scholarly journals Assessment of BIM Implementation among MEP Firms in Nigeria

Author(s):  
Chen Wang ◽  
Shittu Hammed Adetola ◽  
Hamzah Abdul-Rahman

<p>The purpose of this study is to assess the awareness level and potential challenges for Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption among the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) design consultants and contractors in Nigeria, and to get the perspective of BIM in the industry. The research method used in this study was a fieldwork survey using structured questionnaires. The results from the responses were analysed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA test for statistical significant difference, Chi-Square test, and Cross Tab analysis. The findings from the survey show that Nigeria MEP firms have a relatively high level of awareness toward BIM technology. The Most important challenges identified as barriers for BIM adoption are lack of technical expertise on BIM tools utilisation, lack of awareness of BIM technology, and high investment cost in training staff, process change, and software/hardware upgrade.</p>

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S110-S115
Author(s):  
Sundas Ghaus ◽  
Madiha Abdul Waheed ◽  
Shahreen Zahid Khan ◽  
Laila Mustafa ◽  
Sohaib Siddique ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The purpose of our study is to determine the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the levels of empathy toward patients among undergraduate dental students in Pakistan. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted at Islamic International Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan. After taking an informed consent, a validated and pretested Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) was distributed amongst the undergraduate dental students at two points, one before the COVID-19 existed, and the other after August 7th, 2020, when the COVID-19 cases dropped in Pakistan. Responses were indicated on a five point Likert Scale. Statistical Analysis A one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) was used to compare the TEQ scores between the different years of education at the dental school. Difference within the groups was analyzed using the post-hoc Tukey test. Pre- and post-COVID-19 comparison was done using the Chi-square test (significance level p < 0.05). Results A total of 221 out of 260 students in the pre-COVID-19 group, while 210 out of 260 students in the post-COVID-19 group enrolled in the dentistry program participated in the study. Significant difference in the empathy levels was observed in the pre- and post-COVID-19 groups of the same population, i.e., (p < 0.05). The response rate was 85%. Conclusions This study showed an increase in mean empathy scores among the undergraduate dental students after COVID-19, indicating a significant improvement in their empathy levels during the time of COVID-19. It highlights the impact of the pandemic, whereby death and chaos seem to have brought about an improvement in interpersonal harmony.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-13
Author(s):  
Nemanja Stanković ◽  
Nikola Milošević ◽  
Mladen Živković

Purpose: International Judo Federation introduced a set of new rules in a short time period (2009 − 2013). The aim of this research is to determine how the rule modification influences the gripping configurations used by elite male judo athletes. Methods: The sample contained 280 combats from the 2011 and 2014 World Championships. All the effective and ineffective throw attempts with related gripping configurations were registered. The Chi-square test was used to determine the difference between frequencies, along with Z-test for calculating the partial difference. Results: A total of 1707 actions and gripping configurations were registered. The Chi-square test showed that there is a significant difference in the usage of gripping configurations between the two championships (χ2=32,8; sig<0,001). The Z-test showed a significant increase in the usage of kenka-yotsu and ai-yotsu, and a significant decrease in the usage of central grip, cross grip and situations where only tori has established a grip. The difference in the usage of the same side grip was not detected. Conclusion: The recommendation for coaches is to reduce the use of all other gripping configurations except kenka-yotsu and ai-yotsu when practicing techniques, especially unorthodox gripping like the cross grip and the same side grip.


2015 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice YM Lee ◽  
Wee Zhao Yuan ◽  
Mat Naim Abdullah @ Mohd Asmoni ◽  
Rohaya Abdul Jalil ◽  
Maizan Baba

In the highly competitive retail industry, an understanding on the perceptions of shoppers is important in attracting and retaining loyal customers. This study compares the shoppers’ perceptions on various image dimensions using KSL City and Plaza Pelangi in Johor Bahru, Malaysia as case studies. Plaza Pelangi is more established but faces high vacancy rate and competition from KSL City. The latter is relatively new and needs to capture the shoppers market from Plaza Pelangi. A total 200 questionnaires were distributed using random sampling. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, Paired-Samples T Test, Chi Square Test, One Way ANOVA were used. There was no significant difference between the overall preferences towards both shopping centers. However, there were significant differences according to demographic groups (race, age and marital status). Majority of the image dimension attributes were rated higher in KSL City compared to Plaza Pelangi. KSL City needs to improve the ease in locating merchandise and appoint higher quality tenants.  KSL should strive for more inclusive shopper demographic groups. Plaza Pelangi needs to improve its physical dimension in terms of layout and facility dimension by undergoing upgrading works. Plaza Pelangi also needs to recruit more food and beverage outlets as well as entertainment outlets.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  

Radiographic Mandibular Indices serve as easy and relatively cheap tools for evaluating bone mineralization. Objectives: To examine the effect of age and gender on three mandibular indices: the panoramic mandibular index (PMI), the mandibular ratio (MR) and the mandibular cortical index (MCI), among Libyan population. Methods: The three indices were measured on 317 digital (OPGs) of adult humans (155 males, 162 females). The sample was divided into six age groups (from 18-25 years through 56-65 years). The measurements were analyzed for interactions with age and sex, using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Studies) software version no. 22. The tests employed were two way ANOVA, the unpaired T-test and chi-square test. Results: The mean PMI fluctuated between 0.37 s.d. 0.012 and 0.38 s.d. 0.012. among the sixth age groups. One-way ANOVA statistical test revealed no significant of age on PMI. On the other hand gender variation has effect on PMI, since independent sample t-test disclosed that the difference between the male and female PMI means statistically significant. ANOVA test showed that the means of MR among age groups showed a negative correlation i.e. MR mean declined from 3.01 in 18-25 age groups to 2.7 in 55-65 age groups. In contrary, the gender showed no effect on MR according two sample t-test at p> 0.05. In regards with MCI, statistical analysis showed that it affected by age that is C1 was decreasing by age while C2 and C3 were increased by age. Using chi square test the result indicated that there is a significant difference among the different age group and the two genders in MCI readings. Conclusion: PMI was influenced significantly by age but minimally by the gender. MR is not affected by gender but has a negative correlation with age. MCI is affected by both age and gender


Author(s):  
Satoe Fujiwara ◽  
Ruri Nishie ◽  
Shoko Ueda ◽  
Syunsuke Miyamoto ◽  
Shinichi Terada ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There is uncertainty surrounding the prognostic value of peritoneal cytology in low-risk endometrial cancer, especially in laparoscopic surgery. The objective of this retrospective study is to determine the prognostic significance of positive peritoneal cytology among patients with low-risk endometrial cancer and to compare it between laparoscopic surgery and conventional laparotomy. Methods From August 2008 to December 2019, all cases of pathologically confirmed stage IA grade 1 or 2 endometrial cancer were reviewed at Osaka Medical College. Statistical analyses used the Chi-square test and the Kaplan–Meier log rank. Results A total of 478 patients were identified: 438 with negative peritoneal cytology (232 who underwent laparotomy and 206 who undertook laparoscopic surgery) and 40 with positive peritoneal cytology (20 who underwent laparotomy and 20 who received laparoscopic surgery). Survival was significantly worse among patients with positive peritoneal cytology compared to patients with negative peritoneal cytology. However, there was no significant difference among patients with negative or positive peritoneal cytology between laparoscopic surgery and laparotomy. Conclusion This retrospective study suggests that, while peritoneal cytology is an independent risk factor in patients with low-risk endometrial cancer, laparoscopic surgery does not influence the survival outcome when compared to laparotomy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Wu ◽  
Zhen Zhang ◽  
Meng Liao ◽  
Qi Li ◽  
Xue Lin Tang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To analyze whether corneal refractive surgery (CRS) is associated with the distribution of different accommodative dysfunctions (ADs) and binocular dysfunctions (BDs) in civilian pilots. A further aim was to analyze the percentages and visual symptoms associated with ADs and/or BDs in this population. Methods One hundred and eight civilian pilots who underwent CRS from January 2001 to July 2012 (age: 30.33 ± 4.60 years) were enrolled, the mean preoperative SE was − 1.51 ± 1.15 D (range: − 1.00- − 5.00 D). Ninety-nine emmetropic civilian pilots (age: 29.64 ± 3.77 years) who were age- and sex-matched to the CRS group were also enrolled. Refractive status, accommodative and binocular tests of each subject were performed. Visually related symptoms were quantified using the 19-item College of Optometrists in Vision Development Quality of Life (COVD-QOL) questionnaire. The 19 items were summed to obtain visual symptom scores that might indicate visual dysfunctions. The chi-square test was used to analyze differences in percentages of ADs and/or BDs between the CRS and emmetropic groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare visual symptom scores between pilots with ADs and/or BDs and pilots with normal binocular vision. Results No significant difference was observed between the CRS and emmetropic groups in the overall prevalence of ADs and BDs (15.7% and 15.2% in the CRS and emmetropic groups, respectively; P = 0.185). ADs were present in 4.63% and 3.03% of the CRS and emmetropic group, respectively. BDs were observed in 11.1% and 12.1% of the CRS and emmetropic group, respectively, yielding no significant differences between the groups in the prevalence of ADs or BDs (AD: P = 0.094; BD: P = 0.105). Pilots with ADs and/or BDs had significantly more visual symptoms than pilots with normal binocular vision (p < 0.001). Conclusions CRS for civilian pilots with low-moderate myopia might not impact binocular functions. ADs and/or BDs commonly occur in both emmetropia pilots and pilots who undergo CRS, and pilots with ADs and/or BDs are associated with increased symptoms. This study confirms the importance of a full assessment of binocular visual functions in detecting and remedying these dysfunctions in this specific population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3469
Author(s):  
Khalid H. Almadi ◽  
Muhammad Adeel Ahmed ◽  
Tuba Ghazal ◽  
Rizwan Jouhar ◽  
Mazen F. Alkahtany ◽  
...  

Propolis is proposed to possess antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can be used in endodontic applications. However, evidence on its efficacy in comparison to chlorhexidine against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is controversial. The aim of the current study was to compare the antibacterial efficacy of Propolis and chlorhexidine as an intracanal medicament against E. faecalis in extracted human permanent teeth. The focused question was, “Does Propolis show better antibacterial efficacy than Chlorhexidine (CHX) as an intracanal medicament against E. faecalis in extracted human permanent teeth?”. Databases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, ISI-Web of Science were searched from 1990 to August 2020 using different combinations of the following keywords: “Propolis”, “Intracanal medicament”, “E. faecalis”, “Antibacterial activity” and “Chlorhexidine”. Ten studies fulfilling inclusion criteria were considered for qualitative analysis, followed by quantitative analysis of eight studies. Heterogeneity was calculated for colony forming units (CFU) of E. Faecalis using the Chi-square test and I2 statistics. Forest plots were computed reporting standard mean difference (SMD) of outcomes and 95% confidence intervals. The overall mean difference for CFU of E. faecalis showed a statistically significant difference between the antibacterial efficacy of Propolis and CHX (SMD = 3.20 [1.70, 4.69] Z = 4.20; p < 0.001). CHX showed superior antibacterial efficacy against E. faecalis compared to Propolis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isadora Carvalho Medeiros Francescantonio ◽  
Leandro Augusto Rodrigues dos Santos ◽  
Paulo Luiz Carvalho Francescantonio ◽  
Luiz Eduardo Coelho Andrade ◽  
Wilson de Melo Cruvinel

Abstract Objective To evaluate the perception of rheumatologists regarding the recommendations of the Brazilian Consensus for detection of Autoantibodies (BCA) on HEp-2 Cells by Indirect Immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and how BCA recommendations help in clinical practice. Methodology A structured questionnaire regarding the BCA recommendations for detection and interpretations of autoantibodies in HEp-2 cells was applied to randomly selected rheumatologists. The results were tabulated using the Microsoft® Excel program, expressed as a simple percentage and the dichotomous data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and the Epi Info® program. Results Four hundred fuorteen rheumatologists participated in the study: 70% of them considered their knowledge of the HEp-2 IFA test satisfactory or excellent, and 43% said they knew the BCA recommendations in general, without distinguishing the edition of the BCA to which they refer. The Revista Brasileira de Rheumatologia/Advances in Rheumatology was the means of dissemination most consulted by specialists (50%). According to the rheumatologists’ opinion, the most relevant pattern was the homogeneous nuclear (78%) and 65% stated they were satisfied with the BCA recommendations at a level of satisfaction greater than or equal to 80%. There was no significant difference in the perception of rheumatologists from the several Brazilian geographic regions. Conclusion Brazilian rheumatologists are aware of the BCA guidelines and most are satisfied with the content published, considering that the BCA recommendations assist positively in the clinical practice. Most rheumatologists recognize the patterns associated with rheumatic autoimmune diseases and have used BCA recommendations to interpret the results of the HEp-2 IFA test.


Author(s):  
Olayinka Stephen Ilesanmi ◽  
Priscilla Onaopemipo Akosile ◽  
Aanuoluwapo Adeyimika Afolabi ◽  
Victor Okoliko Ukwenya

Abstract Background This study aimed to assess the level of trust in the COVID-19 risk communication efforts in Nigeria. Methods We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among community members aged 15 years and above in Ondo state in October, 2020. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics were summarized using frequencies. Trust was ranked from “1” implying “Low level of trust” to “7” denoting “High level of trust”. We conducted bivariate Chi-square test on respondents’ level of trust in the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and socio-demographic characteristics. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results Among the 691 respondents, 244 (35.3%) were aged 21 to 29 years, and 304 (51.4%) used the NCDC to obtain COVID-19 knowledge. Overall, 205 (41.8%) had high level of trust in the NCDC. Furthermore, 51 (51.5%) individuals aged 30-39 years had high level of trust in the NCDC (ᵡ2=17.455, p= 0.001). Also, 114 (48.5%) persons who lived with children below 18 years had high level of trust in the NCDC (ᵡ2= 8.266, p= 0.004). Conclusion Policy makers should prioritize the involvement of young and educated persons in COVID-19 risk communication strategies.


Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1114
Author(s):  
Tatsunori Sawada ◽  
Hiroki Uda ◽  
Akira Suzuki ◽  
Kounosuke Tomori ◽  
Kanta Ohno ◽  
...  

Background: Although various technologies are used to evaluate driving skill, there are some limitations such as the limited range of the monitor and the possible risk of causing cybersickness. The purpose of this study is to investigate differences in the hazard perception and cybersickness experienced between novice and experienced drivers measured in a VR hazard perception test with a head-mounted display (HMD). Methods: The novice (n = 32) and the experienced drivers (n = 36) participated in the hazard perception test through the VR of an HMD. Results: The total number of identified hazards was 1071 in the novice drivers and 1376 in the experienced drivers. Two of the hazards appeared to be only identifiable through the HMD. A chi-square test revealed that experienced drivers were more likely to identify the hazards than the novice drivers (p < 0.05). The novice drivers appeared to identify “hazard prediction of the current behavior of other road users” more than other hazard types, unlike the experienced group. The Simulator Sickness Questionnaire scores indicated no significant difference in the different age or gender groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the VR hazard perception test may be useful for evaluating patients’ driving skills.


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