Objective Of Project Research Articles

Effect of Stakeholders’ Engagement on Performance of Construction Projects in Rwanda: Case of Horizon Construction Company

Purpose: This research focused on the evaluation of the impact of stakeholder engagement on the performance of construction projects in Rwanda. The following specific objectives directed this study: to identify the impact of stakeholders' involvement in project planning on the performance of Horizon Construction Company's construction projects; to assess the impact of stakeholders' engagement in project implementation on the performance of Horizon Construction Company's construction projects; and to evaluate the impact of stakeholders' engagement in monitoring and evaluation on the performance of Horizon Construction Company's construction projects. Methodology: A combination of descriptive and correlational research survey design under a mixed method approach was used to guide the study. Participants in this research consisted of 182 individuals from Horizon Construction Company. Using stratified simple random sampling, this research sampled 125 people. A statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to analyze quantitative data along with thematic for qualitative data. Findings: The coefficient for stakeholders in project planning is 0.325, suggesting that for each unit increase in stakeholder engagement during the planning phase, project performance is expected to increase by 0.325, with this relationship being statistically significant (β = 0.325, t = 6.153, Sig. = 0.000). Similarly, the coefficient for stakeholders in project implementation is 0.268, indicating that a one-unit increase in engagement during implementation correlates with a 0.268 increase in project performance, which is also statistically significant (β = 0.268, t = 5.841, Sig. = 0.000). Additionally, the coefficient for stakeholders in monitoring and evaluation is 0.409, revealing that improvements in stakeholder engagement in oversight can enhance project performance by 0.409 units, with a statistically significant impact (β = 0.409, t = 8.030, Sig. = 0.000). Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: it is recommended that Horizon Construction Company prioritize inclusive stakeholder engagement practices throughout all project phases.

Exploring Students’ Feelings in the Initial Phase of a Community-Based Research Service-Learning Course: A Qualitative Approach Using Content Analysis

The emotional experience of situations and interactions with other people plays an important role in teaching and learning processes and interacts with cognitive as well as motivational and intentional factors in the acquisition of knowledge. In our qualitative investigation, we explored participants’ experiences in the initial phase of a community-based research service-learning project that dealt with issues of social inequality, poverty and homelessness. We were particularly interested in the affective processes in the project’s planning phase and during the first meetings between community partners, homeless people and the participating students. After completing the course, we conducted guided qualitative online interviews with the course participants. The interviews were fully transcribed verbatim. We then coded and analysed the data using qualitative content analysis approach. It became apparent that the students were particularly anxious and apprehensive about working with vulnerable groups of people. This manifested itself in uncertainty, nervousness, fears and negative feelings. Regarding the collaboration with the community partners, the emotional situation varied among the students in the initial phase. We conclude that students’ fears, anxieties, and uncertainties in the planning phase of a service-learning or community-based research project should be taken seriously. A relaxed and positive atmosphere at the first meetings can be viewed as particularly important for project progression and the students’ future learning success.

Rhodopsin Project

The review examines the history of the emergence, development, and achievements of the Rhodopsin project, organized by Yu.A. Ovchinnikov in 1973. The current state of some issues related to the structure and function of retinal-containing proteins – types I and II rhodopsins – is also presented.

Nevedben a sorsod – globalizációs trend és helyi identitás tükröződése az Abaúji kistérség általános iskolásainak keresztneveiben

The purpose of the study is twofold: on the one hand, it examines the expression of trends in globalisation and local identity in the Christian names of grade 5–8 pupils at three research points in the Abaúj micro-region: Baktakék, Forró and Krasznokvajda. On the other hand, it presents a special Hungarian lesson organised in the primary schools of the settlements entitled Your destiny is in your name, in order to support education based on local values, to promote knowledge on onomastics, and to raise awareness of names as tools expressing ethnic and religious identity. The first part of the study explains the choice of the title Your destiny is in your name, while the second part summarises the objectives of the Creative Region Projects, which provide the framework for the lessons; it then presents the ethnic and religious diversity of the selected settlements. According to census data, these settlements have a dual identity rate of 37–39%, making the support of local identity through education a key objective. The third part analyses the Christian names of 121 pupils, followed by the fourth part, which presents the special lessons. Finally, the study concludes that the pupils’ Christian names mainly reflect globalisation trends instead of viewing their names as a way of expressing local identity. National and international celebrities have a strong influence on the choice of names, especially in this region, where rare, special names offer uniqueness against the uncertainty of social prominence. The lessons also pointed out that pupils generally associate the origin of a name with the background of its ‘iconic’ name-bearer which further directs the name stock in the direction of choosing international names, as these name-bearers represent high prestige. Among the names of foreign origin conveyed by the media, there are also names preferred by the community’s religious affiliation (e.g., Anastasia, Helena), but the modern name-bearers do not see them as expressions of religious identity. The use of Hungarian names is not only an expression of the sense of Hungarian identity either, since some of these names are hereditary in the families, while others are also common or popular names. The development of religious identity is hindered by the fact that the churches of the small settlements lack permanent service, and the schools in the study are maintained by the school district authorities, thus the names conveyed by the liturgy are becoming increasingly distant from the pupils. The experience from the special lessons indicates that pupils were unable to identify names preferred by religious affiliation. Due to their openness to unique names or a commitment to tradition, the pupils would be willing to reintroduce names that express local identity especially if those names belonged to historically significant figures with high prestige.

Innovative student project proposals to leverage community pharmacy to address the social determinants of health

Background: The objective of this paper is to describe the development and implementation of a student project to brainstorm strategies to address the social determinants of health (SDOH) through community pharmacy partnerships. Methods: This project reimagined the BUILD Health Challenge for second-year Pharm.D. students in a Community Pharmacy Elective course. Students worked in groups to complete a community needs assessment and then developed a customised proposal for a feasible collaboration addressing at least one upstream social risk factor. Results: A total of ten proposals were developed from 2021 to 2023. Novel collaborative partnerships included a local high school, regional opioid prevention services, rideshare partners, food trucks, and more. The most common social risk factor addressed through this project was transportation (n = 6; 60%). Conclusion: This project was effective at inspiring innovation and entrepreneurial thinking about the social determinants of health as it pertains to community pharmacy.

Sustainability and Performance Evaluation in Third Sector Partnerships: The Case of Turin Fast Track City

ABSTRACTCOVID‐19 radically changed how public services (activities of general interest) are pursued and administered. The search for resilient models has prompted public administration to test new regulatory approaches and to involve the third sector in the provision of primary services. This study investigates the sustainability and capacity of these models, specifically the implementation of a co‐planning and co‐design model aimed at measuring the possible creation of value and achieving common objectives. On the basis of an analysis of the development of the Turin Fast Track City project, the study employs a longitudinal method to identify not only the sustainability of the model but also new effective performance measurement tools, such as SIA analysis and integrated social accounting using financial and non‐financial elements. The study also highlights critical elements aimed at supporting future investigations.

Influence of Model Resolution on Wind Energy Simulations over Tibetan Plateau Using CMIP6 HighResMIP

The assessment of wind energy resources is critical for the transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources. Using the outputs from high-resolution global climate models (GCMs), such as the High Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP) of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), has become one of the most important tools in wind energy research. This study evaluated the reliability of the 22 GCMs available in the HighResMIP-PRIMAVERA project by simulating the wind energy climatology and variability over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) with reference to observations and investigated the differences in performance of the GCMs between high-resolution (HR) and low-resolution (LR) simulations. The results show that most models performed relatively well in simulating the probability distribution of the observed wind speed over the TP, but nearly half of the models generally underestimated the wind speed, whereas the others tended to overestimated the wind speed. Compared with the wind speed, the GCMs showed larger biases in reproducing the wind power density (WPD) and other wind energy resources, whereas the biases in multi-model ensembles were relatively smaller than those in most individual models. With respect to interannual variability, both the HR and LR models failed to capture interannual variations in WPD over the TP. Furthermore, more than half of the HR GCMs had a reduced bias relative to the corresponding LR GCMs, indicating the good performance of most HR models in simulating wind energy resources over the TP in terms of spatial pattern and temporal variability. However, the overall performance of HR GCMs varied among models, which suggests that solely improving the horizontal resolution is not sufficient to completely solve the uncertainties and deficiencies in the simulation of wind energy over complex terrain.

Projecting dry-wet abrupt alternation across China from the perspective of soil moisture

Under a warmer climate, the enhancement of dry-wet abrupt alternation (DWAA) risk poses a great challenge for sustainable development. Here, we introduce a novel framework for DWAA detection based on our proposed soil moisture concentration index. By the end of this century, over humid southern China, the shift of soil moisture time series from anomalously wet to anomalously dry pattern, or the other way around, will be more abrupt. In addition, the proposed framework driven by Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 simulations projects more widespread DWAA-affected areas over southwestern China, coastal regions of southeastern China, and the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, especially under a high emission scenario. The framework proposed in this study provides an efficient system for DWAA detection and prediction, and the findings of this study provide a reference for upgrading hydraulic infrastructure and mitigating future DWAA events.

Impact of Project Delivery Methods on Risk Allocation during the Planning Phase of Transportation Projects

Impact of Project Delivery Methods on Risk Allocation during the Planning Phase of Transportation Projects

Analysis of the Role of Law in Environmental Dispute Resolution: A Case Study in Urban Areas

The objective of this research project is to conduct an in-depth examination of the role of law in environmental dispute resolution within the context of urban Yogyakarta. By employing a qualitative methodology, this study examines the factors affecting the implementation of environmental legislation and the efficacy of legal instruments in addressing disputes. This study seeks to elucidate the role of law in environmental dispute resolution in Yogyakarta, examine the obstacles and impediments encountered in the implementation of environmental law, and analyse the efficaciousness of the existing dispute resolution mechanisms. To this end, it employs qualitative methods, with a particular focus on primary data obtained through observation, interviews, and documentation. The findings demonstrate that, despite an adequate legal framework, the efficacy of environmental dispute resolution is constrained by challenges inherent in law enforcement, public awareness, and economic considerations.

The Shifting Distribution of Arctic Daily Temperatures Under Global Warming

AbstractWe examine daily surface air temperatures (SAT) in the Arctic under global warming, synthesizing changes in mean temperature, variability, seasonality, and extremes based on five Earth system model large ensembles from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6. Our analysis shows that the distribution of daily Arctic SAT changes substantially, with Arctic mean temperatures being distinguishable from pre‐industrial levels on 84% and 97% of days at 1.5 and 2°C of global warming, respectively, and on virtually every day at 3°C of global warming. This shift is primarily due to the rapid rise in average temperature resulting from Arctic amplification and is exacerbated by a decrease in the variability of daily Arctic SAT of approximately 8.5% per degree of global warming. The changes in mean temperature and variability are more pronounced in the cold seasons than in summer, resulting in a weakened and shifted seasonal cycle of Arctic SAT. Moreover, the intensity and frequency of warm and cold extreme events change to varying degrees. The hottest days warm slightly more, while the coldest days warm 4–5 times more than the global average temperature, making extreme cold events rare. Changes in local SAT vary regionally across the Arctic and are most significant in areas of sea‐ice loss. Our findings underscore the Arctic's amplified sensitivity to global warming and emphasize the urgent need to limit global warming to mitigate impacts on human and natural systems.

Tatian polynomial-based annular pupil wavefront optimization method for high-NA extreme ultraviolet lithography

The advanced technology node has an exact error tolerance. The effect of projection objective aberration on imaging cannot be neglected. In order to reduce the effect of aberration, considering the central obscuration of the high-NA extreme ultraviolet projection objective, we propose a Tatian polynomial-based annular pupil wavefront optimization (TBAPWO) method. An active pupil consisting of 64-term Tatian polynomials is incorporated into the imaging model. The suitable coefficients of the Tatian polynomials are solved using the gradient iteration method. The optimized active pupil can improve lithographic imaging quality. Simulation results show that the TBAPWO method can effectively reduce the pattern error of imaging by more than 30%, which indicates that the effect of aberration on imaging is controlled.

Autonomous Drone Navigation Using Computer Vision

Abstract: Autonomous drone navigation with computer vision is an innovative technology that allows drones to move through intricate surroundings without needing human control. This system uses live visual information to identify objects, steer clear of obstacles, and determine routes, improving operational safety and precision. The project's main objective is to create a visionbased navigation system that combines object detection and obstacle avoidance algorithms through deep learning methods like YOLO (You Only Look Once), alongside real-time sensor fusion. The drone uses computer vision algorithms to process aerial images and automatically changes its flight path to prevent crashes. A personalized dataset of aerial images is generated and utilized for improving object detection skills in various environments. In order to guarantee practicality in real- world situations, the system undergoes validation through simulations and field tests on different terrains, focusing on its resilience in changing environments. Improvements in navigation accuracy and obstacle detection are accomplished by implementing adaptive pathplanning and integrating multiple sensors, guaranteeing the drone's efficient operation in real-life situations. The goal of this method is to enhance the drone's ability to make decisions, minimize human mistakes, and expand its range of potential uses in areas like surveillance, agriculture, and disaster response

Revisiting the inconsistent influence of El Niño-Southern Oscillation on the equatorial Atlantic

Abstract The impact of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the equatorial Atlantic Zonal Mode (AZM) is investigated using two atmospheric reanalysis products and 44 models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). While the impact of ENSO on equatorial Atlantic SST is inconsistent, as previously reported, there is a very robust influence of decaying ENSO events in boreal spring on the contemporaneous surface zonal winds over the equatorial Atlantic, with El Niño events associated with anomalous easterlies that cool the equatorial Atlantic. This dynamic impact is counteracted by a thermodynamic impact, in which El Niño events cause changes in surface heat fluxes that lead to warming over the tropical Atlantic. The thermodynamic influence is active throughout the lifecycle of the ENSO event, but the dynamic influence is highly seasonal with a pronounced peak in boreal spring. Thus, a quickly decaying El Niño event will lead to warming, while a slowly decaying event will lead to cooling in the equatorial Atlantic. The ENSO-AZM relation is further complicated by partially independent Atlantic variability, in particular that associated with the South Atlantic subtropical dipole (SASD). Prediction experiments with a simple linear regression model support the role of the SASD as an AZM precursor. Many CMIP6 models show skillful predictions of the June-July-August AZM based on SST indices in the preceding December-January-February, with correlations above 0.5. When predictions are restricted to ENSO years, even more models exceed this threshold, but skill in the reanalyses remains relatively low, possibly due to insufficient training data.

Identifying Changes and Their Drivers in Paddy Fields of Northeast China: Past and Future

Northeast China plays a crucial role as a major grain-producing region, and attention to its land use and land cover changes (LUCC), especially farmland changes, are crucial to ensure food security and promote sustainable development. Based on the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data and a decision tree model, land types, especially those of paddy fields in Northeast China from 2000 to 2020, were extracted, and the spatiotemporal changes in paddy fields and their drivers were analyzed. The development trends of paddy fields under different future scenarios were explored alongside the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) data. The findings revealed that the kappa coefficients of land use classification from 2000 to 2020 reached 0.761–0.825, with an overall accuracy of 80.5–87.3%. The proposed land classification method can be used for long-term paddy field monitoring in Northeast China. The LUCC in Northeast China is dominated by the expansion of paddy fields. The centroids of paddy fields gradually shifted toward the northeast by a distance of 292 km, with climate warming being the main reason for the shift. Under various climate scenarios, the temperature in Northeast China and its surrounding regions is projected to rise. Each scenario is anticipated to meet the temperature conditions necessary for the northeastward expansion of paddy fields. This study provides support for ensuring sustainable agricultural development in Northeast China.

A Virtual Breakthrough Series Collaborative for Missed Test Results

Missed test results, defined as test results not followed up within an appropriate time frame, are common and lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. To evaluate the effect of a quality improvement collaborative, the Virtual Breakthrough Series (VBTS), on the follow-up rate of 2 types of test results prone to being missed: chest imaging suspicious for lung cancer and laboratory findings suggestive of colorectal cancer. This stepped-wedge cluster-randomized clinical trial was conducted between February 2020 and March 2022 at 12 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, with a predefined 3-cohort roll-out. Each cohort was exposed to 3 phases: preintervention, action, and continuous improvement. Follow-up ranged from 0 to 12 months, depending on cohort. Teams at each site were led by a project leader and included diverse interdisciplinary representation, with a mix of clinical and technical experts, senior leaders, nursing champions, and other interdisciplinary team members. Analysis was conducted per protocol, and data were analyzed from April 2022 to March 2024. All teams participated in a VBTS, which included instruction on reducing rates of missed test results at their site. The primary outcome was changes in the percentage of abnormal test result follow-up, comparing the preintervention phase with the action phase. Secondary outcomes were effects across cohorts and the intervention's effect on sites with the highest and lowest preintervention follow-up rates. Previously validated electronic algorithms measured abnormal imaging and laboratory test result follow-up rates. A total of 11 teams completed the VBTS and implemented 47 (mean, 4 per team; range, 3-8 per team; mode, 3 per team) unique interventions to improve missed test results. A total of 40 027 colorectal cancer-related tests were performed, with 5130 abnormal results, of which 1286 results were flagged by the electronic trigger (e-trigger) algorithm as being missed. For lung cancer-related studies, 376 765 tests were performed, with 7314 abnormal results and 2436 flagged by the e-trigger as being missed. There was no significant difference in the percentage of abnormal test results followed up by study phase, consistent across all 3 cohorts. The estimated mean difference between the preintervention and action phases was -0.78 (95% CI, -6.88 to 5.31) percentage points for the colorectal e-trigger and 0.36 (95% CI, -5.19 to 5.9) percentage points for the lung e-trigger. However, there was a significant effect of the intervention by site, with the site with the lowest follow-up rate at baseline increasing its follow-up rate from 27.8% in the preintervention phase to 55.6% in the action phase. In this cluster-randomized clinical trial of the VBTS intervention, there was no improvement in the percentage of test results receiving follow-up. However, the VBTS may offer benefits for sites with low baseline performance. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04166240.

Optimization of architectural design and construction with integrated BIM and PLM methodologies.

Digital transformation in the architecture industry encounters challenges such as data silos within design stages, between design and construction, and across the entire industry chain, including BIM and project management. This study introduces a pioneering approach for seamlessly integrating building information modeling (BIM) and product lifecycle management (PLM) within the management framework and collaborative workflows of architectural design and construction. The proposed methodology was implemented in two major projects, namely, the Wuhan Next-Generation Weather Radar Construction Project and the Hubei Center for Disease Control and Prevention Comprehensive Capacity Enhancement Project (Phase I), with the former being China's first end-to-end digitally integrated construction project. Compared with traditional projects, these implementations achieved improvements of 24.39% and 38.04%, respectively, in objective function values. The findings highlight the unique advantages of BIM-PLM integration in optimizing lifecycle management, enhancing cross-disciplinary, cross-enterprise, and cross-regional collaboration, improving project design efficiency and quality, and reducing costs and waste. This integration provides valuable insights into the digital advancement of the construction industry.

Future shifts in climatic conditions promoting northward expansion of the Mediterranean climate in the circum-Mediterranean region.

In the upcoming decades, precipitation and temperature patterns are expected to shift in the Mediterranean basin due to global warming, potentially having an influence on the environment and the economy in the area. Using monthly precipitation and temperature data from 15 global climate models (GCMs) developed as part of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), the Mediterranean Climate Envelop (MCE), as defined by Daget's (1977) criteria, is projected under two climate change scenarios: SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, and for two future periods: 2050s and 2070s. According to the findings, the MCE is expected to expand by 3.51 and 4.93% in the 2050s under the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, respectively, in comparison to the current state. This expansion is expected to reach 5.28 and 9.87% for SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, respectively, in 2070s. For both situations and durations, MCE contraction would be minor, however, at less than 1%. More than 99% of the present MCE would stay stable proportionately. The northern Mediterranean region is mostly concerned by the MCE's expansion. The SSP2-4.5 scenario predicts that by the 2070s, expansion zones will occupy 674,183 km2, with 64% of the area located in Southern Europe and 36% in Western Asia. In SSP5-8.5 scenario, this area is expected to be significantly larger, estimated to be approximately 1,256,881 km2; 67% in Southern Europe and 33% in Western Asia.

Influence of SST‐Precipitation Relationship Over the Equatorial Western Pacific on Simulation of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation

AbstractCapabilities of 43 models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) to simulate the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) were compared in this study. Models with higher MJO simulation skills reproduce organized large‐scale convection more frequently over the equatorial western Pacific (EWP), suggesting that MJO simulations are tightly connected to organization of large‐scale precipitation over the EWP. MJO simulation skills are not significantly correlated with the mean sea surface temperature (SST) over the EWP, but tightly connected to SST threshold for convection there. The top simulations exhibit lower SST threshold and more realistic SST‐precipitation relationship over the EWP, suggesting that convection can be organized more efficiently and intensified more rapidly with the increasing SST in these simulations. Our results emphasize that reproducing the relationship between SST and large‐scale precipitation over the EWP is critical to MJO simulations.

Rework in civil construction projects at design phase: Influencing factors and suggested solutions

Among the various project phases, the design phase often contains errors that result in rework in civil construction projects. This rework can lead to budget overruns, schedule delays, and a decline in construction quality. There is rare knowledge of reworks in civil construction projects, especially in the design phase. This paper presents an overview of the influencing factors and solutions for reworks in civil construction projects at the design phase. To achieve this objective, a survey on the causes of rework was conducted with experts experienced in designing and constructing civil projects in southern Vietnam. Civil engineers and investors involved in the project at the design phases were targets of the survey. Five groups, including designers, design managers, investors, subcontractors, and objective conditions, were selected for designing survey questionnaires. Then, the PCA (principal component analysis) was applied to the collected data to reveal the most influencing factors on rework causes. Based on the results obtained, several suggestions are proposed to minimize rework in civil construction projects. These findings can serve as valuable insights for investors and design consultants, fostering learning and process improvements to reduce rework in future projects.