Project Success Research Articles

Role of Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery and Target Identification in Cancer.

Drug discovery and development (DDD) is a highly complex process that necessitates precise monitoring and extensive data analysis at each stage. Furthermore, the DDD process is both timeconsuming and costly. To tackle these concerns, artificial intelligence (AI) technology can be used, which facilitates rapid and precise analysis of extensive datasets within a limited timeframe. The pathophysiology of cancer disease is complicated and requires extensive research for novel drug discovery and development. The first stage in the process of drug discovery and development involves identifying targets. Cell structure and molecular functioning are complex due to the vast number of molecules that function constantly, performing various roles. Furthermore, scientists are continually discovering novel cellular mechanisms and molecules, expanding the range of potential targets. Accurately identifying the correct target is a crucial step in the preparation of a treatment strategy. Various forms of AI, such as machine learning, neural-based learning, deep learning, and network-based learning, are currently being utilised in applications, online services, and databases. These technologies facilitate the identification and validation of targets, ultimately contributing to the success of projects. This review focuses on the different types and subcategories of AI databases utilised in the field of drug discovery and target identification for cancer.

A Case Study of The Performance of A Pile-Supported Bracing Method for Basement Building

Deep excavations in urban areas are highly hazardous due to extensive settling of the surrounding soil, which can lead to the failure of retaining wall systems and the consequent collapse of adjoining properties. The retaining wall and bracing system are important for completing deep excavations for a basement building project. This paper evaluates the performance of an alternative, innovative, low-cost pile-supported bracing system (PSBS) method during excavation for two-level basement construction. Assessed PSBS performance in terms of ground settlement, lateral movement of supporting systems, schedule, and cost comparison. The PSBS excavation method was designed and then implemented to construct a two-level basement using the bottom-up method. The total station was utilized to monitor three-dimensionally, like the adjacent school building, ground surface settlement, and lateral movement of supporting systems. A schedule and cost comparison were performed using internal bracing and the PSBS technique. The recorded filed data was analysed, and it found that the lateral movement of the support system, adjacent building, and ground settlement is within the allowable limit. According to the estimated results, the PSBS method reduces construction time by 272 days compared to the internal bracing system. The PSBS approach is also less expensive than internal bracing for a two-level basement.

Integrating science-based and local ecological knowledge: a case study of mangrove restoration and rehabilitation projects in the Philippines.

Mangrove forest is an ecosystem-based solution for disaster risk reduction in the Philippines, but its historical deforestation has hampered its capacity to protect coastal communities. With the increasing occurrence of storm surge in the Philippines, mangrove reforestation projects have received renewed attention, but many have failed. Community participation was deemed to be essential in those projects that did well. Hence, this paper examines successful mangrove restoration and rehabilitation projects in the Philippines to find out how community participation contributed to the accomplishments. The study found that while the transfer of science-based ecological knowledge from project managers to the community is an important factor in ensuring successful initial planning and implementation, its integration into existing local ecological knowledge-'localisation' of science-based ecological knowledge or hybrid ecological knowledge formation-helped to facilitate long-term community-based mangrove management beyond project duration by empowering community members and enabling project acceptance and ownership. Still, continuous local institutional support is a necessary anchor for community resilience.

A multicriteria protocol for the set-up and long-term monitoring of a pilot project for the restoration of alpine vegetation threatened by climate change

Climate change triggers changes of vegetation floristic composition, physiognomy and even the onset of new successional pathways, requiring adequate, robust and replicable methodological approaches to properly track these changes. In tundra ecosystems woody plants are encroaching into grasslands and snowbeds, inducing their gradual regression. “Back from the Future” is a pilot project performing selective shrub removal from grasslands and snowbeds in the Italian Central Alps to contrast climate-driven shrub encroachment and promote the recovery and active conservation of vegetation communities.Here we propose a multi-criteria research protocol providing a quantitative tool for: a) the set-up of the manipulation experiment; b) the assessment of the full comparability of manipulation and control areas; c) the long-term monitoring of the efficiency of the manipulation experiment. The experiment was carried out in three study sites (Braulio, Cedec, Sforzellina) across an elevation gradient from the subalpine to the nival belts in the Italian Central Alps. At each study site we identified a control and a manipulation zone to assess the efficiency of the manipulation experiment compared to the natural ecosystem dynamics.The multi-criteria research protocol integrates different sampling approaches: mapping and morphological characterization of trees and shrubs; phytosociological survey of permanent plots; grid-point intercept survey of permanent plots; line-intercept survey along transects; allometric shrub measurements along transects.Our data show that this protocol is applicable to different vegetation types, across different elevation belts, and is suitable to match different targets and/or bioindicators of change. Indeed, the limitations of each selected method when individually applied can be overcome by their combination. Our data demonstrate the full comparability of the control and manipulation zone at each of the three study sites in terms of species richness, floristic composition, species coverage, shrub characteristics and volume.Our results supported the feasibility of this protocol as tool for the set-up of the experiment, to assess the full comparability of control and manipulation zones, and perform a detailed monitoring of the effects and the feasibility of the restoration action and the success and efficiency of this pilot project. The protocol elaborated in the frame of this pilot project could be exported beyond the local context and applied to similar mountain regions, especially in the European Alps, for the planning, set up and monitoring of good land management practices aiming to climate change mitigation.

Youth empowerment in tobacco control: community-based participatory research in rural Indonesia

PurposeThis paper describes the planning and implementation program of Remaja Berdaya Sehat Tanpa Rokok (JayaStar) or Empower Youth Healthy without Smoking (EYHWS). This is a pilot tobacco control program for smoking behavior with a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach in a rural area of Indonesia.Design/methodology/approachThis research used the participatory rural appraisal (PRA) method. The paper would describe three stages of the JayaStar program that started from diagnosis, planning action and taking action. Participants in this research were all youths aged 17–25 years including as many as 33 people. The key informants were the village head, the hamlet head, the hamlet head’s wife, the youth leader, health promotion officers at the Pleret Health Center and the Health Promotion Section of the Bantul Health Office.FindingsThe determinants of the youth empowerment process are divided into (1) predisposing factors, (2) group structure and (3) group climate. It has an important role in the success of the youth empowerment process in smoking behavior control. The implementation of the JayaStar program consisted of (1) outbound, and training with the theme of increasing self-potential; (2) training on the impact of cigarettes/vapors on the health of youths; (3) discussion and practice of making health campaign videos; (4) parenting program with the theme of the important role of parents in creating a healthy and superior young generation; (5) declaration and inauguration of JayaStar volunteers.Originality/valueThis research is an example of a successful community-based youth project that resulted in a demonstrable positive outcome. It demonstrates the importance of good relations between stakeholders. The JayaStar movement could be a potential model for youth empowerment projects to control smoking behavior among future generations in Indonesia.

Building a Restorative Agricultural Economy: Insights from a Case Study in Santa Catarina, Brazil

Agriculture is the most important economic sector and simultaneously the greatest threat to the ecosystem functions on which all complex life depends. It is therefore a logical starting point for developing a restorative economy. We must develop and disseminate agroecosystems capable of providing food security for all, while simultaneously restoring vital ecosystem processes degraded by conventional agriculture. We review 25 years of transdisciplinary work towards this goal on an agroecology project in Santa Rosa de Lima, Santa Catarina, Brazil and distill some key lessons for like-minded efforts. We apply the methods of Participatory Action Research and Post Normal Science to integrate the knowledge, insights and goals of farmers, diverse scientists, agricultural extensionists, and policymakers to design high-biodiversity silvopastoral systems and multi-function riparian forests capable of improving farmer livelihoods, and propose policies to support their adoption by aligning the interests of farmers and society. We explain the science underlying our project and document resulting improvements in farmer livelihoods and ecosystem services. We then examine the socioeconomic obstacles to disseminating our innovations and policies that might overcome them and describe our pragmatic approaches to working with policymakers. We conclude that integrating natural sciences, socio-economic analysis and politics are all necessary yet insufficient to promote the large-scale adoption of restorative agriculture. We contend that building a restorative economy will also require a fundamental extension of humanity’s moral values to the rest of nature, and use evolutionary science to support our views. Rather than offering a recipe for successful projects, our take-home message is that developing a restorative agricultural economy in an ever-evolving system is a continuous participatory process with no endpoint.

Successful adoption of maritime environmental policy: The Mediterranean emission control area

Emission Control Areas (ECAs) are geographical locations designated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to reduce the negative impacts of shipping on health and biodiversity. The first ECA was adopted in 2005 in the Baltic Sea and three more have followed. Since 2004, the 21 countries located around the Mediterranean Sea have discussed the introduction of an ECA, and the final adoption by the IMO occurred in 2022, 18 years later. In this paper, we apply Kingdon’s Multiple Streams policy framework to a case study of this successful project in order to identify the key success factors that may be generalised to the difficult process of international environmental policymaking in the maritime sector. The findings revealed that policy entrepreneurs were able to align the three streams by financing studies and workshops (problem stream), adopting an existing successful policy (policy stream) and leveraging an existing close political relationship in the EU (politics stream) as well as overcoming issues raised by other parties through further analysis and studies showing the benefit of the ECA policy for all Mediterranean countries (linking the problem and policy streams). The study also highlighted the importance of first achieving regional agreement before approaching the IMO global level, a lesson that may also be pertinent to other areas of maritime policy making.

Assessing Approaches to Strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation in Development Projects: Evidence from Donor-Funded Projects in Machakos County, Kenya

Monitoring and Evaluation improves the quality of programme or project management since it provides information on how results namely outcomes, outputs and impact are achieved and assesses the effectiveness, relevance, coherence, efficiency, impact and sustainability of specific development interventions. The objectives of the study were to examine the influence of participatory monitoring and evaluation among development project teams in Machakos County and to assess the influence of M & E as a learning tool on implementation of development projects in Machakos County, Kenya. The study was guided by the Theory of Change which describes how particular interventions or sets of interventions lead to specific changes. The target population of this study was 102 programme staff implementing donor-funded projects. A census was done and therefore the target group formed the sample for the study. Primary data sources used were key informant interviews and a survey questionnaire. Quantitative data was analyzed in SPSS Version 28 and qualitative data was thematically analyzed. According to the survey results, 58.2% agreed that the involvement of all relevant project stakeholders during the preliminary stages of project design strengthens M&E. The survey results showed that 49.45% of the respondents agreed that project planning reflected the various community needs and supported decision-making processes during project implementation. A majority (58.23%) agreed that feedback from various stakeholders was often incorporated and used to strengthen the delivery of various project activities informant interviews. Majority of the survey respondents (72%) indicated that learning is integral to ensuring M&E is effective and project teams can learn immensely from M & E. A majority (71%) agreed that project teams feared participating in M&E activities due to fear that it could be used against them. The findings show that the involvement of stakeholders in project design and implementation directly influenced successful project M & E. The study recommended involving relevant parties and stakeholders in a project since this influences its implementation and M & E among donor-funded development projects. Project managers need to put in place incentives for project teams to learn not just for reporting to funding agencies but for the benefit of internal learning among project teams.

Exploring perceptions, cognitive factors, and motivations: A study on green structures on residential rooftops

Urban greenhouse and green roof cultivation propose a nature-based solution to current socio-ecological challenges in urban ecosystems, as it offers several socio-ecological solutions and benefits. The interdisciplinary techniques for scientific explorations of cognition and perception towards urban green structures could not get the attention of the researchers across varying scientific disciplines, especially in the developing world. Addressing the personal factors involved in human cognition and its subsequent impact on perceptions will lay the foundation for the studies of the field. The study included questions about socio-demographic characteristics and socio-environmental motivations, as well as a set of images depicting potential future of green structures. The study was accomplished in Tabriz city of Iran with 375 participants. The findings showed that individuals prioritize certain types of rooftop green structures based on their personal characteristics and motivations. Additionally, cognitive differences were observed among individuals based on age, gender, and marital status, leading to perceptual differences towards green structures. Socio-environmental motivations activate perceptual responses within individuals, influencing their preferences for specific types of rooftop greenhouses. Understanding the response of individuals towards green structure types is crucial for effective planning and design. This knowledge can enhance the overall success and satisfaction of rooftop green structures projects, leading to greater wellness and a positive impact on the environment.

Commercialisation of Intellectual Property: A Comparative Analysis of Georgia and Estonia

Abstract Commercialisation of intellectual property (IP) constitutes a vital part of a state’s economy and signifi cantly contributes to the development and success of any innovative project. At the same time, commercialisation of IP is directly linked to the adopted legislation on patent rights as it regulates the protection and exploitation of IP. This article seeks to compare the IP commercialisation frameworks in Georgia and Estonia and identify the challenges encountered in patent protection mechanisms in Georgia. Estonia and Georgia are both located in the Eastern European region and share similar legal systems and constitutions. By aligning its legislative framework with European Union standards and supporting universities and fostering a culture of innovation, Estonia sets a notable example in IP commercialisation. However, Georgia’s legislative framework still lacks certain elements that are crucial for developing IP commercialisation. The low number of registered patent applications in Georgia indicates the challenges and obstacles in this fi eld. The comparison of legal frameworks and practices in these countries can provide important insights into the challenges and solutions in IP commercialisation. The article examines how inefficient legislative framework leads to inconsistent patent protection mechanisms in Georgia, creating barriers in IP commercialisation, while underlining Estonia’s success in innovation and the establishment of a progressive IP commercialisation landscape. The article also presents a set of recommendations for Georgia to align its framework with EU standards, initiating joining the European Patent Convention, strengthening IP enforcement, and promoting open IP policies in universities, following Estonia’s model.

Holistic personas to increase the novice developer productivity

A deeper understanding and integration with system users' thoughts and emotional experiences are required for user-engaged development. User experience (UX) journey integrates user requirements and problem-solving approaches. The integration of data-driven techniques and user-centric approaches in software development is investigated in this study. It focuses on using the Markov chain model to predict developer productivity based on data gathered while creating personas across three projects. Organizations can gain valuable insights into user needs and requirements by conducting purposeful activities such as strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis, competitor analysis, hypothesis formulation, identification of behavioral variables, mapping interviews, and defining characteristics and objectives. The model has predictive capabilities that allow for more informed decision-making, more efficient resource allocation, and better project planning. The goal of the activity and the model ensure the development of software products that effectively meet the needs of users, resulting in a higher success rate for software development initiatives. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating quantitative and qualitative analysis to drive successful software development projects and increase productivity while meeting user needs. According to the findings of the research conducted from the three projects completed, the proposed methods have similarities, and predictions using the Markov chain can determine the success of novice developers.

Protein content prediction of rice grains based on hyperspectral imaging

This study utilized hyperspectral imaging technology combined with mathematical modeling methods to predict the protein content of rice grains. Firstly, the Kjeldahl method was used to determine the protein content of rice grains, and different preprocessing techniques were applied to the spectral information. Then, a prediction model for rice grain protein content was developed by combining the spectral data with the protein content. After performing multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) preprocessing and selecting feature wavelengths based on successive projections algorithm (SPA), the multivariate linear regression (MLR) model showed the best prediction performance, with a calibration set R2C of 0.9393, a validation set R2V of 0.8998, an RMSEV of 0.1725, and an RPD of 3.16. Finally, the quantitative protein content model was mapped pixel by pixel to visualize the distribution of rice protein, providing possibilities for non-destructive protein content detection.

Intrapreneurial behavior and intrapreneurial organizational culture: An analysis of the influence on project success

Intrapreneurial behavior and intrapreneurial organizational culture: An analysis of the influence on project success

Identification of Construction Project Risks in the Indian Context: A Case Study on Building Construction

Abstract: This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the risk factors prevalent in building construction projects within the Indian context, focusing on their identification, ranking, and management strategies. Through data collected from 206 construction professionals via an online questionnaire, the study employs robust reliability analysis, yielding a high Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of 0.898, affirming the questionnaire's internal consistency and reliability. Utilizing the Relative Importance Index (RII) and Safety Risk Score (SRS), the research ranks critical risk factors, including poor stakeholder communication, inaccurate cost estimation, funding delays, and market demand fluctuations, underlining the necessity of addressing these challenges to mitigate potential impacts on project outcomes. The paper emphasizes the significance of proactive risk management strategies to ensure project success and resilience amidst evolving circumstances, providing valuable insights into construction project risks specific to the Indian landscape and offering recommendations for enhancing risk management practices in the field.

Systematic Screening and Assessment of Hospital-Based Youth Violence Prevention Programs.

Youth violence is a preventable public health issue. Few hospital-based programs intentionally focus on youth violence prevention. This project aimed to describe the Systematic Screening and Assessment (SSA) methodology used to identify existing hospital-based youth violence prevention (HBYVP) programs ready for future rigorous evaluation. To identify promising HBYVP programs currently in use and assess readiness for evaluation, data from the 2017 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey of Hospitals was used to identify hospitals with Level I-III trauma centers with reported HBYVP programs. Information for each program was gathered via environmental scan and key informant interviews. A total of 383 hospital-based violence prevention programs were identified. Two review panels were conducted with violence prevention experts to identify characteristics of programs suitable for an evaluability assessment (EA). Fifteen programs focused on youth (10-24 years old) and were identified to be promising and evaluable. Three of the 15 programs were determined to have the infrastructure and readiness necessary for rigorous evaluation. Lessons learned and best practices for SSA project success included use of streamlined outreach efforts that provide program staff with informative and culturally tailored project materials outlining information about the problem, project goals, proposed SSA activities, and altruistic benefit to the community at the initial point of contact. In addition, success of review panels was attributed to use of software to streamline panelist review processes and use of evaluation and data analysis subject matter experts to serve as panel facilitators. Communities experiencing high youth violence burden and hospitals serving these communities can improve health outcomes among youth by implementing and evaluating tailored HBYVP programs.

Academic integrity in the information age: insights from health sciences students at a South African University

PurposeAcademic integrity is vital to the success and sustainability of the academic project and particularly critical in the training of ethical and informed health professionals. Yet studies have found that cheating in online exams was commonplace during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the increased use of online and blended learning post-COVID-19, an understanding of student cheating dynamics is essential for developing effective strategies to combat academic dishonesty in the rapidly changing educational landscape.Design/methodology/approachThis study explored academic integrity and reasons for dishonesty from the perspective of health sciences students at a South African University of Technology (UOT) via the Fraud Diamond. To gain an in-depth understanding of the topic, a qualitative method was employed, and data were collected via focus group discussions with nine student class representatives. These data were analysed thematically using the Clarke and Braun approach.FindingsCheating during online assessment was common and innovative, with students manipulating others and exploiting friendships to facilitate dishonest practices. Student motivations for dishonesty included a lack of consequences and pressure due to a lack of time management, engagement and preparation.Practical implicationsThis study underscores the need for institutions to adopt an adaptable, multi-faceted approach that addresses student cheating opportunity, motivation and normalisation of dishonest practices whilst strengthening academic integrity policies and enforcement thereof.Originality/valueThe findings contribute valuable insights into the ongoing academic integrity crisis in higher education in the South African context.

Coupling the PROSAIL Model and Machine Learning Approach for Canopy Parameter Estimation of Moso Bamboo Forests from UAV Hyperspectral Data

Parameters such as the leaf area index (LAI), canopy chlorophyll content (CCH), and canopy carotenoid content (CCA) are important indicators for evaluating the ecological functions of forests. Currently, rapidly developing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) equipped with hyperspectral technology provide advanced technical means for the real-time dynamic acquisition of regional vegetation canopy parameters. In this study, a hyperspectral sensor mounted on a UAV was used to acquire the data in the study area, and the canopy parameter estimation model of moso bamboo forests (MBF) was developed by combining the PROSAIL radiative transfer model and the machine learning regression algorithm (MLRA), inverted the canopy parameters such as LAI, CCH, and CCA. The method first utilized the extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (EFAST) method to optimize the global sensitivity analysis and parameters of the PROSAIL model, and the successive projections algorithm (SPA) was used to screen the characteristic wavebands for the inversion of MBF canopy parameter inversion. Then, the optimized PROSAIL model was used to construct the ‘LAI-CCH-CCA-canopy reflectance’ simulation dataset for the MBF; multilayer perceptron regressor (MLPR), extra tree regressor (ETR), and extreme gradient boosting regressor (XGBR) employed used to construct PROSAIL_MLPR, PROSAIL_ETR, and PROSAIL_XGBR, respectively, as the three hybrid models. Finally, the best hybrid model was selected and used to invert the spatial distribution of the MBF canopy parameters. The following results were obtained: Waveband sensitivity analysis reveals 400–490 and 710–1000 nm as critical for LAI, 540–650 nm for chlorophyll, and 490–540 nm for carotenoids. SPA narrows down the feature bands to 43 for LAI, 19 for CCH, and 9 for CCA. The three constructed hybrid models were able to achieve high-precision inversion of the three parameters of the MBF, the model fitting accuracy of PROSAIL_MLRA reached more than 95%, with lower RMSE values, and the PROSAIL_XGBR model yielded the best fitting results. Our study provides a novel method for the inversion of forest canopy parameters based on UAV hyperspectral data.

Leader spirituality and organizational innovativeness as determinants of transformational leadership and project success: behavioral and social learning perspectives

PurposeWe examine the relationships among leader spirituality, organizational innovativeness, transformational leadership style and project success. Integrating principles of behavioral learning and social learning theories, we argue that spiritual leadership style is positively linked to project success, and this relationship is mediated by transformational leadership. Furthermore, the relationship between leader spirituality and transformational leadership is moderated by organizational innovativeness.Design/methodology/approachData are collected from 180 individuals working in seven large project-based organizations from the telecom sector in Pakistan. The individuals comprise engineers, functional managers, dedicated project managers and individuals who have led and/or worked in project teams. Data are analyzed using variance-based structural equation modeling.FindingsResults suggest that the relationship between spiritual leadership style and project success is positive and is partially mediated by transformational leadership. Furthermore, organizational innovativeness positively moderates the spiritual leadership and transformational leadership relationship.Originality/valueResearch calls for examining the relationship between leadership styles and project success. We address this call through examining the role of spiritual leadership style (which is rather ignored in project management literature) for project success. Furthermore, we take a novel evolutionary approach of integrating different leadership styles and indicating determinants as well as contingencies to leadership development.

Sustainable innovations in rural housing: Strategies for efficiency, community engagement, and environmental harmony

This study delves into the multifaceted aspects of enhancing sustainability in rural dwellings, focusing on energy efficiency, the use of sustainable materials and construction techniques, and the pivotal role of community engagement and social sustainability. Through detailed quantitative analyses and case studies, we examine the effectiveness of various insulation materials, the integration of renewable energy sources, and the impact of energy management systems in reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainability. Additionally, we explore the benefits of utilizing local and recycled materials, incorporating green roofing and natural ventilation strategies, and implementing water conservation techniques. A significant portion of our research is dedicated to understanding the socio-economic impacts of these sustainable practices, including job creation, economic benefits, and the importance of education and capacity building within rural communities. Our findings highlight the substantial advantages of participatory design processes, demonstrating how they contribute to increased community satisfaction and the overall success of sustainability projects. The study underscores the critical importance of tailored, locally adapted solutions for rural sustainability and provides a comprehensive framework for stakeholders aiming to implement sustainable practices in rural development projects.

Understanding Municipal Green Initiatives and Citizen Habits in Four Baltic Sea Region Countries: Survey Results

The need to reach climate neutrality is addressed in this study by highlighting activities including boosting renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and putting laws and incentives in place for the adoption of low-emission technology. Importantly, it is recognized that there is another important key factor in determining the success of sustainability projects which is an individual's willingness to change their behavior and accept new guidelines. This cross-cultural research examines the everyday routines of people from Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Poland and how these residents evaluate their municipalities. The research investigates the connections between citizens' behaviors in waste management, energy conservation, and transportation by considering the inhabitants' age, location of residence, and personal views. This study aims to collect the necessary data for creating focused, culturally appropriate sustainability projects. The study promotes international cooperation on environmental issues, supports sustainable practices adapted to various cultural settings, and gives policymakers useful information. Using a survey, this study takes a thorough approach to comprehending and resolving sustainability issues. The findings demonstrate that interventions need to be tailored to specific characteristics and cultural contexts to effectively encourage durable behaviors. All things considered, this study adds to the current conversation on sustainability by providing information and suggestions for encouraging environmentally friendly behavior in a variety of cultural contexts.