Expert Opinion Survey Research Articles

A model of service-oriented architecture of e-certification system to support boat registration and site visit inspection to support maritime safety and crew health inspection

AbstractThis article describes the architecture of software services that provide registration of small boat data to build maritime safety. The proposed system architecture which so-called SIMKAPEL aims to support small boat registration for maritime safety. It is developed from a conventional service-oriented architecture (SOA) with an open standard for data interoperability between elements. The goal of this research is to implement and evaluate the proposed architecture to support small boat registration and e-certification. Several parts of the architecture have been implemented as a platform that provides core services and data sources to be used by Ministry of Transportation, Directorate General of Sea Transportation, and other government agencies. Finally, the proposed SIMKAPEL platform with the SOA architecture is evaluated for its benefits to users through the expert opinion survey to measure its efficiency. The analysis results showed that SOA-based SIMKAPEL is feasible to use as a boat e-certification system. Furthermore, experiment results provide three parameters (e.g., maritime safety, namely, cargo/passengers, boat safety facilities, and maritime safety systems) with efficiency values of 42%, 46%, and 42%, respectively. The parameter with the highest efficiency shows a big effect on the level of safety of the boat and passengers. Thus, the parameters that need to be prioritized and need boat owners’ attention are cargo/passenger, boat safety equipment, and maritime safety system.

Expert Opinion Survey on Proposals for Safety Management of Prescription Opioids

Expert Opinion Survey on Proposals for Safety Management of Prescription Opioids

Precision Nutrition Opportunities to Help Mitigate Nutrition and Health Challenges in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: An Expert Opinion Survey.

Precision nutrition involves several data collection methods and tools that aim to better inform nutritional recommendations and improve dietary intake, nutritional status, and health outcomes. While the benefits of collecting precise data and designing well-informed interventions are vast, it is presently unclear whether precision nutrition is a relevant approach for tackling nutrition challenges facing populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), considering infrastructure, affordability, and accessibility of approaches. The Swiss Food & Nutrition Valley (SFNV) Precision Nutrition for LMIC project working group assessed the relevance of precision nutrition for LMIC by first conducting an expert opinion survey and then hosting a workshop with nutrition leaders who live or work in LMIC. The experts were interviewed to discuss four topics: nutritional problems, current solutions, precision nutrition, and collaboration. Furthermore, the SFNV Precision Nutrition for LMIC Virtual Workshop gathered a wider group of nutrition leaders to further discuss precision nutrition relevance and opportunities. Our study revealed that precision public health nutrition, which has a clear focus on the stratification of at-risk groups, may offer relevant support for nutrition and health issues in LMIC. However, funding, affordability, resources, awareness, training, suitable tools, and safety are essential prerequisites for implementation and to equitably address nutrition challenges in low-resource communities.

Barriers and strategies for implementing lean six sigma in small- and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in construction industry: a fuzzy TOPSIS analysis

Purpose Quality management barriers have been discovered in construction small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), determining their long-term survival. Despite the recognition of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) as a valuable quality management technique for addressing the barriers faced by SMEs, LSS implementation within the construction SME context is alarmingly low. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the barriers for implementing LSS within construction SMEs and to determine the most effective strategies for overcoming these barriers. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research approach was used, and data was collected in two stages: a questionnaire survey with 44 construction professionals and an expert opinion survey with 12 LSS specialists. The collected data was then analysed using the fuzzy TOPSIS method, achieving a higher degree of sensitivity. Findings The findings revealed the 15 most significant LSS barriers that need to be addressed. In addition, the ten most important strategies to be implemented in overcoming the identified barriers before LSS implementation were discovered and thematised, most notably the hiring of LSS specialists for project monitoring and the formation of a committee for strategic planning through LSS. Originality/value Previous research on LSS examined barriers and strategies for SMEs in general, but to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind, focusing especially on the construction SME context and involving the unique fuzzy TOPSIS approach.

Ranking barriers and optimum solutions to implement public bicycle-sharing system in cities

Decision makers around the world adopted public bicycle-sharing systems (PBSS) due to their easy access at major strategic locations and user-friendly operations. The documented studies identify various barriers and solutions for PBSS, however, studies on identification of optimum solution for varied conditions are limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to rank the barriers and solutions for PBSS implementation for Indian urban areas. The framework is robust so that the methodology can apply globally. Initially, 31 PBSS barriers and 14 solutions were identified after reviewing literature and assessment from professionals. Then two multi-criteria decision-making methods were integrated to rank barriers and solutions for Indian cities using an expert opinion survey. The result shows that infrastructure barriers of the city, social barrier for cycling and travel characteristics barriers have more impact in the main criteria, whereas the presence of exclusive bicycle lanes, government policies and the provision of modified and e-bicycles are found to be the most optimum solutions and have potential to overcome the influence of barriers. The outcome of this research will help various stakeholders to develop pro-cycling policies, make decisions on financial resource allocation, understand the existing barriers and solutions.

Are trauma surgeons prepared? A survey of trauma surgeons’ disaster preparedness before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectiveUS trauma centers (TCs) must remain prepared for mass casualty incidents (MCIs). However, trauma surgeons may lack formal MCI training. The recent COVID-19 pandemic drove multiple patient surges, overloaded Emergency...

Clinical utility of a personalized and long-term monitoring device for Parkinson's disease in a real clinical practice setting: An expert opinion survey on STAT-ON™

BackgroundSTAT-ON™ is an objective tool that registers ON-OFF fluctuations making possible to know the state of the patient at every moment of the day in normal life. Our aim was to analyze the opinion of different Parkinson's disease experts about the STAT-ON™ tool after using the device in a real clinical practice setting (RCPS). MethodsSTAT-ON™ was provided by the Company Sense4Care to Spanish neurologists for using it in a RCPS. Each neurologist had the device for at least three months and could use it in PD patients at his/her own discretion. In February 2020, a survey with 30 questions was sent to all participants. ResultsTwo thirds of neurologists (53.8% females; mean age 44.9±9 years old) worked in a Movement Disorders Unit, the average experience in PD was 16±6.9 years, and 40.7% of them had previously used other devices. A total of 119 evaluations were performed in 114 patients (range 2–9 by neurologist; mean 4.5±2.3). STAT-ON™ was considered “quite” to “very useful” by 74% of the neurologists with an overall opinion of 6.9±1.7 (0, worst; 10, best). STAT-ON™ was considered better than diaries by 70.3% of neurologists and a useful tool for the identification of patients with advanced PD by 81.5%. Proper identification of freezing of gait episodes and falls were frequent limitations reported. ConclusionSTAT-ON™ could be a useful device for using in PD patients in clinical practice.

Incorporating genomics into insect conservation: Butterflies as a model group

Abstract Genomic data are not yet widely used in insect conservation practice. Here, with a focus on butterflies, we aim to identify the strengths, limitations and remaining gaps between the fields of population genomics and insect conservation management. Based on a literature search complemented with expert opinion, we discuss avenues for translating research into practice. We found that current genomic methodologies available for insect management enhance the assessment of cryptic diversity and facilitate the inference of historical population trends (temporal monitoring) by using even degraded material from historical collections. Discovering and tracking adaptive genetic variation linked to increased survival and fitness is a relatively young research field, but we highlight it as a promising tool in future insect management actions. We highlight recent case studies where population genomics have guided butterfly conservation. One conclusion from our advice from our non‐exhaustive survey of expert opinion is to establish meaningful partnerships between researchers and practitioners, starting at the stage of project planning. Genomics is an informative tool for securing legal protection of unique populations and may offer guidance in future conservation translocations and captive breeding programmes. Although insect conservation usually targets habitats, genomic guidance focusing on populations of flagship and umbrella taxa is a straightforward path to connect species‐specific and habitat conservation initiatives. We conclude that there is urgency in reporting insect conservation actions guided by genomic data, both successful and unsuccessful. This will lead to constructive feedback between fields and the establishment of standardised methodologies.

Destination competitiveness of a tourist region: A case of Kerala, India

The concept of tourism destination competitiveness (TDC) is very complex, and so is developing a model for different destination contexts. The study aims to identify variables to measure the overall TDC of destination brand Kerala (India). A quantitative research design is followed based on a self-administered questionnaire survey strategy. A comprehensive study of various indices and published literature on TDC is conducted to arrive at a detailed list of variables for measuring competitiveness. Through content analysis and screening based on expert opinion surveys and interviews, variables are tailored to the natural and cultural destination region, Kerala. The perceptions of expert supply stakeholder groups regarding the relevance of variables are recorded. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is conducted to find underlying factors. The result is used to build a multiple linear regression model. Though the destination is celebrated for its 'Inherited and created resources', the study identifies that 'Destination safety and quality' has the highest impact on the TDC of Kerala. 'Absence of general strike', 'Methods of work/technique', and 'Navigation within the destination' are new significant variables that distinctly pertain to Kerala. The research is expected to help the destination management team evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the destination, assess TDC, and develop policies and guidelines to improve competitiveness.

Sustaining circular economy practices in supply chains during a global disruption

PurposeCircular economy (CE) practices are critical to achieving sustainable development goals. However, the recent global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted sustainable practices. The literature shows a significant research gap in analyzing factors that sustain CE practices in supply chains during a global disruption. This study fills the research gap by developing a mix-method approach to analyze factors for sustaining CE practices during a global disruption.Design/methodology/approachTo fulfill the objectives of this study, the list of factors that sustain CE practices was first identified by conducting a literature review and finalized through an expert opinion survey. The survey finalized 18 different factors for sustaining CE practices. The finalized factors were further analyzed using the grey decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. The quantitative analysis confirmed the priority of the factors and their cause-and-effect relationships.FindingsThe results revealed that continued stakeholder pressure, retention of CE and sustainability culture, continued implementation of cleaner technology, feedback system and ongoing CE training for resilience issues are the top five factors that sustain CE practices during a global disruption. The study also revealed ten factors as belonging to the cause group and eight to the effect group.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by exploring factors for sustaining CE practices during a global disruption. Moreover, the study’s findings are important in real-life situations, as decision-makers can use the findings to formulate strategies for sustaining CE practices during future global disruptions.

Decision Considerations for Securing and Managing Intellectual Property within Additive Manufacturing Supply Chains

Intellectual property is a crucial asset that generates debates about its effects on additive manufacturing supply chains. Actors within these supply chains must adapt to navigate intellectual property issues and decisions to sustain growth. However, no consensus exists among scholars and practitioners on “whether, why, or how” to secure and manage intellectual property, which complicates decision-making. This paper presents a quantitative survey of expert opinions from management, engineering, academia, and consultancy sectors on various decision considerations for securing and managing intellectual property in additive manufacturing supply chains. The findings indicate that decision-making remains significantly complex and non-uniform; this offers insights into crucial considerations when aiming to secure or manage intellectual property as a valued and balanced asset in additive manufacturing supply chains.

First opera about Artificial Intelligence: Miroslav Srnka “Singularity”

Relevance of the study. Scientists have been working on the research and practical implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) since the middle of the last century. In 2021, this research area celebrated a series of anniversaries that highlight an 85-year history of the impact of artificial intelligence on human consciousness. Various historical stages of the development of artificial intelligence in science, technology and culture are considered. In 2021, the first opera dedicated to this topic appeared. The Czech composer Miroslav Srnka tried to disguise the seriousness of the problem in the genre of opera-comedy, opera-farce. Through the prism of the game, the artist warns against the danger of the future mastery of AI by the human brain. Not only scientists from all branches of science, but also musicians are asking Facebook, Google and other megacorporations about the ultimate goal of billions of dollars invested in AI R&D.
 Main objectives of this study are 1) to outline the chronology of the historical stages of artificial intelligence research; 2) to present the problems of AI in different fields of science and culture; 3) to analyze the first opera created in 2021 about artificial intelligence. Miroslav Srnka's A Space Opera for Yuong Voises is a musician's reflection on the problem of the hypothetical future of humanity in the era of transhumanism.
 Research methodology. The work uses a complex application of historical, comparative and textological approaches and methods to reveal the specifics of the embodiment of non-musical modern electronic technologies in the genre of opera.
 The results of directorial artifacts. In the Science-Fiction-Opera of the Czech composer Miroslav Srnka the experience of digital communication of people in the future and the problems of the hypothetical future of humanity in the era of transhumanism, are presented like in a 'distorting mirror'. Ten years ago, a systematic survey of four different expert groups has been made which included more than 550 scientists. The results were published in a collection of articles by futurists Nick Buström and Vincent C. Müller (researchers at Oxford and Eindhoven University of Technology) named “Future Progress in Artificial Intelligence: A Survey of Expert Opinions”. When asked how soon mankind will master powerful AI, the average response rate of experts showed that 50% of the scientists answered positively to the likelihood of a strong AI availability in the period from 2040 to 2075. We therefore have a good chance to become witnesses of the hypothetical future predicted by futurists, science fiction writers and the authors of the opera “Singularity”, if we believe in the myth of the singularity. However, a large group of scientists rejects the hypothesis of the initiator of the opera “Singularity”, Ray Kurzweil that “The Singularity is Near” and doubts that the future of the singularity can be predicted. The opera “Singularity” is the first musical and theatrical experiment on the interaction and fusion of artificial intelligence (AI) with emotional intelligence (EI). From their inception theater, myths and religious rituals have always been the theme of art, reflecting the universe, legends, cults of society, predicting the future. The opera “Singularity” will take its place in the history of futurology as a musical and theatrical artifact about the myth of a global world in the 21st century.

Energy Transition Manifesto: A Contribution towards the Discourse on the Specifics Amid Energy Crisis

The article seeks to describe a more realistic approach to the transition to a carbon-neutral energy model in the current period of economic and geopolitical turbulence, with the high volatility of energy prices, and the disruption of geopolitical and logistic ties, and puts forward a set of fundamental principles for the energy transition. The hypothesis tested is that the development of low-carbon energy is based on the structural-technological diversification of production methods and rationalization of energy consumption through expanded electrification and application of energy demand-side management programs. The analysis of the main approaches to the energy transition across the world shows that many countries now prioritize renewable energy sources, even though, despite their obvious environmental benefits, they are less reliable due to their intermittent nature. The proposed principles of the energy transition draw from a more flexible, compromise approach that implies an optimal balance of mutually reinforcing centralized and distributed technologies of energy generation and their characteristics. The key provisions of the manifesto were verified by means of theoretical generalization and graphical interpretation of data from a number of analytical reports of international energy agencies and the results of an expert opinion survey. The survey was conducted among leading Russian experts from energy companies, who had relevant experience of developing innovation projects in this sphere, and university researchers. Most of them subscribe to the view that, despite the economic downturn, it would be unfeasible to curtail energy transition programs at this point, and even more so, it is important to continue local modernization projects. The results of the study could have a practical application when planning structural, organizational, and market transformations aimed at achieving the objectives of energy transition amid growing uncertainty, including the expansion of the structure of generating capacities in regional energy systems and the active use of low-carbon technologies in the energy sector and related industries.

Construction of A Knowledge Test for Testing the Effectiveness of Participatory Video on Virtual Marketing

Virtual marketing refers to the marketing activities that take place in a virtual or digital space on various social media platforms. With the increase in the number of internet users around the globe, virtual marketing is a great opportunity for new enterprises to grow and reach new heights. However, to bring the rural entrepreneurs in the fl ow of modern marketing it is needed to pass on the knowledge about modern marketing strategies. Therefore, in the present study, the detailed procedure as well as the constructed knowledge test has been presented which will serve as a standard test for testing the eff ectiveness of a participatory video program on ‘Virtual Marketing’ for women entrepreneurs in SHG. For the construction of the test, 40 items were collected initially through secondary sources of literature and expert opinion surveys covering all the important aspects of virtual marketing. Out of the 40 collected items, 23 items were selected for the item analysis process based on the relevancy test score obtained from 30 experts. Item analysis was carried out in terms of three indices that were item diffi culty index, item discrimination index, and point biserial correlation. Then 17 items were selected having: Item’s diffi culty index ranging from 30 to 70, Item’s discrimination index ranging from 0.30 to 0.80, and point biserial correlation of at least 0.15. The fi nal knowledge test contained 17 items that were retained from 40 items and had a reliability coeffi cient of 0.709 (Cronbach’s Alpha), thus indicating an acceptable level of reliability.

A set of preliminary indicators for holistic sustainability assessment of household food consumption in rural and urban China

To provide a preliminary reference point and a scientific basis for future comprehensive sustainability assessments of household food consumption (HFC) in China and beyond, this study develops an indicator system for sustainability assessment of HFC in urban and rural China. The system encompasses four dimensions (nutrition, the environment, economy and socio-culture) and a comprehensive assessment index (CAI, on a scale from 0 to 100 points) of analysis. The system is derived from an extensive literature review supplemented with an expert opinion survey and considers the current structure of diet in China. Environmental dimension involves indicators of environmental footprints and food waste. Nutritional dimension involves nutritional status and food security. Economic dimension involves food affordability, self-sufficiency and economic cost of food waste. Socio-cultural dimension involves consumption of traditional and ready-made food, food availability and accessibility. The assessment results show that nearly 50% of households fall into a relatively high sustainability zone (50–75 points) and a relatively low sustainability zone (25–50 points), respectively; and there are no households achieving a high sustainability score (75–100 points). Sustainability of HFC in rural China is higher than that in urban areas; sustainability increases as households grow in size and receive higher annual income. The study highlights measures required to improve the current structure of diet in China.

Did Covid-19 lockdown positively affect the urban environment and UN- Sustainable Development Goals?

This work quantifies the impact of pre-, during- and post-lockdown periods of 2020 and 2019 imposed due to COVID-19, with regards to a set of satellite-based environmental parameters (greenness using Normalized Difference Vegetation and water indices, land surface temperature, night-time light, and energy consumption) in five alpha cities (Kuala Lumpur, Mexico, greater Mumbai, Sao Paulo, Toronto). We have inferenced our results with an extensive questionnaire-based survey of expert opinions about the environment-related UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Results showed considerable variation due to the lockdown on environment-related SDGs. The growth in the urban environmental variables during lockdown phase 2020 relative to a similar period in 2019 varied from 13.92% for Toronto to 13.76% for greater Mumbai to 21.55% for Kuala Lumpur; it dropped to -10.56% for Mexico and -1.23% for Sao Paulo city. The total lockdown was more effective in revitalizing the urban environment than partial lockdown. Our results also indicated that Greater Mumbai and Toronto, which were under a total lockdown, had observed positive influence on cumulative urban environment. While in other cities (Mexico City, Sao Paulo) where partial lockdown was implemented, cumulative lockdown effects were found to be in deficit for a similar period in 2019, mainly due to partial restrictions on transportation and shopping activities. The only exception was Kuala Lumpur which observed surplus growth while having partial lockdown because the restrictions were only partial during the festival of Ramadan. Cumulatively, COVID-19 lockdown has contributed significantly towards actions to reduce degradation of natural habitat (fulfilling SDG-15, target 15.5), increment in available water content in Sao Paulo urban area(SDG-6, target 6.6), reduction in NTL resulting in reducied per capita energy consumption (SDG-13, target 13.3).

Adult Asthma Management in the Emergency Department during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Expert Opinion Survey

Adult patients with asthma often access the emergency department (ED) for the management of exacerbations or uncontrolled symptoms. Sometimes the first diagnosis of asthma occurs right in the ED. In the last couple of years, the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world, causing an acute respiratory syndrome named SARS-CoV-2, characterized mainly by respiratory symptoms, such as cough and shortness of breath, in addition to fever. This clinical pattern partially overlaps with that caused by asthma, thus generating confusion in terms of diagnosis and management. It is also unclear whether asthma may be associated with a worse prognosis in COVID-19 infection. This expert opinion paper provides specific recommendations to ease the challenges related to adult patients with asthma admitted to the ED during the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular reference to diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, it provides well-defined indications to guide decisions on discharge, hospital admission, as well as follow-up. A panel of experts composed of emergency medicine physicians, pulmonologists and allergologists discussed, voted and approved all the recommendations.

Survey of Expert Opinion Regarding Peri-operative Management of Shoulder Arthroplasty.

Survey of Expert Opinion Regarding Peri-operative Management of Shoulder Arthroplasty.

Benchmarking sustainability of pilgrimage cities: a case of three cities in Tamil Nadu, India

PurposeRapid urbanization and development of pilgrimage cities cause significant problems for the environment and society, leading to long-term challenges. Despite several discussions on city sustainability, the literature does not address some of the specific problems of pilgrimage cities. Hence, this study attempts at developing a method to examine the growth pattern and sustainability of pilgrimage cities in southern part of India.Design/methodology/approachThe benchmarking method and the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability are considered to construct the Pilgrimage City Sustainability Index (PCSI). Appropriate variables and categories are identified through a literature review and expert opinion survey. The benchmark values of the variables are derived by contemplating the pilgrimage cities of Tamil Nadu, one of the states with the largest tourist arrivals in India. Subsequently, three prominent pilgrimage cities from Tamil Nadu were chosen for the case study and the method was tested.FindingsThe result reveals that the cities investigated are performing above average in the sustainability index, with slight variations in their dimension scores. While the category scores of cities assist in identifying macro-level issues, the variable scores provide an insight into micro-level issues. Furthermore, the gap analysis between the benchmark and the present value of each variable discloses the immediate area of attention in each city. Thus, the cities could set more specific targets, frame strategies and/or collaborate with matching cities to bridge these gaps.Social implicationsThis index assessment provides a comparison of the pros and cons of these pilgrimage cities and helps identify their demand and supply. Policymakers can find appropriate tools and approaches that aid in sustainable urban development and tourism management.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in emphasizing the application of the benchmarking method to assess the sustainability of Indian pilgrimage sites. With appropriate modifications, this method can be used in varied contexts across the globe.

Characterising Australian memory clinics: current practice and service needs informing national service guidelines

BackgroundMemory clinics (MCs) play a key role in accurate and timely diagnoses and treatment of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. However, within Australia, there are little data available on current practices in MCs, which hinder international comparisons for best practice, harmonisation efforts and national coordination. Here, we aimed to characterise current service profiles of Australian MCs.MethodsThe ‘Australian Dementia Network Survey of Expert Opinion on Best Practice and the Current Clinical Landscape’ was conducted between August-September 2020 as part of a larger-scale Delphi process deployed to develop national MC guidelines. In this study, we report on the subset of questions pertaining to current practice including wait-times and post-diagnostic care.ResultsResponses were received from 100 health professionals representing 60 separate clinics (45 public, 11 private, and 4 university/research clinics). The majority of participants were from clinics in metropolitan areas (79%) and in general were from high socioeconomic areas. While wait-times varied, only 28.3% of clinics were able to offer an appointment within 1-2 weeks for urgent referrals, with significantly more private clinics (58.3%) compared to public clinics (19.5%) being able to do so. Wait-times were less than 8 weeks for 34.5% of non-urgent referrals. Only 20.0 and 30.9% of clinics provided cognitive interventions or post-diagnostic support respectively, with 7.3% offering home-based reablement programs, and only 12.7% offering access to group-based education. Metropolitan clinics utilised neuropsychological assessments for a broader range of cases and were more likely to offer clinical trials and access to research opportunities.ConclusionsIn comparison to similar countries with comprehensive government-funded public healthcare systems (i.e., United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada), wait-times for Australian MCs are long, and post-diagnostic support or evidence-based strategies targeting cognition are not common practice. The timely and important results of this study highlight a need for Australian MCs to adopt a more holistic service of multidisciplinary assessment and post-diagnostic support, as well as the need for the number of Australian MCs to be increased to match the rising number of dementia cases.