22 research outputs found
Modeling Quality Level of University Portal Data using Quality Function Deployment (QFD), Case Study: Amir Kabir University of Technology
No full textPurpose: Data Quality plays a vital role in the performance and success of an organization and can be compared to oxygen for human beings. Therefore, maintaining data quality helps organizations in low operating costs and increment in revenue. If data has not been offeredon time and adequate to each department’s quality expectation, such organization may not be able to make successful decisions. First step of data quality enhancement is the acquaintance of data quality dimensions. Identifying and grouping various dimensions of data quality allow experts to use data quality enhancement tools and methods on information improvement processes.Methodology: The present study is applied in terms of purpose and analytical-survey research. In this paper, to enhance the level of data quality of university portals, users' requirements (voices) of a university portal have been prioritized using several data quality-related questionnaires by combining Kano & AHP techniques. A designed matrix of a 4-step QFD has been formed, which started with the users' requirements and ended with design methodologies.Findings: As a result of combining Kano & AHP techniques, basic requirements have higher priority than others. It has been defined in this paper that entering data in various formats is the most important users' requirement. Based on QFD analysis, XML & HTML are more proper and useful in comparison to other platforms and programming languages to improve the level of data quality and fulfill users' requirements. In addition, flexibility could be the most important Engineering Characteristics parameter in designing a portal. HVR software can perform a reliable and secure platform to prepare rapid and optimized data integration.Conclusion: The Quality Function Deployment method could be an appropriate solution to solve problems regarding data quality in the condition that it consists of programming to the designing process
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a child with diabetic ketoacidosis: A rare complication
No full textBackground: Spontaneous pneumomediastinium (SPM) can be due to increased intrathoracic pressure. Its occurrence with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a very rare, but may be caused by severe vomiting or deep, rapid, and labored (Kussmaul) breathing.
Case Report: The patient is a 15-year-old girl with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) who has been hospitalized due to nausea, severe vomiting, dyspnea, abdominal and chest pain. Based on physical examination and imaging (CXR and chest CT scan), pneumomediastinium (PM) was confirmed. The patient received conservative treatment for PM and treatment for DKA. The patient finally discharged after 5 days in a good general condition.
Conclusion: SPM is a rare complication of DKA, usually with a good prognosis if diagnosed and treated timely
Project Management for Sustainability: Use of Critical Success Factors in an Integrated Project Management Model to Improve the Chances of Project Success of a Sustainability Oriented Highway Project during the Exploration and Planning Phase
No full textSustainability within Project Management practice is a new and challenging territory. The current project management practice within the construction industry, particularly highway construction has not yet fully embraced sustainability. Recent literature shows a relation between project success and sustainability. Project success comprises of project success criteria and project success factors. A sustainability success sub-criteria framework of a highway is developed to identify critical success factors for a sustainability oriented highway project during the exploration and planning phase. Three highway projects and four respondents from each case are selected for cross-case methodology. Based on cross-case analysis, critical success factors are identified and applied in an Integrated Project Management model to improve chances of project success during the exploration and planning of a sustainability oriented highway project
Identifying opportunities in large infrastructure projects for enhancing project value
No full textThis study explores towards the positive side of project uncertainties i.e., opportunity. Opportunities occuring in such projects has the potential to enhance the project’s initial objective and could add more value to the project. However, due to lack of an effective approach for opportunity identification and several constraints prevailing in such large projects, opportunities are not being identified properly. This study investigates the concept of opportunity in infrastructure projects and crucial factors that could stimulate opportunity identification in such projects along with constraint’s study that hinders such identification process. Here, a roadmap is developed for opportunity identification consisting of a procedure for identifying opportunity during tender phase with an assessment model that could help in identifying value-creating opportunities for the project. This identified opportunities could be then used by the project team to exploit benefit for the contractor involved in execution but also to the client for whom the project will be delivered
From cooperation to collaboration: Enhancing team collaboration in partnerships for construction projects
No full textToday’s project complexity is constantly increasing leading to multidisciplinary project teams. Building a truly integrated team in projects where a partnership is necessary in order to achieve the desired outcome isn’t a one-off process that can occur automatically. It’s a procedure that has to be built up over a certain period of time (mostly during the front-end development phase) under a collaboration that will utilize in the best way the benefits of this one-team approach. In international projects cultural differences between the different teams is an important aspect that adds an additional challenge in reaching a successful outcome. It is therefore the project manager’s responsibility to create a team of engaged and committed people that have an aligned project goal and act as a whole and not as a set of wholes. Getting from cooperation to collaboration requires the presence of both a strong project leader and a competent project team.Civil Engineering | Construction Management and Engineerin
Comparison of type and antibiotic resistance of microorganisms causing pyelonephritis in children with and without functional constipation
No full textBackground. As mentioned, in this study we compared the type of microorganisms causing pyelonephritis and their resistance in two groups of children with and without constipation. This issue is very important in the clinic in initial empirical treatment (before culture results are reported) and antibiotic selection. The number of microorganisms that cause pyelonephritis is large. We cannot limit the identification and comparison of microorganisms that cause pyelonephritis (for example, to two or three types) and also their resistance. Methods. This cross-sectional study investigated the children with pyelonephritis and admitted to Amirkola children hospital in Babol, Iran between 2014-2021. The census method was adopted to include the children in the study based on the inclusion criteria. All children aged between two months and 18 years and without consumption of any oral or injection of antibiotic 48 hours before admission were enrolled. The microorganism sensitivity and drug resistance were evaluated using the disk diffusion antibiogram and the guidelines by Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). Constipation was diagnosed based on the criteria of ROME III, IV and confirm a gastroenterologist. Results. Out of 270 children with pyelonephritis, nearly 56 (%20.7) children had functional constipation. Nitrofurantoin (%95.2) and Ampicillin (%67.2) were the most sensitive and resistant drugs. Escherichia coli was the most common microorganism in both groups (P<0.05), and no difference was detected between two groups in terms of the drug sensitivity or resistance (P<0.05). Conclusion. In sum, roughly one fifth of the children with pyelonephritis had functional constipation. The microorganisms causing pyelonephritis in children with and without functional constipation were not different in terms of the type and antibiotic resistance. Practical Implications. An initial empiric treatment may have been used for children with pyelonephritis in both study groups (i.e., children with and without functional constipation) based on a common protocol
Extending the View on Project Performance
No full textThe main aim of this study is to gain insights into project management professionals’ perception of how project success can be achieved. The Q-methodology was followed in this research. Based on an extensive literature review and validation through expert judgment, a framework consisting of 33 factors increasing the likelihood of success was developed. A total of 34 practitioners in three different sectors (real estate, urban development, and infrastructure) in the Netherlands were asked to rank the statements contributing to the success of their projects. Four different perspectives of how project success can be achieved were distinguished in this study: “seeking the best match”, “being adaptive and open”, “keeping the team focused”, and “preparing for opportunities”. The perception of different practitioners of how success can be obtained may stem from factors of project context rather than sector and complexity. This highlights further research opportunities in taking a contingent approach when investigating project performance. The study helps to grasp the subjectivity of practitioners’ viewpoints regarding the potential ways to enhance project performance by understanding the similarity and differences of these viewpoints.Integral Design & Managemen
The impact of loose-parts-play on schoolyard social participation of children with and without disabilities: A case study
No full textBackground: Outdoor social participation in the school playground is crucial for children's socio-emotional and cognitive development. Yet, many children with disabilities in mainstream educational settings are not socially included within their peer group. We examined whether loose-parts-play (LPP), a common and cost-effective intervention that changes the playground play environment to enhance child-led free play, can promote social participation for children with and without disabilities. Method: Forty-two primary school children, out of whom three had hearing loss or autism, were assessed for two baseline and four intervention sessions. We applied a mixed-method design, combining advanced sensors methodology, observations, peer nominations, self-reports, qualitative field notes and an interview with the playground teachers. Results: Findings indicated for all children a decrease during the intervention in social interactions and social play and no change in network centrality. Children without disabilities displayed also an increase in solitude play and in the diversity of interacting partners. Enjoyment of LPP was high for all children, yet children with disabilities did not benefit socially from the intervention and became even more isolated compared with baseline level. Conclusions: Social participation in the schoolyard of children with and without disabilities did not improve during LPP in a mainstream setting. Findings emphasize the need to consider the social needs of children with disabilities when designing playground interventions and to re-think about LPP philosophy and practices to adapt them to inclusive settings and goals.Design & Construction Managemen
Characterization and Moral Theme in Varavini’s Marzbanname and La Fontaine’s Fables
No full textDidactic literature is a literary genre in which the writer contrasts between the good and the evil, and indirectly tries to teach the moral lessons of world’s classical literature. These lessons are generally expressed by animals and are in the form of advice.
There are some common concepts in the didactic literature of Iran and France. Some of these similarities could be found by considering the moral works of authors such as Sa'ad ad-Din Varavini and Jean de La Fontaine. Varavini’s Marzbannameh and La Fontaine’s Fables are valuable works which deal with the political and social issues of their time by expressing the ideas of their authors. These advices which are expressed by jinns, humans, inanimate objects, animals, and plants offer a type of moral writing called fable to their literary, political, and social community. This genre has been one of the most prominent and popular literary genres that was common in times when the pressure of the kings made it impossible for writers to directly criticize the oppression. By using this genre, writers tried to avoid the wrath of kings.
In Western literature, this genre was started by the Greek fabulist, Aesop. Horace, the Roman poet, was inspired by Aesop and composed great fables. However, Jean de La Fontaine, the French poet and fabulist, is known as the most prominent Western fabulist who composed his own fables by following Aesop. He is the most famous French story writer whose reputation is largely due to composing a book called Fables. In this book, he has expressed concepts such as the criticism of the court, the king, the church, and the bourgeoisie. La Fontaine has criticized Louis XIV in many of his fables. He represents the king as lion and the courtiers as dogs, monkeys, wolves, and foxes and criticizes them. La Fontaine, thus, reflects the internal characteristics and personality of human beings in the form of animals and each animal reflects a part of the human society in the age of the author. Fables of La Fontaine are, in fact, a description of the social and political situation of 17th century French and contain an indirect political and social criticism expressed by animals.
In Persian literature, works such as Shahnameh, Kelile and Demni, Marzbannameh, Siyasatnameh, and Golestan are written in this literary genre. Marzbannameh along with Kelile and Demni which is one of the great Persian fables, is a book originally written in Tabari by Ispahbod Marzban Ibn Rustam Ibn Shahriar Ibn Shervin. This book was later translated to Dari Persian by Sa'ad ad-Din Varavini. More specifically, Marzbannameh was rendered from Ancient Tabari to Dari Persian in the early seventh century from year 617 to 622.
The author of this book, as La Fontaine did, has considered the king his primary audience and has tried to guide him in governance, political, and social matters by offering him advices. In these stories, the author refers to political, social, judiciary, and economic affairs and concerns behavior towards others, especially towards enemies and strangers. There also appear moral lessons and virtues in the stories which revolve around social matters. In many stories of Marzbannameh, like the Fables of La Fontaine, the characters are animals who play the social and political roles of their own time.
A comparative study of the characters of these two books helps us to better understand the characterization method of the two authors. Since these two writers have had an effective role in the moral and didactic literature of their own countries, the present study attempts to conduct a comparative study to investigate the characterization and the expression of didactic concepts in Varavini’s Marzbannameh and La Fontaine’s Fables which are, respectively, the representatives of classical didactic literature of Iran and France. Despite the similarities in the moral teachings of the two works, it could be concluded that Varavini’s work has focused more on moral content while La Fontaine’s work has been more concerned with form. This comparative study mentions some stories of the two books and discusses their characters and persona. Moreover, the current study investigates the moral messages that these two writers have mentioned in their works for their audience
A GNN-based Architecture for Group Detection from spatio-temporal Trajectory Data
No full textDetecting and analyzing group behavior from spatio-temporal trajectories is an interesting topic in various domains, such as autonomous driving, urban computing, and social sciences. This paper revisits the group detection problem from spatio-temporal trajectories and proposes “WavenetNRI”, a graph neural network (GNN) based method. The proposed WavenetNRI extends the previously proposed neural relational inference (NRI) method (an unsupervised learning approach for inferring interactions from observational data) in two directions: (1) symmetric edge features and edge updating processes are applied to generate symmetric edge representations corresponding to the symmetric binary group relationships; (2) a gated dilated residual causal convolutional (GD-RCC) block is adopted to capture both short and long dependency of the edge feature sequences. We evaluated the performance of the proposed model on three simulation datasets and three real-world pedestrian datasets, using the Group Mitre metric to measure the quality of the predicted groups. We compared WavenetNRI with four baseline methods, including two clustering-based and two classification-based methods. In these experiments, NRI and WavenetNRI outperformed all other baselines on the group-interaction simulation datasets, while NRI performed slightly better than WavenetNRI. On the pedestrian datasets, the WavenetNRI outperformed other classification-based baselines. However, it did not compete against the clustering-based methods. Our ablation study showed that while both proposed changes cannot be effective at the same time, either of them can improve the performance of the original NRI on one dataset type
