Industry Professionals Research Articles

Mesoscale Brain Mapping: Bridging Scales and Modalities in Neuroimaging - A Symposium Review.

Advances in the spatiotemporal resolution and field-of-view of neuroimaging tools are driving mesoscale studies for translational neuroscience. On October 10, 2023, the Center for Mesoscale Mapping (CMM) at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Health Sciences Technology based Neuroimaging Training Program (NTP) hosted a symposium exploring the state-of-the-art in this rapidly growing area of research. "Mesoscale Brain Mapping: Bridging Scales and Modalities in Neuroimaging" brought together researchers who use a broad range of imaging techniques to study brain structure and function at the convergence of the microscopic and macroscopic scales. The day-long event centered on areas in which the CMM has established expertise, including the development of emerging technologies and their application to clinical translational needs and basic neuroscience questions. The in-person symposium welcomed more than 150 attendees, including 57 faculty members, 61 postdoctoral fellows, 35 students, and four industry professionals, who represented institutions at the local, regional, and international levels. The symposium also served the training goals of both the CMM and the NTP. The event content, organization, and format were planned collaboratively by the faculty and trainees. Many CMM faculty presented or participated in a panel discussion, thus contributing to the dissemination of both the technologies they have developed under the auspices of the CMM and the findings they have obtained using those technologies. NTP trainees who benefited from the symposium included those who helped to organize the symposium and/or presented posters and gave "flash" oral presentations. In addition to gaining experience from presenting their work, they had opportunities throughout the day to engage in one-on-one discussions with visiting scientists and other faculty, potentially opening the door to future collaborations. The symposium presentations provided a deep exploration of the many technological advances enabling progress in structural and functional mesoscale brain imaging. Finally, students worked closely with the presenting faculty to develop this report summarizing the content of the symposium and putting it in the broader context of the current state of the field to share with the scientific community. We note that the references cited here include conference abstracts corresponding to the symposium poster presentations.

Lithuania‘s relations with the West within the KGB Web

The mechanisms for maintaining control of the Soviet territory and information, the so-called ‘Iron Curtain’, were very diverse (political, legal, coercive, agency networking) and were supported by certain institutions. The aim will be to describe the role played by this institution in controlling relations with the West during personal, tourist trips both domestically and abroad, and on official missions. The Soviet system sought to classify information that could damage the image of the Soviet-as-advanced system and reveal strategically important (political, economic, military, social) information that the West could supposedly use against it. Therefore, it was important that sensitive information would not be known by persons staying in Lithuania and that it would not be disseminated by Lithuanians going abroad. In view of this, the procedure of movement of foreigners on the territory of Lithuania (what cities and sites were allowed to be visited, with which people communication was allowed) and the rules of the presence of Lithuanians abroad (tourists, missions, etc.) were drawn up. To achieve these objectives, the KGB used its own methods: operational-technical tools, agency network and various instructions. According to the KGB, the greatest threat from arrivals was potential espionage, so all attention was paid to preventing possible espionage. The KGB, using all its means, had been monitoring where foreigners were going, who they were communicating with and how they behaved. Diplomats and journalists arriving in the country were particularly scrutinized. They were almost automatically equated with special service agents, as were scientists and industry professionals. The control of the movement and communication of foreigners with the local population was to be ensured by agents accompanying them, trusted persons (guides, interpreters, bus drivers, restaurant and hotel workers), disguised workers working incognito, and secret operational technical devices. The KGB’s intelligence agency activities were no less important than the fight against the regime’s internal enemies. It included not only espionage, but also propaganda-disinformation campaigns in the West. The agents were the eyes of the KGB and the perpetrators of their plans abroad. It was important for them to protect Soviet citizens from Western temptations, recruitment and escape, as this could damage the image of the Soviet system and allow for the flow of important information to the West. However, the facts of the violation of the order of the presence of tourists in Lithuania, and the cases of escape of Soviet citizens, recorded by the KGB, show that even the KGB did not have such opportunities to follow each tourist, prevent espionage and reveal the potential intentions of departing persons. It was even more difficult to control the departing Lithuanians, as evidenced by the escapes to the West, even by KGB agents.

Healthcare sectors in EU countries: Their impact on employment and infrastructure development

This scientific study aims to thoroughly assess the current status and evaluate key indicators influencing healthcare and the workforce in selected European Union (EU) member states. Building upon this ambitious research agenda, we focused on a comprehensive descriptive analysis of selected indicators within the healthcare sector, including healthcare financing schemes, overall employment in healthcare and social care, the number of graduates in healthcare (including physicians and general practitioners), as well as migration patterns within the healthcare sector. The data forming the basis of this analysis were systematically gathered from Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Eurostat databases. Subsequently, we conducted a robust correlation analysis to explore the intricate relationships among these indicators. Our research endeavour aimed to identify and quantify the impact of these indicators on each other, with a focus on their implications for overall healthcare and the workforce in the respective countries. Based on the findings obtained, we derived several significant conclusions and recommendations. For instance, we identified that increasing employment in the healthcare sector may be associated with the overall quality of healthcare provision in a given country. These findings have important implications for policymaking and decision-making at the EU level. Therefore, we recommend that policymakers in these countries consider implementing measures to further develop the healthcare sector while also helping to retain and attract qualified professionals in the healthcare industry. Such recommendations could include improving healthcare infrastructure, incentivizing professional education and further training in the healthcare sector, and implementing policies to support healthcare provision more broadly.

Exploring the Roles of Benefits, Practices, Digitalization, and Sustainability on Employee Satisfaction in the Malaysian Oil and Gas Industry

This study assesses the impact of benefits and rewards, new working practices, digitalization, and sustainability on employee satisfaction and expectations in the Malaysian oil and gas industry. A quantitative research methodology was employed, utilizing a structured survey distributed to 391 industry professionals. Statistical analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between the independent variables (benefits and rewards, new working practices, digitalization, and sustainability) and the dependent variable (employee satisfaction and expectations). The findings revealed that all four hypotheses were supported, indicating a strong and positive impact of each independent variable on employee satisfaction and expectations. Benefits and rewards were found to have the most substantial influence, followed closely by new working practices, sustainability, and digitalization. This research contributes significantly to the understanding of employee satisfaction dynamics in the post-pandemic era within this critical sector. It provides actionable insights for organizational leaders seeking to enhance work environments and align with evolving employee expectations. The study highlights the importance of a holistic approach to employee engagement, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies that address diverse aspects of the work environment.

Forging Sustainable Development: Exploring the Impact of Green Initiatives and Corporate Social Responsibility

In today's industrial landscape, businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of integrating environmentally sustainable strategies to maintain competitiveness considering escalating environmental concerns. This study investigates the relationship between green practices, corporate social responsibility (CSR), managerial support, and sustainable business performance within Pakistan's service sector. Grounded in the resource-based view and stakeholder theory, the research employs a quantitative approach, surveying 506 participants across managerial levels from service sector. The findings underscore a positive correlation between green practices, CSR adherence, and sustainable performance. Notably, managerial support plays a pivotal role in translating green initiatives and CSR commitments into tangible sustainable outcomes. The widespread adoption of eco-friendly technologies within the service sector signifies a broader industry-wide shift towards sustainability. This study contributes valuable insights for academia, policymakers, industry professionals, and organizational leaders, shedding light on effective strategies for sustainable business practices. By aligning green initiatives with CSR objectives and leveraging managerial support, enterprises can position themselves as leaders in sustainable performance, thereby fostering value creation while addressing environmental challenges.

The Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Modern Marketing

This paper explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the marketing landscape, using data primarily sourced from Statista. By analysing global trends up to March and July 2023, we aim to provide a clear understanding of AI's impact on marketing strategies and outcomes. We begin by examining the rapid growth of AI in marketing, including its market size, revenue, and the preferences of users worldwide. We also highlight the popularity of leading AI text tools among users, giving insights into their market dominance and adoption rates. In addition, we investigate the funding landscape for AI marketing-related startups, showcasing the industry's investment trends and innovation potential. Furthermore, we identify the most effective ways marketers are using AI and marketing automation, offering practical insights for professionals seeking to leverage these technologies. Our study also looks at where AI is being used in marketing, revealing the diverse applications that are shaping strategies globally. We delve into the tools and platforms driving AI integration in marketing and advertising, as well as the main tasks undertaken by professionals using generative AI. A key focus is on AI-assisted writing, where we outline how marketers are employing AI for content creation and its impact on efficacy. We also explore the perceived benefits of AI tools according to marketing professionals, providing actionable insights for decision-making. Lastly, we assess the effectiveness of chat-based search advertising, particularly among paid search marketers in the United States. Through a concise summary of our findings, this paper aims to offer a comprehensive view of AI's transformative role in marketing, providing practical insights for industry stakeholders navigating this evolving landscape. In conclusion, this research serves as a roadmap for marketers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals, guiding them through the integration of AI technologies into marketing strategies and operations. By understanding the current trends and potential benefits of AI, stakeholders can adapt and thrive in an increasingly AI-driven marketing environment.

The Catalytic Effect of Low Molecular Weight Acids on the Physicochemical and Dielectric Properties of Oil-Paper Insulation Systems.

In most industrialized countries, power transformers built several decades ago are approaching the end of their operational lifespan. The ongoing energy transition, focused on developing 100% renewable energy sources and accelerating global transportation electrification, further exacerbates these assets. Combined with rising electricity demand, there is an increasing risk of critical transformers' degradation acceleration. In this context, understanding the aging mechanisms of the insulation system inside these essential assets, which form the core of every energy network, becomes paramount for today's managers and engineers responsible for their operations. The acids generated through oil oxidation can be classified into two categories: low molecular weight acids (LMAs), which are inherently more hydrophilic and consequently have a greater impact on the degradation rate of solid insulation through hydrolysis, and high molecular weight acids (HMAs), which do not significantly contribute to the degradation of paper insulation. This study specifically addresses the impact of acids generated through oil oxidation-focusing on LMAs. New oil samples were infused with different ratios of LMAs before impregnation. The impregnated paper samples underwent thermal aging at 115 °C. Different physicochemical and dielectric properties were investigated. The investigations revealed that oils blended with formic acid exhibited more adverse effects on the insulation system compared to other LMAs. This information is essential for industry professionals seeking to mitigate the risks associated with transformer degradation and extend the lifespan of these critical assets during the energy transition.

Mumbai to Dubai: Promotional strategies and the celluloid journey of Bollywood films to the UAE

In recent years, the cinematic migration of Bollywood films from Mumbai to Dubai has captivated attention, prompting a focused investigation. This study aims to scrutinize the promotional strategies used in distributing Bollywood films in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through meticulous analysis of questionnaire responses. Executing an extensive survey for UAE moviegoers and industry professionals, the research seeks quantitative data on the efficacy of diverse promotional strategies. The study underscores the importance of cultural variables in Bollywood-UAE film promotion, examining cultural similarities between India and the UAE, portraying UAE culture in Bollywood films, and using cultural festivals for marketing. Economic factors driving this collaboration, including box office success, coproductions, and the impact of Bollywood tourism on the UAE economy, are systematically analyzed. The study explores technological advancements in film promotion—social media, internet streaming, and virtual reality—and their impact on the relationship between Bollywood and the UAE. The survey investigates audience preferences, advertising impacts, and awareness levels by examining specific advertising tactics in the UAE, such as premieres, endorsements, tours, and participation in festivals and award shows. In addition to providing a comprehensive understanding of the promotional environment, the questionnaire data analysis identifies trends influencing the trajectory of Bollywood films in the UAE, offering empirical support to film studies and marketing. The hypothesis is tested on the Chi-square, Pearson Correlation, and Mann‒Whitney. The research’s conclusions contribute to understanding the globalization of the Bollywood film industry, guiding producers, marketers, and researchers in cross-cultural film promotion and global industry partnerships.

The future of AI: hospitality and tourism perspectives

ABSTRACT The Hotel Management School Leeuwarden and the European Tourism Futures Institute organised a webinar to discuss and explore how artificial intelligence (AI) will impact the hospitality and tourism industry in the future. The webinar brought together a panel of academics, including Professor Iis Tussyadiah from the University of Surrey, Professor Stanislav Ivanov from the Varna University of Management, and Frederik Jan van der Meulen from Hotel Management School Leeuwarden, to discuss the multifaceted applications of AI in the industry. The speakers shared their insights through a series of presentations, underscoring AI integration’s strategic, economic and sustainability aspects. AI is presented as a critical element in enhancing customer experiences, optimising operational processes, and shaping the industry’s future landscape. The speakers discussed the role of generative AI in improving the industry’s resilience, the economic implications of AI’s integration and the challenges and strategies for sustainable AI adoption. This webinar goes beyond traditional AI debates by analysing AI’s strategic function in future-proofing hospitality and tourism businesses, its economic impact and its role in sustainability. The speakers’ crucial insights can help the hospitality and tourism industry embrace AI, highlighting the delicate balance between innovation, ethics and sustainability. This webinar’s extensive discussion of AI as a tool for efficiency and industry transformation makes it valuable for academics and industry professionals.

Penerapan Manajemen Layanan Karir di Madrasah Aliyah Negeri

Career service management is a critical element in helping students plan their futures. This research aims to explore and understand career service management at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri in Sleman, focusing on the stages of planning, implementation, and evaluation of career programs. Additionally, this study examines the factors that influence students’ career goal-setting, including the roles of parents, teachers, and industry partnerships. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed, with data collected through field observations and structured interviews with the school principal, vice-principals, career guidance counselors, and several students. The results indicate that career service management at MAN Sleman is conducted systematically through collaboration between the school, parents, and external partners such as industry professionals. Parental support and guidance from career counselors significantly affect students in choosing careers that align with their interests and abilities. Career programs, including workshops, industrial visits, and individual counseling, were successfully implemented, although some challenges remain in the evaluation process, particularly regarding students' anxiety in career decision-making. This research contributes to the development of more effective career services in schools and serves as a reference for other institutions seeking to improve their career services to better meet students’ needs.

Marketing Language in Tourism Discourse: Corpus Based Study on Personal Pronoun “You”

This paper investigates the use of the personal pronoun "you" in tourism discourse through a corpus-based study of the Lonely Planet website. As a central element in engaging readers, the pronoun "you" serves to directly address and involve the audience, making the discourse more interactive and persuasive. By analyzing a comprehensive corpus of travel-related texts, this study examines how "you" is strategically utilized to create a personalized experience, guide the reader's journey, and establish a conversational tone in tourism content. The research uncovers patterns in the usage of "you" across various contexts and topics within the website, providing insights into its role in shaping audience perception and enhancing the effectiveness of tourism marketing. This study contributes to a better understanding of linguistic strategies in digital tourism discourse, offering valuable implications for both researchers and professionals in the tourism industry.

INVESTIGATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF CHOOSING THE TYPE OF FACADE SYSTEM USING ABC ANALYSIS ON THE COST OF THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE BUILDING OBJECT

The article is devoted to a comprehensive study of the influence of the choice of the type of facade systems on the total cost of the life cycle of the construction object, with a special emphasis on the application of ABC-analysis as a tool for determining the optimal option for arranging the facade, taking into account economic and quality aspects. The main purpose of the article is to justify the feasibility of using ABC analysis to select the type of facade systems and assess its impact on the costs associated with the life cycle of the building. The article provides a detailed analysis of various types of facade systems from the point of view of their fastening, materials, design and method implementation. Such systems as ventilated and non-ventilated facades, hinged ventilated facade systems, facades with cladding made of natural stone, composite materials and other modern materials are considered. Special attention is paid to the study of technological characteristics, durability and maintenance costs of various types of facade systems. The application of ABC analysis allows classifying facade systems according to their impact on the cost and quality of construction. In this context, facade systems are divided into three categories: A - the most important and expensive, B - medium importance and expensive, C - less important and with minimal expenses. This approach allows builders and designers to focus their attention on the most critical elements that affect the overall cost and efficiency of construction.As a result of the study, it becomes possible to make an informed decision regarding the choice of the optimal facade system, which best meets the specific needs of the project and contributes to the optimization of the cost of the life cycle of the building. In particular, the selection of appropriate materials and technologies allows to reduce construction costs, ensure durability and reduce maintenance and repair costs in the future. In addition, the results of the study can become the basis for the development of practical recommendations for professionals in the construction industry, including builders, designers and architects. This makes it possible to create more efficient, economical and ecologically sustainable construction objects. Also, the article emphasizes the importance of creating specialist training schools and conditions for the successful implementation of life cycle assessment technologies in the construction industry.

Lessons learned from establishing and running a Mössbauer laboratory in industry

Mössbauer spectroscopy offers unique capabilities for primary industry sectors such as mining, mineral processing, and steelmaking, as well as in environmental services and advanced manufacturing. However, there are three key limiting factors: the time required to record a single spectrum, the challenges of managing an additional radioactive source on company premises, and the lack of personnel skilled in analysing Mössbauer spectra and understanding its operation. More commonly used techniques such as XRD, SEM, or XRF have technical staff who can interpret data with support from standard libraries and user-friendly software packages. In contrast, Mössbauer spectroscopists, who often hold degrees in Physics or Chemistry, typically emerge from academic settings and are less commonly employed in industry. This paper addresses the current challenges limiting the widespread adoption of Mössbauer laboratories in the industry and proposes potential solutions to overcome these obstacles. These solutions include promoting internships for undergraduate and postgraduate students familiar with Mössbauer spectroscopy in industrial settings, increasing investment in software development, hosting seminars and workshops to educate industry professionals on the capabilities of Mössbauer spectroscopy, and providing ongoing support from the scientific community to industries interested in operating spectrometers in their facilities.

Gen Z talent management: Hospitality industry insights

Talent management is crucial to the success of the hospitality industry, with its impact on the industry’s ability to attract, develop and retain talent. This paper examines talent management challenges and opportunities in preparing Generation Z students for future work using semi-structured focus groups with a sample of 55 participants from the Dutch hospitality industry (industry professionals, teaching staff, and students). Findings highlight flexibility, open communication, growth opportunities, technology integration, and teamwork as critical for engaging Generation Z. The importance of modernizing educational curricula, prioritizing experiential learning, and encouraging collaboration between education providers, the industry, and policymakers is also highlighted.

Chassis: The bottleneck to trade and transportation

AbstractInternational trade requires efficient delivery of goods between exporting and importing countries, normally via ocean vessels. About 90% of these cargoes are transported in shipping containers to the port by truck or rail. The intermodal chassis availability is a critical component of the supply chain. This paper provides an overview of the nuances and challenges associated with the current provisioning of chassis in New Orleans, LA and Memphis, TN, through in‐depth interviews with industry professionals. Increased dwell times, inventory issues and chassis management inefficiencies over the past several years have caused expensive delays and bottlenecks at nodes of intermodal freight.

Analysis of barriers to Maintenance 4.0 in manufacturing industries

PurposeAsset maintenance in manufacturing industries is a critical issue as organizations are highly sensitive towards maximizing asset uptime. In the advent of Industry 4.0, maintenance is increasingly becoming technology driven and is being termed as Maintenance 4.0. Several barriers impede the implementation of Maintenance 4.0. This article aims at - exploring the barriers to implementation of Maintenance 4.0 in manufacturing industries, categorizing them, analysing them to prioritize and suggesting the digital technologies to overcome them.Design/methodology/approachTwenty barriers to the implementation of Maintenance 4.0 were identified through literature survey and discussion with the industry experts. The identified barriers were divided into five categories based on their source of occurrence and prioritized using fuzzy-technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), sensitivity analysis was carried out to check the robustness of the solution.Findings“Data security issues” has been ranked as the most influencing barrier towards the implementation of Maintenance 4.0, whereas “lack of skilled engineers and data scientists” is the least influencing barrier that impacts the implementation of Maintenance 4.0 in the manufacwturing industries.Practical implicationsThe outcomes of this research will help manufacturing industries, maintenance engineers/managers, policymakers, and industry professionals for detailed understanding of barriers and identify easy pickings while implementing Maintenance 4.0.Originality/valueManufacturing industries are witnessing a paradigm shift due to digitization and maintenance 4.0 forms the cornerstone. Little research has been carried in Maintenance 4.0 and its implementation; this article will help in bridging the gap. The prioritization of the barriers and digital course of actions to overcome those is a unique contribution of this article.

Promoting sustainable practices through green investments in the United Kingdom real estate industry

AbstractThis paper aims to examine how sustainable practices in the UK real estate industry are impacted by green investments through qualitative research, focusing on interviews with developers. The findings reveal that regulatory frameworks, market demand, financial incentives, corporate responsibility, and technological innovation are crucial factors in sustainable practices. There is a growing consumer demand for sustainable properties, supported by financial incentives like grants, tax credits, and green finance mechanisms such as green bonds. These bonds play a crucial role in promoting sustainable building practices, including energy‐efficient design and renewable energy integration. The research highlights motivators for stakeholders to participate in sustainability initiatives, including financial benefits, regulatory compliance, reputation, and consumer demand, despite challenges like perceived higher costs and regulatory hurdles. This research highlights specific implications for policymakers to design effective regulatory frameworks and incentives, investors to prioritize green investments through mechanisms like green bonds, and industry professionals to enhance corporate responsibility and meet growing consumer demand for sustainable properties.

Optimizing Wireless Power Transfer Systems: A Simulation-Based Approach Using CST Studio Suite

In the rapidly evolving field of wireless power transfer (WPT), achieving systems that combine efficiency with reliability is crucial. This paper presents a simulation-based approach using CST Studio Suite to optimize WPT systems for wireless battery chargers in electric bikes. The study fixes the size of both the transmitter and receiver coils, the spacing between turns, and the number of coil turns, with a set distance of 20mm between the transmitter and receiver coils. CST Studio Suite is employed to determine the parameters of resonance capacitors and the optimal switching frequency to enhance WPT efficiency. This powerful simulation tool allows researchers and engineers to design resonance compensation circuits more effectively, optimizing power transfer efficiency. The simulation conducted with CST Studio Suite confirms its effectiveness in designing a WPT system, achieving an impressive peak efficiency of 99.61% at the resonant frequency. The paper demonstrates CST Studio Suite's capability to accurately predict WPT system performance by developing detailed electromagnetic models and fine-tuning simulation parameters to reflect real operating conditions. Iterative simulations resulted in optimized practices, validated by select results that highlight the method's effectiveness and showcase an optimal balance between system complexity and efficiency. These findings provide a strategic framework for future WPT system development, offering practical guidance for researchers and industry professionals aiming to advance WPT technology.

Role of Artificial Intelligence in Vegetable Production: A Review

Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in vegetable production, emphasizing its potential to address critical challenges such as climate change, population growth, and resource scarcity. AI technologies, including machine learning, computer vision, and robotics, are revolutionizing agricultural practices. AI-driven innovations in crop management, pest control, and soil analysis enhance productivity, reduce labour costs, and ensure sustainable farming practices. Notable advancements include precision spraying by Blue River Technology, significantly reducing herbicide use, and deploying autonomous tractors and drones for efficient farm management. AI applications, such as PEAT's Plantix and Trace Genomics, provide accurate diagnostics for soil health and pest management. Satellite-based solutions like Farm Shots and aWhere offer real-time crop monitoring and weather prediction, optimizing resource use and mitigating risks. The review highlights the importance of making AI technologies more affordable and accessible to farmers, particularly in developing regions. Collaboration between researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers is crucial to harness AI's full potential in agriculture. As AI continues to evolve, its integration into vegetable production promises a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable agricultural sector, contributing to global food security and environmental preservation. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in vegetable production, focusing on how AI technologies enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. The objectives are to assess current AI applications, analyze their benefits and challenges, and provide recommendations for future improvements and wider adoption in the agricultural sector. The research methodology for the study on the role of Artificial Intelligence in vegetable production involves a comprehensive literature review of existing AI technologies and their applications in agriculture, coupled with the analysis of case studies to evaluate real-world implementations. Additionally, expert interviews and surveys with farmers and industry professionals will be conducted to gather insights on the benefits, challenges, and future potential of AI in this sector. The theoretical implications of the study on the role of Artificial Intelligence in vegetable production include advancing the understanding of AI's capabilities in agricultural optimization and contributing to the academic discourse on sustainable farming practices. Practically, the study provides actionable insights for farmers and agribusinesses on implementing AI technologies to enhance crop yields, reduce resource wastage, and improve overall farm management efficiency.

Developing a cost-predictive model for hospital construction projects

ABSTRACT Hospital construction projects require the integration of innovative technologies, making them complex and challenging to estimate accurately. Without reliable guidelines, lists of considerations, or predictive models, decision-makers may choose an unsuitable contractor, leading to cost overruns and project delays. This research used quantitative and qualitative methods, including expert opinions and focus groups, to address this issue and identify critical factors affecting cost estimation in hospital construction. Using multi-regression analysis, historical data was analyzed to establish a cost-predictive model. The study identified 24 factors that determine the most critical criteria affecting the cost estimation of hospital construction. This model can evaluate the estimated direct cost provided to decision-makers in the early stages of the project with over 95% accuracy. The research results can assist professionals in the construction industry in better estimating and managing the costs of hospital construction projects, reducing risks, and improving project outcomes. Key findings indicate that specific components such as site and electrical works show average percentage errors of 8.02% and 5.11%, respectively, highlighting areas prone to cost estimation inaccuracies. This insight directs focus on improving accuracy in these critical sectors, thus further refining cost management strategies for hospital construction projects.