Role In Construction Research Articles

Learning from the best: How medical-students construct role models in general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic and what factors influence this process, a qualitative study.

Background Role-modelling has been found to strongly influence speciality choice for medical students either positively or negatively. There is a deficit in recruitment toward general practice, set to exacerbate the shortfall in GP numbers over the coming decade in the face of spiralling demand. In medical school, students acquire knowledge, skills and start to form their professional identity by observation and interaction with medical educators through the process of role-modelling. Given the significance of this process, the present study attempted to explore the “lived experience” of medical students encountering potential role models during their GP placement using a qualitative method. Methods Following a design based upon the principles of Grounded Theory 10 qualitative interviews were conducted with third-year medical student volunteers at Warwick Medical School. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using theoretical axial coding demonstrating data saturation in key themes. Results Analysis of data gave insights regarding student perception of positive and negative role modelling in three corresponding domains: Personal Attributes, Student Relationship and Patient Relationships. Conclusions The findings offer unique insights into the influence and impact of GP role-modelling on medical student’s experiences and perceptions during a time of the Covid-19 pandemic and the immediate post-pandemic period and add to the wider body of literature by exploring the influences GP role-modelling has on medical student training experience. The findings support easily implementable recommendations to strengthen positive role modelling in the GP medical student placement context.

Reliability and Fire Performance of Built-up (Battened) Cold-formed Steel Columns: Numerical study

Cold-formed steel (CFS) columns play a crucial role in modern construction due to their lightweight, prefabricated, and recyclable characteristics, contributing significantly to structural safety and reliability. However, unprotected CFS columns lose their load-bearing capacity within 10-15 minutes under fire conditions. This study reviews recent advancements aimed at improving the fire resistance of CFS columns, focusing on factors such as steel thickness, grade, cross-sectional shape, and fire protection materials. Using ABAQUS software, validated against experimental data, parametric studies reveal that thicker sections and higher-grade steels enhance fire resistance, delaying structural failure. Fire protection strategies, such as plasterboard encasement, further bolster safety. The Complex cross-sectional shape demonstrated the highest load capacity (178.51 kN), while G450 steel outperformed other grades in both load capacity and fire resistance. Columns with 1.95 mm thickness provided the longest failure time (73.49 minutes).

Exploring the Metaphorical Use of TEMPERATURE Domain in Character Descriptions in Susan Cooper’s The Dark Is Rising Sequence: A Cognitive Linguistic Approach

This study investigates the metaphorical use of the TEMPERATURE domain in character descriptions within Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising series, adopting the framework of Conceptual Metaphor Theory. Despite extensive scholarly attention to the series from literary and cultural studies perspectives, there is a notable gap in cognitive linguistic analysis. Concerning the TEMPERATURE domain, though it is essential to human experience and metaphorically rich in daily thought and language, there has been limited research on the role of this domain in literary discourse. To fill these research gaps, this study adopted the mixed-methods approach, combining (1) content analysis to examine the relationship between the TEMPERATURE domain, specifically WARMTH and COLDNESS domains, and character types and (2) thematic analysis to explore how these domains describe good and evil characters throughout the series. The findings reveal that both WARMTH and COLDNESS domains are used to describe good and evil characters, with no distinctive domain exclusive to each character type. This challenges the conventional association of warmth with goodness and coldness with evil. Such complexity can be attributed to the deceitful nature of evil characters and the emotional detachment of virtuous characters for the greater good, as demonstrated in the novel series. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the creative use of temperature-related metaphors in literature, offering insights into their role in character construction and thematic development.

AI-Driven Optimization of Financial Quantitative Trading Algorithms and Enhancement of Market Forecasting Capabilities

Abstract: The application of artificial intelligence (AI) into financial markets has revolutionised quantitative trading and market forecasting by increasing the efficiency of algorithmic trading, improving the accuracy of market predictions and facilitating real-time market decisions. This paper will provide an overview of the application of Al in the financial markets focusing on the use of machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL) and reinforcement learning (RL) in optimizing the trading algorithms, specifically the capability of Al to process very high data points and complex relationships that other quantitative models are unable to capture. We will discuss trading algorithms such as XGBoost, deep neural networks such as long short-term memory (LSTM) networks and convolutional neural networks (CNNs), how they can outperform traditional quantitative trading models and real-time decision making in stock price prediction, pattern recognition and trading strategy optimisation. We will also look at Al-enhanced predictive models that utilise deep learning and layered models, such as Natural language processing (NLP) sentiment analysis to capture the public sentiment in the market to forecast employing diverse datasets such as historical prices, market volatility, macroeconomic factors and social media sentiment to improve the forecasting accuracy. By going through several experiments and case studies, this paper will shed light on the impact of entrusting quantitative trading and market forecasting decisions to AI for improved performance and reduced errors. There are many challenges ahead but AI plays a constructive role in improving the trading strategies and forecasting market outcomes accurately.

Mediation and Anti-Mediation

The paper claims that traditional postphenomenology has not fully acknowledged the significance of breakdowns and anomalies in technology, as it is overly influenced by Heidegger's tool analysis and the dichotomy between ready-to-hand and present-at-hand. This approach means that classical postphenomenology prioritizes the aspects of usage and functionality, dismissing a broken artifact as mere detritus irrelevant to technological mediation. Therefore, to truly grasp the role of breakdowns and anomalies within technological mediation, a shift in the conceptual framework is necessary. Consequently, the paper suggests improving the concept of technological mediation with the idea of immunization, as developed by Sloterdijk and Esposito. This shift in perspective allows us to a) move beyond the Heideggerian dichotomy, b) reassess the preeminence of usage and functionality, and c) recognize the boundaries of technological mediation. The paper refers to some of these boundaries as "anti-mediations," which are cases of unbalanced or excessive mediation. It posits that in the realm of AI, breakdowns and anomalies are not just setbacks but invaluable moments that safeguard against the pitfalls of anti-mediation. This viewpoint significantly enriches our comprehension of AI, spotlighting its role not merely as a tool but as a dynamic participant in shaping the balance between effective mediation and overreach. By recognizing the constructive role of errors and disruptions in AI systems, we gain profound insights into how AI can evolve and be steered towards fostering more meaningful human-technology interactions, steering clear of the risks associated with anti-mediation.

Analyze the Cultural Efficacy of the Ancient Shipwreck Hailao Porcelain in the New Era from the Perspective of Culture

The presence of Hailao porcelain in the world is widespread, with historical, economic, practical, artistic, and other functional attributes, so its comprehensive benefits cannot be underestimated. The development of modern science and technology, and the reasonable and effective development of Hailao porcelain in different times, are conducive to the development of China’s cultural construction. Because Hailao porcelain is different from the traditional ancient porcelain (handed down and unearthed), it is a new cultural research field. This marine wealth has great economic, cultural, and historical value, and plays an important role in the cultural construction and social development of the country in the new period. The cultural efficacy covered by the ancient shipwreck Hailao porcelain includes the functions of inheritance, cognition, education, communication, and so on, which is conducive to the current cultural development. People can use the new perspective and new concept of cultural and creative thinking to make these cultural relics “alive”, give play to the new cultural value, promote the economy of cultural relics and works of art, serve the spiritual and cultural life, and strengthen the cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries in the world.

Comparison of Rigid Pavement Planning Using PD T-14-2003 and NAASRA 1987 Methods in Industrial Areas

As vital infrastructure, roads are a means of transportation access and function as a distribution route for goods and services. Road pavement plays a crucial role in highway construction, necessitating proper planning according to Indonesian standards and planning criteria to ensure smooth land transportation and provide comfort and safety for its users. This study aims to provide information on road conditions, drainage dimensions, and construction costs. Planning is crucial in every road construction design, particularly for rigid pavement, based on survey data collected from the road section. Numerous methods exist for calculating the design value of rigid pavement. We use the Pd T-14-2003 method and the NAASRA 1987 method (National Association of Australian State Road Authorities) to plan rigid pavement thickness in the industrial area of PT. Bukit Muria Jaya Kudus. The Pd T-14-2003 method yielded a JSKN of 4x107 and a CBR of 35% for the subgrade, resulting in a plate thickness of 150 mm. While the Naasra 1987 planning method achieved a JSKN of 6x107 and a CBR of 35% for the base soil, a plate thickness of 160 mm was obtained with a value of K = 80 kPa/mm. The reinforcement planning using the Pd T-14-2003 and Naasra 1987 methods involves longitudinal reinforcement D10 mm at a distance of 150 mm and transverse reinforcement D10 mm at 250 mm. The drainage dimensions at the cross-section location are width x height (1 m x 1 m), and the guard's height is 0.2 m.

Nāgārjuna’s Madhyamaka Reconsidered: Neopragmatist Reflections on Language

This paper provides a novel interpretation of Nāgārjuna’s Madhyamaka. I highlight what I take to be an unexamined presupposition shared by contemporary Madhyamaka scholars, i.e., representationalism, in order to show how this assumption underpins ongoing debates over whether Nāgārjuna’s thought is primarily “reason-driven” or principally “soteriologically-animated”. Using a neopragmatist account of language, I trace scholarly debates over the metalinguistic function of Nāgārjuna’s assertions and demonstrate representationalism’s role in contemporary constructions of a Madhyamaka-friendly semantic theory. I argue that by explicitly rejecting representationalism, we can sidestep scholarly debates about truth and utility, as well as lay to rest concerns with the order of value between zetetic and protreptic techniques. Finally, through a comparison with Richard Rorty, I show that an anti-representationalist framework is implicit in Nāgārjuna’s arguments. This, in turn, allows the problem of hypostatization to take center stage in the Madhyamaka message.

Can government digital transformation improve corporate energy efficiency in resource-based cities?

Corporations in resource-based cities have long faced unique challenges in achieving sustainable development. Digital government construction, a critical strategy for enhancing governance capacity through information technology, presents significant potential to improve corporate energy efficiency and foster sustainable growth. This study explores the impact of digital government construction on corporate energy efficiency in China's resource-based cities, utilizing data from listed companies. The findings are as follows: First, digital government construction significantly enhances corporate energy efficiency in resource-based cities, with this effect remaining robust across a series of robustness checks. Second, the extent of this beneficial effect varies with factors such as digital infrastructure level, environmental policy stringency, local financial constraints, and corporate ownership structure. Third, the improvement in energy efficiency is primarily driven by advances in technological innovation and reductions in non-productive expenditures. These findings underscore the pivotal role of digital government construction as an effective tool for enhancing energy efficiency and supporting sustainable development in resource-based cities.

Comparison of the mechanical properties and constitutive models of carbon fiber-reinforced coral concrete cubes and prisms under uniaxial compression

Carbon fiber reinforced coral concrete (CFRCC) plays a crucial role in island construction. In engineering applications, CFRCC is often subjected to complex stress states. Multiaxial stress studies usually use cubes, and in order to maintain research consistency, uniaxial studies also often use cubes. Traditional uniaxial stress studies mainly use prisms. However, the differences in uniaxial compression mechanical properties between these two types of specimens have not been thoroughly studied. To fill this gap, this study conducted uniaxial compression tests on cubes and compared the results with previous tests on prisms.The results showed that the failure patterns of the two types of specimens were different. The main cracks of the cubes were vertically distributed, while the main cracks of the prisms mostly unfolded diagonally. The addition of carbon fibers (CFs) reduced the number of large cracks and increased the number of microcracks. The stress-strain curves, peak stress, peak strain, and initial elastic modulus of the two types of specimens show similar variations with CFs, and CFs significantly improve the mechanical properties of coral concrete. The constitutive models based on prisms cannot accurately describe the mechanical behavior of cubes, therefore, we proposed revised constitutive models. The revised constitutive models can accurately describe the mechanical behavior of cubes. This study laid the foundation for subsequent research on multiaxial stress.

Multimodality in systems driven by Ornstein-Uhlenbeck noise.

The presence of noise in nonlinear dynamical systems can significantly change their properties. Here, we study the properties of a noise perturbed motion in a single-well potential of |x|n (n>0) type. We explore under what conditions the action of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck noise induces bimodality of stationary states in static, single-well, power-law potentials. In particular, we inspect the transition from unimodality (n⩽2) to bimodality (n>2). Results of numerical simulations are compared with estimates obtained from the unified colored-noise approximation. Furthermore, we explore the role of a harmonic addition to the general single-well power-law potentials showing its constructive or destructive role.

Peran Perguruan Pencak Silat MS Jalan Enam Pengasinan dalam Pembentukan Karakter

This research discusses the role of Pencak Silat MS Jalan Enam Pengasinan in the formation of children's character education through the application of values such as discipline, responsibility and courage. The school, founded by H. Mai'in Bin H.Ki`in, uses specific traditions and rituals as part of its members' education process. A qualitative approach was applied in this study, with data collection through in-depth interviews and observations of trainers and members. The results show that Pencak Silat MS Jalan Enam Pengasinan functions not only as a martial art, but also as an effective tool in shaping positive character, especially in social and cultural aspects. Thus, pencak silat makes a significant contribution in educating young people who have a strong personality and are able to play a constructive role in their social environment.

Framing HIV and AIDS in competitive authoritarian democracies. Case study of the print press in Mozambique, 1986–2020

Mozambique has the sixth highest prevalence of HIV in the world and ranks fourth in new infections. The government-owned print press Notícias has played an important role in the social construction of HIV and AIDS in the country as it was entrusted with the role of disseminating HIV and AIDS information to the public since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country in 1986. Using Notícias’ articles and frame analysis perspective, the article analyses the way Notícias has framed HIV and AIDS in the country since the late 1980s. The choice of media results from the fact that the way a phenomenon is constructed influences the way it is understood, as well as the way people may behave before it. The study found that Notícias’ frames on HIV and AIDS have suffered from a threefold tension: the need to maintain the Frelimo government’s former centralised and grassroots-orientated socialist ideology of health services in the context of the liberal market; the need to balance the influence of the global multilateral and bilateral actors and the Frelimo government’s political interest of translating HIV and AIDS response to the Mozambican context; and the need to portray a nationalist and positive image of the government’s performance in HIV and AIDS response before Mozambique’s non-fully plausible societal practices for an effective HIV and AIDS response. In a top-down approach, Notícias’ frames reflect not only the African post-independence ancillary and nationalist role of government-owned print press but also the power of global actors. Less is done from the societal bottom-up perspective.

A Comparative Analysis Review of Plant Fibres in Advanced Bio-based Material for Sustainable Drone Construction

As researchers’ awareness of ecological impact and climate change increases, several solutions were proposed to help reduce carbon emissions and promote the circularity of materials. Drones technology can help monitor the environment since it can cover a large area, collect real-time images and data, and operate in dangerous environments. Also, the drone’s ecological factor could be further increased by its construction itself. Thus, many researchers are trying to develop a sustainable drone using plant fibres to reduce carbon emissions and ensure the circularity of materials. This review mainly compares the drones made from plant fibres and traditional materials such as plastics and synthetic fibres. This review also includes the introduction of material circularity, the drone’s role in helping ensure material circularity and environment safety, and the advantages and disadvantages of the drone materials. The review will also compare the drone performances made from different bio-based materials with conventional ones. Plant fibres’ role in drone construction significantly contributes to reducing carbon emissions and ensuring the circularity of materials. With drone construction paving the way for other critical structural applications, there is a possibility that plant fibres will soon become the most significant raw material for sustainable products.

Exploration on Innovation Platforms Construction for Improving the Talent Cultivation Quality of Agricultural Built Environment and Energy Engineering Major in Agricultural University

Amidst the global transformation of energy structures and the acceleration of agricultural modernization, the cultivation of talents confronts unprecedented challenges and opportunities for agricultural built environment and energy engineering (ABEEE) programs at agricultural universities. This paper focuses on the role and practical pathways of innovative platform construction in enhancing the quality of talent cultivation in this field, aiming to explore an educational reform path that aligns with the development needs of the new era. Initially, the paper analyzes the current issues in ABEEE professional education at agricultural universities, including the disconnection between theory and practice, inadequate cultivation of innovation capabilities and the lack of distinct professional characteristics et al. Based on these insights, the necessity and urgency of constructing innovative platforms is emphasized in this work. It can effectively promote interdisciplinary integration, bolster practical operation skills for students, further strengthen their scientific research and innovation capabilities by establishing industry-university collaboration platforms with enhanced professional characteristics, scientific research innovation platforms, and virtual simulation teaching platforms et al. Finally, the necessary of continuously optimizing the functions and services of these innovative platforms, strengthening exchanges and cooperation with other higher education institutions are highlighted according to the current existing problems and challenges. This research can not only provide a novel perspective and thoughts for educational reform in agricultural universities, but also serves as a reference for talent cultivation model innovation in other fields.

Comparative Statistical Analysis of Changes in Average Asking Prices for Housing in the Administrative Districts of Moscow

The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of the residential real estate market in nine administrative districts of Moscow in 2016 and 2024. The paper focuses on the features of housing price formation and considers factors influencing pricing, including socio-economic conditions and transport infrastructure. The study outlines the role of housing construction and the investment attractiveness of various districts of the capital.The authors used official data from Russia's largest real estate technology service (CIAN) on asking prices for apartments for sale depending on their parameters. The article draws on such indicators as the local average price per square meter of the total area of dwellings and the number of offers of apartments for sale. It is shown that apartment prices in two administrative districts (AO) of Moscow have a stable growth trend in 2024, which was not observed in 2016. It is concluded that the real estate markets in the districts of Moscow in 2016 (exception for the Central AO) were strongly differentiated in price offers in 2024, and, therefore, it is incorrect to use the average price per square meter of Moscow residential real estate as a characteristic of housing quality in 2024.The article lists events that influenced changes in the Moscow residential real estate market without specifying the relative strength of their impact. According to the authors, each event had its causes, but their almost simultaneous appearance led to tension in the housing market for all participants.In conclusion, the significant impact of inflation and the restoration of residential premises (after renting) on the growth of residential property values and the potential for using housing as an investment object is emphasized

The Influence of Business Support Services on Digital Entrepreneurs’ Performance: A case of University of Dar es Salaam ICT Innovation Hub, Tanzania

This paper examined the influence of business support services provided by incubators on the performance of digital entrepreneurs in Tanzania, with a specific focus on the University of Dar es Salaam ICT Incubator (UDICTI). The Open Innovation theoretical framework guided this study. The descriptive survey design was deployed through mixed research approaches to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. A sample of 42 active incubatees was selected from a population of 53 incubatees at University of Da es Salaam Innovation Hub through simple random probability technique. The five Likert scale questionnaire was designed for the collection of quantitative data while the semi-structured interview was utilized for the collection of qualitative data for triangulation purpose. Furthermore, data were analyzed using multiple regression method and content analysis method. Findings indicate that business services including business development assistance, marketing assistance, mentoring and funding positively and significantly contribute to the performance of digital entrepreneurs. The findings of the study highlight the critical role of business support services in enhancing the performance of digital entrepreneurs, particularly within the context of the University of Dar es Salaam ICT Innovation Hub. These insights are significant for fostering innovation and economic growth, not only within Tanzania but also in similar developing regions. The research concluded that constructive role of business support services namely business development assistance, marketing assistance, mentoring and funding positively influence growth of digital incubates. The implications of this research can guide policymakers and stakeholders in creating supportive ecosystems that empower digital entrepreneurs. It is recommended that the hub should allocate sufficient and continuous funding to support digital incubators and strengthen its monitoring efforts for existing incubates.

An anthropological critique of psychiatric rating scales

SUMMARY This article discusses sceptical arguments about measurement scales. Measurement scales are part of a promising agenda of openness, transparency and patient and public involvement (PPI) in medical research, but have received critical, sometimes hostile attention from anthropologists. This is because scales repackage localised cultural assumptions about distress as something universal and pan-human and have the capacity to reshape people's interior lives in unhelpful, possibly harmful ways. We take as an example the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Use of the PHQ-9 is currently mandated by major funders. But its history suggests flawed PPI and a lack of openness. The article suggests a constructive role for anthropology in mental health research, using ethnographic evidence and theory to show how, although they have their uses, mental health scales should not be regarded as inert or harmless.

Transforming fire protection: AI's evolving role in proactive and reactive applications

Abstract. This paper comprehensively reviews the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of fire protection. It traces the historical development of AI, from its origins in the 1930s and 1940s to its current state, focusing on major milestones and algorithms that have shaped the field. The paper discusses the evolution of AI, particularly in terms of machine learning, deep learning, and the emergence of various models such as deep neural networks (DNNs), transformer models, and graph neural networks (GNNs). The application of AI in fire protection is explored in two primary categories: proactive and reactive applications. Proactive applications encompass AI's role in decision-making, construction, and operation, including the use of machine learning for environmental analysis, building information modelling (BIM) for design optimization, 3D printing and intelligent robots in construction, and intelligent fire facility management. Reactive applications focus on early fire detection and monitoring, especially in forests, utilizing terrestrial, aerial, and satellite systems equipped with advanced sensors and deep learning techniques. This paper highlights the significant contributions of AI in mitigating fire risks, improving fire detection and response, and enhancing the safety and efficiency of fire protection systems.

The Function of OPEC in International Climate Change Law: the Route Taken to COP 28 and the Route Ahead

Abstract Since the consumption of fossil fuels is the main source of GHGs emissions and consequently climate change, the approach of OPEC to climate change is very important. The recent position of OPEC regarding the proposal to phasing out fossil fuels at COP 28 in 2023 showed how significant its approach can be in the evolution process of this regime. The question is what function OPEC has had and should have in the evolution of the climate change law. The results of this research show that in the first encounter of OPEC with the issue, due to the inherent conflict of the economic interests of member states with the goals of the climate change regime, it adopted an obstructive approach. But gradually, due to the global acceptance of the regime and comprehensive consensus regarding the scientific certainty of the threats of climate change, OPEC, reluctantly and inevitably, adjusted its former opposite position to some extent through its active participation in climate negotiations. However, in light of the increasing trend of GHGs emissions by the member states, which indicates the inability of OPEC to align the practice of its members with the goals of climate change, and the recent strong position of OPEC regarding the elimination of fossil fuels in COP 28, concerns have been raised about the future function of OPEC in the climate change legal regime. To play a constructive role in the future and use the available opportunities to reduce the climate change damage to the interests of the member countries over the long term, it should adopt initiatives such as functional changes and integration of climate issues into its strategies and projects in member states to be a supportive partner in the fight against climate change.