Delay Factors Research Articles

Analysis of Risk Factors for Delays in the Implementation of the Meninting Dam Construction Project, West Lombok Regency

The Meninting Dam Construction Project is part of the National Strategic Project (PSN). Delays can occur in any project, including the construction of the Meninting Dam in West Lombok. This study aims to identify and analyze risk factors impacting the project, determine the risks classified as dominant major risks, and evaluate the residual risks of the Meninting Dam construction project to formulate risk responses that minimize the impact on the project. The study employs the Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and Probability Impact Matrix (PIM) methods and uses related sources as theoretical foundations. Based on the study results, the Meninting Dam project identified four factors that most significantly affect delays using the FTA method: 1) “Delay in decision-making by the owner,” probability = 17.443%, 2) “Lack of control over work by Construction Management,” probability = 13.771%, 3) “Inadequate planning and control by the Contractor,” probability = 17.207%, and 4) “Weather intensity or high rainfall/heat,” probability = 13.041%. From the identification, four dominant risk variables with high risk levels were obtained using the PIM method: 1) Objections from local residents regarding land acquisition, 2) Delays in material arrival, 3) Delays in procurement of work equipment, and 4) High rainfall causing uncompact soil to become landslides. The risk mitigation category used in this study is risk reduction. The assessment of residual risk shows that of the four risks initially at a high level, these risks decreased after risk mitigation, with two risks becoming moderate and two risks becoming low.

Association between surgical delays for femoral neck fractures and early postoperative complications in young and middle-aged adults: A study based on the national inpatient sample database

BackgroundFemoral neck fractures (FNF) in young and middle-aged adults are primarily caused by high-energy injuries in traffic accidents. Surgical delays often occur due to transportation issues, preoperative evaluations, and economic burdens. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on young and middle-aged FNF patients undergoing reduction and internal fixation surgeries from 2010 to 2019 with the use of the National Inpatient Sample database. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between surgical delays and complications, and the independent risk factors contributing to delays. Categorical variables were investigated via a chi-square test, while continuous variables including Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI) scores, length of hospital stay (LOS), and total medical costs were analyzed via t-test or rank-sum test. Results9,204 patients undergoing reduction and internal fixation surgeries were included. In the delayed group, patients had higher ECI scores, longer hospital stays, higher expenses, and increased inpatient mortality (1.61% vs. 0.28 %, P < 0.0001). Longer surgical delays were associated with higher risks of complications, including femoral head osteonecrosis, internal fixation loosening and breakage, and respiratory complications. Fluid and electrolyte disorders, metastatic cancer, pulmonary circulation disorders, and renal failure were identified as independent risk factors for surgical delays. Except for anemia (OR=2.37, P < 0.0001), no significant differences in early postoperative complications were found between open-reduction and closed-reduction internal fixation (ORIF/CRIF) surgeries. ConclusionEarly surgical intervention, within a 2-days period after injury, seems to be crucial for young adults with FNF. If CRIF is challenging in some cases, ORIF can be another choice.

Stability and stabilization for the hydraulic automatic gauge control system of cold rolling mill with time delay and saturation

This paper studies the stability and stabilization of hydraulic automatic gauge control (HAGC) systems with time-varying delay and actuator saturation. First, a mathematical model of HAGC systems is established considering the measurement delay and saturation factors. With the help of state transformation, the measurement delay is transformed into input delay and the generalized sector condition is adopted to deal with the saturation problem in HAGC systems. Then, a new augmented L–K functional is constructed to contain more delay information to reduce the conservativeness of the stability criteria. Furthermore, by combining the proposed L–K functional with some advanced inequalities, the stability conditions and controller are derived with the aid of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm is verified by simulation results.

Academic procrastination and inappropriate use of social networks among university students

ABSTRACT Academic procrastination is the tendency to delay academic activities such as carrying out tasks, studying for exams and similar. This behaviour may be related to the inappropriate use of social networks, especially by those students who procrastinate the most. The aim of this study is to identify latent profiles of academic procrastination and determine whether there are differences in terms of the areas of delay (academic activities, final degree projects, studying for exams and keeping abreast of academic tasks) and the factors of inadequate use of social networks (obsession with networks, a lack of better control and excessive use). The participants in this study were 1784 students from 24 Spanish universities. The Spanish version of the procrastination assessment scale and the questionnaire on addiction to social networks were used for information gathering. A Latent Profile Analysis, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and multivariate covariance analysis (MANCOVA) were carried out to examine the differences between the profiles detected, delay areas and social network addiction factors. The results showed three latent profiles in procrastination behaviour: low, moderate and high procrastination. Moreover, significant differences were observed in terms of the areas of delay and network addiction factors. In conclusion, the greater the procrastinating behaviour, the greater the tendency to delay academic activities and present more frequently inadequate conduct in the use of social networks.

End-to-End Delay Performance Analysis for Delay-Sensitive Services in Polymorphic Networks

Abstract In the polymorphic network for smart grid, the end-to-end latency performance analysis of delay-sensitive power control services such as differential protection and distributed power regulation is a crucial component in the intelligent control and management of power network slicing. In this paper, based on a detailed analysis of end-to-end delay factors of power control service, the distributed power regulation pilot project is taken as a typical application scenario of power control service, and the end-to-end delay of such service is theoretically derived and analyzed in detail by using network calculus theory. Numerical verification shows that the end-to-end delay performance of the power control service is positively correlated with the number of concurrent data streams and the number of subsystems and negatively correlated with the system service rate. Compared with the burst degree of the current data streams, the burst degree of other data streams significantly impacts the end-to-end delay calculation results of the current data flow.

Faktor Utama Penyebab Keterlambatan Proyek Konstruksi Gedung di Bojonegoro

Economic development in Bojonegoro is growing rapidly due to massive building construction. However, delays in building construction projects in Bojonegoro are a significant issue because they have a negative impact on costs, efficiency, and local economic stability. Identifying building project delay factors, especially in Bojonegoro, is important because project delay factors may differ from other areas. This research aims to identify and analyze factors influencing building project delays in Bojonegoro. The factors observed include materials, labor, equipment, finance, environment, and design changes. The research uses a quantitative approach and a questionnaire survey method, which has undergone instrument testing on 35 respondents involved in building construction projects in Bojonegoro. The data was tested on classical assumptions and analyzed using hypothesis testing (F and T tests) to determine the effect of each variable on project delays and ranking based on the coefficient values. The research results show that all variables studied significantly influence project delays, with labor as the most dominant factor, followed by environment and finance. Changes in design, equipment, and materials also contribute, although with a smaller impact. This research provides a strong empirical basis for project managers and related parties to develop more effective strategies for managing construction projects, reducing delays, and increasing project efficiency in Bojonegoro.

Real-time bus arrival delays analysis using seemingly unrelated regression model

AbstractTo effectively manage and control public transport operations, understanding the various factors that impact bus arrival delays is crucial. However, limited research has focused on a comprehensive analysis of bus delay factors, often relying on single-step delay prediction models that are unable to account for the heterogeneous impacts of spatiotemporal factors along the bus route. To analyze the heterogeneous impact of bus arrival delay factors, the paper proposes a set of regression equations conditional on the bus location. A seemingly unrelated regression equation (SURE) model is developed to estimate the regression coefficients, accounting for potential correlations between regression residuals caused by shared unobserved factors among equations. The model is validated using bus operations data from Stockholm, Sweden. The results highlight the importance of developing stop-specific bus arrival delay models to understand the heterogeneous impact of explanatory variables. The significant factors impacting bus arrival delays are primarily associated with bus operations, such as delays at consecutive upstream stops, dwell time, scheduled travel time, recurrent congestion, and current traffic conditions. Factors like the calendar and weather have significant but marginal impacts on arrival delays. The study suggests that different bus operating management strategies, such as schedule adjustments, route optimization, and real-time monitoring and control, should be tailored to the characteristics of stop sections since the impacts of these factors vary depending on the stop location.

Psychosocial factors and patient and healthcare delays in large (class T3–T4) oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal carcinomas

BackgroundPsychosocial factors and socioeconomic status have been associated with incidence, survival, and quality of life among patients with head and neck cancer. We investigated the association between different psychosocial factors, socioeconomic status, and patient delays in T3–T4 oral, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer.Patients and methodsWe conducted a nationwide prospective questionnaire-based study (n = 203) over a 3-year period.ResultsWe found no association between psychosocial factors (depression, social isolation, loneliness, and cynical hostility) and patient delay. Depression was three times more common among head and neck cancer patients compared with the general Finnish population. Head and neck cancer patients had lower educational levels and employment status, and were more often current smokers and heavy drinkers.ConclusionsAlthough we found no association between patient delay and psychosocial factors, patients diagnosed with a large head and neck cancer appeared to have a lower socioeconomic status and higher risk for developing depression, which should be considered in clinical practice.

Secondary resonance of a cantilever beam with concentrated mass under time delay feedback control

The present work discusses the strongly nonlinear dynamical characteristics of the secondary resonance in a cantilever beam system with concentrated mass regulated through displacement and velocity time delay. Through the homotopy analysis method, the potential superharmonic and subharmonic resonance issues are resolved. A detailed analysis is conducted to investigate the influences of the time delay, feedback gain coefficient, excitation amplitude, and damping coefficient on the nonlinear response. The results show that the system exhibits hardening behavior for superharmonic resonance with one or two peaks and softening behavior for subharmonic resonance. In time delay control systems, increasing the damping coefficient occasionally causes an increase in amplitude. Due to the complexity of the system, it is challenging to definitively determine whether displacement or velocity time delay control is more suitable. Only when specific working conditions are given can it be compared which way is better. Prudently choosing the velocity and displacement time delay factors can restrain the amplitude of the system, adjust the response region, jump frequency and the number of solutions. The findings of this paper are thought to be useful in the design of time delay feedback controllers.

Machine learning analysis with population data for prepregnancy and perinatal risk factors for the neurodevelopmental delay of offspring

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) in offspring are associated with a complex combination of pre-and postnatal factors. This study uses machine learning and population data to evaluate the association between prepregnancy or perinatal risk factors and the NDD of offspring. Population-based retrospective cohort data were obtained from Korea National Health Insurance Service claims data for 209,424 singleton offspring and their mothers who gave birth for the first time in 2007. The dependent variables were motor development disorder (MDD), cognitive development disorder (CDD) and combined overall neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) from offspring. Seventeen independent variables from 2002 to 2007 were included. Random forest variable importance and Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP) values were calculated to analyze the directions of its associations with the predictors. The random forest with oversampling registered much higher areas under the receiver-operating-characteristic curves than the logistic regression of interaction and non-linearity terms, 79% versus 50% (MDD), 82% versus 52% (CDD) and 74% versus 50% (NDD). Based on random forest variable importance, low socioeconomic status and age at birth were highly ranked. In SHAP values, there was a positive association between NDD and pre- or perinatal outcomes, especially, fetal male sex with growth restriction associated the development of NDD in offspring.

Influencing factors of delay in seeking medical attention of patients with obstructive sleep apnea based on the Model of Pathways to Treatment in China: a qualitative analysis

BackgroundThere is the highest estimated number of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in China. Early treatment could lead to fewer complications associated with OSA. This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing help-seeking from the first symptom discovery to treatment in OSA.MethodsSemi-structured interview outline was designed to conduct face-to-face interview based on the analyses of a great number of related literatures on the delay in seeking medical attention of patients with OSA. 15 patients diagnosed were interviewed between June 2021 to September 2022 in general hospital of Shenyang, Northeastern of China. Qualitative data was analyzed by content analysis using the Model of Pathways to Treatment.ResultsAnalyses identified factors contributing to elapsed time from first symptom discovery to received treatment that are linked to disease characteristic, patients, health system organization. Appraisal interval is most obvious for patients with OSA, but it is difficult to pinpoint precisely because the patients didn’t remember exactly when the first symptom was detected.ConclusionsPatients diagnosed with OSA didn’t initially interpret the snore as a warning sign and even thought it was a blessing. The findings provided guidance or avenues for reducing elapsed time between the first symptom and received treatment.

PCR236 Analyzing Possible Diagnostic Delay Factors in Gynaecological and Andrological Diseases Among Secondary School Students

PCR236 Analyzing Possible Diagnostic Delay Factors in Gynaecological and Andrological Diseases Among Secondary School Students

Developmental pyrethroid exposure in mouse leads to disrupted brain metabolism in adulthood

Environmental and genetic risk factors, and their interactions, contribute significantly to the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Recent epidemiology studies have implicated pyrethroid pesticides as an environmental risk factor for autism and developmental delay. Our previous research showed that low-dose developmental exposure to the pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin in mice caused male-biased changes in the brain and in NDD-relevant behaviors in adulthood. Here, we used a metabolomics approach to determine the broadest possible set of metabolic changes in the adult male mouse brain caused by low-dose pyrethroid exposure during development. Using a litter-based design, we exposed mouse dams during pregnancy and lactation to deltamethrin (3 mg/kg or vehicle every 3 days) at a concentration well below the EPA-determined benchmark dose used for regulatory guidance. We raised male offspring to adulthood and collected whole brain samples for untargeted high-resolution metabolomics analysis. Developmentally exposed mice had disruptions in 116 metabolites which clustered into pathways for folate biosynthesis, retinol metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. As a cross-validation, we integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics data from the same samples, which confirmed previous findings of altered dopamine signaling. These results suggest that pyrethroid exposure during development leads to disruptions in metabolism in the adult brain, which may inform both prevention and therapeutic strategies.

Door-to-Balloon Time in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Patients Undergoing Primary Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction (PAMI): An Observational Study From a Tertiary Care Centre.

Background ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) requires swift intervention, with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) being essential to limit myocardial damage. The key factor affecting PCI effectiveness is the door-to-balloon (DTB) time. This observational study evaluated DTB times in STEMI patients at a tertiary care center who underwent primary angioplasty, examining adherence to benchmarks and identifying factors contributing to delays. Methodology This prospective observational study was conducted from March 2017 to August 2018 at Fortis Hospital Mulund, Mumbai, India. It included 171 STEMI patients aged 18 and older who underwent primary angioplasty. Patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), those who received thrombolysis, or had medical contraindications to primary angioplasty were excluded. Data on key time intervals were collected via direct observation and then analyzed using SPSS for Windows, Version 15 (Released 2006; SPSS Inc., Chicago, United States). Qualitative data were summarized using frequency and percentages, whereas quantitative data were presented as mean (±SD). T-test was applied to compare the mean duration between the two groups, i.e., DTB time ≤90 minutes and DTB time >90 minutes, and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The participants had a mean age of 56.5 (±13.1) years and were predominantly male (78.4%). The mean DTB time was 70.21 (±29.16) minutes, with 79.5% achieving ≤90 minutes. Patient-related delays (48.6%) were mainly due to consent issues (31.4%), which was the most predominant cause. Hospital-related delays (51.4%) included catheterization laboratory occupancy (14.3%) and diagnostic delays (14.3%). Patients with DTB times >90 minutes had significantly longer durations in all procedural steps except door-to-ECG time. Conclusion This study underscores the complex challenges in achieving timely DTB times for STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty. Overcoming these barriers through targeted interventions is essential for optimizing management and enhancing outcomes. Insights into delay factors inform evidence-based strategies to improve the timeliness and effectiveness of STEMI care delivery.

Risk factors of developmental delay in children from the age group of 6 months to 6 years

Background: Infants at risk for developmental delay (DD) have a history of one or more risk factors that occurred during pregnancy, the perinatal period, or after birth. Despite numerous studies on high-risk pregnancies and child development in advanced countries, there is scanty data from developing nations like India. Objectives: To determine the antenatal, natal and postnatal risk factors of DD in children aged 6 months to 6 years. Method: A case-control study comprising 61 infants with DD and 61 controls was carried out at Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Sawangi (Meghe) in Maharashtra from December 2019 to May 2020. Children with DD were taken as cases and children without DD as controls. A questionnaire delivered to mothers was used to gather data. Data analysis was carried out using STATA, version 10 software. Results: Common risk factors were caesarean sections (55%), infections (58%), and chronic disorders during pregnancy (49%). Maternal infections, chronic diseases during pregnancy, caesarean section, failure to cry after birth and absence of breastfeeding were significantly more in cases compared to controls. Conclusions: In this case-control study, maternal infections, chronic diseases during pregnancy, caesarean section, failure to cry after birth and absence of breastfeeding were risk factors of DD in children aged 6 months to 6 years.

Healthcare Provider-Related Factors in the Diagnostic Delay of Cervical Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and objective Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy among Indian women. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for global action toward the elimination of cervical cancer through the triple-intervention strategy. One of its pillars is ensuring 70% screening coverage of eligible women with a high-performance test at least twice in their lifetime. Various factors contribute to the delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer, increasing the burden of the disease. In this study, we aimed to determine the healthcare provider (HCP)-related factors in the diagnostic delay of advanced cervical cancer. Methods This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over two months in the cancer clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India. We interviewed 384 women diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer [the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB3-IVB] by using a questionnaire to capture data inputs regarding the various healthcare services they had received in the past 10 years along with details of HCPs. The collected data were analyzed using the software STATA version 17.0. Results Among 384 participants, 185 (48.1%) had interacted with an HCP in the past 10 years; 157 (40.8%) of them had visited a healthcare facility.Among these 185 women, only 22.16% had been advised to undergo screening, and only 15.18% had been tested despite several having access to primary health centers within 10 km of their residence. The lack of screening guidance by HCPs accounted for 78% of delayed diagnoses of cervical cancer. Conclusions Based on our findings, a deficiency in screening guidance in the asymptomatic period by healthcare providers across various levels of our healthcare system contributed significantly to the delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Developmental pyrethroid exposure in mouse leads to disrupted brain metabolism in adulthood.

Environmental and genetic risk factors, and their interactions, contribute significantly to the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Recent epidemiology studies have implicated pyrethroid pesticides as an environmental risk factor for autism and developmental delay. Our previous research showed that low-dose developmental exposure to the pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin in mice caused male-biased changes in the brain and in NDD-relevant behaviors in adulthood. Here, we used a metabolomics approach to determine the broadest possible set of metabolic changes in the adult male mouse brain caused by low-dose pyrethroid exposure during development. Using a litter-based design, we exposed mouse dams during pregnancy and lactation to deltamethrin (3 mg/kg or vehicle every 3 days) at a concentration well below the EPA-determined benchmark dose used for regulatory guidance. We raised male offspring to adulthood and collected whole brain samples for untargeted high-resolution metabolomics analysis. Developmentally exposed mice had disruptions in 116 metabolites which clustered into pathways for folate biosynthesis, retinol metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. As a cross-validation, we integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics data from the same samples, which confirmed previous findings of altered dopamine signaling. These results suggest that pyrethroid exposure during development leads to disruptions in metabolism in the adult brain, which may inform both prevention and therapeutic strategies.

Ultra-slow-light and dynamically quantitative optical storage modulation via quasi-BICs.

We achieve dynamically tunable dual quasi-bound states in the continuum (quasi-BICs) by implementing them in a silicon-graphene multilayer composite structure and utilize the quasi-BIC modes to achieve ultra-large group delays (velocity of light slows down 105 times), showing 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than the group delays of previous electromagnetically induced transparency modes. The double-layer graphene holds great tuning capability and leads to the dramatically reduced group delay from 1929.82 to 1.58 ps with only 100 meV. In addition, the log-linear variation rule of group delay with Fermi level (Ef) in the range of 0-10 meV is analyzed in detail, and the double-logarithmic function relationship between the group delay and quality factor (Q-factor) is theoretically verified. Finally, the quantitative modulation of the optical storage is further realized in this basis. Our research provides ideas for the reform and upgrading of slow optical devices.

Delayed elective total shoulder arthroplasty: causes and eventual outcomes.

The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors for delays in planned total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and determine the perioperative outcomes of TSAs that experienced a delay. The American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was queried from 2006 to 2019 for primary TSA. Delayed TSA was defined as surgery that occurred greater than one day after hospital admission. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and post-operative complications were collected and compared; the incidence of delayed TSA was analyzed. The delayed patients were older, had a higher BMI, a higher rate of recent prior major surgery, and more comorbidities. Delayed patients had higher rates of postoperative complications, return to the OR, and 30-day readmission. Between 2006 and 2019, the rate of delayed TSA decreased. Surgeons should take care to ensure that patients with comorbidities undergo thorough preoperative clearance to prevent same-day cancellations and postoperative complications.

Influence of BIM and Lean on mitigating delay factors in building projects

Building projects are affected by various phenomena that can affect their success and continuity and, in the worst cases, can lead to project abandonment. The delay has been identified as one of the phenomena with the most significant impact and recurrence; therefore, mitigation actions are required. BIM and Lean Construction are two approaches with great potential to mitigate delay-generating factors. However, more studies need to be conducted to analyze their influence on mitigating schedule delays. Considering this gap, this paper focuses on analyzing the influence of Lean Construction tools, and BIM uses that favor mitigating the main factors that generate variations in the construction schedules of residential buildings. The research method was divided into five main stages: (1) delay factors identification; (2) BIM uses identification; (3) Lean tools identification; (4) questionnaire design, validation, and application; and (5) influence quantitative analysis. A total of 20 delay factors, eight BIM uses, and eight Lean tools were selected. Next, a consultation was conducted with 50 building project managers and two residential building projects were analyzed. The findings show that implementing BIM and Lean tools greatly influences mitigating delay factors such as errors and deficiencies in design documents, inefficient project planning and scheduling, and poor communication and coordination with designers. BIM uses that have a strong influence on reducing delays include 4D construction planning and 4D construction analysis and optimization. In the Lean domain, the Last Planner System (LPS) and collaborative meetings have a high influence on mitigating delays. This study provides valuable insights for construction project managers to improve overall project efficiency by optimizing the implementation of BIM uses and Lean tools.