Opportunities For Projects Research Articles

The different facets of 'experiential knowledge' in Swedish women's claims about systemic side effects of the copper intrauterine device.

'Experiential knowledge' has been identified as a key epistemic resource used by lay people to contest medical authorities and build new knowledge related to health. The Internet has created unprecedented opportunities for such experience-based epistemic projects. This article contributes to understandings of the as yet under-theorised concept of experiential knowledge by analysing accounts of a group of Swedish women who claim that their use of contraceptive copper IUDs has led to systemic side effects not recognised by health care providers. Based on digital group interviews and written essays, we distinguish between three components or stages of experiential knowledge at work in the women's use of experience as an epistemic resource: somatic knowing, collective validation and self-experimentation. Drawing on a critical realist framework, we defend a notion of experiential knowledge as crucially, while only partially, based on a bodily and practical access to aspects of reality organised by extra-discursive principles. By providing theoretical complexity to the notion of experiential knowledge, we contribute resources for discriminating between and evaluating various experience-based claims, something that is particularly needed in the current 'post-truth' era where experience-based knowledge claims pointing in divergent directions flourish.

TRANSNATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION AND E-LEARNING: A SPECTRUM OF OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE IN THE POST-PANDEMIC REALM

Higher education providers across the globe are confronting overwhelming disruptive patterns due to the COVID-19 epidemic. which has dramatically reshaped the face of global higher education. Transnational higher education (TNHE) is gaining traction as a method of bringing globally renowned learning to students' doorsteps. With competition heating up again following the disruption to foreign student flows caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, demand for global study opportunities closer to home is expected to surge, opening new opportunities for transnational education projects around the world. To deliver the same student experience as before the COVID-19 pandemic's temporary switch from the typical teaching practices setting to remote online learning, however, has been challenging for all parties. However, TNHE can assist in the rebuilding of the post-COVID-19 international education system. The difficulties that TNHE programs are currently encountering are examined in this essay along with prospective consequences on teaching, learning, and student assistance as the post-COVID-19 educational landscape evolves. This research is supported by both a detailed analysis of the literature and unofficial data from many parties. It also examines the best way to build a strong transnational education environment over the next ten years in order to improve the standard and sustainability of international higher education.

Exploring Nigeria’s Public Projects Prospects for the Good of Nigerians

Public projects that should facilitate wellbeing of Nigerians have suffered setbacks and not been able to do so. This study is a descriptive type and discussed the forces of projects failure, intrigues of public officers that subvert project outcomes, the expected roles of state actors in project pursuits, and prospects for public projects in Nigeria. The study found that paucity of funds, policy summersault, and inflation of projects costs, poor delivery of projects or outright abandonment by contractors, attitudes of the ruling regime, its successor and beneficiaries are some of the forces that obstruct public projects. The study also found that corruption, use of direct labor, connivance; party politics, poor focus and maintenance, personalization of public project, misplaced priority are some of the intrigues of project initiators that subvert project outcomes in Nigeria. The study also found that numerous skilled bureaucrats, due process, procurement system, and supremacy of the constitution, multi-party politics, and the presidential system of government with democratic system that Nigeria practices are some of the opportunities open to the country on its public projects fortune. This study made use of secondary data that was sourced from journal articles, online materials, government gazettes, policy documents, and other publications. The data was content analyzed thematically. The study concluded that members of the public need to make attainable gains from numerous public project opportunities. Keywords: project initiator, opportunities, public projects, masses, wellbeing of Nigerians DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/13-3-01 Publication date: April 30 th 2023

Parametric BIM-Based Lifecycle Performance Prediction and Optimisation for Residential Buildings Using Alternative Materials and Designs

Residential building construction is resource-intensive and significantly impacts the environment by embodied and operational carbon emissions. This study has adopted a parametric building information modelling (BIM)-based approach for a residential building to analyse its lifecycle carbon performance and to evaluate the optimisation potential through alternative material use and design. The study looks at a residential development project, applying an automatic calculation and analysis tool of upfront embodied carbon and BIM-based lifecycle energy simulation to predict carbon emissions from operating the built spaces. A parametric BIM model has been established to aid energy simulation and operational carbon assessment across a 50-year building lifetime, considering 1.5 °C Net-Zero World and 3 °C Hot House World climate scenarios. Various improvement opportunities for future residential development projects, from material selection to operational efficiencies, are explored. This includes quantitative analysis on architectural-structure design, low-carbon construction materials (e.g., cement substitutes, steel scraps, and green hydrogen steel), and novel design for construction approaches (such as modular integrated construction), with discussion around their impacts on optimising the building lifecycle carbon performance. This study provides a deeper understanding and insights into the lifecycle performance of residential buildings to facilitate further exploration of achieving a more sustainable and low-carbon built environment.

A systematic review of the trends in ecological science in the megabiodiverse Peru: Research gaps and future directions

AbstractPeru is a megabiodiverse country that is experiencing a considerable amount of anthropogenic change which is risking its ecosystems. Ecological science may provide the answers on how to cope with change by exploring new ways of sustainably using ecosystems. Here we review the current state and trends of ecological studies using a database search aiming to answer these questions: (i) who has been studying Peruvian ecosystems and how impactful was that research? (ii) what are the most studied political and ecological regions in the country? (iii) what are the most studied taxa? (iv) what are the most studied variables? and (v) what are the most studied topics and their relation with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? To answer these questions, we conducted a systematic review using the Scopus database (1974–2022) and found 465 articles that conducted ecological research in Peru. We found a vast and increasing diversity of journals and authors publishing research on Peru's ecosystems, with an important participation of Peruvian scientists, especially in the last 15 years. The Amazonian regions of the country were most studied, with some political and ecological regions almost assessed, such as Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Apurimac and Tacna and the pacific tropical forest, paramo and palm tree savanna, respectively. Most studies dealt with single species, primarily animals, and secondly plants. Species composition and/or distribution was the main variable of study and conservation was the main topic. Life on Land (SDG 15) was more represented than other SDGs (58.4% of articles), leaving several others almost unstudied. Overall, we found that ecological research on Peruvian ecosystems is biased to certain regions, taxa and topics. This represents important opportunities for new projects, research collaborations and alignment to global sustainability agendas for more meaningful knowledge production, especially considering the significant increase in research output seen in the last 15 years.

Quantifying blue carbon stocks and the role of protected areas to conserve coastal wetlands

Vegetated coastal ecosystems, in particular mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses are highly efficient at sequestering and storing carbon, making them valuable assets for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The state of Queensland, in northeastern Australia, contains almost half of the total area of these blue carbon ecosystems in the country, yet there are few detailed regional or state-wide assessments of their total sedimentary organic carbon (SOC) stocks. We compiled existing SOC data and used boosted regression tree models to evaluate the influence of environmental variables in explaining the variability in SOC stocks, and to produce spatially explicit blue carbon estimates. The final models explained 75 % (for mangroves and tidal marshes) and 65 % (for seagrasses) of the variability in SOC stocks. Total SOC stocks in the state of Queensland were estimated at 569 ± 98 Tg C (173 ± 32 Tg C, 232 ± 50 Tg C, and 164 ± 16 Tg C from mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses, respectively). Regional predictions for each of Queensland's eleven Natural Resource Management regions revealed that 60 % of the state's SOC stocks occurred within three regions (Cape York, Torres Strait and Southern Gulf Natural Resource Management regions) due to a combination of high values of SOC stocks and large areas of coastal wetlands. Protected areas in Queensland play an important role in conserving SOC assets in Queensland's coastal wetlands. For example, ~19 Tg C within terrestrial protected areas, ~27 Tg C within marine protected areas and ~ 40 Tg C within areas of matters of State Environmental Significance. Using multi-decadal (1987–2020) mapped distributions of mangroves in Queensland; we found that mangrove area increased by approximately 30,000 ha from 1987 to 2020, which led to temporal fluctuations in mangrove plant and SOC stocks. We estimated that plant stocks decreased from ~45 Tg C in 1987 to ~34.2 Tg C in 2020, while SOC stocks remained relatively constant from ~107.9 Tg C in 1987 to 108.0 Tg C in 2020. Considering the level of current protection, emissions from mangrove deforestation are potentially very low; therefore, representing minor opportunities for mangrove blue carbon projects in the region. Our study provides much needed information on current trends in carbon stocks and their conservation in Queensland's coastal wetlands, while also contributing to guide future management actions, including blue carbon restoration projects.

Role of a medical student neuro-society organized neurosurgical conference: The Glasgow neuro experience.

Entering neurosurgical training in the United Kingdom demands extensive prior commitment and achievement, despite little to no exposure to the specialty in medical school. Conferences run by student "neuro-societies" offer a means to bridge this gap. This paper describes one student-led neuro-society's experience of curating a 1-day national neurosurgical conference supported by our neurosurgical department. A pre-and post-conference survey was distributed to attendees to ascertain baseline opinions and conference impact using a five-point Likert Scale, and free text questions explored medical students' opinions of neurosurgery and neurosurgical training. The conference offered four lectures and three workshops; the latter provided practical skills and networking opportunities. There were also 11 posters displayed throughout the day. 47 medical students participated in our study. Post-conference, participants were more likely to understand what a neurosurgical career involves and how to secure training. They also reported increased knowledge about neurosurgery research, electives, audits, and project opportunities. Respondents enjoyed the workshops provided and suggested the inclusion of more female speakers in future. Neurosurgical conferences organized by student neuro-societies successfully address the gap between a lack of neurosurgery exposure and a competitive training selection. These events give medical students an initial understanding of a neurosurgical career through lectures and practical workshops; attendees also gain insight into attaining relevant achievements and have an opportunity to present research. Student neuro-society-organized conferences have the potential to be adopted internationally and used as a tool to educate on a global level and greatly aid medical students who are aspiring neurosurgeons.

Opportunities for blue carbon restoration projects in degraded agricultural land of the coastal zone in Queensland, Australia

Restoring degraded agricultural lands to their original coastal wetland cover is an approach for enhancing blue carbon storage. This approach enhances carbon sequestration in biomass and soils whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions and delivering other conservation benefits such as enhancing biodiversity, improving water quality, and protecting coastlines from sea level rise. In Queensland, Australia, tens of thousands of hectares of coastal land have been converted to agriculture since the 1900s, often through drainage. We evaluated the characteristics of degraded agricultural land to identify opportunities for blue carbon restoration projects. Degraded agricultural land was identified through visual inspection of satellite imagery. Our analysis revealed degradation was associated with historical Melaleuca-dominated wetland vegetation and current land uses other than intensive agriculture. Field sampling of a subset of paired degraded and non-degraded sites found that water content, organic carbon, and electrical conductivity were significantly higher at degraded sites. We also observed standing water, drainage structures, and dead trees at degraded sites. From our analyses, we inferred land degradation is likely caused by waterlogging, salinisation, and land management choices. Degraded land historically vegetated by Melaleuca-dominated wetlands could be targeted for blue carbon restoration projects that protect remaining soil carbon and enhance carbon storage, restore ecosystem services, and provide new income streams for landowners. Further characterisation of the distribution of degraded lands may contribute to prioritisation of sites suitable for restoration.

How to reward honesty?

An agent and a principal are engaged in an ongoing relationship, where the agent receives project opportunities of random value and is biased towards implementation. Each period, the principal elicits a (non-contractible) recommendation from the agent, compares it to a random outside option and decides whether to implement the project or not. The key distortions in the stationary decision rule used by the principal that will sustain honest reporting by the agent are (i) discrimination against best projects, so that sometimes very good projects are not implemented even if they would benefit the principal, (ii) general favoritism, where proposals other than the best are sometimes implemented even when they have negative value to the principal, and (iii) focused leniency towards average projects, where the bias towards implementation is larger for average projects than for bad or good projects. The first limits the agent’s incentives to exaggerate by decreasing the effectiveness of exaggeration, the second increases the overall value of the relationship to the agent while the last targets the projects for which the incentive to exaggerate is the largest to sustain truth-telling.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS FACILITATING THE PROPAGATION OF DEMONSTRATOR PROJECTS

The idea and practice of Demonstrator Projects have been used increasingly over the last 20 years; however, the process of demonstration and the unique characteristics of these projects do not feature prominently in the literature. This paper aims to define Demonstrator Projects, investigate their nature, and explore what factors exist to support or hinder them to demonstrate and propagate their findings. It enhances this knowledge in two main analytical stages, based on the questionnaire survey of Demonstrator Projects. Firstly, a Principal Component Analysis is performed to identify critical factors that impact the success in demonstrating. Secondly, a cluster analysis is undertaken on the factors to classify Demonstrator Projects and to identify specific factors supporting or hindering their performance. The analysis emphasizes the importance of a clear communication plan that is sufficiently resourced and supported by the top management. The clusters developed generalities of behaviors to argue why some Demonstrator Projects are more successful than others. Implications for policymakers to shape opportunities for future Demonstrator Projects are then discussed in terms of managing the performance of Demonstrator Projects through tailored success evaluation strategies.

The role of mobile network operators in next-generation public safety services

Field of researchThis research is in the field of public safety communications in mobile broadband 4G/5G networks. The focus is on mobile network operators and their business opportunities in the public safety market. PurposeThe purpose of this research is to provide a review of ongoing public safety mobile broadband projects in which mobile operators play a key role. In addition, a business model analysis is presented to determine the role of mobile operators in these projects. A comparison of the two key business models is also included to reveal their general characteristics. Methods and dataThe research used a qualitative method, an inductive case study. This method was used to draw general conclusions from a small number of case studies based on ongoing public safety mobile broadband projects. The Casadesus-Masanell and Ricart framework and the business model canvas were used to analyse and compare the two key business models discussed. Data were collected from a variety of sources, including company reports, press releases, international events and conferences, and selected interviews with managers in charge. FindingsThe results show that mobile operators have new business opportunities in the public safety market. Their existing mobile networks can be used for public safety services with certain enhancements. Within existing projects, mobile operators have different business models. The two analysed models were found to require different resources and offer different business opportunities for mobile operators. Procurement authorities responsible for selecting business models are encouraged to pay attention to the choice of model based on, for example, strategic objectives. ValueVery little research has been done on the business opportunities of mobile operators in the public safety market. In this area, this study lays the groundwork for new research. Procurement authorities can use the results when deciding on the business model. Mobile operators can benefit from these results by better understanding their own roles in public safety projects and when assessing the business opportunities of a particular project.

Global challenges and opportunities for Arctic oil and gas projects

Integrated development of hydrocarbon potential is one of the high-priority tasks of the government of Russia policy in the Arctic region. When determining the prospects of oil and gas projects, it may be necessary to envisage ways of responding to large-scale changes in the global energy system, which significantly affect the timing, commercial and budgetary efficiency of project activities in the Arctic. The high level of turbulence creates new challenges for the Russian and global oil and gas complex associated with the strengthening of competition in traditional markets of hydrocarbon resources, the progressive development of technological innovation, and changes in the price environment. The main direction of development of the Arctic oil and gas sector should be quick adaptation to new conditions, reassessment of strategic planning systems of key market players, as well as a targeted state policy in relation to the formation of a favorable investment climate and flexible taxation system in the region. For the purpose of the study, an analysis of the factors of instability of the global energy system and their influence on the efficiency of operation of arctic hydrocarbon fields is conducted. The characteristics of the main directions of government policy in the Arctic zone, stimulating the production of hydrocarbons, are given. The potential limitations and opportunities for the implementation of oil and gas projects resulting from the transformation of the global raw materials market are identified and systematized.

EXPLORING CROWDFUNDING POTENTIAL FOR SUPPORTING COMMUNITY- BASED TOURISM IN MALAYSIA

This paper discovers the potential of the Islamic crowdfunding model for supporting community-based tourism in developing states Malaysia in particular. Community-based tourism has provided a great opportunity for rural areas to empower the socio-economy of local people to earn main or additional income, and crowdfunding is seen as a potential fund for supporting community-based tourism. This study applies a library research method as its data are collected through literature related to community-based tourism and crowdfunding topics. The special model of Islamic crowdfunding proposed by this study can potentially support community-based tourism if it is applied to a real platform. As a result, it can reduce the burden of the government in providing funds for tourism. While crowdfunding creates an alternative opportunity for community and tourism-based projects, it promotes job opportunities and economic growth within society including business and services. However, this approach could be challenging to apply because of awareness among people. Nevertheless, a suitable Islamic crowdfunding model with a proper campaign can be a practical solution for funding community-based tourism projects. As this study is conceptual, the outcomes may not be limited. However, it still provides a substantial contribution in terms of offering a practical model of Islamic crowdfunding in Malaysia.

Pitching research for research-enabled students: Reflections on my experience as a “test pilot” of the InSPiR2eS “Internship” Initiative

As a “research-enabled” undergraduate student, I approached Professor Faff about opportunities for research projects. Recognizing that I had only limited research exposure, he devised a program of incremental learning, based on his “pitching research” framework (Faff, 2015,2021). Under close guidance, as a pilot case study of a new InSPiR2eS “Internship” initiative, I was assigned several tasks. The primary activity reported in the current pitching research letter, challenged me to create interactive "Reverse Engineered" pitches based on two recent research studies.

Adaptation of Health-Specific Self-Efficacy Scales for use in Bangladesh

The aim of the present study was to adapt a ‘Health-Specific Self-Efficacy Scales (HSSES)’ for use in Bangladesh. For this purpose, 155 respondents (age range 18 to 42 years) were selected using convenient sampling technique from different departments (students, facultiesand stuff) of IUBAT University. The scales were adapted following five steps such as ensuring construct equivalence, forward translation, focus group discussion, back translation as well as a pilot study. The findings demonstrated that the Bangla Version of 'Health-Specific Self-Efficacy Scales' has sound reliability [Cronbach Alpha 0.79 (‘Nutrition Self-Efficacy (NSE)’ 0.84, ‘Physical Exercise Self-efficacy (PESE)’ 0.76,‘Alcohol Resistance Self-efficacy (ARSE)’ 0.82), Split-half reliability 0.73 (Spearman-Brown) and 0.76 (Guttman method), test-retest reliability 0.67] and satisfactory validity. These results exhibit that Health-Specific Self-Efficacy Scales (‘NSE’, ‘PESE’ and ‘ARSE’) are reliable and valid instruments for assessing nutrition, physical exercise and alcohol resistance-related self believes as well as health consciousness. Furthermore, this study uncovers the opportunity for further health-related research projects in Bangladesh. IUBAT Review—A Multidisciplinary Academic Journal, 5 (1): 15-25

Challenges and opportunities of voluntourism conservation projects in Peru's Madre de Dios region

The voluntourism industry has grown and diversified significantly over the past two decades. Scientific attention to voluntourism has focused on voluntourist motivations and outcomes while research on the perceived outcomes and sustainability of voluntourism is sparse. As voluntourism programs increase, it is critical to understand the environmental, economic, social-cultural, and collaborative dimensions that influence outcomes and overall sustainability of voluntourism. This study investigates how voluntourism conservation projects (VCPs) in the Madre de Dios region of Peru interpret their outcomes and the key dimension of sustainable tourism that influence VCPs achieving their outcomes. Through 35 in-person interviews with leaders of 13 VCPs and other local stakeholders, findings suggest that VCPs have diverse social, ecological, and economic outcomes and a VCP's ability to achieve goals of voluntourism and act effectively as a conservation entity can be stifled by limited financial resources, low staff capacity, and pressure to fulfill voluntourist expectations. Results also reveal unique stakeholder relationships, competition among VCPs, and the need to strengthen local engagement. The study provides insights for key dimensions of assessing voluntourism outcomes and enhancing the sustainability of voluntourism initiatives.

Language and identity: past concerns, future directions

Abstract “Identity” as an operating variable and/or explanatory concept continues to pervade sociolinguistic scholarship. This article reflects on and discusses the continuing dominance of post-structural and social constructionist accounts of identity and debates whether recent work has led to an “unrestrained embracing of speaker agency” (Bell 2017: 592) with a comparative neglect of social structure, or whether this work is contributing to a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between local meaning-making practices and macro-socio(linguistic) processes, and thereby challenging extant binaries in sociolinguistics, in particular: the treatment of stability versus fluidity, agency versus structure and the traditional dichotomy between micro- and macro-sociolinguistics. Reflecting on historical developments and recent trends, it outlines the significant contribution of theoretical models and empirical studies to sociolinguistics, whilst noting obvious gaps, e.g. insufficient studies of the Global South. It is argued that recent work is contributing to a sociolinguistics which foregrounds and problematises the concept of “context” and the contingency of difference and belonging. The paper also argues that recent identity scholarship opens up opportunities for cross-disciplinary projects, drawing on the combined expertise of sociolinguistics, cognitive sociologists and psycholinguists to explain inter alia such phenomena as fluidity and variation in speaker/community attitudes and practices.

Impact of massive development projects on ecosystem services in Mediterranean rural landscapes

Massive development projects bring with significant benefits at different scales, but generate impacts and alterations of ecosystem services at the local scale. Progress has been made in addressing these impacts, although knowledge gaps are still identified in relation to the appropriate scale of assessment and the consideration of cultural ecosystem services to the same degree as structural ones. Here, these gaps were addressed in a Mediterranean case study using appropriate methods (erosion modeling and Mann-Kendall phenological trend) to assess the structural impact on soil and vegetation, and a survey to examine the impact on the non-material benefits that people derive. The effect of drought has been deeply studied (land use dynamics and NDVI/NDWI monitoring) as a structural climatic factor not to be confused with the intrinsic impact of the project. It was found that severe erosion and the negative phenological trend are spatially associated with the project infrastructure. It was observed that the project has not been adequately accompanied by the preparation of indigenous people (education) to enable them to adapt to change and take profit from cultural ecosystem services. It was concluded that the project favored the places of activities at the expense of structural and cultural ecosystem services. Overall, despite the latter can give rise to opportunities for projects of international reach, these must go together with tangible and intangible benefits at the local scale, which can function as a lifting bridge for rooted and sustainable growth.

Abstract IA010: NCATS Collaborative Translational Research/Drug Development Resources

Abstract The mission of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) is to catalyze the generation of innovative methods and technologies that will enhance the development, testing, and implementation of interventions across a wide range of human diseases and conditions. NCATS is directly addressing this problem by discovering new technologies and other approaches that could greatly accelerate the process of developing and deploying therapeutic solutions. An introduction of the Center’s internal research operations will be presented, focusing on the use of advanced assay and chemistry technologies to address the wide range of needs associated with early discovery space. Further, an overview of collaborative opportunities for joint projects will be provided. Citation Format: Anton Simeonov. NCATS Collaborative Translational Research/Drug Development Resources [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second Biennial NCI Meeting: Translational Advances in Cancer Prevention Agent Development (TACPAD); 2022 Sep 7-9. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2022;15(12 Suppl_2): Abstract nr IA010.

Landscape Visual Impact Evaluation for Onshore Wind Farm: A Case Study

Wind energy is an effective solution for achieving the carbon-neutrality target and mitigating climate change. The expansion of onshore wind energy evokes extensive attention to environmental impact in the locality. The landscape visual impact has become the critical reason for the local protest. This paper proposed a landscape visual impact evaluation (LVIE) model that combines the theoretical framework and practical solutions and optimizes the onshore wind farm planning procedures. Based on the theoretical research on landscape connotation, the evaluation principles, criteria, and a quantitative indicator set is constructed for LVIE model with three dimensions: landscape sensitivity, the visual impact of WTs, and viewer exposure. The practicality of this evaluation model is conducted through multi-criteria GIS analysis by the case study of Friedrich-Wilhelm Raiffeisen Wind Farm in Germany. The evaluation results illustrate detailed, visualized outcomes of landscape visual impact that are deeply combined with planning procedures. The innovation of this paper is to refine the form of evaluation results, optimize the procedures of wind farm planning, and enable cooperation between different planning departments and stakeholders with definite, visible, user-friendly evaluation results. This research provides precise comparison opportunities for different projects or the same project at different periods to obtain quantitative conclusions and feedback information. This paper enhances the accurate processing of multiple information and standardization process in wind energy visual impact evaluation.