially the cyclic polypeptides, the distinctive topological architecture imparts many characteristic properties comparing to linear polypeptides. Here, a facile and highly efficient strategy for the synthesis of linear and cyclic polypeptides is reported using N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs)-mediated ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides (NCA) in the presence or absence of primary amine initiator. The polymerization proceeds rapidly in a quasi-living manner, allowing access to linear and cyclic polypeptides of well-defined chain length and narrow polydispersity, as evidenced by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) analysis. The cyclic architecture of the polypeptides was further verified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectra (MALDI-TOF MS) and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra, as well as viscosity studies. This approach can also simplify workup procedures and make bulk scale synthesis possible, which thereby opens avenues for practical uses in diverse areas, opening up the new generation of polypeptide synthesis.Keywords: α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides, living polymerization, polypeptides, N-heterocyclic carbenes, ring-opening polymerization
Procedia PDF Downloads 1671237 The Implementation of Social Responsibility with the Approach of Indonesian Realistic Mathematics Education in Teaching and Learning Mathematics on Students' Engagement and Learning
Authors: Nurwati Djaman, Suradi Tahmir, Nurdin Arsyad
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The major objective of this study was to implement and evaluate the use of the implementation of social responsibility with the approach of Indonesian Realistic Mathematics Education (PMRI) in teaching and learning mathematics on students’ engagement and learning. The research problems investigated in this research: 1) What were the effects of the implementation of social responsibility with PMRI approach to learning mathematics? 2) What were the effects of the approach to students’ engagement? An action research and grounded theory methodology were adopted for the study. This study used mixed methods to collect, describe, and interpret the data. The data were collected through focus group discussion, classroom observations, questionnaire, interview, and students’ work. The participants in this study consisted of 45 students. The study revealed that the approach has given students the opportunity to develop their understanding of concepts and procedures, problem-solving ability, and communication ability. Also, students’ involvement in the approach improved their engagement in learning mathematics in the three domains of cognitive engagement, effective engagement, and behavioral engagement. In particular, the data collection from the focus group, classroom observations, and interviews suggest that, during this study, the students became more active participants in the mathematics lessons.Keywords: Indonesian Realistic Mathematics Education, PMRI, learning mathematics, social responsibility, students' engagement
Procedia PDF Downloads 1441236 Discourses in Mother Tongue-Based Classes: The Case of Hiligaynon Language
Authors: Kayla Marie Sarte
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This study sought to describe mother tongue-based classes in the light of classroom interactional discourse using the Sinclair and Coulthard model. It specifically identified the exchanges, grouped into Teaching and Boundary types; moves, coded as Opening, Answering and Feedback; and the occurrence of the 13 acts (Bid, Cue, Nominate, Reply, React, Acknowledge, Clue, Accept, Evaluate, Loop, Comment, Starter, Conclusion, Aside and Silent Stress) in the classroom, and determined what these reveal about the teaching and learning processes in the MTB classroom. Being a qualitative study, using the Single Collective Case Within-Site (embedded) design, varied data collection procedures such as non-participant observations, audio-recordings and transcription of MTB classes, and semi-structured interviews were utilized. The results revealed the presence of all the codes in the model (except for the silent stress) which also implied that the Hiligaynon mother tongue-based class was eclectic, cultural and communicative, and had a healthy, analytical and focused environment which aligned with the aims of MTB-MLE, and affirmed the purported benefits of mother tongue teaching. Through the study, gaps in the mother tongue teaching and learning were also identified which involved the difficulty of children in memorizing Hiligaynon terms expressed in English in their homes and in the communities.Keywords: discourse analysis, language teaching and learning, mother tongue-based education, multilingualism
Procedia PDF Downloads 2601235 Driving Green Public Procurement – A Framework for a Supporting Structure for Public Authorities Based on Good Practices in Europe
Authors: Pia Moschall, Kathrin Sackmann
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Considering a purchasing volume of around two trillion Euros per year, which equals about 14% of the European Union’s gross domestic product, European public authorities have significant market power. Making use of this market power by prioritizing the procurement of green products and services offers a great potential to contribute to the Green New Deal. The market demand that is created by Green Public Procurement (GPP) sets incentives for European producers to design and develop Green Products and Eco-Innovations. However, most procurement still does not consider environmental criteria. The goal of the work is to encourage the adaptation of GPP in the European Union. To this end, the drivers for the adaptation were investigated over different case studies. The paper analyzes good-practice cases from European authorities from 2010 to 2020 that were provided by the European Commission. This analysis was guided by Philipp Mayring’s method of qualitative content analysis, whereby the inductively formed categories led to the identification of nine major drivers. The most important ones are ‘use of official guidelines and standards, ‘political support and requirements as well as ‘market research and involvement.’ Further, the paper discusses mutual dependencies between several drivers and how to exploit them. A supporting infrastructure was identified as a crucial factor for the successful adaption of green public procurement. In the next step, the work aims to examine on which administrative level the single drivers can be implemented most effectively. Practical implications of this research are recommendations on how to create a supporting structure on a municipal, federal and national level, including training for the responsible staff, support tools, as well as guidelines and standards for involved stakeholders.Keywords: content analysis, green public procurement, public authorities, sustainable procurement
Procedia PDF Downloads 1461234 Water Accessibility at Household Levels in Zambia: A Case Study of Fitobaula Settlement
Authors: Emmanuel Sachikumba, Micheal Msoni, Westone Mafuleka
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Zambia has a good climate with favourable rainfall pattern; this provides sufficient recharge for the surface and groundwater resources. In spite of the sufficient surface and ground water resources, accessibility to water at household levels is problematic both in quality and quantity. The study examined water accessibility as well as water quality at the household level. The research looked at the sources of water for the households and considered the complications of accessibility to water and the available opportunities therein. The investigation involved fifty households and the data was collected by the use of questionnaires (to assess accessibility) and laboratory tests (for ascertaining water quality). In addition to this, government departments such as the health, agriculture, forestry and education as well as the municipal council were interviewed on the topic under study. The study was descriptive in nature where clustered sampling procedures using simple random methods were utilised to select the households which were to participate in the study. The key findings were that; accessibility to water household levels is still a challenge in the settlement as most of the point sources (shallow wells, the stream and the river) were found to be contaminated. In addition to this, it was found that there was no direct relationship between the economic performance of a household and the accessibility to water. The study also observed that there were opportunities for the people in the settlement as they were increasingly getting into the education system, and adult literacy was being encouraged in the settlement. Furthermore, the settlement has groundwater resources which indicate that there can be sufficient water provision for the settlers.Keywords: accessibility, household, water, settlement
Procedia PDF Downloads 4511233 The Effect of Sorafenibe on Soat1 Protein by Using Molecular Docking Method
Authors: Mahdiyeh Gholaminezhad
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Context: The study focuses on the potential impact of Sorafenib on SOAT1 protein in liver cancer treatment, addressing the need for more effective therapeutic options. Research aim: To explore the effects of Sorafenib on the activity of SOAT1 protein in liver cancer cells. Methodology: Molecular docking was employed to analyze the interaction between Sorafenib and SOAT1 protein. Findings: The study revealed a significant effect of Sorafenib on the stability and activity of SOAT1 protein, suggesting its potential as a treatment for liver cancer. Theoretical importance: This research highlights the molecular mechanism underlying Sorafenib's anti-cancer properties, contributing to the understanding of its therapeutic effects. Data collection: Data on the molecular structure of Sorafenib and SOAT1 protein were obtained from computational simulations and databases. Analysis procedures: Molecular docking simulations were performed to predict the binding interactions between Sorafenib and SOAT1 protein. Question addressed: How does Sorafenib influence the activity of SOAT1 protein and what are the implications for liver cancer treatment? Conclusion: The study demonstrates the potential of Sorafenib as a targeted therapy for liver cancer by affecting the activity of SOAT1 protein. Reviewers' Comments: The study provides valuable insights into the molecular basis of Sorafenib's action on SOAT1 protein, suggesting its therapeutic potential. To enhance the methodology, the authors could consider validating the docking results with experimental data for further validation.Keywords: liver cancer, sorafenib, SOAT1, molecular docking
Procedia PDF Downloads 271232 Parametric Modeling for Survival Data with Competing Risks Using the Generalized Gompertz Distribution
Authors: Noora Al-Shanfari, M. Mazharul Islam
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The cumulative incidence function (CIF) is a fundamental approach for analyzing survival data in the presence of competing risks, which estimates the marginal probability for each competing event. Parametric modeling of CIF has the advantage of fitting various shapes of CIF and estimates the impact of covariates with maximum efficiency. To calculate the total CIF's covariate influence using a parametric model., it is essential to parametrize the baseline of the CIF. As the CIF is an improper function by nature, it is necessary to utilize an improper distribution when applying parametric models. The Gompertz distribution, which is an improper distribution, is limited in its applicability as it only accounts for monotone hazard shapes. The generalized Gompertz distribution, however, can adapt to a wider range of hazard shapes, including unimodal, bathtub, and monotonic increasing or decreasing hazard shapes. In this paper, the generalized Gompertz distribution is used to parametrize the baseline of the CIF, and the parameters of the proposed model are estimated using the maximum likelihood approach. The proposed model is compared with the existing Gompertz model using the Akaike information criterion. Appropriate statistical test procedures and model-fitting criteria will be used to test the adequacy of the model. Both models are applied to the ‘colon’ dataset, which is available in the “biostat3” package in R.Keywords: competing risks, cumulative incidence function, improper distribution, parametric modeling, survival analysis
Procedia PDF Downloads 1041231 Effect of Permeability on Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic Laminate Produced by Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding Process
Authors: Nagri Sateesh, Kundavarapu Vengalrao, Kopparthi Phaneendra Kumar
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Vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) is one of the manufacturing technique that is viable for production of fiber reinforced polymer composite components suitable for aerospace, marine and commercial applications. However, the repeatable quality of the product can be achieved by critically fixing the process parameters such as Vacuum Pressure (VP) and permeability of the preform. The present investigation is aimed at studying the effect of permeability for production of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) components with consistent quality. The VARTM mould is made with an acrylic transparent top cover to observe and record the resin flow pattern. Six layers of randomly placed glass fiber under five different vacuum pressures VP1 = 0.013, VP2 = 0.026, VP3 = 0.039, VP4 = 0.053 and VP5 = 0.066 MPa were studied. The laminates produced by this process under the above mentioned conditions were characterized with ASTM D procedures so as to study the effect of these process parameters on the quality of the laminate. Moreover, as mentioned there is a considerable effect of permeability on the impact strength and the void content in the laminates under different vacuum pressures. SEM analysis of the impact tested fractured GFRP composites showed the bonding of fiber and matrix.Keywords: permeability, vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM), ASTM D standards, SEM
Procedia PDF Downloads 1601230 A Framework for the Evaluation of Infrastructures’ Serviceability
Authors: Kyonghoon Kim, Wonyoung Park, Taeil Park
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In 1994, Korea experienced a national tragedy of Seongsu Bridge collapse. The accident was severe enough to alert governmental officers to the problem of existing management policy for national infrastructures. As a result, government legislated the ‘Guidelines for the safety inspection and test of infrastructure’ which have been utilized as the primary tool to make decision for the maintenance and rehabilitation of infrastructure for last twenty years. Although it is clear that the guideline established a basics how to evaluate and manage the condition of infrastructures in systematic manner, it is equally clear that the guideline needs improvements in order to obtain reasonable investment decisions for budget allocation. Because its inspection and evaluation procedures mainly focused on the structural condition of infrastructures, it was hard to make decision when the infrastructures were in same level of structural condition. In addition, it did not properly reflect various aspects of infrastructures such as performance, public demand, capacity, etc., which were more valuable to public. Regardless of the importance, these factors were commonly neglected in governmental decision-making process, because there factors were somewhat subjective and difficult to quantify in rational manner. Thus, this study proposes a framework to properly evaluate the serviceability indicators using AHP and Fuzzy approach. The framework is expected to assist governmental agency in establishing effective investment strategies for budget planning.Keywords: infrastructure, evaluation, serviceability, fuzzy
Procedia PDF Downloads 2861229 Railway Crane Accident: A Comparative Metallographic Test on Pins Fractured during Operation
Authors: Thiago Viana
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Eventually train accidents occur on railways and for some specific cases it is necessary to use a train rescue with a crane positioned under a platform wagon. These tumbled machines are collected and sent to the machine shop or scrap yard. In one of these cranes that were being used to rescue a wagon, occurred a fall of hoist due to fracture of two large pins. The two pins were collected and sent for failure analysis. This work investigates the main cause and the secondary causes for the initiation of the fatigue crack. All standard failure analysis procedures were applied, with careful evaluation of the characteristics of the material, fractured surfaces and, mainly, metallographic tests using an optical microscope to compare the geometry of the peaks and valleys of the thread of the pins and their respective seats. By metallographic analysis, it was concluded that the fatigue cracks were started from a notch (stress concentration) in the valley of the threads of the pin applied to the right side of the crane (pin 1). In this, it was verified that the peaks of the threads of the pin seat did not have proper geometry, with sharp edges being present that caused such notches. The visual analysis showed that fracture of the pin on the left side of the crane (pin 2) was brittle type, being a consequence of the fracture of the first one. Recommendations for this and other railway cranes have been made, such as nondestructive testing, stress calculation, design review, quality control and suitability of the mechanical forming process of the seat threads and pin threads.Keywords: crane, fracture, pin, railway
Procedia PDF Downloads 1081228 Environmental Justice and Marginalized Communities: Addressing Barriers to Energy Justice in the Negev
Authors: Mohammad Naser Aldeen
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This study explores environmental justice issues among Bedouin communities in Israel’s Negev region, focusing on energy access and their exclusion from state-supported energy services. As a historically marginalized and indigenous population, Bedouins face intersecting inequities, including limited access to national grid energy, waste management, access to water, systematic discrimination, and environmental harms such as industrial pollution and land degradation. Employing Pellow’s Critical Environmental Justice framework, this research examines how power relations and intersecting identities – ethnicity, class, and indigeneity – shape energy exclusion. Utilizing K. Arrow’s Barriers Analysis framework, it identifies the multifaceted barriers obstructing equitable energy access, including structural policy deficiencies, socio-economic constraints, and administrative neglect. The study also highlights Bedouins’ resilience, advocacy, and community-led strategies to address these challenges through the adoption of solar energy. A mixed-methods approach integrates quantitative data with qualitative narratives from community leaders, policymakers, and activists, revealing the multidimensional nature of energy inequities in the Negev. Findings emphasize the urgent need for inclusive energy policies that address intersectional barriers and prioritize environmental justice in planning and management. By advancing discourse on energy equity, this research underscores the importance of integrating marginalized communities into sustainable energy systems, contributing to the development of equitable energy policies and fostering pathways toward environmental justice and sustainable development.Keywords: environmental justice, energy justice, intersectionality, Bedouin communities, barriers analysis
Procedia PDF Downloads 31227 A Study of Effectiveness of Topical Grapeseed Oil for Reducing Wrinkles on Periorbital Areas in Asian People in Thailand
Authors: Cherish Romina Prajitno, Sunisa Thaichinda
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One indicator of facial aging is wrinkles. Not only that, but wrinkles are a key indicator in our world of facial aesthetics. Wrinkles occur where fault lines develop in aging skin. Nowadays, people are more motivated to keep up their appealing and young appearance. Many individuals are seeking a fast recovery time for their aesthetic procedures and are interested in non-invasive techniques that have a proven track record for successful outcomes. The purpose of this study is to see the efficacy of 100% (pure) grapeseed oil for reducing periorbital wrinkles. This study used the split-face, double-blind method, and this treatment was administered for three months at random to fifteen patients, with the grapeseed oil at one side of the face and the other side with the placebo. The main outcome measure was determined by conducting a comparative analysis of the participants' wrinkle results during each visit using the VIsioscan® VC98. Additionally, we evaluated the skin's elasticity and barrier function using the Cutometer® MP 530 and Tewameter® TM300. Furthermore, we administered a satisfaction score questionnaire to the patients in the 12th week. The findings of the study indicate that grapeseed oil exhibited a noteworthy effect in diminishing the appearance of wrinkles in the periorbital region, enhancing the viscoelastic properties of the periorbital skin, and improving the functionality of the skin barrier in the periorbital area.Keywords: periorbital wrinkles, pure grapeseed oil, split-face method
Procedia PDF Downloads 691226 Effect of Low Level Laser Therapy versus Polarized Light Therapy on Oral Mucositis in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy
Authors: Andrew Anis Fakhrey Mosaad
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The goal of this study is to compare the efficacy of polarised light therapy with low-intensity laser therapy in treating oral mucositis brought on by chemotherapy in cancer patients. Evaluation procedures are the measurement of the WHO oral mucositis scale and the Common toxicity criteria scale. Techniques: Cancer patients (men and women) who had oral mucositis, ulceration, and discomfort and whose ages varied from 30 to 55 years were separated into two groups and received 40 chemotherapy treatments. Twenty patients in Group (A) received low-level laser therapy (LLLT) along with their regular oral mucositis medication treatment, while twenty patients in Group (B) received Bioptron light therapy (BLT) along with their regular oral mucositis medication treatment. Both treatments were applied for 10 minutes each day for 30 days. Conclusion and results: This study showed that the use of both BLT and LLLT on oral mucositis in cancer patients following chemotherapy greatly improved, as seen by the sharp falls in both the WHO oral mucositis scale (OMS) and the common toxicity criteria scale (CTCS). However, low-intensity laser therapy (LLLT) was superior to Bioptron light therapy in terms of benefits (BLT).Keywords: Bioptron light therapy, low level laser therapy, oral mucositis, WHO oral mucositis scale, common toxicity criteria scale
Procedia PDF Downloads 2461225 School Emergency Drills Evaluation through E-PreS Monitoring System
Authors: A. Kourou, A. Ioakeimidou, V. Avramea
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Planning for natural disasters and emergencies is something every school or educational institution must consider, regardless of its size or location. Preparedness is the key to save lives if a disaster strikes. School disaster management mirrors individual and family disaster prevention, and wider community disaster prevention efforts. This paper presents the usage of E-PreS System as a helpful, managerial tool during the school earthquake drill, in order to support schools in developing effective disaster and emergency plans specific to their local needs. The project comes up with a holistic methodology using real-time evaluation involving different categories of actors, districts, steps and metrics. The main outcomes of E-PreS project are the development of E-PreS web platform that host the needed data of school emergency planning; the development of E-PreS System; the implementation of disaster drills using E-PreS System in educational premises and local schools; and the evaluation of E-PreS System. Taking into consideration that every disaster drill aims to test and valid school plan and procedures; clarify and train personnel in roles and responsibilities; improve interagency coordination; identify gaps in resources; improve individual performance; and identify opportunities for improvement, E-PreS Project was submitted and approved by the European Commission (EC).Keywords: disaster drills, earthquake preparedness, E-PreS System, school emergency plans
Procedia PDF Downloads 2281224 Urban Household Waste Disposal Modes and Their Determinants: Evidence from Bure Town, North-Western Ethiopia
Authors: Mastawal Melese, Yismaw Assefa
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This study aims to identify household-level determinants of solid waste disposal (SWD) practices in Bure Town, north-western Ethiopia. Using a cross-sectional design and a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 238 randomly selected households through structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Descriptive analysis revealed that 14.7% of households used composting as a primary SWD method, 37.4% practiced open dumping, 25.6% used burning, and 22.3% resorted to burial. Multinomial logistic regression showed that factors such as monthly income, age, family size, length of residence, sex, home ownership, solid waste sorting procedures, and education significantly influenced the choice of disposal method. Households with lower education, income, home ownership, and shorter residence times were more likely to use improper disposal methods. Females were found to be more likely to engage in better waste disposal practices than males. These findings underscore the need for context-specific interventions in newly developing towns to enhance household-level SWM systems by addressing key socio-economic factors.Keywords: multinomial logistic regression, solid waste management, solid waste disposal, urban household
Procedia PDF Downloads 221223 The Nexus of Federalism and Economic Development: A Politico-Economic Analysis of Balochistan, Pakistan
Authors: Rameesha Javaid
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Balochistan, the largest landmass named after and dominated by the 55% Baloch population, which has had a difficult anti-center history like their brothers the Kurds of Middle East, reluctantly acceded to Pakistan in 1947. The region, which attained the status of a province after two decades of accession, has lagged behind in social development and economic growth as compared to the other three federating units. The province has seen the least financial autonomy and administrative decentralization both in autocratic and democratic dispensations under geostrategic and security considerations. Significant corrections have been recently made in the policy framework through changing the formula for intra-provincial National Finance Award, curtailing the number of subjects under federal control, and reactivating the Council of Common Interests. Yet policymaking remains overwhelmingly bureaucratic under a weak parliamentary oversight. The provincial coalition governments are unwieldy and directionless. The government machinery has much less than the optimal capability, character, integrity, will, and opportunity to perform. Decentralization further loses its semblance in the absence of local governments for long intervals and with the hold of hereditary tribal chiefs. Increased allocations failed to make an impact in the highest per capita cost environment due to long distances and scattered settlements. Decentralization, the basic ingredient of federalism has remained mortgaged to geo-strategic factors, internal security perceptions, autocratic and individualistic styles of governments, bureaucratic policymaking structures, bad governance, non-existent local governments, and feudalistic tribal lords. This suboptimal federalism speaks for the present underdevelopment in Balochistan and will earmark the milestones in the future.Keywords: Balochistan, economic development, federalism, political economy
Procedia PDF Downloads 3111222 The Recording of Personal Data in the Spanish Criminal Justice System and Its Impact on the Right to Privacy
Authors: Deborah García-Magna
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When a person goes through the criminal justice system, either as a suspect, arrested, prosecuted or convicted, certain personal data are recorded, and a wide range of persons and organizations may have access to it. The recording of data can have a great impact on the daily life of the person concerned during the period of time determined by the legislation. In addition, this registered information can refer to various aspects not strictly related directly to the alleged or actually committed infraction. In some areas, the Spanish legislation does not clearly determine the cancellation period of the registers nor what happens when they are cancelled since some of the files are not really erased and remain recorded, even if their consultation is no more allowed or it is stated that they should not be taken into account. Thus, access to the recorded data of arrested or convicted persons may reduce their possibilities of reintegration into society. In this research, some of the areas in which data recording has a special impact on the lives of affected persons are analyzed in a critical manner, taking into account Spanish legislation and jurisprudence, and the influence of the European Court of Human Rights, the Council of Europe and other supranational instruments. In particular, the analysis cover the scope of video-surveillance in public spaces, the police record, the recording of personal data for the purposes of police investigation (especially DNA and psychological profiles), the registry of administrative and minor offenses (especially as they are taken into account to impose aggravating circumstaces), criminal records (of adults, minors and legal entities), and the registration of special circumstances occurred during the execution of the sentence (files of inmates under special surveillance –FIES–, disciplinary sanctions, special therapies in prison, etc.).Keywords: ECHR jurisprudence, formal and informal criminal control, privacy, disciplinary sanctions, social reintegration
Procedia PDF Downloads 1441221 State of the Art and Future Perspectives of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality in Cardiovascular Care
Authors: Adisu Mengesha Assefa
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The field of cardiovascular care is being transformed by the incorporation of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), collectively known as Extended Reality (XR), into medical education, procedural planning, and patient care. This review examines the state-of-the-art applications of XR in cardiology, emphasizing its role in enhancing the precision of interventional procedures and understanding complex anatomical structures. XR technologies complement conventional imaging methods by enabling immersive three-dimensional interaction that facilitates both preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance. Despite these promising developments, challenges such as harmonizing data, integrating various imaging systems, and addressing the prevalence of cybersickness remain. Ethical considerations, including maintaining physician focus and ensuring patient safety, are crucial when implementing XR in clinical settings. This review summarizes the existing literature and highlights the need for more rigorous future studies to validate therapeutic benefits and ensure safe application. By examining both the potential and the challenges, this paper aims to delineate the current and future roles of XR in cardiovascular care, emphasizing the necessity for continued innovation and ethical oversight to improve patient outcomes.Keywords: virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, cardiovascular care, education, preprocedural planning, intraoperative guidance, postoperative patient rehabilitation
Procedia PDF Downloads 371220 Effectiveness of Damping Devices on Coupling Beams of 15-story Building Based on Nonlinear Analysis Procedures
Authors: Galih Permana, Yuskar Lase
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In recent years, damping device has been experimentally studied to replace diagonally reinforced coupling beams, to mitigate rebar congestion problem. This study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of various damping devices in a high-rise building. The type of damping devices evaluated is Viscoelastic Damper (VCD) and Rotational Friction Damper (RFD), with study case of a 15-story reinforced concrete apartment building with a dual system (column-beam and shear walls). The analysis used is a nonlinear time history analysis with 11 pairs of ground motions matched to the Indonesian response spectrum based on ASCE 41-17 and ASCE 7-16. In this analysis, each damper will be varied with a different position, namely the first model, the damper will be installed on the entire floor and in the second model, the damper will be installed on the 5th floor to the 9th floor, which is the floor with the largest drift. The results show that the model using both dampers increases the level of structural performance both globally and locally in the building, which will reduce the level of damage to the structural elements. But between the two dampers, the coupling beam that uses RFD is more effective than using VCD in improving building performance. The damper on the coupling beam has a good role in dissipating earthquakes and also in terms of ease of installation.Keywords: building, coupling beam, damper, nonlinear time history analysis
Procedia PDF Downloads 1721219 Sustainability of Environment and Green Energy Strategies Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Vahid Pirooznia
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In this think about we propose a few green vitality procedures for feasible advancement. In this respect, seven green energy methodologies are taken into thought to decide the sectoral, innovative, and application affect proportions. Based on these proportions, we determine a modern parameter as the green energy affect proportion. In expansion, the green energy-based supportability proportion is gotten by depending upon the green energy affect proportion, and the green energy utilization proportion that's calculated utilizing real vitality information taken from literature. In arrange to confirm these parameters, three cases are considered. Subsequently, it can be considered that the sectoral affect proportion is more imperative and ought to be kept consistent as much as conceivable in a green vitality arrangement usage. In addition, the green energy-based supportability proportion increments with an increment of mechanical, sectoral, and application affect proportions. This implies that all negative impacts on the mechanical, innovative, sectoral and social improvements mostly and/or totally diminish all through the move and utilization to and of green energy and advances when conceivable feasible sustainable economic feasible maintainable energy techniques are favored and connected. Hence, the economical energy methodologies can make an imperative commitment to the economies of the nations where green energy (e.g., wind, sun based, tidal, biomass) is inexhaustibly created. Hence, the speculation in green energy supply and advance ought to be energized by governments and other specialists for a green energy substitution of fossil powers for more ecologically generous and feasible future.Keywords: green energy, environment, sustainable, development
Procedia PDF Downloads 731218 Inductions of CaC₂ on Sperm Morphology and Viability of the Albino Mice (Mus musculus)
Authors: Dike H. Ogbuagu, Etsede J. Oritsematosan
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This work investigated possible inductions of CaC₂, often misused by fruit vendors to stimulate artificial ripening, on mammalian sperm morphology and viability. Thirty isogenic strains of male albino mice, Mus musculus (age≈ 8weeks; weight= 32.5±2.0g) were acclimatized (ambient temperature 28.0±1.0°C) for 2 weeks and fed standard growers mash and water ad libutum. They were later exposed to graded toxicant concentrations (w/w) of 2.5000, 1.2500, 0.6250, and 0.3125% in 4 cages. A control cage was also established. After 5 weeks, 3 animals from each cage were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the cauda epididymis excised. Sperm morphology and viability were determined by microscopic procedures. The ANOVA, means plots, Student’s t-test and variation plots were used to analyze data. The common abnormalities observed included Double Head, Pin Head, Knobbed Head, No Tail and With Hook. The higher toxicant concentrations induced significantly lower body weights [F(829.899) ˃ Fcrit(4.19)] and more abnormalities [F(26.52) ˃ Fcrit(4.00)] at P˂0.05. Sperm cells in the control setup were significantly more viable than those in the 0.625% (t=0.005) and 2.500% toxicant doses (t=0.018) at the 95% confidence limit. CaC₂ appeared to induced morphological abnormalities and reduced viability in sperm cells of M. musculus.Keywords: artificial ripening, calcium carbide, fruit vendors, sperm morphology, sperm viability
Procedia PDF Downloads 2221217 A Policy Strategy for Building Energy Data Management in India
Authors: Shravani Itkelwar, Deepak Tewari, Bhaskar Natarajan
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The energy consumption data plays a vital role in energy efficiency policy design, implementation, and impact assessment. Any demand-side energy management intervention's success relies on the availability of accurate, comprehensive, granular, and up-to-date data on energy consumption. The Building sector, including residential and commercial, is one of the largest consumers of energy in India after the Industrial sector. With economic growth and increasing urbanization, the building sector is projected to grow at an unprecedented rate, resulting in a 5.6 times escalation in energy consumption till 2047 compared to 2017. Therefore, energy efficiency interventions will play a vital role in decoupling the floor area growth and associated energy demand, thereby increasing the need for robust data. In India, multiple institutions are involved in the collection and dissemination of data. This paper focuses on energy consumption data management in the building sector in India for both residential and commercial segments. It evaluates the robustness of data available through administrative and survey routes to estimate the key performance indicators and identify critical data gaps for making informed decisions. The paper explores several issues in the data, such as lack of comprehensiveness, non-availability of disaggregated data, the discrepancy in different data sources, inconsistent building categorization, and others. The identified data gaps are justified with appropriate examples. Moreover, the paper prioritizes required data in order of relevance to policymaking and groups it into "available," "easy to get," and "hard to get" categories. The paper concludes with recommendations to address the data gaps by leveraging digital initiatives, strengthening institutional capacity, institutionalizing exclusive building energy surveys, and standardization of building categorization, among others, to strengthen the management of building sector energy consumption data.Keywords: energy data, energy policy, energy efficiency, buildings
Procedia PDF Downloads 1851216 Objective-Based System Dynamics Modeling to Forecast the Number of Health Professionals in Pudong New Area of Shanghai
Authors: Jie Ji, Jing Xu, Yuehong Zhuang, Xiangqing Kang, Ying Qian, Ping Zhou, Di Xue
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Background: In 2014, there were 28,341 health professionals in Pudong new area of Shanghai and the number per 1000 population was 5.199, 55.55% higher than that in 2006. But it was always less than the average number of health professionals per 1000 population in Shanghai from 2006 to 2014. Therefore, allocation planning for the health professionals in Pudong new area has become a high priority task in order to meet the future demands of health care. In this study, we constructed an objective-based system dynamics model to forecast the number of health professionals in Pudong new area of Shanghai in 2020. Methods: We collected the data from health statistics reports and previous survey of human resources in Pudong new area of Shanghai. Nine experts, who were from health administrative departments, public hospitals and community health service centers, were consulted to estimate the current and future status of nine variables used in the system dynamics model. Based on the objective of the number of health professionals per 1000 population (8.0) in Shanghai for 2020, the system dynamics model for health professionals in Pudong new area of Shanghai was constructed to forecast the number of health professionals needed in Pudong new area in 2020. Results: The system dynamics model for health professionals in Pudong new area of Shanghai was constructed. The model forecasted that there will be 37,330 health professionals (6.433 per 1000 population) in 2020. If the success rate of health professional recruitment changed from 20% to 70%, the number of health professionals per 1000 population would be changed from 5.269 to 6.919. If this rate changed from 20% to 70% and the success rate of building new beds changed from 5% to 30% at the same time, the number of health professionals per 1000 population would be changed from 5.269 to 6.923. Conclusions: The system dynamics model could be used to simulate and forecast the health professionals. But, if there were no significant changes in health policies and management system, the number of health professionals per 1000 population would not reach the objectives in Pudong new area in 2020.Keywords: allocation planning, forecast, health professional, system dynamics
Procedia PDF Downloads 3861215 Guidelines for School Management to Enhance School Engagement of Bangkok Christian College Students
Authors: Wichai Srisud, Shunnawat Pungbangkradee, Sukanya Chaemchoy
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This research study aims to analyze and assess school management guidelines designed to enhance the level of Student School Engagement of students at Bangkok Christian College, according to three following primary objectives: 1) to evaluate the level of Student School Engagement among Bangkok Christian College students, 2) to examine the Priority Needs Index of school management for promoting an optimum level of Student School Engagement among Bangkok Christian College students, and 3) to develop additional guidelines for school management to further enhance the level of Student School Engagement of Bangkok Christian College students. The research was conducted using Explanatory Design research methodology, with data obtained from a sample comprised of 291 students and 6 administrative personnel. The research findings indicated that: 1) The overall level of Student School Engagement was high. Emotional engagement averaged at the highest level, followed by Behavioral Engagement and Cognitive Engagement, respectively. 2) The Priority Needs Index of school management for promoting Student School Engagement of Bangkok Christian College students was examined, revealing that Evaluation averaged at the highest PNI level, followed by Planning and Implementation, respectively. 3) Guidelines for school management to enhance Student School Engagement of Bangkok Christian College students should consist of four approaches: 3.1) A Cognitive Engagement Enhancing Approach, which must include (1) fostering students’ problem-solving flexibility, and their ability to devise solutions for overcoming potential challenges, and (2) encouraging students to deal effectively with academic setbacks, rather than becoming overwhelmed by what they may perceive as failures, 3.2) An Emotional Engagement Enhancing Approach, cultivating students’ interests, aspirations and goals in learning to maximize emotional investment in their academic pursuits, and 3.3) A Behavioral Engagement Enhancing Approach, for elevating students’ focus and attentiveness during learning, and improving their ability to avoid distractions during study time.Keywords: school engagement, guidelines for school management
Procedia PDF Downloads 621214 The Exercise of Deliberative Democracy on Public Administrations Agencies' Decisions
Authors: Mauricio Filho, Carina Castro
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The object of this project is to analyze long-time public agents that passed through several governments and see themselves in the position of having to deliberate with new agents, recently settled in the public administration. For theoretical ends, internal deliberation is understood as the one practiced on the public administration agencies, without any direct participation from the general public in the process. The assumption is: agents with longer periods of public service tend to step away from momentary political discussions that guide the current administration and seek to concentrate on institutionalized routines and procedures, making the most politically aligned individuals with the current government deliberate with less "passion" and more exchanging of knowledge and information. The theoretical framework of this research is institutionalism, which is guided by a more pragmatic view, facing the fluidity of reality in ways showing the multiple relations between agents and their respective institutions. The critical aspirations of this project rest on the works of professors Cass Sunstein, Adrian Vermeule, Philipp Pettit and in literature from both institutional theory and economic analysis of law, greatly influenced by the Chicago Law School. Methodologically, the paper is a theoretical review and pretends to be unfolded, in a future moment, in empirical tests for verification. This work has as its main analytical tool the appeal to theoretical and doctrinaire areas from the Juridical Sciences, by adopting the deductive and analytical method.Keywords: institutions, state, law, agencies
Procedia PDF Downloads 2651213 Research on Coordinated Development Mechanism of Semi-urbanized Areas under the Background of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: A Case Study of 'Baiyun-Nanhai' Pilot Area
Authors: Cheng Fang Wang, Fu Li Gao, Jian Ying Zhou
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The '1+4' integration pilot area in the border area of Guangzhou-Foshan is an important platform for Guangzhou-Foshan strategic cooperation, as well as a typical semi-urbanized area with mixed urban and rural landscapes, of which the Baiyun-Nanhai pilot area is one of them. Baiyun district and Nanhai district are only separated by the Pearl River. In this paper, the three dimensions, which include production, living, and ecology, have been put forward, as well as cross-regional multi-agency negotiation mechanism has been discussed. Taking 'Baiyun-Nanhai' pilot area as a case study, POI (Point of Interest) data to analyze the distribution characteristics of 'production-living-ecological space' from the spatial dimension has been introduced in this paper, as well as the land-use change of 'production-living-ecological space' in western region of Baiyun district in 2007 and 2017 from the temporal dimension has been analyzed. Based on the above analysis, the integration development strategy and rethinking of cross-administrative region based on 'production-living-ecological integration' mechanism have been discussed later. It will explore the mechanism of industrial collaborative innovation, infrastructure co-construction, and ecological co-protection in semi-urban areas across borders. And it is expected to provide a reference for the integrated construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.Keywords: semi-urbanization, production-living-ecological integration, multi-agency negotiation, Guangzhou-Foshan integration, synergetic development
Procedia PDF Downloads 1441212 Contact Phenomena in Medieval Business Texts
Authors: Carmela Perta
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Among the studies flourished in the field of historical sociolinguistics, mainly in the strand devoted to English history, during its Medieval and early modern phases, multilingual texts had been analysed using theories and models coming from contact linguistics, thus applying synchronic models and approaches to the past. This is true also in the case of contact phenomena which would transcend the writing level involving the language systems implicated in contact processes to the point of perceiving a new variety. This is the case for medieval administrative-commercial texts in which, according to some Scholars, the degree of fusion of Anglo-Norman, Latin and middle English is so high a mixed code emerges, and there are recurrent patterns of mixed forms. Interesting is a collection of multilingual business writings by John Balmayn, an Englishman overseeing a large shipment in Tuscany, namely the Cantelowe accounts. These documents display various analogies with multilingual texts written in England in the same period; in fact, the writer seems to make use of the above-mentioned patterns, with Middle English, Latin, Anglo-Norman, and the newly added Italian. Applying an atomistic yet dynamic approach to the study of contact phenomena, we will investigate these documents, trying to explore the nature of the switching forms they contain from an intra-writer variation perspective. After analysing the accounts and the type of multilingualism in them, we will take stock of the assumed mixed code nature, comparing the characteristics found in this genre with modern assumptions. The aim is to evaluate the possibility to consider the switching forms as core elements of a mixed code, used as professional variety among merchant communities, or whether such texts should be analysed from a switching perspective.Keywords: historical sociolinguistics, historical code switching, letters, medieval england
Procedia PDF Downloads 751211 Navigating the Ripple Effect: Deconstructing the Multilayered Impact of Fuel Subsidy Removal on Nigeria’s Educational Landscape
Authors: Abimbola Mobolanle Adu, Marcus Tayo Akinlade
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This comprehensive study systematically dissects the intricate interplay between the removal of fuel subsidy and its multifaceted repercussions on Nigeria's educational system. Originating in the 1970s, the fuel subsidy policy initially conceived to curtail fuel costs and faced financial unsustainability. In 2023, President Bola Tinubu's administration announced its cessation. The resultant escalation in petroleum product prices precipitated challenges within the education sector, manifesting as heightened administrative costs, increased student fees, amplified dropout rates, and others. Employing a qualitative research methodology, grounded in Critical Theory, the study draws from diverse secondary sources and employs content analysis to unravel the intricate layers of this issue. Critical Theory provides a lens through which the power dynamics, socio-economic structures, and ideological influences shaping policy decisions can be critically examined, offering a deeper understanding of the multifaceted impact. Findings underscore the imperative for strategic interventions, advocating for investments in technology and the exploration of alternative energy sources. The paper concludes by emphasizing the pivotal role of education, advocating for nuanced policies to alleviate the impact on both private and public educational institutions. In essence, this research contributes nuanced insights into the labyrinthine dynamics between fuel subsidy policies and the educational sector, underscoring the exigency for meticulous interventions to fortify the nation's educational foundation.Keywords: administration, education, fuel subsidy, policy, multilayered impact
Procedia PDF Downloads 591210 The Role of Universities in Saudi Arabia in Environmental Awareness
Authors: Hamad Albadr
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With the growth that has occurred in the orientation of universities from liability cognitive and maintain the culture of the community to liability functional creating graduates to work according to the needs of the community development; representing the university in today's world, the prime mover of the wheel of development in the community and find appropriate solutions to the problems they are facing and adapt to the demands of the changing environment. This paper deals with the role of Saudi universities as institutions, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and the extent of its responsibility to the environmental awareness of the community members in various segments, where it will use the research methodology descriptive and analytical, to gather information, data and analysis answers the study sample consisting of 1500 people from the staff of the Saudi universities: The members of the faculty, and members of the administrative and technical bodies, and current students, 500 of them are responsible for employment in the labor sector and graduates. Where will review the paper to identify the extent to which the objectives of the academic programs in Saudi universities to the needs of the community, and the extent to which the course content submitted to the characteristics of the local environment for the community and how he benefited them to ensure its conformity with the changing needs of society, and how to address the research presented in academic programs to the needs of society and its problems , and the extent to which graduate students to deal enough of social responsibility and commitment to community service and the preservation of the environment, and the availability of a clear policy to serve the community with the academic programs, and how to encourage faculty, staff and students to participate in community service. And the availability of counseling services for school students for vocational guidance, scientific, environmental, and the contribution of Academic Programs publishes scientific and technical culture and the environmental community members.Keywords: universities in Saudi Arabia, environmental awareness, academic programs, environmental community
Procedia PDF Downloads 3141209 A Heuristic Based Decomposition Approach for a Hierarchical Production Planning Problem
Authors: Nusrat T. Chowdhury, M. F. Baki, A. Azab
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The production planning problem is concerned with specifying the optimal quantities to produce in order to meet the demand for a prespecified planning horizon with the least possible expenditure. Making the right decisions in production planning will affect directly the performance and productivity of a manufacturing firm, which is important for its ability to compete in the market. Therefore, developing and improving solution procedures for production planning problems is very significant. In this paper, we develop a Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition of a multi-item hierarchical production planning problem with capacity constraint and present a column generation approach to solve the problem. The original Mixed Integer Linear Programming model of the problem is decomposed item by item into a master problem and a number of subproblems. The capacity constraint is considered as the linking constraint between the master problem and the subproblems. The subproblems are solved using the dynamic programming approach. We also propose a multi-step iterative capacity allocation heuristic procedure to handle any kind of infeasibility that arises while solving the problem. We compare the computational performance of the developed solution approach against the state-of-the-art heuristic procedure available in the literature. The results show that the proposed heuristic-based decomposition approach improves the solution quality by 20% as compared to the literature.Keywords: inventory, multi-level capacitated lot-sizing, emission control, setup carryover
Procedia PDF Downloads 138