A computer approach to finding an optimal log landing location and analyzing influencing factors for ground-based timber harvesting

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Contreras ◽  
Woodam Chung

Locating a log landing is an important task in forest operations planning. Several methods have been developed to find an optimal landing location and compute a mean skidding distance, but they simplify harvest unit attributes and do not simultaneously consider multiple design factors influencing optimal landing locations. In this study, we introduce a computerized model developed to determine the optimal landing location for ground-based timber harvesting. Using raster-based GIS data, the model finds skid trails from stump to each of candidate landings and selects the best landing location that minimizes total skidding and spur road costs. The model is applied to several hypothetical harvest units with different terrain and harvest volume attributes to analyze the effects of design factors influencing optimal landing locations. Unit boundary shapes, volume distribution, the presence of obstacles, terrain conditions, and spur road construction are considered as influencing design factors.

Author(s):  
Wei Yu ◽  
Jie Tong ◽  
Xirong Sun ◽  
Fazhan Chen ◽  
Jie Zhang ◽  
...  

Background: Factors related to medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia have always been key to the treatment and rehabilitation of these patients. However, the treatment modes in different countries are not the same, and there is no research on the factors influencing medication adherence under different mental health service modes. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore medication adherence and its influencing factors in patients with schizophrenia in the Chinese institutional environment. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of hospitalized persons living with schizophrenia from November 2018 to January 2019. A systematic sampling method was used to select 217 hospitalized persons living with schizophrenia. The Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS), and Scale of Social Skills for Psychiatric Inpatients (SSPI) were used to explore medication compliance and its influencing factors in the Chinese institutional environment. Results: The descriptive analysis and ANOVA showed that there were no significant differences in medication adherence when assessed by demographic characteristics such as sex, marital status, and education level (p > 0.05). A correlation analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between medication adherence and mental symptoms (p > 0.05) but that there was a positive correlation with self-efficacy, quality of life, and activities of daily living (p < 0.01). The linear regression analysis showed that self-efficacy, psychosocial factors, symptoms/side effects, and activities of daily living had significant effects on medication adherence (F = 30.210, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings show that the self-efficacy, quality of life, and social function of patients with schizophrenia are important self-factors influencing medication adherence in the Chinese institutional environment.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Puma Sundaresan ◽  
Martin R. Stockler ◽  
Christopher G. Milross

Objectives Optimal radiation therapy (RT) utilisation rates (RURs) have been defined for various cancer indications through extensive work in Australia and overseas. These benchmarks remain unrealised. The gap between optimal RUR and actual RUR has been attributed to inadequacies in ‘RT access’. We aimed to develop a conceptual framework for the consideration of ‘RT access’ by examining the literature for existing constructs and translating it to the context of RT services. We further aimed to use this framework to identify and examine factors influencing ‘RT access’. Methods Existing models of health care access were reviewed and used to develop a multi-dimensional conceptual framework for ‘RT access’. A review of the literature was then conducted to identify factors reported to affect RT access and utilisation. The electronic databases searched, the host platform and date range of the databases searched were Ovid MEDLINE, 1946 to October 2014 and PsycINFOvia OvidSP,1806 to October 2014. Results The framework developed demonstrates that ‘RT access’ encompasses opportunity for RT as well as the translation of this opportunity to RT utilisation. Opportunity for RT includes availability, affordability, adequacy (quality) and acceptability of RT services. Several factors at the consumer, referrer and RT service levels affect the translation of this opportunity for RT to actual RT utilisation. Conclusion ‘Access’ is a term that is widely used in the context of health service related research, planning and political discussions. It is a multi-faceted concept with many descriptions. We propose a conceptual framework for the consideration of ‘RT access’ so that factors affecting RT access and utilisation may be identified and examined. Understanding these factors, and quantifying them where possible, will allow objective evaluation of their impact on RT utilisation and guide implementation of strategies to modify their effects. What is known about the topic? It is well documented that the use of RT in Australia is well below evidence-based benchmarks. The shortfall in the use of RT has been attributed to problems with access to treatment services. Although considerable attention has been directed (rightly) towards addressing infrastructure needs, access to RT is more than just supply of services. There is currently no specific framework for RT access to comprehensively consider and examine other factors influencing the use of RT. The existing international literature addresses some of the influencing factors. However, there is a need for a detailed review of all actual and potential influencers of RT utilisation. What does this paper add? This paper presents a conceptual framework for the specific consideration of access to RT. A detailed review of various factors affecting access and utilisation of RT has been performed using the aforementioned conceptual framework. To our knowledge this is the first such review and hence we are confident that it adds to the existing international literature on this subject. What are the implications for practitioners? The topic of improving consumers’ access to RT is of relevance locally, in Australia, as well as internationally. We feel that the RT access framework proposed herein will be of interest and use to those involved in health services research, delivery and policy, especially those involved with the planning and delivering of cancer services. In addition to compiling evidence on the subject, the review of factors influencing RT utilisation highlights and proposes areas for future translational and implementation research in the areas of health services and treatment-related decision making.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anusiga Gunaratnam ◽  
Konalingam Kajenthiran ◽  
Umanakenan Ratnam ◽  
Achchuthan Sivapalan

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influencing factors of e-banking practices in Sri Lanka. A questionnaire with seven-point Likert scale is applied to 388 usable responses. The study was exploratory in nature and employed factor analysis to identify the important factors of e-banking practices. Results indicate that mainly four factors are significant with respect to the e-banking practices. Privacy & convenience, content & website layout, speed of delivery, and accessibility are the critical factors influencing the e-banking practices. In addition, factors extracted from the analysis accounted for 53.704% of the total variance. This study expected to provide a unique model in the realm of e-banking.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-119
Author(s):  
Radheshyam H. Gajghat ◽  
Chandrahas C. Handa

In the previous research, it was proved that there were so many factors like students’ personal characteristics, family background, learning habits, previous academic background, college environment etc. which influence directly or indirectly the performance of college students in their university examination. The number of such factors has been identified by studying the previous work carried out by different researchers in different geographical areas and boundaries of the world. In many researches, when the opinions of the students and teaching faculties has been taken for similar factors to know the importance of these factors, the significant differences was found in their opinion for some factors. This paper investigates and compares the faculties’ assumptions with the students’ perceptions for various influencing factors. The comparison is done on the basis of their ranking of mean values of the factors allocated by students and faculties independently as per the importance of factors and one way ANOVA is used to check the significance of differences in their opinion. The result shows that there are similarities in the opinions of both, faculties and students, for most of the factors. But for some factors the significant differences in their opinion is also observed. The result of this research can be used for enhancing the performance of students by improving the influencing factors rank-wise. Top ranked factors may be given higher priority. Also this study will provide a platform for continuing the debate on the importance of various influencing factors for engineering students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-69
Author(s):  
Milena Medineckiene ◽  
Viktorija Kirdaite

Abstract Research purpose. The research aimed at identifying the main factors influencing export values in the region of Great Britain (GB) for the period of the last 30 years. Design / Methodology / Approach. In order to implement the investigation, the following tasks were intended: (1) To analyse scientific literature and mark out at least five non - dependent variables that impact export values of Great Britain. (2) Basing on findings, outlined in a scientific review, suggest or choose the methodology that is the most appropriate for this kind of tasks’ determination. (3) Collect the data for dependent and non-dependent variables (at least 30 samples). (4) Based on the presented methodology, determine the selected factors’ impact and make the statistical and economic analysis. The research was mainly done using quantitative analysis methods (descriptive, correlation, regressive analysis). Quantitative modelling and descriptive statistics methods are selected for investigation because they can suggest a different approach to analysing the factors influencing export values. Findings. Five non-dependent variables were marked out as factors influencing the export values in the selected region: gross domestic product (GDP); the number of employees in the region; amounts of cargo transportation; average salary in the region and labour costs. Calculation of the correlation coefficients showed that all independent variables were statistically significant. There is a very strong relationship between export values and GDP, employment, and labour costs. Originality / Value / Practical implications. The findings of this research can be applied in order to evaluate and determine the economic impact of the GB processes on the entire world, as Britain’s export values are among the top ten in the world. It is important to emphasise that the deeper analysis of the influencing factors of the volume of export in Great Britain showed an interrelation of these factors. So further investigation of this factor’s impact is essential.


2020 ◽  
pp. 428-464
Author(s):  
Mukta Srivastava

Customers are the end beneficiary of all the marketing activities. No matter what type of cosmetics a company is making (natural or chemical), what type of company it is (national or international), it has to satisfy the needs of the customers. No marketer can ever be successful until and unless it is able to understand the buying behavior of the end users. Hence, the current study addresses issues, such as, ‘what factors are influencing the buying behavior of female consumers with reference to make-up cosmetics?' Has there been a relationship existing between the demographical factors and other influencing factors? How female consumers make decisions for buying a particular brand of make-up cosmetics and what factors affect the decision?


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