96 research outputs found
Cooperative donation programs in supply chains with non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
No full textToday, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is known as a critical element of supply chain (SC) operations. In this article, we analytically study an SC coordination problem with social efforts for charity. The proposed SC includes one retailer and one manufacturer in which the manufacturer gives donations to a nongovernmental organization (NGO) in two forms, namely a lump sum amount plus a per-sold-item donation amount. While CSR efforts have been considered as an abstract concept in prior studies, this article contributes to the literature by specifically exploring an SC with an NGO in the form of two types of donations as CSR activities. The problem is first modeled under a decentralized decision-making setting in which each member focuses on its own profit. The second model is developed under the centralized decision-making structure in which the whole SC profit under the centralized scenario is improved. To achieve Pareto-improving channel coordination, a cooperative donation program using a combined 'wholesale price and cost-sharing' contract is proposed. Our analytically proven results demonstrate that the proposed SC coordination contract can achieve Pareto improvement. Moreover, we prove that the NGO receives more donations under the proposed contract. Therefore, the proposed contract is beneficial to both the SC members and the NGO. In the extended model, we investigate the case under the endogenous 'low/high pricing regimes' and reveal that the main findings remain robust. Managerial insights and implications are discussed.</p
114 - Mahsa Ghorbani
No full textStock price prediction is one of the most challenging problems in finance and is receiving considerable attention from researchers. The literature provides strong evidence that prices can be predicted from past price data as well as other fundamental and macroeconomic variables. We propose a filtering operation using covariance information in order to predict future stock prices. We use daily historical price data for Generals Electric Company to illustrate our method, which shows promising results in terms of the estimation performance and volatility
IMPROVING HOSPITAL DISCHARGES AND CARE TRANSITIONS: PREDICTIVE AND OPTIMIZATION INSIGHTS
No full textImproving discharge planning and long-term care capacity is essential to reducing delayed discharges and enhancing healthcare system efficiency. Delayed discharge patients, particularly those designated as Alternate Level of Care, contribute significantly to hospital overcrowding and poor patient outcomes. This thesis addresses these challenges through two interconnected themes: developing tools to predict patients at risk of delayed discharge and their expected length of stay, and designing mathematical models to optimize long-term care capacity and patient flow. The first theme begins with a systematic literature review that classifies
existing studies based on the statistical and machine learning methods used to predict discharge destination, length of stay, and discharge volume. Identified gaps in discharge-related predictions motivate the development of data-driven models. The second and third studies introduce machine learning–based decision support tools built on patient health records from Nova Scotia. The second study predicts Alternate Level of Care designation at the time of admission, enabling early identification and intervention. The third study estimates the length of stay for Alternate Level of Care patients using key predictors such as discharge destination, patient service type, and season, offering insights to understand complex discharges. In the second theme, the fourth study presents a multi-period mathematical optimization framework for long-term care capacity expansion and patient assignment. Two models are proposed: one for planning expansions and assignments, and another that incorporates interfacility transfers. Applied to a real case study, results show that incorporating interfacility transfers reduces system costs while improving flexibility and equity in resource allocation. Additionally, column generation and rolling time horizon algorithms are developed to enhance
scalability. Together, this thesis offers integrated predictive and prescriptive tools, built on real-world data, to support timely patient discharges and inform strategic planning for long-term care across health systems
Nurturing success with learning disabilities in French immersion with teachers' and parents' support and collaboration
No full textThis paper draws upon my six years of teaching French as the second or foreign languages as well as my academic experiences in the Master of Education program. Within the past six years, I have perceived the second language acquisition to be an enjoyable and pleasant journey for all my students similar to what I experienced as a child. However, having faced various learning styles and needs as well as the uncertainty of some parents about the placement of their children with learning disabilities in French Immersion, I gravitated to inquire more into the compatibility of this program for my at-risk students. The French Immersion program is suitable for the students with learning disabilities if they can be provided with proper support in positive and motivating learning environments, such as school and home. This knowledge would benefit the teachers and parents who need to be ensured that the inclusion of the students with learning difficulties in French Immersion is educationally sound. Through the analysis of different strategies and accommodations, this paper discusses how the students with learning disabilities and their families can address their concerns and avoid some challenges, such as transition to English-only programs after having built several years of connections and friendships and the associated social-emotional impacts. This paper also seeks to convey the message to the teachers that learning disability should not hinder language acquisition. The implications emerged from this awareness are that educators and parents can advocate for the students with learning disabilities through their collaborative efforts, so that they can have equitable access to learning French in supportive and inspirational learning environments.Not peer reviewedcapstoneFrench immersionlearning disabilitysecond language acquisitioninclusionary practiceshome-school collaborationhome-school collaboratio
Structural changes of conversion metal fluoride cathodes in lithium ion batteries
No full textCurrently, cathode materials for Li-ion batteries are based on intercalation processes where, during charge and discharge processes, Li intercalates into the crystal lattice while maintaining the host crystal structure. More recently, new cathode materials have been introduced based on conversion reactions involving phase transformation and complete reduction of the host transition metal. In addition, conversion reactions involve two or more Li ions with a resulting much higher capacity than obtainable for intercalation materials. However, mechanism of phase transformation and cycling reversibility are at present still poorly understood. In this study transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques including selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern, annular dark field (ADF) STEM image, and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) with nanoscale spatial resolution were used to study the phase evolution and structural changes of iron fluorides (FeFe2, FeO0.7F1.3, FeF3) after various discharge/charge cycles. Additionally, the changes of the Fe valence states upon cycling were determined using EELS by measuring the L3/L2 intensity ratio of Fe-L edge. The structural transformations of FeO0.7F1.3 during the first lithiation show that litiahation contains two regions. The first region, lithiation is an intercalation reaction iii with reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+. The second region of lithiation involves a conversion reaction, with the formation of metallic Fe, LiF, and Li0.7Fe2+0.5O0.7F0.3 (rocksalt type) phases. The first delithiation process follows a different conversion reaction path compared to the first lithiation reaction involving the formation an amorphous rutile-type phase along with with the rocksalt-type phase. Interestingly, upon full recharge (delithiated electrode), the measured average Fe valence state returns back to its initial value of Fe2.7+. The growth of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer formation at the electrode/electrolyte interface is observed for the iron fluoride compounds (FeF2, FeF3, and FeOF) after cycling. The evolution of the SEI layer formation after cycling has been studied for the FeF2 samples in details by EELS and XPS. We observed the growth of SEI layer with cycle number, which mainly contained LiF and Li2CO3 compounds. Two degradation mechanisms are identified. First, the increase in the decomposition product layer after cycling inhibits complete reconversion process. Second, dissolution of Fe into the SEI layer after cycling which leads to the loss of active material.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical referencesby Mahsa Sin
Nutrition and wound healing: vitamins
No full textSufficient nutrition is important for all medical surgical patients. In the clinical setting, many patients postoperative receive multivitamin and minerals to maintain adequate nutrition. This poster presentation will address the importance of supplementary vitamins to wound healing. Complications of delay wound healing includes adhesions, contractures, dehiscence, evisceration, granulation tissue, fistula formation, Infection, hemorrhage, formation of
hypertrophic scars and keloids (Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, Bucher, & Camera, 2014). Conclusion: through this project we have learned that malnutrition contributes to delayed wound healing. Each vitamin we have discussed plays an important role in each stage of the healing process: inflammatory, proliferative and remodeling phase. Based on our literature review, patients who were receiving nutritional supplementation displayed a significant decrease in wound size as compared to those who did not. We now have a better understanding of supplemental nutrition (vitamins) on post surgical patients in our clinical setting and will further promote these findings through patient teaching.Not peer reviewedStudent Research Day Poster (2017
Developing a decision support tool to predict delayed discharge from hospitals using machine learning
No full textAbstract Background The growing demand for healthcare services challenges patient flow management in health systems. Alternative Level of Care (ALC) patients who no longer need acute care yet face discharge barriers contribute to prolonged stays and hospital overcrowding. Predicting these patients at admission allows for better resource planning, reducing bottlenecks, and improving flow. This study addresses three objectives: identifying likely ALC patients, key predictive features, and preparing guidelines for early ALC identification at admission. Methods Data from Nova Scotia Health (2015-2022) covering patient demographics, diagnoses, and clinical information was extracted. Data preparation involved managing outliers, feature engineering, handling missing values, transforming categorical variables, and standardizing. Data imbalance was addressed using class weights, random oversampling, and the Synthetic Minority Over-Sampling Technique (SMOTE). Three ML classifiers, Random Forest (RF), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), were tested to classify patients as ALC or not. Also, to ensure accurate ALC prediction at admission, only features available at that time were used in a separate model iteration. Results Model performance was assessed using recall, F1-Score, and AUC metrics. The XGB model with SMOTE achieved the highest performance, with a recall of 0.95 and an AUC of 0.97, excelling in identifying ALC patients. The next best models were XGB with random oversampling and ANN with class weights. When limited to admission-only features, the XGB with SMOTE still performed well, achieving a recall of 0.91 and an AUC of 0.94, demonstrating its effectiveness in early ALC prediction. Additionally, the analysis identified diagnosis 1, patient age, and entry code as the top three predictors of ALC status. Conclusions The results demonstrate the potential of ML models to predict ALC status at admission. The findings support real-time decision-making to improve patient flow and reduce hospital overcrowding. The ALC guideline groups patients first by diagnosis, then by age, and finally by entry code, categorizing prediction outcomes into three probability ranges: below 30%, 30-70%, and above 70%. This framework assesses whether ALC status can be accurately predicted at admission or during the patient’s stay before discharge
Triggering Social Entrepreneurship Initiatives: Investigating the role of Dutch national government policy in triggering social entrepreneurship initiatives focusing on delivering affordable owner-occupied housing
No full textThe Netherlands is currently facing a shortage of affordable housing, specifically for middle-income households. These households with too much income to qualify for social housing but not enough to buy a home tend to squeeze into the free rental market increasingly. Housing specifically targeted at this group is known as intermediate housing, which is provided at a cost above social rent but below market rates. In previous years, very few houses for this target group were developed due to the reluctance of the market to develop these homes due to lower profitability and strict regulations that made it difficult for local governments and social housing associations to build and distribute intermediate housing. This study's primary goal is to reduce the inequality gap in the Dutch housing market by designing a national government housing policy. As a response to the shortage of affordable housing among middle-income households, it has been proposed that more social enterprises should become active in the housing sector as well as in other industries which solve societal problems by combining economic mission and societal impact. Social housing enterprises can explicitly address the shortage of affordable housing for middle-income households, unlike commercial ones that are solely concerned with profits. Furthermore, these newly developed Social Housing Enterprises are not subject to strict rules regarding the distribution of housing to middle-income households. As a result, they might be able to address the housing shortage.The research question is "How can national government policy trigger social entrepreneurship initiatives focusing on delivering affordable owner-occupied housing?". For this research, a qualitative approach has been taken, in which primary and secondary data are used. The primary data came from ten semi-structured in-depth interviews, and the secondary data came from the literature review. In general, the national government's involvement increases the likelihood of individuals engaging in Social Entrepreneurship and its formation. The result showed that government support for removing barriers to social enterprise creation was the most important factor driving social entrepreneurship. Governments can lower barriers to social enterprises in the provision of intermediate housing by giving formal recognition, improving access to markets and finances, providing in-kind resources, and strengthening skills to trigger social entrepreneurship initiatives focusing on delivering affordable owner-occupied housing.Graduation laboratoryArchitecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Management in the Built Environmen
Electrospun core-shell nanofibers based on thermoplastic urethane elastomer and gelatin: Evolution of cell behavior
No full textKinerja Pendamping Desa dalam Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Desa di Kecamatan Wringin Kabupaten Bondowoso
No full textPendamping Desa adalah sebuah jabatan dibawah Kementerian Desa, Pembangunan Daerah Tertinggal Dan Transmigrasi Indonesia yang pembentukannya berdasarkan Undang-Undang Desa dan bertugas untuk meningkatkan keberdayaan masyarakat di sebuah Desa. Pendamping Desa sebagaimana disebutkan dalam Permendesa Nomor 3 Tahun 2015 menyebutkan bahwa pendampingan Desa dilaksanakan oleh pendamping yang terdiri dari: Tenaga Pendamping Profesional, Kader Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Desa, dan Pihak Ketiga. Tipe penelitian yang digunakan oleh penulis adalah tipe kualitatif yang dideskriptifkan yaitu suatu penelitian yang bertujuan untuk memperoleh gambaran serta memahami dan menjelaskan bagaimana Kinerja Pendamping Desa dalam Pemberdayaan Masyarakat desa di Kecamatan Wringin Kabupaten Bondowoso. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa kinerja pendamping desa sudah maksimal. Pada indikator (kualitas) dan (kuantitas) pendamping Desa Wringin sangat baik kualitas pendampinganya dan di kecamatan wringin jumlah pendamping desa dan SDM sudah sesuai kebutuhan. (ketetapan waktu) pendamping desa dalam pembuatan laporan sudah sangat akurat dan tepat waktu. (efektivitas) dalam proses pendampingan di 13 desa yang ada di Kecamatan Wringin pendamping desa sudah sangat efektif. (Kemandirian) Pendamping desa di kecamatan wringin melakukan proses pendampingan dengan mandiri tanpa bantuan orang lain karna sudah memiliki kemampuan masing-masing. (Komitmen kerja) pendamping desa komitmen kerja dan tanggung jawabnya sudah sangat baik. Sedangkan faktor yang mempengaruhi kinerja, pada faktor kualitas dan kemampuan sudah sangat baik. selanjutnya sarana pendukung sudah tersedia dalam pelaksanaan pendampingan desa.
Kata Kunci : Kinerja, Pendamping Desa, Pemberdayaan
ABSTRACT
Nama : Izzan Aufa Mahsa Arifin
Study Program : Social and Political Sciences
Title : The Performance Of Village Facilitators in Empowering Village Communities In Wringin District, Bondowoso Regency
Village Assistant is a position under the Ministry of Villages, Disadvantaged Areas and Transmigration of Indonesia, which is formed based on the Village Law and is tasked with increasing community empowerment in a village. Village Facilitators as mentioned in Permendesa No.3 of 2015 state that Village assistance is carried out by assistants consisting of: Professional Assistants, Village Community Empowerment Cadres, and Third Parties. The type of research used by the author is descriptive qualitative type, namely a study that aims to obtain an overview and understand and explain how the Village Facilitator's Performance in Village Community Empowerment in Wringin District, Bondowoso Regency. The results of this study indicate that the performance of village assistants has been maximal. In the indicators (Quality) and (quantity) of the village assistants in wringin, the quality of the assistants is very good and in the Wringin sub-district the number of village assistants and human resources is according to the needs. (Timeliness) village assistants in making reports are very accurate and on time. (Effectiveness) in the mentoring process in 13 villages in the Wringin sub-district the village assistants have been very effective. (Independence) Village facilitators in Wringin sub-district carry out the mentoring process independently without the help of others because they already have their respective abilities. (Work commitment) village assistant, work commitment and responsibility are very good. While the factors that affect performance, the quality and ability factors are very good. Furthermore, supporting facilities are available in the implementation of village assistance.
Keywords: Performance, Village Facilitators, Empowermen
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