Various Aspects Of Planning Research Articles

Statistical tools and packages for data collection, management, and analysis - A brief guide for health and biomedical researchers

Abstract Previous articles in this series have looked at various aspects of planning, designing, conducting and interpreting biomedical research. In this article, we offer an overview of some tools and resources available to health and biomedical researchers, to help them with their research.

Enhancing Communication Reliability: Designing Microwave Links for Bahir Dar-Woretta Connectivity

This paper explores the need for establishing a microwave link between Bahir Dar and Woretta as an alternative communication solution to the existing optical fiber infrastructure. Microwave links offer an effective way to overcome challenges posed by rugged terrains and unfavorable environmental conditions that hinder the deployment of fiber optics. As Woretta emerges as a key economic and investment hub within the Amhara Region, demand for reliable and efficient communication is expected to grow significantly. The study encompasses various aspects of planning and designing the microwave link, including site surveys, consideration of fade margins, frequency planning, link budget calculations, and assessing the feasibility and reliability of the proposed link. The paper employs LINKPlanner 5.4.1 software to simulate and validate the results. Due to terrain constraints, a direct link between Bahir Dar and Woretta is not feasible. Instead, a two-hop link is proposed, involving transmission from Bahir Dar to Zege, and then from Zege to Woretta. This alternative configuration ensures optimal connectivity while addressing the terrain limitations. By presenting a comprehensive analysis and simulation of the microwave link, this paper provides valuable insights into the planning and implementation of a robust communication infrastructure. The proposed microwave link will offer a reliable and efficient alternative to the existing optical fiber network, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity to support the region’s growth and development.

Cataract surgery in ocular surface disease.

Cataract surgery, which is the most widely performed ophthalmic procedure, is usually done in the elderly population, who are also prone to ocular surface disorders. Ocular surface diseases are multifactorial in nature and associated with symptoms and signs such as foreign body sensation, burning, fatigue, photophobia, red or watery eyes, or reduced visual acuity. These include a spectrum of conditions that may be immune or non-immune in nature. Cataract surgery in itself is known to alter the normal ocular surface milieu and cause tear film disturbances which can last up to 6 months post-operatively. These symptoms can be exaggerated in patients with ocular surface diseases. The planning and execution of cataract surgery can also be difficult in patients with associated ocular surface diseases. In this review, we discuss the various aspects of planning and intraoperative modifications to optimize the outcomes of cataract surgery in patients with ocular surface diseases.

Вasic methods of strategic management of commodity flows in the domestic market

The internal market as a factor in the efficiency of reproduction processes is an effective engine for other branches of the national economy. With the help of the mechanism of supply and demand coordination, the market provides effective business relations. However, today the functions of market self-regulation are necessarily combined with the functions of the state regulation mechanism. Considering today’s problems, the regulation of the consumer market should be carried out according to a three-level system: at the central level, at the level of regions, and at the level of local governments. At each level, appropriate structural subdivisions with their specific tasks and functions should be created. The main task of society in regulating the consumer goods market is to optimize the circulation of goods. It is obvious that the lack of an effective mechanism is a serious destructive factor in the development of the sphere of consumer circulation in the modern economy. At the present stage, strategic planning is one of the principal management functions and in no way can be overlooked by either practitioners or scientists. From various aspects of planning (operational, current, prospective), the majority of experts now pay maximum attention to the prospective one, which is based on models of the enterprise development strategy in the conditions of the changing external and internal environment. The strategy is implemented in the context of the organization’s mission, and its fundamental objective is to ensure that the mission is connected with the organisation’s main goals in the changing economic environment. A person is always a potential creator of the necessary conditions for the evolution of society, and such action is determined through the mechanisms of consumption. Therefore, consumption should be considered as a process of satisfying needs with material and spiritual goods, which generates motivation to work, involves the use of the social product of certain needs, and is the final sign of social reproduction. The article examines the theoretical foundations of methods of strategic management of commodity flows at the micro level. The tasks of forming an organizational and economic mechanism for managing commodity flows (macro level), which provides the optimal variant for the movement of goods are defined. A mathematical description of the general equilibrium is presented. The basic methods of managing intra-production commodity flows at the micro level are formulated. The authoritarian solution of the rationing mechanism is substantiated, and the difficulties of implementing the rationing mechanism are outlined.

Supporting the Development of Pre-service Teachers’ Pedagogical Knowledge about Planning for Practical Work

ABSTRACT Practical, or laboratory, work is a common pedagogical strategy used in school science classrooms, yet its effectiveness for enhancing student learning is contested. Developing teachers’ pedagogical knowledge about planning for practical work can improve its effectiveness by ensuring that tasks are well-conceived and effective for linking what students actually do in practical work with the concepts teachers intend them to learn. This paper reports findings from an intervention that aimed to develop pre-service teachers’ pedagogical knowledge about planning for practical work. The intervention took place during a 12-week secondary biology teacher preparation method unit over two consecutive years. The intervention introduced the problems associated with ineffective practical work then engaged pre-service teachers in recall, immersion, noticing, microteaching and reflection experiences designed to promote their pedagogical thinking about practical work. The effectiveness of the intervention was assessed using data collected from 76 student assignments and one focus group. Thematic data analysis used declarative and procedural knowledge as a theoretical lens to seek evidence of the development of preservice teachers’ pedagogical knowledge. The intervention was found to enhance the development of PST declarative knowledge about various aspects of planning, in particular by recognition of the complexity of planning for practical work, the need to link what students do with objects and the ideas the teacher intends students learn, and the value of reflective practice. Findings indicate more scaffolding is needed to support PSTs when developing procedural knowledge in relation to practical work.

Patient and Public Involvement in health research: evidence on the practice of participant selection

Abstract Background Research on Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) largely focusses on its aims and methods. Aspects regarding who participates in PPI are largely overlooked, though they may impact considerably on the planning, process and outcomes: who exactly are 'patients and public' in PPI? How are participants selected and why? Are and should participants be representative? Our objective was to explore respective practices and perceptions to inform future PPI. Methods We conducted a systematic database search to select published PPI in medical and health research. Authors of included publications (n = 315) were addressed via an electronic survey, closed and open responses were assessed using descriptive statistics and thematic content evaluation. Results Respondents (40%) reported to have recruited a broad spectrum of participants, often including more than one specific group (56%), e.g. publics with and without topic-wise experience. There were only little differences with respect to selecting participants for different involvement aims and using different recruiting methods. Representativeness was often seen as a crucial recruiting objective (71%), while many considered achieving it (very) difficult (69%). They identified significant respective challenges and desired more guidance on various aspects of planning and conducting PPI (56%). Conclusions Recruiting PPI participants and handling representativeness are controversial and are associated with various obstacles. While few prior studies addressed single related aspects using debates and theory, our results add a more comprehensive and empirical perspective, particularly regarding the (real) relevance of representativeness. Key messages Study authors need to be more systematic and reasonable in selecting PPI participants and in deciding about the need for representativeness. PPI-guidelines should concretize the most relevant steps for planning and conducting participant selection, so that the practice of PPI can be regarded sound and meaningful.

Multi-site planning and scheduling: state-of-the-art review and future research directions

PurposeThis paper aims to deal with integrated planning and scheduling problem in multi-site manufacturing environment and provides a comprehensive review of literature. Classification schemes and various aspects of planning and scheduling problem in multi-site manufacturing are highlighted.Design/methodology/approachA structured review methodology is adopted to classify the relevant literature. Taxonomy for classification of the problem is presented, followed by review of modelling approaches, solution strategies and challenges faced in multi-site integrated planning and scheduling problem.FindingsThe paper is concluded with interesting research findings and a short view on directions related to modelling approach, solution strategy and technique for further developments in the area of multi-site integrated planning and scheduling.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study would be helpful for future researchers and practitioners to provide a knowledge base and to further work in this area.Originality/valueThis study attempts to consolidate the diverse literature available and highlight the various aspects of planning and scheduling in multi-site manufacturing.

Houses of Culture as Places of/in Memory

This paper introduces key concepts of a preliminary project concerning houses of culture in former Czechoslovakia. Houses of culture used to be perceived as one of the signs, as well as a platform of establishing power during the communist era. The project will concentrate on various aspects of planning, building and managing houses of culture. In our research project we apply the “history from below” approach while viewing these Houses as a kind of “les Lieux de Mémoire” (places of memory). The chosen approach will require one to find historical witnesses and conduct a series of interviews with them in order to find out how houses of culture shaped their life during the communist era and, on the other hand, how people shaped the cultural life of these institutions.

Involving patients and the public in medical and health care research studies: An exploratory survey on participant recruiting and representativeness from the perspective of study authors.

Research on patient and public involvement so far concentrates on defining involvement, describing its methods, and analyzing involvement practices in various individual research disciplines. There is little empirical data on the process of and aims for selecting (lay) PPI participants, and to what extend they can and should be representative of the population at large. To explore practices and perceptions on these issues and on future PPI conduct more generally, we sent an electronic survey to authors who published involvement activities as part of their studies in medical and social science journals. We identified such authors with a systematic search of five databases and applied descriptive statistics for analysis. Of those who returned the survey (n = 127 of 315; 40%), most had previously conducted involvement activities (73%). 45% reported more than one type of involvement, e.g. consultation and deliberation and participation (14%) and to have recruited more than one type of participant for their PPI activity (56%), e.g. ‘lay publics’ and ‘expert publics’ (33% of 71). Representativeness was often seen as a crucial objective when selecting PPI participants, while less than half found it very easy (9%) or rather easy (34%) to select participants. Many respondents considered achieving good representativeness difficult (52%) or very difficult (17%). They identified significant respective challenges and desired more guidance on various aspects of planning and conducting PPI (56%). 55% thought that the concept of “involvement” should be changed or improved. We conclude that recruiting lay people for PPI activities and deciding about and handling representativeness are controversial in current PPI practice, given the manifold challenges mentioned by the survey respondents. Our findings may inform further research particularly regarding–the potentially many cases of–unpublished PPI.

An online visualization tool for Internet-based local townscape design

In recent years, designers have used various types of spatial multimedia, including text, video, photographs, virtual reality (VR) and WebGIS, to allow for Internet-based participation in planning. For planning in Japan, we developed a visualization tool to attain consensus on townscape design within local planning committees. Participants can select design elements to visualize different alternatives in real time, and experience dynamic scenes of generated virtual townscapes in the VRML world. In our case study, this visualization tool were successful in sharing a common image, and participants were motivated to become involved in deliberation on various aspects of planning and design during committee meetings. However, we found that it is difficult for stakeholders to reach consensus on privately owned properties: they feel apprehensive in local open planning committees. Otherwise, participants had to check the discussion results by reviewing the chat history; audio devices and web cameras are better for online deliberation. A knowledge-based database system, combining similar design experiences from other regions, will be beneficial.

The role of cortico-basal-thalamic loops in cognition: a computational model and preliminary results

Clinical and experimental research over the last decade has implicated neuroanatomic loops connecting the frontal cortex to the basal ganglia and thalamus in various aspects of planning and memory. We report on computational model whose central aspects are: (1) a model of cortical-striatal-thalamic loops in planning and executive control, and (2) a fine-grained model of basal-ganglia function that exploits specific component connectivity and dynamics. The model is biologically plausible given current literature on the neurophysiology and disease pathology of the relevant brain regions. Specifically, our model has implications for subjects with diseases affecting the relevant brain regions (Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease).

Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Trials: Part 1—Basic Considerations

ABSTRACT Clinical trials in neurology are difficult, complex, usually expensive, and fraught with pitfalls. Clinical trials in multiple sclerosis (MS) are particularly difficult because of the relapsing-remitting nature of the disease, the highly varied distribution of the lesions, and varied signs and symptoms. While the number and quality of MS clinical trials have increased enormously in recent years, they remain controversial and are subject to endless criticism. There is no shortage of individuals willing and eager to criticize clinical trials if they claim a positive result. Conversely, negative trials are rarely published1 and, when they are, they are rarely criticized even though some negative trials are equally deserving of criticism. No trial is perfect, and few scientific endeavors are subject to more rigorous review and criticism than clinical trials. This article—the first in a series—will discuss various aspects of planning, designing, and implementing a clinical trial. (Int J MS Care. 2001; 3(1): 6–12)

Public transport regulation through a government organized NGO: the Faisalabad experience in Pakistan

In Pakistan, public transport services in urban areas are suffering from poor quality and undue regulation. In order to alleviate the situation in Faisalabad, government officials founded a welfare organization which has assumed responsibility of public transport regulation. It is registered with the Social Welfare Department as the Faisalabad Urban Transport Society (FUTS), which organizes stage carriage services with the active participation of private minibus operators. This paper describes a unique experience of public transport operation under the new form of regulation and control. It provides an account of the organizational structure, objectives and operational characteristics of the society, and various aspects of planning and regulation are evaluated, with their impact on the performance and quality of services offered by the FUTS. It is concluded that the FUTS services are a measurable success, providing substantial improvements and commanding wide acceptance both by passengers and by the private operators participating in the scheme. The key factors involved in this success are realistic fares, the involvement of private operators in decision making, freedom from the constraint of government bureaucracy, and strict enforcement of service standards. Further investigation is needed into the sustainability and replicability of this regulatory model.

A Window into the Rural Classroom: interactive television and problem‐based activity in Australian pre‐service teacher education

ABSTRACT This project incorporated live broadcasts of teaching from small, multi‐graded, rural schools into university lecture halls where pre‐service teacher education students in the last semester of their programmes were able to observe ‘best practice’ in a learning context that they would eventually be responsible for during their final practicum session. Interactive observation sessions were immediately followed with opportunities for students to discuss various aspects of planning, classroom organisation and teaching strategies appropriate to multi‐graded contexts with the remote classroom teacher. These ‘reverse distance education’ sessions followed an intensive lecture and tutorial series centring upon topics relevant to teaching in small rural communities. Tutorial activities placed student teachers in small rural school scenarios containing everyday ‘problems’ requiring diagnosis and the generation and analysis of solutions. At the conclusion of scenario discussions, students had networked, collaborated with colleagues and applied current research findings in generating viable solutions and considered school community reactions to these proposed solutions. The incorporation of interactive video technology with these problem situations consolidated the concept and skill development of student teachers and increased both their real time involvement in their chosen professions, and their access to best practice. This dual focus upon a problem solving approach to teaching immersed the student teacher in situations derived from real school environments, and so encouraged a collegial and open approach to teaching. Extensive evaluations revealed that pre‐service teachers were more thoroughly prepared for rural teaching experiences, displayed competence in effective multigrade teaching skills, and exhibited control during involvement

Transportation in Regional Plan for 1970s

Regional transportation planning needs will increase in the `70s, but plan implementation will be more difficult. Planners must recognize changing moods and forces affecting society. Regional transportation planning should take new directions or place different emphasis on various aspects of planning. The nature of this change relates to planning methodology and principles. Methodology improvements should include better use of system logic, reallocation of planning funds, increased use of the multidisciplinary approach, and greater used of a goals-objectives planning framework. Improved principles concern planning for integrated transportation systems rather than single mode facilities, positive use of land-use shaping influences of transportation, use of coordinated systems rather than single modal approach to financing and construction of improvements, and applying new transportation hardware or technology.