Technical Advice Research Articles

COURT EXPERTS’ CONTRIBUTION TO AN EFFICIENT DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Court experts advise judges in technical issues and thus support them in finding a fair verdict. That makes them a key pillar of the legal systems of many European countries. The appointing system varies in the respective EU Member States. Additionally, the appointed experts from the traditional national systems, the number of experts appointed according to EN ISO/IEC_17024 increases. Currently, some courts and law firms evaluate the opportunity to create a unified expert register for some kinds of disputes. Italy and Germany both have a national system in appointing experts for technical advice in court cases which differs in some points, but request, among others, a high level of knowledge and personal integrity. The authors compare the national expert systems and analyze the relevance of the new European expert appointment according to EN ISO/IEC_17024. They consider the pros and cons and discuss the creation of a unified expert register for construction disputes. Furthermore, the authors analyze some educational programs able to ensure a body of professionals of excellence for the best resolution of technical disputes. As a conclusion the authors propose standards for a unified expert register following the EN ISO/IEC_17024 accreditation criteria, in order to guarantee a high level of knowledge, personal integrity and professional behavior.

COURT EXPERTS’ CONTRIBUTION TO AN EFFICIENT DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Court experts advise judges in technical issues and thus support them in finding a fair verdict. That makes them a key pillar of the legal systems of many European countries. The appointing system varies in the respective EU Member States. Additionally, the appointed experts from the traditional national systems, the number of experts appointed according to EN ISO/IEC_17024 increases. Currently, some courts and law firms evaluate the opportunity to create a unified expert register for some kinds of disputes. Italy and Germany both have a national system in appointing experts for technical advice in court cases which differs in some points, but request, among others, a high level of knowledge and personal integrity. The authors compare the national expert systems and analyze the relevance of the new European expert appointment according to EN ISO/IEC_17024. They consider the pros and cons and discuss the creation of a unified expert register for construction disputes. Furthermore, the authors analyze some educational programs able to ensure a body of professionals of excellence for the best resolution of technical disputes. As a conclusion the authors propose standards for a unified expert register following the EN ISO/IEC_17024 accreditation criteria, in order to guarantee a high level of knowledge, personal integrity and professional behavior.

Analyzing shopping cart abandonment enablers: an ISM and MICMAC approach

PurposeThe primary purpose of this study is to examine the factors leading to shopping cart abandonment and construct a model depicting interrelationship among them using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and Matriced Impact Croises Multiplication Appliquee an un Classement (MICMAC).Design/methodology/approachInitially, 20 factors leading to shopping cart abandonment were extracted through a systematic literature review and expert opinions. Fifteen factors were finalized using the importance index and CIMTC method, for which consistency has been checked in SPSS software through a statistical reliability test. Finally, ISM and MICMAC approach is used to develop a model depicting the contextual relationship among finalized factors of shopping cart abandonment.FindingsThe ISM model depicts a technical glitch (SC8), cash on delivery not available (SC4), bad checkout interface (SC9), just browsing (SC11), and lack of physical examination (SC12) are drivers or independent factors. Additionally, four quadrants have been formulated in MICMAC analysis based on their dependency and driving power. This facilitates technical managers of e-commerce companies to focus more on factors leading to shopping cart abandonment according to their dependency and driving power.Research limitations/implicationsTaking an expert’s opinion as a base may affect the results of the study due to biases based on subjectivity.Practical implicationsThis study’s outcomes would accommodate practitioners, researchers, and multinational or national companies to indulge in e-commerce to anticipate factors restricting the general public from online shopping.Originality/valueFor the successful running of an e-commerce business and to retain the confidence of e-shoppers, every e-commerce company must make a strategy for controlling factors leading to shopping cart abandonment at the initial stage. So, this paper attempts to highlight the main factors leading to shopping cart abandonment and interrelate them using ISM and MICMAC approaches. It provides a clear path to technical heads, researchers, and consultants for handling these shopping cart abandonment factors.

Design of a local strategy for strengthening food sovereignty: the case of the el Pedregal municipal property of Villagarzón Putumayo.

Introduction: The article discusses the evolution of global food systems, highlighting how advances in science, technology, and international markets have led to an automated food model. This model has increased food production to combat food insecurity, but has also generated significant negative impacts on the environment, communities, and human health. The persistence of food insecurity, the deterioration of arable land and the intensive use of agrochemicals are central issues. In Colombia, and specifically in Putumayo, agriculture is crucial to the economy, but faces challenges due to globalization and dependence on agrochemicals.Methods: The study focused on the department of Putumayo, Colombia, specifically in the municipality of Villagarzón and the El Pedregal farm. Adopting a social critical approach, a non-experimental and descriptive design with a cross-sectional scope was employed, using interviews to collect qualitative data. The selection of key informants was based on criteria related to economic dependence on agriculture and recognition of agroecology as an alternative method.Results: The interviews revealed a perception of food sovereignty as an expression of independence in agricultural and livestock production. Challenges identified include the need for investment and incentives, overcoming cultural barriers and the importance of effective technical advice. Technology transfer, focusing on integrated pest management and the use of on-farm inputs, was highlighted as crucial for the transition to agroecological practices. Challenges include overcoming cultural and economic constraints and the need for committed, quality advice.Conclusions: Strengthening food sovereignty in Villagarzón, Putumayo, requires a local strategy that promotes producer independence, encourages internal production, and ensures the commitment and active participation of both producers and technicians. Complementarity, understood as collective work to obtain and govern resources and capacities, emerges as a key to the sustainable development of the agricultural community. The importance of quality technical assistance and a focus on agroecology is emphasized.

Implementation of a fuzzy inference system to support the evaluation of sphygmomanometers for river inspection activities in the area of legal, scientific and compliance metrology

The Amazon region has characteristics that point to logistical difficulties in meeting the demands whose inspection goal is to contribute to the economic development of the craft industry and commerce in the interior of the state, making regional products competitive, by providing technical metrological advice on procedures for verifying weighing and measuring instruments, using river vessels equipped with laboratories for testing pre-measured products, service rooms, IT and training. The Management Model for Basic River Units (UBF), aimed at carrying out inspection activities in the area of legal and scientific metrology and conformity assessment using fuzzy logic for decision-making, proposes an innovative management system for river units, focused on IPEM-AM's inspection activities using INMETRO's methodology. The approach uses fuzzy logic to improve decision-making, making it more accurate and efficient. The aim of the research is to evaluate a pressure device (sphygmomanometer) in order to fulfil inspection activities in the area of legal and scientific metrology and compliance, using fuzzy inference to support decision-making. The methodology used aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of inspection activities in these areas, reducing errors and optimising resources. Fuzzy logic is a suitable tool for dealing with the uncertainty and imprecision present in this context, allowing the system to make decisions that are closer to reality in accordance with the legislation. The results of the proposed model can be applied to different types of river units, helping to improve inspection processes and ensuring compliance with current rules and regulations. In addition, the use of fuzzy logic can provide more intelligent management that can be adapted to the changing conditions of the river environment according to the logistical purposes of the region.

Land Ownership Security, Farm Investment, and Investment Risk in Indian Agriculture: Evidence from Nationally Representative Survey

AbstractThis paper examines the impact of land ownership on farm-level investment and investment risk (variability) in Indian agriculture using nationally representative survey data. The study adopts a flexible moment approach with White’s heteroscedasticity consistent standard error method. Results reveal that land ownership intensity significantly augments on-farm investment and reduces its variability. Other variables like family head’s education, access to irrigation, technical advice, credit and nonfarm income have significant inducement effects on-farm investment. We also observe that farmers’ education, age, irrigation, technical advice, MSP awareness and commercialization reduce farm investment risk. Findings have important policy implications for Indian land tenancy

Optimized Nitrogen Application Rate Significantly Increases Total Economic Value and Quality of Flue-Cured Tobacco due to the Improvement of Superior Tobacco Yield

Summary With the improvement of irrigation and transportation infrastructures, single tobacco cultivation has been converted into tobacco–vegetable double cultivation in Yunnan Province. High residual nitrogen (N) levels in soil before tobacco transplanting induced by the excessive N input during the vegetable cultivation season resulted in a reduction of economic income and the quality of flue-cured tobacco. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to describe the optimization of N management and to provide a better understanding of the mechanism of optimal N application rate on the economic benefit and quality of tobacco. A field experiment with six N application rates (0, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 105 kg N ha−1) was carried out with a randomized block design in 2021 and 2022 in Yunnan Province. The economic value and yield, intrinsic chemical and processing quality, leaf growth rate and agronomic characters were determined. Compared with the currently recommended 105 kg N ha−1 rate, 75 kg N ha−1 significantly increased the total economic value and superior tobacco yields, improved the integrated grade of chemical compounds and resulted in leaf midrib proportions in an appropriate range. The total economic value positively correlated with the superior tobacco leaf yields (R2 = 0.91, p < 0.001), while not with medium and inferior leaf yield. The daily leaf growth rate in prosperous growth stage significantly correlated with the yield of superior tobacco and reached its maximum at a N rate of 75 kg N ha−1. The sum of N application rate and soil residual N before transplanting correlated with the total economic value (R2 = 0.66, p < 0.05) and superior leaf yield (R2 = 0.64, p < 0.05), respectively. Based on the amount of soil residual N before transplanting, the optimal N application rate was 66 kg N ha−1 which was 39 kg N ha−1 lower than the currently recommended N rate (105 kg N ha−1). Our results highlighted that the technical consultants and farmers should adjust the N application rate appropriately according to the residual N amount before transplanting and optimize the water and fertilizer management especially in the prosperous growth stage. An optimized N rate is not only of economic benefit and the improvement of quality of tobacco cultivation, but also environment friendly.

The main trends of 2023 in concrete construction

The analytical review of 2023 was prepared based on the analysis of materials and publications of the Beton GmbH information center (Germany).
 
 Concrete construction, concrete and reinforced concrete technologies, carbon neutrality, and resource efficiency are the central topics that the Beton GmbH (IZB) information center is working on today on behalf of German cement and concrete manufacturers. As an analytical platform for manufacturers and the driving force of the industry, the center promotes new applications of cementbonded building materials and introduces innovative products and processes. Given the critical importance of cement and concrete in construction, the industry also has a special responsibility to mitigate the effects of climate change. Therefore, the German cement industry has been actively working for many years to reduce carbon emissions and conserve natural resources. Using innovative technologies, Germany plans to produce cement and concrete with zero carbon emissions by 2045.
 
 An important element of the promotion and training of sustainable concrete construction is the provision of technical advice to builders, contractors, architects and engineers in the field of civil, road, high-rise and agricultural construction. The main focus is on concrete and processes that provide sustainable, reliable solutions, as well as contribute to the implementation of major planned ideas in accordance with the main global trends: climate efficiency, resource conservation, energy conservation.

Etonogestrel-releasing subdermal contraceptive implant: Budget impact analysis based on the Brazilian private healthcare system.

High rates of unplanned pregnancies persist despite pharmacological developments and advancements in contraceptive methods. Here, we demonstrate that the etonogestrel-releasing subdermal contraceptive implant (IMP-ETN) may be an appropriate and cost-effective alternative to levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems (LNG-IUSs) for women in Brazil. For our pharmacoeconomic analysis, we reviewed the literature on IMP-ETN regarding its acceptance, eligibility criteria, choice, relations with age, adverse events and, finally, the unmet need in the fee-for-service private healthcare sector. We considered qualitative observations in combination with quantitative analysis and performed a deterministic sensitivity analysis to investigate whether this technology can be self-sustainable over a period of five years. The target population for this analysis comprised 158,696 women. Compared with the continued use of LNG-IUSs, adopting the IMP-ETN can result in a cost avoidance of $ 7.640.804,02 in the first year and $ 82,455,254.43 in five years. Disseminating information among physicians will promote this change and strengthen the potential cost avoided by private health system payers. These savings can be used to improve other healthcare programs and strategies. Moreover, the principles of care can be promoted by improving and adapting healthcare systems and expanding treatment and follow-up strategies. This would also provide support to women's reproductive rights and improve their quality of life. Our results suggest that the IMP-ETN has a favorable cost-effectiveness profile. Given all its advantages and negative incremental cost impact over a period of five years, the IMP-ETN may be a more favorable alternative to LNG-IUSs. Therefore, it should be offered to beneficiaries with a private healthcare plan. This analysis overcomes previous barriers to the use of cost-benefit models, and our results may help balance decision-making by policymakers, technical consultants, and researchers.

A history of technical education in Ethiopia: The case of the Polytechnic Institute, 1963-2000

This research aims at exploring and analyzing the history of the Polytechnic Institute from its establishment in 1963 to its transformation as the Faculty of Engineering in 2000. The study is mainly based on the consultation of priceless archival documents kept in the record office of the former Polytechnic Institute (now Bahir Dar Institute of Technology). In addition, attempts have been made to substantiate archival sources by gathering oral evidence from pertinent people including the first graduates of the Polytechnic Institute. The information gathered from archival documents (letters, reports, graduation bulletins, newspapers, etc.) and interviews has been carefully examined, cross-checked, interpreted, and analyzed to reconstruct the history of the institute. The findings of the study show that the Polytechnic Institute was the result of the Cold War rivalry between the two superpowers, the United States and the former Soviet Union. When the U.S. government turned down his request for increased military assistance, Emperor Haile Selassie paid an official visit to Moscow in 1959. Among other things, the Soviet government offered financial assistance that led to the establishment of the Bahir Dar Polytechnic Institute in 1963. The Soviet government also supported the institute by assigning technical advisers and instructors, whose number grew substantially after the 1974 revolution. The ideological solidarity between the two countries brought more scholarship opportunities to the students and instructors of the Institute. In 2000, the union of the Polytechnic Institute and Bahir Dar Teachers College gave rise to the birth of Bahir University. In the last sixty years, the Institute has produced world-class technologists.

TachAId-An interactive tool supporting the design of human-centered AI solutions.

In an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration into business processes is crucial for maintaining competitiveness, there is a growing need for structured guidance on designing AI solutions that align with human needs. To this end, we present "technical assistance concerning human-centered AI development" (tachAId), an interactive advisory tool which comprehensively guides AI developers and decision makers in navigating the machine learning lifecycle with a focus on human-centered design. tachAId motivates and presents concrete technical advice to ensure human-centeredness across the phases of AI development. The tool's effectiveness is evaluated through a catalog of criteria for human-centered AI in the form of relevant challenges and goals, derived from existing methodologies and guidelines. Lastly, tachAId and one other comparable advisory tool were examined to determine their adherence to these criteria in order to provide an overview of the human-centered aspects covered by these tools and to allow interested parties to quickly assess whether the tools meet their needs.

The resilience of public science and effectiveness of policy handling of technical advice

The resilience of public science and effectiveness of policy handling of technical advice

Preface

PrefaceThe current volume contains the part B of the Proceedings of the Sustainable, Clean and Emerging Energy Technologies Conference (SCEETC) 2023 held at the National Centre for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria, from 23rd to 28th July 2023 under the Chairmanship of Prof. O. V. Ekechukwu.The theme of the Conference was, “Clean Energy Systems for Net-Zero Emission Targets”. It featured a Keynote Speaker and 5 Lead (Plenary) Speakers selected across the continents of Africa, America and Europe. About 85 Technical papers were received from scientists across the globe but 77 quality papers were selected after the initial peer reviews for presentation in the conference. Out of the papers presented 26 were selected for journal publication (part B proceedings) while the rest were published in the Conference’s regular proceedings (part A). Both the online and physical participants discussed current trends in Renewable energy technologies towards providing a net-zero emission for energy and environmental sustainability.We sincerely appreciate the support of the under-listed people who facilitated the success of the conference:– The Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Prof. Charles A. Igwe (FAS), the Chief Host– The Acting Director of the National Centre for Energy Research and Development, (NCERD), University of Nigeria, Engr Dr Izuchukwu F. Okafor, for providing the conference venue and other technical supports.– The Scientific Reviewers for ensuring the delivery of quality manuscripts.– The distinguished Keynote Speaker, Prof. Dr, Solomon Agbo; Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Germany– All participants for their attendance and quality presentations.– Members of the International Advisory Committee, for the technical advice– The Organizing Committee members from different universities for their immense efforts, commitment, and diligence in accomplishing the conference and its proceedings.List of the National and Local Organizing Committee Members are available in this pdf.

Efficient detection of nutrient deficiencies and development of corrections in avocado through the Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND)

Mexico is the main producer of avocado (Persea americana Mill.), contributing 31% of the world supply, which provides the country with an annual income of more than 2 billion dollars. The increase in national production is the result of a larger cultivated area, and not an increase in yields. In the State of Mexico, Mexico around 10 thousand hectares are cultivated with avocado trees, although 77% of the producers do not have specialized technical advice that offers reliable information on crop nutrition. This lack of advice and technical support detracts from volume and quality of production. The objective of this research was to carry out the nutritional diagnosis of an avocado orchard in Tejupilco, State of Mexico, Mexico, through the Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND), and to generate specific fertilization recommendations for the study area, for which leaf and soil analyses were carried out. Each nutrient determined in the leaf analysis (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B) was compared with its optimal concentration according to literature. The CND yielded relative deficiency or excess indices that determined the order of nutritional limitation. Zn, B, S, and K deficiencies were detected in all sampled areas, while P, Mn, and Cu were deficient only in some areas. N, Ca, Mg, and Fe did not show nutritional limitation. Recommendations were formulated to address each of the nutritional deficiencies and the problem of sodicity revealed by the soil analysis. This is the first work in which the CND is used to assess the nutritional situation of avocado orchards in the world.

MELEIRA IMPACTS IN THE PROFITABILITY OF PAPAYA PRODUCTION IN THE EXTREME SOUTH OF BAHIA

This study evaluated the losses caused by meleira in the profitability of the papaya production in the extreme south of Bahia. The evaluation was based on the technical coefficients of the papaya system of integrated production for the south of Bahia, and information obtained from producers and technical consultants in the municipalities of Eunápolis, Itabela and Porto Seguro. The technical coefficients considered present the quantitative needed for one hectare of papaya, from Formosa and Hawaii groups under irrigated conditions. Based on these coefficients, the profitability analysis was performed. For calculations of the damage caused by meleira, losses of 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60% of eradicated plants were considered. The profitability indicators used were NPV, IRR and BCR. Considering the survey of average prices paid to the producer, the profitability indicators for the Hawaii papaya variety were positive for up to 50% of losses, while those in Formosa were up to 60% of losses.

Agrooter® - Skillful Natural Tubes to Enhance Soil Productivity and Manage Hydric Stress

Agrooter® is a Hungarian patent created by the first author, tested in several field experiments in Hungary and recently in some African countries. The point of the invention is that small tubes are mixed into the fertile soil, which keeps moisture or air in the soil, depending on their position. In the case of an entirely random distribution of the tubes within the soil, the tubes achieve both advantages. The point of this patent is the carefully designed size and amount of empty tubes fabricated from organic bio-degradable materials and micro-grinded specific minerals. Using these tubes in the plantations helps to avoid hydric stress and increases yield and improves quality. These small particles improve the water budget (significantly decreases water demand) and enhance the soil’s porosity. After the description of the principle of the tubes, including the positive impact of the tubes on micro-biotic life in the soil, technical advice is also presented on the optimum amounts of mixing the tubes into the soil, and ways of planting are illustrated for plant seedlings and tree saplings. Finally, six different plants planted and observed in Hungary demonstrate the usefulness of these effects. The most common feature of these results is that significant improvements are obtained by using the Agrooter® compared to the traditional plantation by using a 50% smaller amount of irrigation water.

Attitudinal barriers of teachers towards inclusive education in Ecuador

This research has two objectives. First, to recognize the position assumed by teachers in the presence of students with specific educational needs in regular classrooms; and second, to determine the state of teaching attitudes required to implement educational inclusion. This work is ascribed to the critical reflective paradigm and uses the quantitative approach of scientific research. The instruments used were the Knowledge Questionnaire on Inclusive Education by Escarbajal et al. (2020) in survey format, and the Battery of Teaching Attitudes towards Educational Inclusion by Lavela & Sánchez (2014) in Likert-type questionnaire formats and contextualized observation sheets. The informants were 961 teachers from district 13D02 of the Ministry of Education of Ecuador, who participated in this process in 2022-2024. From the results, it is inferred that teachers prefer that students with specific educational needs attend special schools, but are not opposed to their presence in conventional schools, in coherence with public education policy. In addition, it was determined that teachers require technical advice, tutoring, and permanent motivation from specialists to implement inclusive practices with greater security. It is concluded that the persistence of attitudinal barriers in teachers limits the legitimate positioning and sustainability of specific educational needs in schools despite favorable advances in public policy for education in Ecuador.

Study on Reviewing Development Permit Ordinances for Inundation Assumption Area on the Technical Advice

Study on Reviewing Development Permit Ordinances for Inundation Assumption Area on the Technical Advice

Rome-Galen (129 to ca. 216).

Over the last 50 years the significance of Galen's contributions to the arts of medicine and surgery have been increasingly recognized. Despite his errors, his contributions to medical and surgical practice have been profound. In the present context, his teachings on cranial surgical instruments and technique would continue to be influential throughout one and a half millenia. His technical advice was sound. His error about the anatomy of blood vessels supplying CNS were not of much consequence since the CNS would remain surgically inaccessible until the end of the 19th century. He reclassified fractures as extending to the diploe or through the internal table. Moreover, they could be simple, comminuted, depressed, or elevated. He did not mention indications or clinical changes, on the other hand he had many sensible remarks to make on the instrumentation required for cranial surgery. As will be seen in what follows, he was much quoted in justification of the decisions of his successors. The major errors of significance related to his description of the anatomy of the cranium and its sutures. His concern about the cranial attachment, vascular components and excretory functions of the sutures added to Hippocrates' concerns about their inherent weakness resulted in the teaching that trepanation should avoid these structures. This was to have a limiting effect on the placement of trepanation openings which was of no benefit to the patients. Moreover, his enthusiasm for bloodletting would also serve to potentiate Hippocrates teaching on this matter, to the advantage of nobody.

Monitoring APOBEC3A protein levels in human cancer cells.

The APOBEC3 family of cytosine deaminases, which target single-stranded DNA and RNA of viruses and retroelements as part of the innate immune defense, generate mutations in many human cancers. Although the APOBEC3A paralog is a major endogenous source of these mutations, low APOBEC3A mRNA levels and protein abundance have hampered functional characterization. Extensive homology across APOBEC3 paralogs have further challenged the development of specific detection reagents. Here, we describe the isolation and use of monoclonal antibodies with specificity for APOBEC3A and the APOBEC3A/APOBEC3B/APOBEC3G proteins. We provide protocols and technical advice for detection and measurement of APOBEC3A protein across human cancer cell lines using standard immunoblotting and immunofluorescence protocols.