Strategic Control Research Articles

Lignocellulose hydrothermal artificial humic acid production: Reaction parameters screening and investigation of model/real feedstock

Utilizing relatively mild hydrothermal conversion technique (under optimized conditions, 200 °C, 4 h, 1:10 solid-liquid ratio, 0.5 M NaOH), lignocellulosic biomass can be efficiently transformed into humic acids, thereby significantly enhancing its utilization. Additionally, this approach provides a means for precise manipulation of the composition and properties of the resulting humic acids. In this comprehensive study, lignocellulosic biomass, comprising various attributes like coniferous, broadleaf, and grassy species, as well as model components like cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, underwent hydrothermal reactions to produce humic acids. Firstly, a systematic evaluation was conducted to determine the influence of operational parameters on the formation of humic acids. Subsequently, the characteristics of humic acids derived from diverse lignocellulosic biomass sources were analyzed and benchmarked against commercial humic acids. Based on the empirical findings, a mechanistic pathway for the generation of humic acids was figured out. The results indicate that the primary stages in the hydrothermal conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to humic acids involve initial hydrolysis into smaller molecular components, followed by further reactions leading to the formation of humic acids. Notably, the interplay between cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and other minor components, such as tannins and pectins, plays a pivotal role in the synthesis of humic acids. The characterization of the derived humic acids revealed several noteworthy distinctions from commercial products. In the infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and elemental analysis (EA) characterization, the synthetic humic acid has more oxygen functional groups, alkane groups and aromatic structures. In the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the synthetic humic acid has more diverse forms and proportions of elements. In thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the synthesized humic acid has higher thermal stability. The synthetic humic acid has a rougher surface microstructure. The synthetic humic acid has higher fluorescence intensity in three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum (3D EEM). Lignocellulose biomass raw materials with high wood quality content can obtain higher humic acid yield, but the interaction of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and other group components (such as tannins, pectin, etc.) in the hydrothermal process plays an important role in the generation of humic acid. This research offers valuable insights into the chemically driven production of humic acids and the strategic control of their properties, based on the structural and compositional nuances of the raw materials.

Strategic biological control of difficult-to-control plant diseases and pests for sustainable agriculture

Strategic biological control of difficult-to-control plant diseases and pests for sustainable agriculture

A Case Study on Canine Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis)

A four years old Japanese Spitz dog with a history of anorexia, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, reluctant to move, respiratory difficulty, and abdominal discomfort was admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Nepal Polytechnic Institute, Chitwan, Nepal. The dog underwent clinical examination including hematological investigation. The hematological blood assays revealed severe anaemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, lymphocytopenia, monocytopenia, and eosinopenia. A peripheral blood smear showed undulating movement of larvae of Dirofilaria Immitis which confirmed it as a canine Dirofilaria immitis (canine heart worm) disease. On the first day of presentation in the hospital, since the dog was dehydrated and anorectic, it was given fluids of 400 ml of normal saline and 200 ml of DNS (dextrose normal saline), pantoprazole at 0.7 mg/kg slow IV, ondansetron at 0.5 mg/kg slow IV, and haematinic agent (HB-RON®) at 5 ml BID PO (Iron, vitamin B12, Folic acid, Zinc, L-Lysin). The following day, the dog was dead, even before all the confirmatory diagnoses. That shows heartworm is prevalent in dog so strategic vector control and screening are recommended for the prevention and control of the disease in countries like Nepal.

Strategic biological control of difficult-to-control plant diseases and pests for sustainable agriculture

Strategic biological control of difficult-to-control plant diseases and pests for sustainable agriculture

Morphological and molecular identification of Heterakis gallinarum in Gallus gallus and its phylogenetic analysis based on ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA fragment in Kashmir valley, India.

Heterakis gallinarum is one of the most common round worms infecting wide range of terrestrial birds including domestic fowl. H. dispar and H. isolonche are the species of same genus which infect other hosts predominantly aquatic birds, but show morphological similarities mainly females of these species are difficult to identify. Here, we described the morphologically distinct features of H. gallinarum along with identification through molecular analysis using ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 ribosomal DNA. Four hundred gastrointestinal tracts of domestic fowl were analysed for a period of 2years. Light microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), was used for determining the morphometric measurements and characteristic morphological features of H. gallinarum. A PCR based DNA sequencing of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 ribosomal DNA was used for molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis was carried out through MEGA 11. Ninety gastrointestinal tracts were found to be infected with Heterakis gallinarum. The male worm displayed well developed lateral and caudal alae, caudal end had an anal sucker, 12 pairs of caudal papillae and cloaca from which 2 unequal spicules emerged. Female had visible vaginal bends, vulva present approximately in the middle of the body, and caudal end had a long pointed tail. Sequence analysis revealed that the PCR products of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA were 600bp in size and showed 96-98% similarity with the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences of H. gallinarum on BLAST analysis. Our ITS sequence of H. gallinarum showed a nucleotide divergence of 4.9% with H. gallinarum of Lucknow India. The phylogenetic analysis clearly differentiated H. gallinarum from the other representatives of the genus and revealed the relationship among different Heterakis species. The study revealed the infection status of Heterakis gallinarum prevailing among domestic fowl, and need of strategic control measures. The results of the study suggest that ITS rDNA would serve as a potential molecular marker in identification, diagnosis and systematics of Heterakis species.

Toughening Ceramic Joints through Strategic Fracture Path Control

AbstractCeramic‐on‐ceramic joints are notorious for their inherent brittleness, posing challenges for high‐performance applications. To address this, a novel approach is proposed to enhance the involvement of filler metals during fracture. This study investigates the controlled initiation and propagation of cracks in Al2O3–Al2O3 joints through a strategic combination of laser pre‐cracking, laser patterning, and laser active brazing techniques. By introducing pre‐cracking and African daisy‐like patterning, crack propagation dynamics are altered, with cracks initially confined within pre‐crack regions before navigating through pattern intrusions. Additionally, laser active brazing effectively managed titanium diffusion, optimizing interface strength control. Evaluation via SEVNB tests demonstrated a significant enhancement in fracture toughness, achieving maximal 25.6 ± 4.6 MPa·m0.5 compared to ≈3–5 MPa·m0.5 for alumina ribbons. This integrated approach offers precise control over fracture paths, thereby augmenting the performance of ceramic‐on‐ceramic joints, and holds promise for advancing their applications in demanding environments.

Getting value out of working memory through strategic prioritisation: Implications for storage and control.

Working memory is an active system responsible for the temporary maintenance and processing of information in the support of cognition and action. In keeping with this, a growing body of research has explored the close links between working memory and attention, and how these might be harnessed to impact performance and possibly improve working memory efficiency. This is theoretically and practically important, given that working memory is a central hub in complex cognition yet is extremely capacity- and resource-limited. We review work carried out over the last 10 years or so looking at how high "value" items in working memory can be strategically prioritised through selective attention, drawing principally from visual working memory paradigms with young adult participants, while also discussing how the core effects extend to different task domains and populations. A consistent set of core findings emerges, with improved memory for items that are allocated higher value but no change in overall task performance, and a recency advantage regardless of point allocation when items are encountered sequentially. Value-directed prioritisation is effortful, under top-down strategic control, and appears to vary with perceptual distraction and executive load. It is driven by processes operating during encoding, maintenance, and retrieval, though the extent to which these are influenced by different features of the task context remains to be mapped out. We discuss implications for working memory, attention, and strategic control, and note some possible future directions of travel for this promising line of research.

Strategic partnership between the United States and Egypt: A Historical Overview

This article examines the strategic partnership between the United States and Egypt, highlighting the historical significance and dynamics that have shaped this partnership since the 1970s. Egypt's strategic location and control of the Suez Canal contribute to its significant role in world trade and military strategies. Since the Cold War, U.S.-Egyptian relations have been characterized by military cooperation and significant economic assistance, despite occasional conflicts over human rights and democratization. While promoting democracy and protecting human rights worldwide, the United States has simultaneously supported authoritarian regimes in Egypt and the Middle East. Analyzing U.S. foreign policy towards Egypt, this study reveals a dichotomy between promotion of democratic values and security interests. This study highlights the benefits that the United States receives from this long-standing partnership as well as the implications for regional stability. Focusing on the intersection of U.S. values and security interests, this paper provides a balanced understanding of the long-term alliance and its impact on regional stability and international perceptions. This study uses historical analysis method to understand the nature and dynamics of the strategic relationship of the United States and Egypt.

Mathematical modelling and control approach for sustainable ecosystems in mitigating the impact of pollutants on aquatic species in rivers

This paper focuses on the urgent issue of minimising the impact of pollutants on aquatic life in river ecosystems. Our innovative approach involves the integration of mathematical modelling and strategic control methods to counteract the negative consequences of industrial and agricultural activities. The model, developed in a one-dimensional context, captures the complex dynamics of species population and pollutant concentration. Using an optimisation framework, we strive to achieve a harmonious balance that limits pollution, enhances species diversity and optimises control expenditure. Ultimately, we seek to harmonise industrial progress with ecological vitality, promoting the sustainability of river ecosystems for generations to come.

Socio-ecological predictors of dengue in high incidence area of Delhi, India

Despite the amplified vector-control measures, sporadic-epidemic outbreaks of dengue incidence occurred in Delhi, intermittently. This study aimed to identify the major individual, household, and community level predictors of dengue cases in the hot-spots of Delhi. Primary survey data was collected from the selected sample of 347 households, at the South- West district of Delhi. This survey has interviewed the head of the household to collect the information of dengue incidences within last one year and household information related to socio-economic, demographic, environmental factors, such as housing pattern, density, water storage containers, drainage and garbage collection site and method, mosquito protection measures and awareness. Among 347 households, 54 households had reported dengue cases, and 69 individuals had reported dengue cases in last one year. Garbage and water collection site and methods, drainage and household type, household monthly income, indoor bamboo plants, construction site (within 500 m), presence of tertiary care hospital, were the significant predictors of dengue incidences in Delhi. In conclusion, strategic control measures and intense social interventions such as household and community awareness, promotion of healthy practices should be promoted to control the dengue incidences.

Effects of recycled waste on the modulus of elasticity of structural concrete

Concrete, the construction industry’s most utilized construction material, has transformed the environment and the modern built-up lifestyle. Although concrete is a first-rate supplier to the carbon footprint, it is imperative for buildings to display sustainable characteristics. Scholars have explored techniques to lessen the carbon footprint and the way to put into effect strategic waste control plans in which waste is reused. This study explores the dual benefits wherein concrete ingredients are replaced through abandoned waste which reduces the unwanted waste materials that have a substantial carbon footprint and thus results in the recycling of waste as part of a sustainable economic system. In this study, timber ash is utilized as a partial substitute for sand and cement, crumb rubber and waste glass as a partial substitute for sand, recycled concrete, and waste glass as a substitute for gravel. Characteristics studies were done to check the influence of each waste replacement on the modulus of elasticity of concrete. More than sixty-five combinations of waste have been examined to attain the modulus of elasticity of concrete. A total of about 200 concrete cylinders were cast to provide at least three cylinders for each generated data point. Three different ASTM standards were utilized to determine the modulus of elasticity of each mix. Four mixes comprising of the combination of two waste materials and two mixes comprising of the combination of three waste materials replacing natural materials were determined to exhibit an equal or superior modulus of elasticity of the control mix of 25 GPa.

Management control practices for the sustainability transformation in the European construction industry

PurposeWhile research on sustainability reporting in the construction industry has already provided comprehensive findings, the purpose of this paper is to answer the question of how construction companies anchor the topic of sustainability in their strategic and operative management control practices. The implementation of sustainable business models and sustainability strategies requires proper management control instruments or mechanisms that support the transformation process or make it possible in the first place.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative content analysis based on deductive and inductive procedures was conducted. 39 sustainability reports published by the largest construction companies in the EU were examined.FindingsValuable insights are provided by showing which control instruments and mechanisms are used to improve corporate sustainability performance as well as how these are linked systematically. The results show that the focus is on strategic planning, cultural and administrative controls, while short-term targets, which could set out the path to achieving the long-term sustainability goals set, are often not reported. Strategic stakeholder theory and legitimacy theory provide explanations for the use of management control practices identified.Originality/valuePrevious studies often focus on selected single control practices and miss holistic approaches for investigating corporate sustainability in construction companies. Furthermore, theoretical perspectives with instrumental and socio/political views on corporate sustainability help us explain the control practices applied. Moreover, practitioners, standard setters and legislators can use the findings for sustainability management or for developing standards and legislation.

Effect of Strategic Financial Controls on Project Implementation in Selected County Government in Western Kenya

Purpose: The study analyzed the effect of strategic financial controls on project implementation in Selected County Government in Western Kenya. Methodology/Approach: A correlation research design was achieved. There are a total of 72 workers here, including managers, freelancers, and other employees. A pilot study was performed at the Busia County Government to test and verify the efficacy of the research instruments. If the coefficient of the research instruments was greater than 0.7, they were considered suitable for usage. Predetermined questions were used to collect data. The research data was analyzed employing a mix of descriptive and inferential (simple linear regression and correlation) statistics. The data was displayed using tables. Findings: The research benefited county government administration, informed academics in adjacent subjects, added to the existing literature on strategic controls, and sparked more investigation into strategic planning and performance at the county level in Kenya. Specifically, a positive linear relationship was discovered between financial controls and project implementation (R = 0.897). Implications: The research urged that since the importance of fiscal management was highlighted in the study, it was suggested that county governments make funds available to improve county performance.

Development of the C2 System for the Strategic Missile Forces' Aiming Control and Astronomical-Geodetic Support Service

Development of the C2 System for the Strategic Missile Forces' Aiming Control and Astronomical-Geodetic Support Service

Implementation of One Health Approach in Tanzania: Strengths and Challenges

Abstract One Health (OH) approach has recently been defined by the OH High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) as an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. Under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the OH section (OHS) is responsible for OH implementation. The OHS task is to bring together multiple sectors and disciplines to work together with clear OH approach coordination in the country. Following the recent revision of the OH strategic plan (2022–2027), the OHS is now eligible to receive funding from the government. In addition, through OHS, Tanzania has supporting documents for OH, including the National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance, the prioritized list of zoonotic diseases, and strategic prevention and control plans. Despite these developments in OH in Tanzania, the Capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa (COHESA) project helped identify the challenges and gaps that Tanzania faces in OH implementation. A baseline assessment study was conducted in four settings: Desktop Review, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Key Informants Interview (KII), and OH net mapping. Results showed that the country’s OH challenges include a lack of OH resources, OH education inclusiveness, and OH awareness at the subnational level. There are limited suitable OH monitoring mechanisms to assess the progress of the OH approach in Tanzania. Thus, COHESA supports the country in addressing these challenges to improve at all levels of OH sectoral performance in the context of OH governance, education, and implementation. Information © The Authors 2024

Balanced Scorecard for management reporting: an information management mechanism for commercial organizations

In recent years, the interest in the construction of the reporting system in accordance with strategic goals in commercial organizations has increased. In order to achieve strategic goals, managers of organizations are faced with the problem of managing large volumes of information formed at the operational level. The idea of the Balanced Scorecard developed by Norton and Kaplan can be used to manage that information. In the article, in accordance with the pre-defined objectives, the expediency of using the system of Balanced Scorecard for information management in the management accounting system is justified and a framework of managerial report prepared in four directions of Balanced Scorecard is proposed. According to the author, the implementation of the proposed report in the information system of commercial organizations will support the process of managerial decision making and the process of strategic goals implementation control, improving the mechanisms of information management in the management accounting system of commercial organizations.

Potential distribution of three invasive agricultural pests in China under climate change

Invasive pests reduce biodiversity and ecosystem service functions, thereby leading to economic and also agricultural losses. Banana skipper (Erionota torus Evans), red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), and coconut caterpillar (Opisina arenosella Walker) are invasive insect pests in the palm-growing regions and they have had serious consequences for the planting of bananas (Musa nana), palms (Trachycarpus fortune) and coconut (Cocos nucifera). Based on screened occurrence data, the present research utilized Maximum Entropy model (Maxent) to simulate the distribution dynamics of these three invasive insects in China, under current and future climate (2050s, 2070s, 2090s) in two shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs: 126 and 585) of the newly released coupled model intercomparison project phase6 (CMIP6). The results show that: (1) Under current and future climate conditions, all model groups exhibited an AUC value exceeding 0.92, which shows that the model prediction results are very good;(2) The suitable habitat area of E. torus Evans remains relatively stable with some expansion in the SSP126 of 2090s and some contraction in the SSP585 of 2090s. The suitable habitat area of R. ferrugineus showed an overall contraction, with substantial contraction in the SSP585 of 2090s.The suitable habitat area of O. arenosella has an overall expansion, with the most pronounced expansion in the SSP585 of 2070s; (3) The current centroid of suitable habitats for R. ferrugineus and E. torus Evans is located in Guangxi Province and wholely shift toward the south direction under future climate. The centroid of suitable habitats for O. arenosella is currently located in the northeastern maritime area of Hainan Province and will shift toward the north direction under future climate; (4) Temperature, precipitation and Human disturbance factors (Population density and Human influence index) were crucial variables for describing the distribution of the three species. For E. torus Evans in particular, percentage contributions of Population density was up to 31.4, which is only 0.1 different from ranked first Bio19 (Precipitation of the coldest quarter). The dynamics of habitats of these three species and the correlating driver factors proposed in this work provide essential insights into future spatial management of the three invasive insects in China. Our work is necessary and timely in identifying newly areas at high risk of expansion of the three invasive insects in the future, then suggesting strategic control measures to prevent their spread, and finally providing scientific evidence for the early prevention and rapid response to the three invasive insects.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Supply Chain Management within Modular Integrated Construction in Complex Project Management

As construction projects become increasingly complex, modular integrated construction (MiC) has emerged as a pivotal solution, driving integrated development in complex projects. However, the reliance on prefabricated modules underscores the crucial role of supply chain management (SCM) in MiC, necessitating strategic planning and operational control. This study aimed to use bibliometric analysis to map the SCM knowledge domain within MiC. Through the use of keywords related to “supply chain” and “MiC”, 196 relevant papers were extracted from the Web of Science database. These papers were subjected to co-citation analysis, keyword co-occurrence analysis, and time span analysis to elucidate the historical evolution, multidisciplinary domains, and future directions in planning and control within SCM-MiC. The research identified two milestones in SCM-MiC’s historical trajectory, enhancing our understanding of its foundations. Moreover, 11 clusters were identified, illustrating the multidisciplinary nature of SCM-MiC. Dividing the literature into seven stages of the supply chain, the research outlined four research directions aligned with project complexity and technological development, highlighting current hotspots and gaps of the strategic planning and control. These directions bridge the construction management and information technology domains, guiding future SCM-MiC research within complex project management.

Strategic control of the cattle tick Rhipicephlaus microplus applied to rotational and silvopastoral grazing systems in subtropical areas.

This work evaluated if strategic control based on no more than three or four annual treatments is useful to control Rhipicephalus microplus infestations on cattle when it is applied to intensive rotational grazing and silvopastoral systems with high stocking rates in subtropical areas. In the intensive rotational grazing system, three annual treatments with chemical acaricides were applied on cattle in two different schemes: between spring and early summer and from late winter and late spring. Strategic control based on three treatments with chemical acaricides from late winter to late spring plus an additional fourth treatment in summer was tested in the silvopastoral system. In the intensive rotational grazing systems, the control schemes allow to reach a significant reduction in the tick load on cattle considering a time interval from spring to autumn. However, the efficacy levels were not high enough in some specific moments, namely, the tick counts of summer and autumn (there were not significant differences between treated and control groups). The scheme evaluated in the silvopastoral grazing system yielded better results than those tested for the intensive rotational system, because significant differences in tick load between treated and control groups were observed in all post-treatment counts and when the analysis was performed for the whole study period. However, values of efficacy in the count-by-count comparison were disparate, ranging from 64.1 to 99.7. Although the efficacy values obtained in the silvopastoral system were better than those of the rotational grazing systems, the total tick load on treated cattle in autumn was not low enough (mean abundance values 25.14 and 38.14). Ticks were more evenly distributed among hosts in late summer and autumn than in spring or early summer, where few hosts carry most of the ticks. Some management strategies as intensive rotational systems or silvopastoral structures can lead to a more efficient forage use, but they imply greater tick challenge than in extensive grazing systems. In these situations, the schemes of strategic control bases on three or four annual treatments should be complemented with additional tactical treatments in late summer or autumn.

Multilevel modelling of sustainable consumption for achieving carbon neutral production – case study of the urban in Thailand

The research aims to determine a living model that is eco-environmental and sustainable. Climate change and scarcity of resources have led world policymakers, along with the United Nations, to set guidelines in the form of 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). Sustainable production consumption is one of the major issues that is considered worldwide, including the SDG mission of the University ranking under SDG12.The paper proposes a new model development for sustainable consumption production using multi-criteria decision-making of the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) under the 5P principle. The questionnaire was designed and distributed to sample populations in the community, and the analysis was done under the FAHP procedure. The research area focused on green space near Bangkok, Bang Kachao. It is one of six local governmental units (Tambon) in Phra Pradaeng district located in Samut Prakran province, Thailand.It was found out that people concerned the most sustainable production consumption using natural local materials at 25.09%, followed by making community products by green industry at 12.42% and making local green products at 6.18%. From the development of the multi-modelling framework, the paper proposes a new model of the urban community in Thailand for sustainable production consumption to support SDG12 using FAHP for multi-decision making based on the 5P principle. There are people, porosity, planet, peace, and partnership.However, various factors influence production and consumption and impact the carbon footprint.It was obviously found that people mostly use local materials to make green local products under the local policy of 3R waste management. Innovative design uses community wisdom, knowledge and know-how to make value-added products.The strategic planning and control consist of green industry, zero waste management, zero carbon footprint and innovative product design. The expected outputs from the model are green and homemade products with cleaner production, clean energy, and gain carbon credit.