Proper Planning Research Articles

Estimation of powder factor in mine blasting: feasibility of tree-based predictive models

Drilling and blasting is a process frequently used in rock-surface and deep excavation. For a proper drilling plan, accurate prediction of the amount of explosive material is essential to reduce the environmental effects associated with blasting operations. This study introduces a series of tree-based models, namely extreme gradient boosting machine (XGBoost), gradient boosting machine (GBM), adaptive boosting machine (AdaBoost), and random forest (RF), for predicting powder factor (PF) values obtained from blasting operations. The predictive models were constructed based on geomechanical characteristics at the blasting site, blasting pattern parameters, and rock material properties. These tree-based models were designed and tuned to minimize system error or maximize accuracy in predicting PF. Subsequently, the best model from each category was evaluated using various statistical metrics. It was found that the XGBoost model outperformed the other implemented techniques and exhibited outstanding potential in establishing the relationship between PF and input variables in the training set. Among the input parameters, hole diameter received the highest significance rating for predicting the system output, while the point load index had the least impact on the PF values.

Analysis of Tourism Area Development in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra

This study aims to analyze the development of the Bukit Lawang tourism area. The research employs descriptive and qualitative data analysis, focusing on a problem-solving approach that is based on descriptions rather than numerical data. The purpose of using a qualitative research method is to facilitate a better understanding of information from the sources used as data, providing an effective comprehension of the ecotourism development strategy being studied. The qualitative analysis involves data collection through interviews, observations, documentation, and other methods. The research findings indicate that income from the development of the Bukit Lawang tourism sector has not significantly impacted the local revenue (PAD) of Langkat Regency as a whole. This is because Bukit Lawang tourism has not been fully implemented and managed effectively by the government. Tourism and conservation activities in Bukit Lawang have yet to be supported by proper tourism area planning, which is essential for sustainable tourism. The land division by the government is currently limited to conservation areas, plantations, and community-owned lands. Sustainable tourism land use planning would make Bukit Lawang a more responsive area. Achieving a sustainable tourism area in Bukit Lawang requires the involvement of both the government and local communities.

Social, Infrastructural and Environmental Dichotomy in Chandannagar Municipal Corporation, Hooghly, West Bengal

Rural and urban dichotomy is a common fact prevailing in India in this modern civilization. But sometimes we also notice dichotomy within an urban area. For instance we can discuss regarding Chandannagar Municipal Corporation as a city of intra urban dichotomy. This city is situated at Hugli district in West Bengal and share a latitudinal extension from 22 °50′30″ N to 22 °53′30″ N and 88 °18′30″E to 88 ° 23′30″ E . We visit infrastructural, social and environmental dichotomy in between eastern and western portion of this city. We observe strong inequality and disparity in social and natural field within this two part of this city. To mitigate this inequality and disparity within the city a proper comprehensive plan must be taken by the government

Combating The Financing of Terrorism and The Financial Action Task Force Recommendations (FATF): A Sri Lankan Perspective

This study focuses on the implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations on countering the financing of terrorism from Sri Lanka’s perspective, and further on the opportunities for enhancement of Sri Lanka’s international relations. The research objectives were formulated to identify the nature of awareness of Anti- Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime, and associated risks that arise as a consequence of ineffective implementation, to examine the weaknesses in the implementation process and the benefits of effective implementation of recommendations. The total study population consists of 500 employees of different institutions. A Google questionnaire was used for data collection. Accordingly, 198 participants responded and all of them were considered as the study sample by using a convenience sampling technique. The study found that Sri Lanka still must make significant progress toward meeting the technical/effectiveness aspects of recommendations. Further, it was revealed that the status of awareness of AML/CFT matters is at an average level, and issues associated with investigations and prosecutions have been identified as the fundamental weakness in the system. Poor international relations have been identified as the main consequence of ineffective implementation. Moreover, the study identifies that effective implementation of recommendations increases international acceptance, and encourages foreign direct investments in Sri Lanka. The study recommends, Sri Lanka, as a country with painful experiences of terrorism, needs to work with a proper action plan followed by high-level political commitment in effectively implementing the FATF recommendations on countering the financing of terrorism as an embedded practice.

A Proper Diet Plan for Arsenic Elimination in Chronic Arsenic Poisoning Patients

A Proper Diet Plan for Arsenic Elimination in Chronic Arsenic Poisoning Patients

REGENERATION OF WATERFRONT SETTLEMENTS IN METROPOLITAN LAGOS

Waterfronts are places where rich and influential people in the society own houses or live in them. They are desirable in many developed nations where people go to relax due to their natural beauty. In developed nations, waterfronts are continuously being regenerated to meet the needs of the 21st century and having sustainability in mind. This study aimed at challenges and prospects of regeneration of the waterfront settlements in Lagos with a view to proffering solutions to the problems identified. The research was conducted in waterfront communities on a sampled population of 192 persons. Majority of the interviewed persons are students and have lived in the waterfront community for about 10 years. The result shows that there is awareness of the disaster occurrence and the disaster is caused mainly by prolonged rainfall and blocked drainages. It was revealed that there has been an urban regeneration for the six months and the impacts of the urban regeneration led to improved waterways/canals/drainages, improved condition of Roads and access to infrastructure. The study showed that wear and tear of roads is the major environmental or physical risks and impacts associated with disaster; change in travel behaviour and increased travel time are the major social risk and impact; increased cases of malaria is the major health risk and impact associated with disaster; while damage to property is the major economic risk and impact of disaster in the sampled locale. The study also revealed that signals or information are not available to the residents before an impending disaster. The study concluded that urban regeneration has improved waterways, canals, drainages, condition of roads and access to infrastructure in the waterfront settlements in Lagos. However, the challenges faced by the waterfront communities is as result of lack of signals or information before an impending disaster led to wear and tear of roads is the major environmental or physical risks and impacts associated with disaster; change in travel behaviour and increased travel time are the major social risk and impact; increased cases of malaria are the major health risk and impact associated with disaster; while damage to property is the major economic risk and it impact disaster. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the government should ensure that there is proper planning and coordination in order to control and minimize disaster risk and it impacts in Lagos metropolis; there should be effective integration of all agencies with mandates to manage disasters in the state; and the government should provide up-to-date data on disaster prone areas and vulnerabilities, and use that for risk assessment for urban planning and decision-making

The effect of crop rotation on populations of major entomophages (review)

The analysis of the literature data on the assessment of the impact of crop rotations on the protection of cereals and other crops from a complex of dominant pests using elements of landscape design is carried out. The conservation of biodiversity and the activation of natural entomophages with an increase in their efficiency contributes to the stabilization of agroecosystems. There has been established a positive effect on the life expectancy and number of natural enemies of phytophages when using nectar crops and other methods, which make it possible to reduce chemical pesticide treatments up to their complete abolition without loss of productivity and product quality. There has been clarified the importance of crop rotations in creating a refuge for natural entomophages. Proper planning of crop rotations refers to methods of manipulating the habitat and can significantly increase the efficiency of entomophages in pest control, which is especially important for organic farming. Scientifically substantiated crop rotation with the inclusion of various methods (sowing of variety mixtures, nectar-bearing crops, marginal trapping crops, etc.) contributes to the stabilization of the ecological state of agroecosystems, increases the level of profitability of agricultural production and safety of the natural environment. The current paper may be of greatest interest to farmers and large commodity producers.

QUANTITATIVE INVESTIGATION OF URBAN ARBORIZATION: A CASE STUDY IN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN IPAUMIRIM/CE

The changes observed in natural landscapes, resulting from population growth and urban expansion, represent alterations in environmental quality and the amount of remaining natural ecosystems, negatively impacting the life of flora, fauna, and, by extension, society. This occurs due to phenomena such as climate change and the depletion of essential resources. Therefore, it is crucial to develop alternatives that promote more sustainable growth, minimizing environmental damage. In this study, a quantitative survey of plant species was conducted through an inventory, investigating all arboreal individuals present in the arborization of José Alves de Oliveira School, in the municipality of Ipaumirim, Ceará, Brazil. A total of 26 individuals were recorded, distributed among three species: Azadirachta indica (Neem, 20 individuals - 76.90%) and Ficus benjamina (Ficus, 5 individuals - 19.20%), both of exotic origin, accounting for 96.10% of the total trees; and Carica papaya (Papaya, 1 individual - 3.90%), of native origin. The results reveal a tree planting process lacking technical standards and marked by randomness, as evidenced by the low diversity and the predominance of exotic species, especially Azadirachta indica, characterizing urban monoarborization. It was observed that the trees were introduced (planted) without technical-scientific knowledge, prioritizing species characterized by rapid growth and greater shade provision, which explains the predominance of the Neem species in the school’s arborization. This situation could harm the local flora and fauna. Through proper planning, issues such as local biodiversity could be considered, ensuring the maintenance, balance, and preservation of native vegetation. Therefore, the specific issue identified in this study highlights the importance of this investigation, pointing to the urgent need for strategic and effective interventions to manage urban arborization, including in large urban centers, where the impacts may reach even greater proportions.

Relationship of lupus nephritis and pregnancy: A narrative review.

Pregnancy in women with lupus, particularly those with lupus nephritis (LN), carries an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Women with active LN at the time of conception are at a high risk of poor maternal and fetal outcomes. Recent studies indicate that even in the presence of quiescent disease, factors such as hypertension and positive lupus anticoagulant are predictors of worse pregnancy outcomes. Consequently, pre-conception evaluation is essential to ensure that pursuing pregnancy is safe and timely, and to facilitate proper planning for optimizing medical regimens, discontinuing teratogenic agents, and treating active disease. Additionally, pre-existing LN is associated with higher rates of preeclampsia and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome. Women with lupus and prior LN can have successful pregnancies, but a multidisciplinary approach with close monitoring is essential for optimal outcomes. By systematically reviewing the available evidence, this narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive update on the complex interaction between LN and pregnancy, offering insights to guide clinical practice and future research in this field.

BIM-Based Automatic Extraction of Daily Concrete and Formwork Requirements for Site Work Planning

Material planning is important in construction, for it affects procurement, cost, and schedule. Proper planning of material supply and logistics helps streamline the performance of all tasks through the avoidance of excessive or insufficient material supply. Material planning relies on quantity takeoff (QTO) and project schedules. Conventionally, quantity takeoff was a manual process based on 2D drawings and human interpretation and was error-prone. Presently, with the popularity of Building Information Modelling (BIM), in BIM-based projects, using inbuilt quantity takeoff functions, quantities of work can be generated automatically from BIM models to aid the quantity takeoff. However, if those inbuilt QTO solutions are object-based, then the quantities of works extracted may not meet the requirements of the users in selected cases, e.g., in zone-based construction projects. Also, for estimating daily material requirements, the accuracy of the quantities of work becomes more important, not only for the purpose of efficient planning but also for reducing construction waste. Since works using the same type of material can go overlapping, in addition to estimating the amount of material for each work, the total amount of material for a day must also be calculated. Thus, this research aims to develop a framework for automatic extraction of zone-based concrete volumes and formwork positions for cast-in-place concrete structures using the data in BIM models, followed by linking them with project schedules for estimating daily concrete and formwork requirements. This framework extends the body of knowledge by introducing an innovative algorithm for automatically calculating overlapped areas between concrete members and a rule for naming tasks in the schedule, followed by evaluating the formwork requirements without drawing formwork in a 3D model. A software tool will be developed to achieve the aim, and a case study will be used to validate the proposed framework.

THE IMPACT OF OUTDOOR SPACES ON URBAN STRUCTURE: A CASE STUDY OF MASSINISSA NEW CITY

Outdoor spaces, particularly green areas, play a vital role in urban structure, significantly enhancing quality of life and promoting sustainable environments. Parks and squares encourage social interactions, enrich the city’s aesthetics, reflect local identity, and foster community pride. Despite their im-portance, Algerian cities, especially newer ones like Massinissa, often neglect these spaces, which are frequently poorly planned and overlooked. This lack of proper planning leads to a loss of functionality and the deterioration of public spaces. This research paper focuses on the importance of public and green spaces in urban environments, specifically addressing the challenges Massinissa faces due to poor implementation of urban planning laws, limited resident engagement, and inadequate community participation in the maintenance and development of these areas. To address these issues, the study proposes an urban project aimed at revitalizing green spaces in Massinissa, offering recommendations to improve their management and raise environmental aware-ness among residents. By emphasizing the necessity of integrating well-planned outdoor spaces into urban planning, this research seeks to promote a healthier, more sustainable urban environment for the benefit of the entire community.

LEARNING IN AN ENGLISH CONTENT-BASED CURRICULUM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FROM A 21ST CENTURY PERSPECTIVE

The purpose of this paper was to analyze the Philippine K to 12 English Curriculum from 21st century learning perspective. The first section briefly described the current English curriculum in the Philippines. The subsequent section describes 21st century learning in both general and ELT-related terms. The discussion then reviews the specificity and coherence (i.e., sensible connection or coordination between and among different components (Newmann, et al., 2021; Schmidt, et al., 2019) of the new English curriculum, how it is consistent with the principles espoused by 21st century learning, and how it is aligned to established language teaching and learning principles. The study is conducted through qualitative phenomenological methods. All of the participants are public elementary school teachers who experienced using the content-based curriculum for grade one. These participants are currently teaching with more than two years of teaching experience. A total of 10 participants are considered in this study who will join the in-depth interview and focused group discussion respectively. The first theme “teachers’ competence” has four sub-themes namely; significance of trainings among teachers, content knowledge of the teacher, cognitive demand and proper understanding of the curriculum. Furthermore, the second theme immersed based on the interview was “application of multiple strategies with four sub-themes, to wit: integrate culture in lesson planning, teach language skills across the curriculum, proficiency in English language and proper lesson planning. Finally, the third theme immersed was “significance of teaching pedagogy” with the sub-themes; attract students’ attention, foster motivation and confidence, use English as medium of communication and acquire more knowledge on the subject matter.

Analysis and Future Projections of Land Use and Land Cover Changes in the Hindon River Basin, India Using the CA-Markov Model

Land use and land cover change is a significant issue in emerging countries. The enormous rate of population growth, industrialization, and urbanization is responsible for these developments. Monitoring and mapping of changes in land cover and land use is essential to the sustainable development and management of the area. The study attempts to track changes in LULC pattern for the years 2002, 2013, and 2023 in the Hindon River Basin, a major tributary of the Yamuna River, using remote sensing and geographic information system techniques. Images obtained from Landsat data were employed to extract historical land use and land cover maps. Additionally, the CA-Markov model was implemented to forecast future land use and land cover patterns. This study examines the historical and predicted LULC in the area. Field observations and site-specific interviews were used to confirm and determine the ground realities. High-resolution images were used to evaluate the accuracy of the classified map. According to the results, the agricultural land decreased from 60.98% in 2002 to 54.70% in 2050, while built-up areas increased from 12.95% to 21.25% during the same period. By 2050, vegetation is predicted to increase to 2.58%, whereas surface water, fallow land, barren areas, and dry water bodies are predicted to decrease to 0.58%, 18.87%, 1.20%, and 0.83%, respectively. The rapid pace of urbanization is facilitating economic growth within the country; however, this development is occurring at the expense of the natural landscape, which subsequently diminishes the overall quality of human life. In order to maintain sustainable development in the Hindon Basin, proper urban planning is essential. Important policy implications for the sustainable management of land use and conservation in the Hindon River basin are highlighted by the study’s research and findings.

Methods for Determining Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Milk: A Review

This review aims to compile and present information on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in milk, their effects on human health, relevant legal regulations, and methods for their detection. PAHs are hazardous environmental pollutants that can accumulate in milk due to their lipophilicity and feed, water, and grass contamination. Also, high-temperature processing in the milk industry can contribute to their formation. PAHs are recognized for their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic properties, posing significant risks to human health. Milk presents a unique analytical challenge as a complex matrix; the fats where hydrophobic PAHs tend to accumulate are “trapped” within the membranes of casein micelles. This complexity makes the extraction and analysis of PAHs more demanding than other food matrices. Developments in chromatographic techniques provide effective methods for detecting PAHs in milk, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. The proper planning of research and the use of these techniques will lead to accurate results. This review focuses specifically on methods for extracting and isolating PAHs from milk, and instrumental methods for their detection and quantification. Such a review may be valuable for researchers looking for methods to analyze PAHs in milk and dairy products.

Development of location suitability prediction for health facilities using random forest machine learning in 2030 integrating remote sensing and GIS in West Java, Indonesia

Access to healthcare facilities is crucial in the present day. Healthcare facilities must be proportional to the population in a given area. Therefore, it is important to increase the number of healthcare facilities in regions where there is an imbalance. Proper planning and a sustainability review are necessary when determining locations for healthcare facilities. Environmental changes can affect the suitability of a location in the future. Thus, planning that can predict future suitability conditions is required to ensure that the built locations have high sustainability. This study predicts the suitability of healthcare facility locations in 2030 in West Java using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS). Both static and dynamic data processed at 30×30 meter intervals across West Java will be used. Geospatial and remote sensing data are utilized in the study. Dynamic parameter extrapolation uses data from 2000 to 2018. The random forest machine learning method is employed to obtain the suitability values for healthcare facility locations using existing health facility training data in West Java. The results show changes in the suitability classes of healthcare facilities in each region from 2018 to 2030, with some areas experiencing an increase or decrease in class. This research highlights consistently suitable locations, ensuring their sustainability as healthcare facility sites.

Penerapan Angsuran Pajak Penghasilan Pasal 25 Bagi Wajib Pajak Badan untuk Efisiensi Keuangan CV Visi Printing

This study discusses the implementation of Article 25 Income Tax (PPh) installments for corporate taxpayers, specifically at CV Visi Printing, and its impact on the company's financial efficiency. Article 25 PPh is a tax paid periodically throughout the fiscal year based on estimated tax liabilities, aimed at helping companies manage their tax obligations more effectively. This research employs a qualitative method with an analysis of the financial statements of CV Visi Printing for the year 2022. The results indicate that the Article 25 PPh installment applied by CV Visi Printing, amounting to Rp 3,553,000 per month, positively affects the company's cash flow efficiency. This gradual tax payment helps the company maintain liquidity and reduces the burden of a large tax payment at the end of the year. Furthermore, with proper tax planning, CV Visi Printing can allocate financial resources more effectively to support other operational activities. The implementation of this tax installment also enhances the company's tax compliance, avoiding potential penalties, and maintaining the company's financial stability in the long term. The study concludes that the application of Article 25 PPh installments plays a crucial role in improving the company's financial efficiency through better cash flow management and optimal tax planning.

Factors Associated with Occupational Performance in Older People with Stroke

Objectives: Occupational performance occurs in a dynamic interaction between the people, their occupations, and context. Stroke could affect the individual’s occupational performance, which is the basis of social life. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting stroke patients’ occupational performance. Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, 55 people with stroke participated. The patients completed the Canadian occupational performance measure (COPM), Barthel index, Brunnstrom stage, Montreal cognitive assessment, and a demographic questionnaire. Results: The results showed a significant correlation between occupational satisfaction and performance with cognition, the activities of daily living (ADL), and the severity of impairment in the upper and lower extremities (P <0.01). The results of linear regression show that cognition level could significantly predict occupational performance (R= 0.83, P <0.01) and satisfaction (R= 0.81, P <0.01) after stroke. Discussion: Results show that the cognitive level could predict occupational performance in patients with stroke. Performing daily living activities and lower limb impairment could predict satisfaction with occupational performance. Therefore, it is recommended that therapists consider the cognition in stroke patients through a proper therapeutic plan to prevent participation restrictions.

Trends in Incidence of Head and Neck Cancers in Dibrugarh District, Assam, India; During the Period 2003-2016.

Head and neck cancers are considered to be the most common cancers in developing countries, especially in Southeast Asia. In India, it accounts for one-fourth of male cancers and one-tenth of female cancers. An attempt was made to study head and neck cancer trends in the Dibrugarh district of Assam, North-East India, India. All sites viz., oral cavity and mobile tongue, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, nasopharynx and others were considered separately for both the sexes to carry out the present analysis. Using the data from the Population-Based Cancer Registry, Upper Assam, Dibrugarh, annual crude incidence rate and age-specific rate were calculated for the period from 2003 to 2016. Mann-Kendall and Sen's Slope non-parametric analysis were applied to examine the trend in the percentages of Head and Neck cancers. The most frequent incidence site for HN cancers was the hypopharynx (33.50%). The disease was common among the males (78.87%) compared to the female (21.13%) population in Dibrugarh district. HN cancers are more prone to the age group 50-70years (60.93%) compared to the individuals with less than 50years (26.51%). Combining all the sites of HN cancers in male showed a significant decrease in incidence, whereas in female increasing trend was noted over a period of time. A slight decline in the percentage of head and neck cancer was documented in Dibrugarh when we combined both sexes. The results obtained from the current investigation will laid the scientific framework for proper planning and organization of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HN cancers in Dibrugarh district, Assam.

Traffic stream characteristics at mid-block locations with un-controlled pedestrian crossings: a case study of Bengaluru city

Abstract At un-signalized midblock locations, the haphazard and uncontrolled crossing of pedestrians affects the vehicular traffic on the road, its speed, flow and density. This also affects the level of service on the road. This article presents a case study to analyze the same. As a process of transportation system planning to identify the cause and to give short-term and long-term remedies for the safe movement of pedestrians without causing hindrance to the traffic stream a case study was carried out in a metropolitan city of Bengaluru (Karnataka). Six un-signalized midblock locations with different roadway conditions in the city were studied. Analysis through the ANOVA test shows that pedestrian crossing at such locations significantly affects the flow characteristics. The speeds of vehicles as well as traffic flow rate are found to reduce while vehicular density is found to increase. The effect on heavy vehicles (trucks, buses) is found to be insignificant. The stream speed reduction in the range of 7% to 44% is observed at the pedestrian crossing sections compared to the stream speeds at sections without pedestrian crossings of the same study locations. The capacity of the roadway under consideration decreases only if pedestrian crossings are significant (more than 7% of total traffic). The effect is, further, pronounced with an increase in the number of pedestrians crossing per unit time. Pedestrians crossing with baggage are found to have more effect as compared to those crossing the road stretches without baggage. The study highlights the importance of proper planning, design, construction and maintenance of pedestrian crossing facilities and barriers in the metropolitan city. A multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM) called Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) was adopted to prioritise the planning and improvement of the study locations based on different criteria to minimize the effect of such pedestrian crossings.

Evaluation of a Probabilistic Framework for Traffic Volume Forecasting Using Deep Learning and Traditional Models

Forecasting is a very important issue in the present times to optimize urban traffic management systems and their proper planning. It is often found that traditional forecasting models cannot fully approximate the non-linear and dynamic nature of traffic patterns. The presented paper proposes a framework that integrates multiple traditional models such as Autoregression (AR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Exponential Smoothing, Historical Average, Random Walk and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) with deep learning models, especially Stacked Autoencoders, and enhances their predictive efficiency phenomenally. The forecast accuracy is then further enhanced through a dynamic probabilistic model integration strategy that adapts to real-time traffic conditions by dynamically weighting the models based on their performance. It is found that the hybrid framework proposed in the present paper performs much better than the traditional models in predicting traffic volume. Deep learning models with RMSE of 26.9976, AR (RMSE: 22.6679) and SVR (RMSE: 28.2221) provided remarkable prediction accuracy. Based on the results, the authors are confident that the integrated models are useful for real-time traffic management applications. However, they still have great potential for further refinement and optimization.