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Application of Nano-Satellites constellation in the refinery mega projects implementation
Get PDFThe purpose of this article is to provide scalable solutions based on new technologies in the field of refinery mega projects. Correcting defective structures and providing a new model and mechanism for completing projects in comprehensive and optimal manner may be conducted in terms of time, cost and quality of implementation. To this end, 156 effective factors in delaying Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) projects using field research are identified. Then, based on the knowledge and experience of the project managers and experts in each field, and analyzing their views using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, the most effective factors in project deferrals are identified. Also, the main factors of excess costs in EPC are extracted. According to surveys, lake of the following factors lead to project deferrals: real-time communication, integrated information network platform, common and up-to-date databases, online status equipment and sensors, and up-to-date information and regular reports. In many cases, these delays and corresponding surplus costs are so high that they compromise the economic justification of the project in terms of inflation. To solve these problems, the proposed method captures the required information from each refinery segment using sensors and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags mounted on the units and areas and client computers deployed in each refinery segment using Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The information is then transferred to central sites and data centers via Nano-satellite platforms. The received information is classified into databases and processed by software packages such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and finally are made accessible for other units. The study also includes the validation of Nano-satellite communications as the core of the proposed solution using Satellite Tool Kit (STK) software. Then the information is processed by business intelligence techniques and the required consultations are provided at three strategic levels: 1) for senior holding managers for decision making at tactical level, 2) for mid-level managers, and 3) at operational level for workshop managers to make the right decision at the right time. Achievements of implementing this solution includes systematic project execution, characterization of project components and executing company processes from start to the end while minimizing the project time and overhead costs, and selecting the best vendors and materials
Navigating the digital marketing wave: Strategies and approaches for Cyprus’s boutique hotels
Get PDFIn the modern hospitality industry, particularly within the scenic context of Cyprus, digital marketing strategies have become indispensable for achieving competitive success. Cyprus, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes, offers boutique hotels a distinct opportunity to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. As consumers increasingly turn to digital platforms for information and bookings, the effective utilization of digital marketing by these establishments is crucial. The industry’s growing reliance on technology to attract new clients necessitates a strategic approach that not only engages potential customers but also establishes a robust digital brand presence. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative interviews [n = 12] with hotel managers and digital marketing professionals alongside quantitative surveys [n = 158] to hotel guests. The aim is to examine the implementation of digital marketing strategies within Cyprus’s boutique hotel sector and evaluate their impact on critical business outcomes, including customer engagement, brand visibility, and overall performance. The research reveals significant regional variations in the adoption and effectiveness of digital marketing strategies among boutique hotels in Cyprus. In tourist hotspots, advanced digital strategies have successfully enhanced brand visibility and increased direct bookings, particularly among younger, tech-savvy customers. Conversely, hotels catering to business customers face challenges in achieving similar digital engagement, often relying on traditional online travel agencies. The study highlights the importance of integrating digital marketing with national branding initiatives and addressing challenges such as regional geopolitical tensions and varying levels of digital literacy. To fully capitalize on digital marketing opportunities, Cypriot boutique hotels should invest in digital training to amplify their reach and increase bookings. An integrated approach that combines social media, and search engine optimization is recommended to maximize online presence, sustainability, and profitability. This comprehensive strategy will enable boutique hotels to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape effectively and achieve growth
The protection planning of small and micro habitats in urban fringe areas: Enlightenment from the management of high natural value farmland in the EU to the maintenance of bio-diversity in urban areas in China
Get PDFThe habitat unit in urban fringe is an important link to support regional biodiversity; due to the influence of urban system and agricultural system, most of them are semi natural, appeared with diverse types, small patches, scattered layout, and generally relying on low intensity farming activities. Export-oriented expansion of urban construction land and intensive agricultural production are prone to reduce the scale and quality of semi natural habitats in urban fringe areas; and the existing measures cannot effectively protect them. High natural value farmland management is an effective measure of the EU to protect semi-natural habitats related to agriculture and maintain regional biodiversity. Through combing the main points of high natural value farmland such as type definition, evaluation, identification, maintenance management, etc., this paper proposes the suggestions for optimization of small and micro semi-natural habitat protection in China: (1) strengthening the recognition of the value of small and microhabitats and related land use; (2) identifying small and micro-habitats that are conducive to the maintenance of biodiversity, and incorporating them in the overall protection of regional network; (3) combining the rigidity and flexibility of land use control, with the consideration of complex function demands; (4) Converging with the existing statutory planning to enhance the protection efficiency of small and micro habitats
Foreign human capital, cultural diversity and urban innovation in China
Get PDFFrom the perspective of cross regional flow of human capital, this paper studies the impact and mechanism of foreign human capital on urban innovation in China, and reveals the innovation effect of foreign human capital. The theoretical research shows that the efficient allocation of innovation elements brought by foreign human capital and the diversified externalities associated with it are the source for cities to maintain innovation vitality and competitiveness. The empirical study matching the individual micro data of Chinese census with the urban patent data found that foreign human capital has a significant role in promoting urban innovation, especially in the innovation of invention patents with the highest technological content. Further research on the mechanism reveals that the externality of cultural diversity brought by foreign human capital is an important channel to promote urban innovation. Therefore, the absorption and integration of foreign labor is the key to the city full of innovation and vitality
Physical-chemical contamination in fracking areas
Get PDFDespite the scientific consensus on the need to limit global warming, the urgency for the autonomous provision of energy resources has led many States to authorize projects that apply non-conventional fossil fuel extraction techniques, such as horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing of shale. Although few studies present conclusive evidence, these techniques are accused of causing dangers to the environment and to the health of the people who work and live in fracking areas, so that the States are faced with the dilemma of extending their energy autonomy for a few years, squeezing their natural gas and oil reserves to the end, or seeking a balance with the planet by moving towards more sustainable energy sources. Based on the review of studies that present evidence of physical and chemical contamination and other impacts on the environment in areas where the fracking technique has been developed, a panorama of risks for people living near extraction platforms and the dangers of developing fracking projects in tropical climate zones is presented
Influence of diet and exercise adherence in diabetic cases and its impact on HbA1c
Get PDFIn a current cross-sectional experimental study, it was observed that the impact of diet and exercise on healthy life adherence in mature diabetes cases and their influence on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c, average glucose) The diabetic patients (male and female) were anatomized in relation to adherence and suggested a diet with exercise plans that control the adverse effect of producing less insulin. A sample of 30 subjects, 30–50 years old, were selected randomly from 3 major hospitals (Jinnah, Mayo, and Services) and some private laboratories. A group of normal control subjects (N = 10) was also selected for further comparison. The HbA1c test has been taken before and after the implementation of the 12-week diet and exercise plan. This study utilized a simple random sampling technique, and normality was checked through the Shapiro-Wilk test. The data was analyzed through SPSS-22, and a paired sample t-test was utilized for further comparison. The lower HbA1c values indicate a better diabetes operation. These results clearly depicted that it controlled the worse effects of sugar patients, which also emphasizes the significance of adherence in achieving optimal glycaemic control. The result also concluded that a balanced diet and a combination of exercises control the glycaemic patients efficiently and effectively
A review on the role of green vegetation in improving urban environmental quality
Get PDFThe exacerbation of climate change impacts within metropolitan areas is a well-documented phenomenon, often leading to severe consequences that pose significant risks to human populations. The impact of urban vegetation and planting design on these factors can be observed. However, it is worth mentioning that while there is an extensive body of literature on the consequences of climate change, there is a relatively small number of studies specifically focused on examining the role of vegetation as a mitigating factor in urban environments. This review paper aims to critically examine existing studies pertaining to the role of urban vegetation in mitigating the detrimental effects of the urban environment. The objective is to offer practical recommendations that can be implemented by city planners. By conducting a comprehensive examination of the literature available in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, employing specific keywords pertaining to urban vegetation and climate change, we have identified five prominent concerns pertaining to the urban environment. These concerns encompass particulate matter, gaseous pollution, noise pollution, water runoff, and the urban heat island effect. The present analysis highlights that the impact of urban vegetation on the negative consequences of climate change cannot be unequivocally classified as either positive or negative. This is due to the fact that the influence of urban greenery is intricately connected to factors such as the arrangement, makeup, and dispersion of vegetation, as well as the specific management criteria employed. Hence, this research has the potential to enhance comprehension of the multifaceted nature of urban green spaces and establish a solid groundwork for subsequent investigations
Right to the city ownership transfer in the integral reurbanization process of Villa 20 City of Buenos Aires
Get PDFThis article describes and analyzes the approach to the ownership regularization process implemented in Villa 20. Located in the City of Buenos Aires, Villa 20 is a low-income neighborhood that has been developed by its residents over the last 70 years through a progressive and continuous habitat self-development process. Based on the knowledge provided by the technical managers responsible for the implementation and by the social organizations involved, the aim of this study is to present the complexity of the ownership regularization process. Moreover, it seeks to show the fundamental role that the participatory process played in developing new instruments and reaching agreements meant to gradually advance towards the issuance of title deeds. Special emphasis is placed on the lack of normative interventions designed to adapt the built construction to the current planning regulations and on the prominence given to the title deed as the only validated instrument for proving tenure security. The ownership regularization approach conducted in Villa 20 focuses on addressing issues not covered by regulations through gradual urban and ownership regulatory actions. By means of a series of technical, social, and institutional adaptations legitimated by the participatory process, the aim of these actions is to issue a variety of documents that certify possession in order to strengthen housing security, even though they do not grant full title deed status
Potential use of virtual reality technologies for opioid use disorder treatment
Get PDFThe opioid epidemic is a serious national public health crisis. Although effective medications are available to treat opioid use disorder, there are low rates of uptake and treatment retention. To mitigate these problems, novel engineering devices, such as using virtual reality (VR), warrant examination. Certain opioid use disorder (OUD) populations may especially benefit from virtual reality to assist with treatment initiation and retention, such as incarcerated persons living in pre-release facilities, adolescents and young adults, and patients of methadone treatment facilities. However, prior to implementing VR in research and the community, issues such as side effects (e.g., VR-related nausea) need to be considered. This manuscript provides a brief review, identifies potential OUD-related populations that might most benefit from VR, and discusses considerations needing addressing prior to widescale implementation of VR for OUD
Coincidence or consequence? Single coronary artery in a dilated cardiomyopathy case
Get PDFSingle coronary artery is a rare congenital condition which entails one artery to supply blood to the entire myocardium. A case of single coronary artery in a patient diagnosed with tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is discussed. The focus of this case is to present the clinical implications of this coronary anomaly