Quality Perspective Research Articles

Exploring open government data and big data from a quality perspective.

Objective: To establish the key elements in the relationship between big data and open government data, from a quality perspective. Methodology: The authors conducted an exploratory literature review to determine the lines of quality relationship between big data and open government data, emphasizing Colombia´s case. Results: The concept of quality is a common factor for big data and open government data, establishing the benefits, such as innovation, transparency, and economic growth, as well as the challenges related to quality aspects, such as guaranteeing the reliability of the origin of the data, facilitating the understanding of the data, and establishing quality standards. Conclusions: The relationship between big data and open government data from the perspective of data quality allows to exploit the potential immersed in the data, contribute significantly to the construction of knowledge, and thus provide answers to different problems or phenomena

Integrated borehole image and rotary sidewall core data to support infrastructure-led appraisal: Capercaillie Field, Central North Sea

Abstract Quad 29 in the Central North Sea is a focus for bp, with a strategy to identify remaining hydrocarbon accumulations to tieback to existing infrastructure. Capercaillie was appraised in 2017 with well 29/04e-5 and sidetrack 29/04e-5z. A gas cap and thin oil rim were intersected within the siliciclastic Paleocene–Eocene Sele Formation. The reservoir sandstones were deposited in a deep marine setting by sediment-gravity flow processes. Within the context of a relatively detailed knowledge of the surrounding area, the reservoir data-operational risk-cost balance was addressed through acquisition of a full wireline logging suite, pressure data, latest-generation microresistivity images and targeted large-volume rotary sidewall cores (RSWCs), with the latter two favoured over whole core. Mature deepwater descriptive schemes were applied at the sidewall core (lithotype), bed (borehole image facies) and bed-stack (depositional package) scales. This hierarchical approach provided robust sedimentological data to underpin higher-order depositional models, which together were used as a framework to (1) constrain the reservoirs’ mineralogical and textural attributes, (2) establish the main controls on rock quality and (3) explain the resulting variations in porosity and permeability. This study demonstrates that the careful integration of data derived from the latest borehole imaging tools and large-volume RSWCs can be a successful means of characterizing reservoirs from a sedimentological, reservoir quality and reservoir architecture perspective in mature basins. Similar approaches to geological reservoir characterization in such settings are likely to be a common cornerstone of cost-effective development during the energy transition.

Virtual Reality at a Prehistoric Museum: Exploring the Influence of System Quality and Personality on User Intentions

Virtual Reality (VR) promises many benefits for the tourism industry. However, a review of tourism-related VR research shows that the roles of system quality and user personality remain largely unexplored. This study examines the causal relation underlying VR quality (information quality, interactivity, and visual attractiveness) and the user's personality (openness to experience, conscientiousness, and social influence) in conjunction with usability, attitude, and behavioural intention. We collected user data from a VR tourism experience of the Sangiran museum at Surakarta, Indonesia using a Head Mounted Device VR. The Sangiran museum is an archaeological excavation site recognised as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Two hundred eighteen valid responses were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling. The result suggests that only visual attractiveness positively impacts usability from a VR quality perspective, while openness to experience and social influence show significant positive evidence of attitude. These findings are discussed based on the practical and theoretical implications, including future research opportunities into VR tourism.

Empirical evidence on the relationship between research and teaching in academia

Research and teaching are the two most characteristic activities of the professional life of academics. Since the second half of the last century, a plurality of studies focused on the link between these activities, with often contrasting conclusions. While some studies are in line with the von-Humboldtian view of research and teaching as synergistic activities, other studies theorize their uncorrelation or even negative tension. This divergence of views probably stems from the fact that investigations are often based on heterogeneous, limited and difficult-to-generalise data, using mainly qualitative metrics. This paper deepens the study of the research-teaching link, through a survey of 251 academics from Politecnico di Torino, i.e., one of the major Italian technical universities. From a methodological point of view, research and teaching are both analysed from the dual perspective of workload and quality of results obtained, on the basis of data of various kinds, including bibliometric indicators, teaching satisfaction indexes, number of credits awarded to students, etc. Next, a correlation analysis investigates possible links between teaching and research, showing that they tend to be weak and/or statistically insignificant. For instance, the investigation excludes both (i) the existence of a negative link in terms of workload—contradicting considerations such as “Those who do more teaching have less time to do research and vice versa”—and (ii) the existence of a positive link in terms of the quality of the results obtained—contradicting considerations such as “Those who obtain high quality results in research are likely to do the same in teaching and vice versa”. The results of this study are limited to the Italian context and do not necessarily have general validity. Nevertheless, they enhance previous findings in the scientific literature and may be useful for university administrators and those involved in the formulation of incentive strategies for academics.

Forage Radish Cover Crops Improve Soil Quality and Fruit Yield of Lycium barbarum L. in an Arid Area of Northwest China

Intercropping orchards with cover crops is an important practice for achieving sustainable soil management. However, little research has addressed the development of a soil quality index (SQI) to evaluate cover crop effects on orchard soil quality. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether cover cropping improves soil quality and fruit yield of Goji (Lycium barbarum L.) while reducing or replacing organic fertilizer application. The main treatments were the traditional management of L. barbarum as a monocrop (M) and intercropping Goji with radish (Raphanus sativus L.) as an annual cover crop (I). Within the main treatments, different levels of organic fertilizer were applied at 0 kg·plant−1 (M0), 2 kg·plant−1 (M1), and 4 kg·plant−1 (M2). After six years of planting, we analyzed the changes in soil quality caused by cover cropping with different organic fertilizer levels based on the SQI method. Goji yields were used for validation of the SQI derived from a minimum data set of soil quality indicators. In contrast with traditional monocropping, cover cropping increased soil total nitrogen, available nitrogen, and available phosphorus contents (by 78.60%, 30.30%, and 138.08%, respectively). There were also increased microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen contents (by 79.01% and 184.01%, respectively), enhanced urease and sucrase activities (by 41.02% and 56.81%, respectively), and reduced bulk density (by 1.92%) in the soil as a result of cover cropping. Compared with IM0 treatment, soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen contents considerably increased under IM1 treatment, whereas soil available nitrogen and potassium contents as well as electrical conductivity increased under IM2 treatment. The SQI, which varied among treatments in the order IM1 > IM2 > MM2 > MM1 > IM0 > MM0, was positively correlated with Goji yield. From the soil quality and Goji yield perspective, cover cropping with a medium level of organic fertilizer is the optimal soil management practice for the L. barbarum planting system in arid areas of Ningxia, Northwest China.

Distribution platinum content in chromite and dunite type ores Nizhny Tagil massif (Middle Ural)

The relevance of the work is due to the importance industrial meaning native and placer platinum deposits in basic-hiperbasic complexes. Methods of research included separation industrial type of ores for valuation quality platinum ore chute, use probabilistic-statistic, geometric-statistic and geostatistic model for description amplitude and frequency changeability in distribution platinum content in ore Nizhny Tagil massif. Result research. In chromite ores Nizhny Tagil massif platinum content vary in wide limits by predominance among theirs rich and ordinary ores and extremely uneven distribution platinum and other elements platinum group (palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium, ruthenium) concentration in ores. In difference from ores chromite type in distribution platinum content in dunite ores massif in limits prospected Alexandrovsky area among industrial type ores prevail more low on quality poor and wretched ores by amplitude changeability platinum concentration in ores on data theirs ordinary sampling in prospect hole-from uneven to extremely, by gross sampling more deep mine working (half-pit and pit) – from even to very uneven. The largest frequency changeability in distribution platinum concentration in ores dunite type be distinguished ores widespread in north part Alexandrovsky area, differ and more low quality. Contemporary level development technology dressing platinum-bearing chromite and dunite type ores allowed consider theirs in quality perspective ores for joint processing.

Transanal total mesorectal excision versus laparoscopic intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer: a propensity score matching analysis.

Anus-preserving surgery for low rectal cancer has always been a serious difficulty for surgeons. Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) and laparoscopic intersphincteric resection (ISR) are commonly used Anus-preserving surgeries for low rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical use of two surgical methods. A total of 152 patients with low rectal cancer were treated with taTME in 75 cases and ISR in 77 cases. After propensity score matching, 46 patients in each group were included in the study. Perioperative outcomes, anal function scores (Wexner incontinence score) and quality of life scores (EORTC QLQ C30, EORTC QLQ CR38) at least 1year after surgery were compared between the two groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of surgical outcomes, pathological examination of surgical specimens, postoperative recovery, and postoperative complications, except for patients in the taTME group who had their indwelling catheters removed later. Anal Wexner incontinence score was lower in taTME group than ISR group (P < 0.05). On the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale, the physical function and role function scores in the ISR group were lower than those in the taTME group (P < 0.05), while the fatigue, pain symptoms, and constipation scores in the ISR group were higher than those in the taTME group (P < 0.05). On the EORTC QLQ-CR38 scale, the scores of gastrointestinal symptoms and defecation problems in the ISR group were higher than those in the taTME group (P < 0.05). Compared with ISR surgery, taTME surgery is comparable in terms of surgical safety and short-term efficacy, and has better long-term anal function and quality of life. From the perspective of long-term anal function and quality of life, taTME surgery is a better surgical method for the treatment of low rectal cancer.

Koalas, Climate, Conservation, and the Community

Abstract Koalas are one of the most globally recognized conservation species. With populations rapidly declining in core forest habitats in northern New South Wales, pressure has mounted on successive governments to create a regionwide park to protect this population from further decline. Establishing a conservation-effective national park at a landscape level in a highly fragmented area with high pressure from alternative land uses, such as forestry, agriculture, and urban development, presents considerable challenges in design. The authors explore how the exclusion of prime koala habitat from the proposed park for logging is inconsistent with koala protection, which needs to consider the integrity of the broader reserve system and be accorded the requisite status of World Heritage. A commentary on the implications from the social quality perspective is provided.

The Lives of Unaccompanied Refugee Minors during their Transit Stay in Greece

Abstract This article explores daily threats in the lives of unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) in Greece. The aim is to stimulate debate and understanding in the context of growing forced migration. Our observations, arguments, and conclusions are primarily informed by critical discussion of politics, policies, and legislation of the European Union, Greece, and international treaties on human rights. Our analysis also draws upon impressions from site visits and interviews with social workers at urban shelters and supervised apartments of semi-independent living (SILs) on the Greek mainland. Aspects related to the social quality of URMs’ daily circumstances include quality of accommodation, presence of contact persons, sense of safety and security, and social inclusion. Vulnerabilities related to the insecurities of temporary transit status are central. The availability of formal and informal services providing care, protection, recovery, education, sports, and well-being is essential. The social quality perspective frames our analysis and interpretation.

Quantity or quality? Regional innovation policy and green technology innovation.

As a typical practice of regional innovation policy, national innovation demonstration zones (NIIDZ) plays an important role in empowering green technology innovation. Analyzing the internal logic between NIIDZ and green technology innovation is of great practical significance to enhance China's independent innovation capability and accelerate the ecological civilization construction. Based on the panel data of 280 cities from 2005 to 2020, we use the difference-in-difference model (DID) to evaluate the policy effect of NIIDZ on green technology innovation from the dual perspective of quality and quantity. The results show that NIIDZ effectively contributes to the quantity of green technology innovation (GTI) and the quality of green technology innovation (GTQ), especially GTI. The conclusion is still valid after robustness tests like PSM-DID and eliminating the pilot interference of innovative cities. The test of the intermediary mechanism shows that regional innovation policy can not only directly drive GTI and GTQ but also indirectly promote them through accelerating talent gather, driving industrial clusters, and increasing government financial support. Spatial heterogeneity analysis indicates that the effectiveness of regional innovation policy demonstrates a decreasing trend from east to west, and this positive effect is more significant in cities with a higher level of financial development. Our results provide important policy insights for the Chinese government to further stimulate the effectiveness of green innovation in the NIIDZ, accelerate the construction of an innovative country, and achieve high-quality green economic development.

Community perspectives on family planning service quality among users and non-users: a qualitative study from two cities in Burkina Faso

BackgroundMost studies that focus on quality of family planning (FP) services collect data from facilities. These studies miss the perspectives of quality from women who do not visit a facility and for whom perceived quality may be a barrier to service utilization.MethodsThis qualitative study from two cities in Burkina Faso examines perceived quality of FP services from women who were recruited at the community level to avoid potential biases based on recruiting women at facilities. Twenty focus group discussions were undertaken with varying groups of women of different ages (15–19; 20–24; 25+), marital statuses (unmarried; married), and current modern contraceptive use experiences (current non-users; current users). All focus group discussions were undertaken in the local language and transcribed and translated into French for coding and analysis.ResultsWomen discuss FP service quality in a variety of locations, depending on their age group. Perspectives on service quality for younger women are often informed by others’ experiences whereas for the older women, they are formed by their own and others’ experiences. Two important aspects of service delivery emerge from the discussions including interactions with providers and selected system-level aspects of service provision. Important components of provider interactions relate to (a) the initial reception from the provider, (b) the quality of counseling received, (c) stigma and bias from providers, and d) privacy and confidentiality. At the health system level, discussions revolved around (a) wait time; (b) stockouts of methods; (c) costs of services/methods; (d) the expectation for tests as part of service provision; and (e) difficulties with method removal.ConclusionsTo increase contraceptive use among women, it is crucial to address the components of service quality they identify as related to higher quality services. This means supporting providers to offer services in a more friendly and respectful manner. In addition, it is important to ensure that full information is provided to clients on what to expect during a visit to avoid false expectations that lead to poor perceived quality. These types of client-focused activities can improve perceptions of service quality and ideally support use of FP to meet women’s needs.

Does the development of digital inclusive finance improve the enthusiasm and quality of corporate green technology innovation?

Clarifying the impact of digital inclusive finance (DIF) on green technology innovation is of great practical significance to promote the high-quality development of the green economy in developing countries. In contrast to existing research, this paper conducts a comparative study from the perspectives of innovation enthusiasm and innovation quality and creatively measures the latter based on the annual number of citations of green patents. On this basis, this paper takes Chinese A-share listed companies and the DIF index from 2011 to 2020 as the research objects, finding that the development of DIF has a more significant impact on the quality of green technology innovation than enthusiasm. The characteristics of the external environment, including financial supervision and financing constraints, may have different impacts on the innovation-driven effect of DIF, so the moderating effect model and the threshold model are used to analyze them. In particular, when the government's financial supervision intensity value for DIF is between 0.0024 and 0.0025, financial security can be taken into account, and the high-quality development of green technology can be achieved. In terms of enterprise characteristics, state-owned enterprises and enterprises that do not have a combination of general managers and chairmen can significantly achieve the green innovation-driven effect of DIF. For pollution-intensive enterprises, government supervision is necessary to help them achieve high-quality development of green technology innovation. This study provides policy implications for developing countries around the world to achieve green development by promoting the DIF level.

Application of Principal Component Analysis to advancing digital phenotyping of plant disease in the context of limited memory for training data storage

Despite its widespread employment as a highly efficient dimensionality reduction technique, limited research has been carried out on the advantage of Principal Component Analysis (PCA)–based compression/reconstruction of image data to machine learning-based image classification performance and storage space optimization. To address this limitation, we designed a study in which we compared the performances of two Convolutional Neural Network-Random Forest Algorithm (CNN-RF) guava leaf image classification models developed using training data from a number of original guava leaf images contained in a predefined amount of storage space (on the one hand), and a number of PCA compressed/reconstructed guava leaf images contained in the same amount of storage space (on the other hand), on the basis of four criteria – Accuracy, F1-Score, Phi Coefficient and the Fowlkes–Mallows index. Our approach achieved a 1:100 image compression ratio (99.00% image compression) which was comparatively much better than previous results achieved using other algorithms like arithmetic coding (1:1.50), wavelet transform (90.00% image compression), and a combination of three transform-based techniques – Discrete Fourier (DFT), Discrete Wavelet (DWT) and Discrete Cosine (DCT) (1:22.50). From a subjective visual quality perspective, the PCA compressed/reconstructed guava leaf images presented almost no loss of image detail. Finally, the CNN-RF model developed using PCA compressed/reconstructed guava leaf images outperformed the CNN-RF model developed using original guava leaf images by 0.10% accuracy increase, 0.10 F1-Score increase, 0.18 Phi Coefficient increase and 0.09 Fowlkes–Mallows increase.

Computationally efficient alternative to a full-scale transient simulation of a reheating furnace

Reheating of steel slabs in a reheating furnace is an intermediate step in the long and complicated process of steel making. Reheat furnaces heat the slabs to about 1200°C, which makes the steel suitable for hot rolling. During this reheating process temperature uniformity within the slab is very important. A detailed understanding of the reheating process is hence, important both from the perspective of product quality and energy use. Unfortunately, the extreme conditions inside the furnace do not allow for a detailed experimental investigation. Numerical tools like Computational Fluid Dynamics are useful in such situations, but full-scale transient models often lead to unpractically high computational costs. In this paper, a Truncated Transient Slab Model is validated, which is capable of predicting the transient behaviour of the slab during reheating in a computationally efficient way. This is accomplished by coupling two different models: a steady-state model of the complete furnace and a transient model of the truncated domain around a single slab. The truncated domain replicates the flow conditions of a full-scale transient model in a much smaller domain. The advantage of this modelling approach when compared to full-scale transient models is a significant reduction in simulation time (just 4 days) while maintaining a high grid resolution. Compared to the experiments, the simulations have an average accuracy of 4-5% for the entire range of reheating temperatures(28– 1200°C) for both the slab surface and the core. The error on the slab drop-out temperature was about 2% at a measured temperature 1185°C.

Analysis of The Influence of Convenience, Trust, and Website Quality Perspectives on Shopee User Loyalty

This study aims to analyze the influence of the perspective of convenience, trust, and website quality on the loyalty of shopee users. Research data were obtained from answers to questionnaires on 110 respondents who were randomly distributed in the cities of Jakarta, Bogor and Malang. The research was conducted using random sampling method with an error rate of 5%. The research was conducted quantitatively using the SPSS version 22 application. The results indicated that: 1) Partial trust has a significant and very strong effect on the loyalty of the shopee application users (2) The convenience and quality of the website does not have a significant effect on the loyalty of the shopee users (3) The variable of trust partially has the strongest influence among other variables on the loyalty of the shopee users (4 ) The simultaneous effect of convenience and trust variables is the strongest compared to the simultaneous effect of the other two simultaneous variables (5) The simultaneous effect of convenience, trust and website quality variables is simultaneously the strongest compared to all other variables.

Landscape Value in the Spanish Costa del Sol’s Real Estate Market: The Case of Marbella

Housing prices are influenced by extrinsic and intrinsic factors. This study aims to highlight the economic impact of the perceived landscape on single-family houses prices in a Spanish Mediterranean urban area (Marbella). Considering the landscape an important added value in real estate markets, this study also explores the landscape elements that contribute the most to the value of housing. A particularly positive influence of mixed views (urban elements and Mediterranean scrub) and sea views is detected in the analysis. Sea views are highly requested in the local housing market, but due to the graded topographical layout of Marbella, it is not very difficult to have sea views for houses. The low importance of views on natural land areas is worth noting when one of the attractions of this municipality is that of a highly valued Mediterranean natural environment. Views on the old town centre are somewhere in between: although the old town centre is highly regarded, with a generally good state of preservation, the sampled properties have poorer quality perspectives, with reduced visual basins and views centred on the foreground, usually the houses opposite.

The effectiveness of relationship quality on knowledge transfer in project teams: the roles of project organizational structure

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the impact of relationship quality among team members in the project team on knowledge transfer effectiveness and analyze the role of organizational structure in the influencing process.Design/methodology/approachThe hypotheses are verified by the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis using Smart PLS 3 software with the data collected from 236 questionnaire samples in Chinese construction industry.FindingsThe results indicate that relationship quality has a direct impact on knowledge transfer in project teams and centralization has a negative impact on relationship quality. Moreover, relationship quality plays a mediating role between centralization and knowledge transfer effectiveness and formalization plays a negative moderating role in the effect of relationship quality on knowledge transfer effectiveness.Originality/valueThis paper studies intra-project knowledge transfer from the perspective of relationship quality of project teams and explores the antecedent and moderating role of organizational structure in the influence of relationship quality on knowledge transfer.

Agent-Based Modelling to Improve Beef Production from Dairy Cattle: Young Beef Production

Approximately 42% of the total calves born in New Zealand’s dairy industry are either euthanized on farms or commercially slaughtered as so-called bobby calves within 2 weeks of age. These practices have perceived ethical issues and are considered a waste of resources because these calves could be grown on and processed for beef. Young beef cattle harvested between 8 and 12 months of age would represent a new class of beef production for New Zealand and would allow for a greater number of calves to be utilized for beef production, reducing bobby calf numbers in New Zealand. However, the acceptance of such a system in competition with existing sheep and beef cattle production systems is unknown. Therefore, the current study employed an agent-based model (ABM) developed for dairy-origin beef cattle production systems to understand price levers that might influence the acceptance of young beef production systems on sheep and beef cattle farms in New Zealand. The agents of the model were the rearer, finisher, and processor. Rearers bought in 4-days old dairy-origin calves and weaned them at approximately 100 kg live weight before selling them to finishers. Finishers managed the young beef cattle until they were between 8 and 12 months of age in contrast to 20 to 30 months for traditional beef cattle. Processing young beef cattle in existing beef production systems without any price premium only led to an additional 5% of cattle being utilized compared to the traditional beef cattle production system in New Zealand. This increased another 2% when both weaner cattle and young beef were sold at a price premium of 10%. In this scenario, Holstein Friesian young bull contributed more than 65% of total young beef cattle. Further premium prices for young beef cattle production systems increased the proportion of young beef cattle (mainly as young bull beef), however, there was a decrease in the total number of dairy-origin cattle processed, for the given feed supply, compared to the 10% premium price. Further studies are required to identify price levers and other alternative young beef production systems to increase the number of young beef cattle as well the total number of dairy-origin beef cattle for beef on sheep and beef cattle farms. Some potential options for investigation are meat quality, retailer and consumer perspectives, and whether dairy farmers may have to pay calf rearers to utilize calves with lower growth potential.

The impact of student engagement on satisfaction with medical education in china: a supplementary perspective.

As one of the indicators reflecting student well-being in medical education practice, student satisfaction is no doubt an important topic. Instead of exploring student satisfaction from the perspectives of education quality and organizational factors, this study focused on student engagement to explore the impact of it on student satisfaction with medical education in China. Student engagement refers to students' actions, efforts and persistence, indicating both time and energy students invested in educationally purposeful activities, especially academic activities. The data used in this study came from the first national survey of clinical undergraduates-the China Medical Student Survey-in which 10,062 clinical medical undergraduates in 33 medical schools participated. We developed a model of medical student engagement and satisfaction and utilized descriptive statistics, ordered logit regression, and path analysis to describe the relationship between medical student engagement and satisfaction. In this study, student engagement was categorized into behavioral, emotional and cognitive dimensions. The findings showed that medical student satisfaction was relatively low and was significantly affected by student satisfaction, especially the behavioral engagement in clinical rotations and professional identity of emotional engagement. These findings could put a supplementary perspective on improving student satisfaction through student engagement, and offer notable implications for future research and practice.

Research on the Factors Influencing the Perception of Urban Park Recreational Behavior Based on the “Homo Urbanicus” Theory

The improvement of the quality of urban parks plays a vital role in the construction and development of urban society. This study examined the factors influencing recreational satisfaction with urban parks, providing a reference for measures to improve the quality of urban parks. Based on the theory of “Homo Urbanicus”, we conducted a factor analysis of recreation satisfaction with urban parks and constructed a structural equation model. It can be seen from the analysis results produced by the causal model that “supporting facilities” and “functional facilities” have the highest contributions to the factor load of the model, which indicates that individual recreational satisfaction with urban parks is mainly based on the relationship between individuals and space conditions. In other words, these elements are necessary to meet the requirement of the “physical” in the “Homo Urbanicus” theory and to supplement the “physical–group–rational” method structure in the “Homo Urbanicus” theory. This conclusion indicates that the improvement of the “functional facilities” and “supporting facilities” of urban parks will play an important role in improving recreational satisfaction with urban parks. The results of this study can help researchers to build an urban park quality evaluation system from the perspective of recreation quality.