Reliable Service Research Articles

Analysis of service life and reliability of C50CASC structures in the splash zone of the South China Sea

This paper presents the results of a reliability analysis of the service life of hydraulic structures made of C50 coral aggregate seawater concrete (CASC) in the splash zone of the South China Sea. The analysis was conducted using the ChaDuraLife V1.0 software, which is based on reliability theory and modified chloride diffusion theory. Several parameters such as the surface free chloride concentration (Cs), chloride binding capacity (R), free chloride diffusion coefficient (Df), apparent chloride diffusion coefficient (Da), and time-dependent index (m) were considered in this analysis. The (1-m) boundary condition is adopted in this study. The effect of concrete cover thickness on the service life of CASC structures was discussed. The influence of rebar types and external protective measures on the service life was also investigated. Durability recommendations for C50CASC hydraulic structures in the splash zone were proposed. The minimum concrete cover thickness needed to achieve the service life of 30a to 100a was determined to provide theoretical support for the application of CASC in island and reef engineering. The results found that the best technical measures for extending the service life were the application of 2205 duplex stainless steel bars and silane protective coating on the surface of concrete structures. A concrete cover thickness of 6–7 cm could achieve the service life of 50a, while a thickness of 8.5–10 cm, could achieve the service life of 100a.

Multi-Objective Optimization of Resilient, Sustainable, and Safe Urban Bus Routes for Tourism Promotion Using a Hybrid Reinforcement Learning Algorithm

Urban transportation systems in tourism-centric cities face challenges from rapid urbanization and population growth. Efficient, resilient, and sustainable bus route optimization is essential to ensure reliable service, minimize environmental impact, and maintain safety standards. This study presents a novel Hybrid Reinforcement Learning-Variable Neighborhood Strategy Adaptive Search (H-RL-VaNSAS) algorithm for multi-objective urban bus route optimization. Our mathematical model maximizes resilience, sustainability, tourist satisfaction, and accessibility while minimizing total travel distance. H-RL-VaNSAS is evaluated against leading optimization methods, including the Crested Porcupine Optimizer (CPO), Krill Herd Algorithm (KHA), and Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA). Using metrics such as Hypervolume and the Average Ratio of Pareto Optimal Solutions, H-RL-VaNSAS demonstrates superior performance. Specifically, H-RL-VaNSAS achieved the highest resilience index (550), sustainability index (370), safety score (480), tourist preferences score (300), and accessibility score (2300), while minimizing total travel distance to 950 km. Compared to other methods, H-RL-VaNSAS improved resilience by 12.24–17.02%, sustainability by 5.71–12.12%, safety by 4.35–9.09%, tourist preferences by 7.14–13.21%, accessibility by 4.55–9.52%, and reduced travel distance by 9.52–17.39%. This research offers a framework for designing efficient, resilient, and sustainable public transit systems that align with urban planning and transportation goals. The integration of reinforcement learning with VaNSAS significantly enhances optimization capabilities, providing a valuable tool for mathematical and urban transportation research communities.

Energy efficiency and interoperability through O-RAN Rapid Transition Protocol (ORTP)

Mobile network traffic is increasing accompanied by increased energy consumption. Traditional Radio Access Networks (RANs) have been used for decades as the foundation of mobile communications, providing mobile customers with reliable voice and data services. However, they encounter obstacles in terms of scalability, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness. Next-generation wireless networks need efficient Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions to achieve low latency and high throughput. The Open RAN (O-RAN) architecture is a potential solution for 5G and beyond networks due to its open interfaces, disaggregated network entities and services, network hardware and software virtualization, and intelligent control. Traditionally standard RAN accounts for the bulk of mobile network energy consumption, leading towards higher Operational expenditure (OPEX) costs. In the context of cellular networks. Handover strategies need careful development to cater for efficient resource usage as well as overall system energy efficiency. O-RAN Rapid Transition Protocol (ORTP) presented in this paper employs minimum value of handover margin (HOM) and is aimed at increased energy efficiency. 5G based System level simulations have been performed to investigate the efficacy of ORTP for key performance indicators including handover probability, Radio Link Failure, connection density, ping pong effect and dynamic power consumption. It is found that the usage of lower HOM values provide noticeable achievement in terms of power consumption, thereby rendering ORTP around 20 % more efficient compared to 5G networks, while keeping it interoperable.

A ceria/calcium-phosphate functional composite coating on magnesium alloy for enhanced adhesion strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility

Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have been regarded as potential orthopedic implant materials due to their suitable properties but face challenges due to rapid biocorrosion and insufficient bio-functionality, necessitating surface treatment to mitigate dysfunction. In this work, a two-step electrodeposition was employed to construct a ceria/calcium-phosphate (Ce/Ca-P) composite coating on Mg alloys. This construction approach endows multi-functions of the coating. The ceria interlayer ameliorates adhesion strength. The pin-like structure on the outer layer of the Ce/Ca-P coating enhances the antibacterial capabilities of the coating in the early stages of the implantation. The calcium-phosphate outer layer and the ceria interlayer induce the deposition of calcium and phosphate ions promoting bone healing in the mid-term. The introduction of the ceria interlayer significantly reduces the corrosion rate of the Mg alloy by 86.7% improving the corrosion resistance of the alloy, which is of great significance to maintain the service reliability of the device during the long-term service period. The results indicate that the Ce/Ca-P coating exhibits good hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility. This type of developed coating with anti-corrosive and bio-functionalized capability helpfully advances the application of Mg-based bone implants.

Exploring Customer Trust and Online Continuance Shopping Intention of Cosmetics, with Mediating Effect of Perceived Risk

Purpose This study aims to explore the relationship between customer trust, perceived risk, and online continuance shopping intention in the cosmetics industry. It focuses on understanding the direct impact of customer trust on shopping intention and the mediating role of perceived risk. The research provides insights to help marketers and policymakers enhance consumer trust and mitigate perceived risks in online shopping. Theoretical Framework This study's theoretical framework is based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). It extends these models by including customer trust and perceived risk as key factors influencing online continuance shopping intention in the cosmetics industry. Methodology The study employs a Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach for Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to analyze the relationships between customer trust, perceived risk, and online continuance shopping intention. Findings The study reveals that customer trust significantly boosts online continuance shopping intention, encouraging repeat purchases. Perceived risk partially mediates this relationship, meaning while trust reduces perceived risk, the presence of risk still negatively impacts the intention to continue shopping online. The path coefficients quantify these relationships, highlighting the strength and significance of both direct and indirect effects. Implication For marketers and policymakers in the online cosmetics industry, the study suggests that building customer trust through transparent communication, reliable service, and secure payments is crucial for fostering repeat purchases. Additionally, reducing perceived risks with clear return policies, product guarantees, and data protection measures can alleviate customer concerns.

Avaliação da qualidade das farmácias comunitárias: uma revisão de escopo

Introduction: Assessing quality in healthcare environments favors decision making with the lowest possible risk and the identification of strengths and weaknesses, leading to the structuring of reliable services. Objective: To synthesize current knowledge and existing literature on assessing the quality of community pharmacies (CF). Methods: This is a scoping review (SR) aligned with the methodology proposed by the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis, carried out in four databases, covering the period from 2012 to 2022. Basic qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics were used. Results: Of the 1,103 documents retrieved, 64 were selected. Quality assessment has been carried out, most of the time, from the patient’s perspective (54.7%), through quantitative studies (62.5%), cross-sectional (59.4%), and using questionnaires developed or adapted by the researchers themselves (51.6%). From the analysis, seven thematic categories and 36 subcategories were identified, highlighting, respectively, “pharmaceutical services” (81.25%) and “dispensing” processes (73.44%); “infrastructure and ambience” (70.3%) and “ambience and accessibility” (54.7%); “user experience and satisfaction” (67.2%) and “evaluation of community pharmacy services” (35.9%). It was observed that the categories of “people management”, “patient safety”, and “storage and disposal of medicines” were less evaluated and not all instruments used addressed all categories. Conclusions: This SR mapped scientific production regarding quality assessment in CF. This study shows the need to develop a standardized instrument encompassing the various evaluative aspects, which were listed based on the categories and subcategories identified in this review, in order to provide a complete overview of CF.

Aksesibilitas Pelayanan Publik bagi Penyandang Disabilitas pada Pemerintah Daerah Kabupaten Tangerang

In this study, there is an identification of a gap between what is expected and the actual reality in the efforts of the Tangerang district government in fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities. This gap, which is called das sein and das sollen, encouraged researchers to make a thesis on the issue. The purpose of this study is to provide a detailed description of the level of accessibility of public services available to individuals with disabilities within the Tangerang Regency local government. Zeithaml, Parasuraman, and Berry (as cited in Hardiansyah, 2018: 63) propose that to assess the quality of service actually perceived by consumers, there are specific indicators of service quality that can be categorised into five categories of service quality, namely tangible, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. The results of this study have several points 1) Incomplete regulations or technical implementation standards for public services for persons with disabilities in the form of Tangerang Regent regulations as guidelines for the implementation of Tangerang Regency PERDA No. 11/2018 concerning the protection and fulfilment of the rights of persons with disabilities; 2) The attitude of government officials towards persons with disabilities The government is one of the important actors in the successful implementation of public service accessibility for persons with disabilities. 3) Attitudes of non-disabled people towards people with disabilities and people with disabilities towards non-disabled people In addition to the government as an important actor in the successful implementation of accessibility of public services for persons with disabilities, non-disabled people have an important part in the successful implementation of public service accessibility for persons with disabilities. Suggestions for the Tangerang Regency Government, especially public service providers from the executive branch, to immediately make a Tangerang Regent Regulation (PERBUP) regarding the fulfilment of the rights of persons with disabilities so that it can become a guideline and technical guidance for all public service providers.

In praise of cooking gas subsidies: transitional fuels to advance health and equity * * Our title draws inspiration from Kirk R. Smith (2002) ‘In praise of petroleum?’ Science and Kirk R. Smith (2014) ‘In praise of power’ Science.

Households that burn biomass in inefficient open fires—a practice that results in $1.6 trillion in global damages from health impacts and climate-altering emissions yearly—are often unable to access cleaner alternatives, like gas, which is widely available but unaffordable, or electricity, which is unattainable for many due to insufficient supply and reliability of electricity services. Governments are often reluctant to make gas affordable. We argue that condemnation of all fossil fuel subsidies is short-sighted and does not adequately consider subsidizing gas for cooking as a potential strategy to improve public health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“I'm not very skilled in using gadgets:” A qualitative exploration of the facilitators and barriers to using telepharmacy services among Filipino senior citizens

BackgroundTelepharmacy provides remote care by pharmacists to distant patients via telecommunications. It is a new service used in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its utilization among vulnerable populations, notably senior citizens, remains relatively unexplored. ObjectiveThis study explored the facilitators and barriers to telepharmacy use among senior citizens in Pasig City, Philippines. Pasig City, a highly urbanized area in Metro Manila, is known for its quality and accessible healthcare services and has a high population of senior citizens. MethodsSix focus groups were conducted: three with telepharmacy users and three with non-users, each with 3–5 participants. Focus groups were concluded upon reaching data saturation, where no new insights emerged. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using deductive and inductive content analysis, guided by the Health Belief Model. Coding and data management were facilitated by MAXQDA software. ResultsFilipino senior citizens recognize the convenience and reliability of telepharmacy services for healthcare advice. Their use is influenced by social factors (friends, family, social media) and personal relevance, especially for those with chronic conditions. Positive experiences increase their likelihood of continued use and recommendations to peers. However, barriers such as poor service knowledge, low self-efficacy, and limited access (lack of smartphones, unreliable internet) hinder broader adoption. ConclusionsTelepharmacy enhances the health and well-being of Filipino senior citizens by offering convenient and effective pharmaceutical care. However, barriers exist that need to be addressed through a multifaceted approach, including education and training for seniors, improved internet infrastructure, and the design of user-friendly platforms.

Is volumetric pricing for drinking water an effective revenue strategy in rural Mali?

Africa lags behind the world on operational and financial progress to maintain safe drinking water services. In rural Mali, we explore the implications of monthly flat fee contributions and volumetric (pay-as-you-fetch) payments for water use and revenue generation. By assessing 4413 months of data across 177 handpumps, we find that once payment modalities switch from volumetric payments to monthly flat fees, a waterpoint registers a more than three-times higher monthly revenue. While flat fees cover a higher share of the operational costs of providing reliable water services, a subsidy gap persists. Flat fees appear to stimulate daily water use which more than doubles compared to volumetric payments. We estimate that a 1 °C increase in average monthly temperature is associated with 180 more litres of water used every day per handpump, emphasising the importance of climate-resilient water supplies. Based on these insights, we discuss the role of professional service delivery models to support reliable drinking water services for rural communities.

Railway Service Dynamics: Factors Shaping Customer Satisfaction in Indian Railways

This paper explores how customer satisfaction and service quality are perceived in the context of Indian Railways, focusing on factors that significantly influence passenger experiences. Drawing from both extensive literature and empirical data collected through a structured questionnaire from 305 respondents in Vijayawada, the study identifies key elements such as punctuality, cleanliness, ticketing procedures, staff behavior, and overall service reliability. Analysis using ANOVA reveals varying impacts of these factors on customer satisfaction across different service dimensions. While punctuality and staff behavior emerged as significant influencers, amenities like seating comfort and digital services showed less impact. Managerial implications highlight the importance of customer-centric strategies, staff training, and infrastructure improvements to enhance service quality and passenger satisfaction. The study concludes with suggestions for future research, emphasizing the need for exploring additional variables and conducting longitudinal studies to track changes in customer perceptions over time. This research not only enriches understanding of service quality in Indian Railways but also offers insights applicable to global transportation systems.

Modelling and Optimization of Residential Electricity Load under Stochastic Demand

The paper considers a modelling framework for a set of households in residential areas; using electricity as a form of energy for domestic consumption. Considering the demand and availability of units for electricity consumption, optimal decisions for electricity load allocation are paramount to sustain energy management. We formulate this problem as a stochastic decision-making process model where electricity demand is characterized by Markovian demand. The loading and operational framework is governed by the demand and supply phenomena; where shortage costs are realized when demand exceeds supply. Empirical data for electricity consumption was collected from fifty households in two residential areas within the suburbs of Kampala in Uganda. Data collection was made at hourly intervals over a period of four months. The major problem focussed on determining an optimal electricity loading decision in order to minimize consumption costs as demand changes from one state to another. Considering a multi-period planning horizon, an optimal decision was determined for loading or not loading additional electricity units using Markov decision process approach. The model was tested; whose results demonstrated the existence of an optimal state-dependent decision and consumption costs considering the case study used in this study. The proposed model can be cost-effective for managers in the electricity industry. Improved efficiency and utilization of resources for the distribution systems of electricity to residential areas was realised; with subsequent enhanced reliability of service to essential customers of the energy market.

Pavement Service Life Prediction with PLAXIS 3D in Bangladesh

This research aims to forecast the service life of the flexible pavement in Bangladesh. The service life of flexible pavement is greatly affected by the climate and traffic load. Pavements are severely deteriorated by the overweight trucks, shortening their lifespan. The study aims to predict the service life of a flexible road using the PLAXIS 3D software. The PYTHON algorithm was utilized for the pre- and post-processing of new mechanistic empirical approach based on the AASHTO 2008 design standard. PLAXIS 3D was used for realistic soil & damage modelling and to obtain a reliable service life. Rajshahi City Bypass Nowhata Road was chosen as the study area for this study because the road condition of Nowhata is defected day by day and the number of moving vehicles with high axle load also increasing. This research has established to give the valid data to the authority according to the construction materials of flexible pavement to get better performance and proper use of materials. This road is constructed under the Road & Highway Department (RHD), Rajshahi Zone. This study shows realistic results based on temperature, soil data of subgrade and the materials property used in the PLAXIS 3D software and PYTHON programming language.

Assessing the Impact of Financial Technology (Fintech) on Financial Inclusion in Egypt: An Applied Study

Financial technology (Fintech) has emerged as a transformative force in the global financial landscape, offering innovative solutions to longstanding challenges. This study delves into the Egyptian context to assess the profound impact of fintech on financial inclusion—a crucial factor for economic development and social equity. Through empirical analysis, this research endeavors to unveil the multifaceted ways in which fintech is reshaping the financial landscape in Egypt, particularly regarding expanding access to financial services for underserved and unbanked populations. The data was collected from financial statements of banks over the period of 2018 – 2022, with keywords identified in annual reports to create dummy variables for analysis and analyzing it by STATA through logistic regression to determine whether there is a significant impact or not. The results reveal that the research supports the hypothesis that fintech has a significant effect on financial inclusion, as well as on reliability, availability, accessibility, and efficiency of electronic government services. Thus, this study contributes valuable insights for the Egyptian government to develop electronic payment systems and regulations that maximize the availability, accessibility, efficiency, and responsiveness of electronic government services, ultimately improving the lives of the nation’s residents. Keywords: Fintech, E-payment bills, Modes of payment, E-government system, Financial Inclusion

Multi-Agent DRL for task offloading with delay reliability assurances in ris-aided MEC in UDN

Abstract This paper focuses on the scenario where Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) are introduced in ultra-dense networks (UDN) to guarantee the transmission performance of task offloading of users in Mobile Edge Computing (MEC). Considering users’ task arrival and wireless channel stochasticity, we analyze the delay violation probability bound for each user’s two-hop tandem queueing system with the Martingale theory, i.e., the task offloading and edge computing queues. By taking the delay violation probability bounds as the service reliability constraint, we further propose a MADRL-based algorithm, which co-trains each user and BS as independent and heterogeneous agents and maximizes the total energy efficiency of the system by jointly optimizing the users’ offloading ratio, the RISs’ phase-shift, and the BSs’ resource allocation policy. Experimental results show that our algorithm can improve the EE by about 17.9% compared to other alternative methods under different reliability requirements.

EXAMINING THE ROLE OF SERVICE QUALITY DIMENSIONS OF MOBILE PHONE SERVICE PROVIDERS; AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

Service quality has become a critical factor for the competitive advantage of mobile phone service providers in the telecommunication industry. This study explores the key factors influencing service quality in mobile phone service providers and their impact on customer satisfaction and loyalty. The analysis focuses on dimensions such as network quality, customer support, pricing, service reliability, and value-added services. The research aims to identify how these factors contribute to the overall perception of service quality and determine the most significant determinants of customer satisfaction. The non-probability convenience sampling technique is the most suitable method when it is not possible to obtain information from every member of the sample population. Additionally, the precise population frame of mobile phone service consumers in the study area could not be determined, as the number of users could not be ascertained. The interview schedule was employed to acquire the primary data from the respondents. The data that has been collected is coded and inserted into a primary table. The data are analysed in accordance with the nature of the data and the intent of the analysis (nature of the problem) using the SPSS software. For the purpose of the research, a sample size of 100 respondents is selected from an infinite population. A random sample strategy was used by the researcher in order to choose the objects that would be used for sampling. The findings highlight the need for service providers to continuously adapt and enhance their service offerings to meet evolving customer expectations and maintain competitiveness in a rapidly changing market

Effective Automation of End-to-End Testing for OTT Platforms

The rapid evolution of Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms has reshaped the digital media landscape, necessitating robust testing strategies to ensure seamless user experiences and service reliability. Effective automation of end-to-end testing for OTT platforms emerges as a crucial strategy to address the complexities associated with diverse content delivery, user interactions, and varying device compatibilities. This paper explores the challenges and best practices in automating end-to-end testing processes for OTT platforms, focusing on integrating various testing tools, frameworks, and methodologies to achieve comprehensive coverage and efficiency. OTT platforms deliver content directly over the internet, bypassing traditional broadcast and cable channels. This direct-to-consumer approach introduces unique challenges in testing, such as ensuring consistent performance across different devices, network conditions, and content types. Additionally, the dynamic nature of content libraries and frequent updates necessitate rigorous testing to identify and rectify potential issues proactively. Automation, with its capacity to simulate real-world usage scenarios, streamline repetitive tasks, and enhance testing accuracy, plays a pivotal role in addressing these challenges. The paper first outlines the primary challenges in end-to-end testing for OTT platforms. These challenges include the need for cross-platform compatibility, performance under varying network conditions, and the ability to handle diverse content formats and streaming protocols. The complexities are compounded by the requirement for real-time performance metrics and user experience evaluations, which demand a sophisticated testing infrastructure.

Effect of Agency Banking Services Provision on Performance of Small Business Entrepreneurs at Chamwino District

Purpose: This study endeavours to examine effects of agency banking services provision in rural area on performance of small business entrepreneurs at Chamwino District, Dodoma Region. Urban settings have been the main areas of concentration, leaving out the dynamics and challenges rural entrepreneurs encounter while using agency banking services to expand their businesses, hence the essence of undertaking this study. Design/Methodology/Approach: Cross sectional research design was used, and a sample of 108 respondents were involved in this study. Data were analysed using descriptive and multiple linear regression analysis. Findings: The study findings show that, variables of accessibility, privacy and reliability of agency banking services have positive and statistically significant impacts on the performance of small business entrepreneurs in rural areas. Implications/Originality/Value: The study recommends banking industry in Tanzania to establish standardized fee structures and transaction charges for agency banking services. Also ensure transparency and prevent excessive costs to users of agency banking services. By so doing, it can ease provision and expansion of various online banking services to majority of the underserved communities in rural areas of Tanzania

A framework for automated reconstruction of communication towers from terrestrial laser scanning point clouds

ABSTRACT Communication towers provide reliable wireless communication services and play a vital role in modern society. This paper presents an automatic 3D reconstruction framework for communication towers based on point clouds. The antenna is reconstructed by a model-driven method, which constructs an energy function including the data and smoothing terms to evaluate the model accuracy. The parameters of the antenna model are obtained by minimizing energy function with hybrid Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Simulated Annealing (SA). And the predefined model is transformed using these parameters to achieve antenna 3D reconstruction. For tower body reconstruction, the point cloud of the tower body is finely extracted with the region growing followed by piecewise fitting to obtain the model. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated on point clouds from six scenes. The average root-mean-square error (RMSE) of antenna reconstruction is 1.3 cm. The average precision, recall, and F1-score values of the tower body point extraction are 99.9%, 93.5%, and 96.6%, respectively. The average RMSE of tower body reconstruction is 1.2 cm. The experimental results indicate that the method can effectively reconstruct the antenna and tower body with point clouds, providing a feasible framework for the 3D reconstruction of communication towers.

Peran Customer Service (CS) Dalam Meningkatkan Loyalitas Nasabah Produk Tabungan Bank Sumut Cabang Syariah Sibolga

In providing services, the role of customer service is directly related to consumer choices, so reliable customer service is needed. This research aims to explain the role of customer service in increasing customer loyalty. The research method uses qualitative methods with data collection techniques through interviews and literature studies. The results of this research show that the role of customer service in increasing customer loyalty is very important through the services provided by the customer service department. Customer service is in the form of providing convenience to customers, because customer service is a connecting bridge or intermediary for banks and customers who want to obtain available bank services or products. Customer loyalty can be determined by their desire to continue using the services of Bank Sumut Syariah Branch in Sibolga City, this can be shown by their satisfaction with the services provided so far. The creation of customer satisfaction shows the loyal attitude of customers towards Bank Sumut Syariah Branch in Sibolga City.