scholarly journals Exploring the Challenges of Financing Iran’s Construction Projects from China and Providing Improvement Solutions

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. 1689
Author(s):  
Musa Hajiani ◽  
Mojtaba Azizi ◽  
Ehsanollah Eshtehardian ◽  
Kazem Naseh
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Financing System ◽  
Statistical Population ◽  
Sensitive Issue ◽  
Financial Consultant ◽  
Common Interface ◽  
International Sanctions

In recent years, the tense regional conditions of the Middle East and international sanctions against Iran have led to Iran's construction projects being financed by foreign sources of complexity and limited to certain countries such as China. In spite of China's desire and signing several agreements, the opportunity and capacity of these packages are not optimized. In an effort to improve the situation, the present study focuses on the financing challenges based on the reality of a sensitive issue on Iran-China relations by presenting a common interface between the pillars of the project. The results of this study is highly likely to increase the efficiency of the financing system of the Iranian construction projects, which are to be financed by China. The statistical population of this research includes the contractors, agent, employer, foreign financer, financial consultant, and contractor of the central headquarters. Three construction projects, with non-existent conditions capable of aggregating their deep and varied data were selected as case studies according to the experts' opinion. Then out of a 25-long list of challenges, 5 challenges were chosen based on the weight as the main challenges, including domestic and foreign challenges, with some appropriate improvement solutions being presented. Based on the results of this research, a closer look at the relationships, the significance of impact and the arrangement of the strategies, produces the conceptual model.

Anglican Inter-Faith Relations from 1910 to the Twenty-First Century

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Hedges
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Historical Development ◽  
First Century ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Historical Overview ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Twenty First Century

This chapter explores the development of Anglican inter-faith relations since 1910 which has been shaped by a number of factors including: the ecumenical context, changing dynamics within the global Communion, globalization issues, and moves from mission to dialogue. The chapter begins with a historical overview and traces developments in key Anglican Communion texts and meetings, especially in recent times the Lambeth Conferences of 1988, 1998, and 2008. The ecumenical context which has shaped thought on inter-faith relations in this period is also given strong attention. The chapter concludes with two case studies. The first explores relations with Buddhism in the Sri Lankan context, while the second looks at relations with Islam focusing on the Middle East. While charting some general trends, it is noted that very different dynamics and varying standpoints exist in Anglican attitudes on inter-faith relations and have been part of the historical development throughout the period surveyed.

scholarly journals Over-parameterisation, a major obstacle to the use of artificial neural networks in hydrology?

2003 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 693-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Gaume ◽  
R. Gosset
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Artificial Neural Networks ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Linear Model ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Stream Flow ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Rainfall Runoff ◽  
Artificial Neural

Abstract. Recently Feed-Forward Artificial Neural Networks (FNN) have been gaining popularity for stream flow forecasting. However, despite the promising results presented in recent papers, their use is questionable. In theory, their “universal approximator‿ property guarantees that, if a sufficient number of neurons is selected, good performance of the models for interpolation purposes can be achieved. But the choice of a more complex model does not ensure a better prediction. Models with many parameters have a high capacity to fit the noise and the particularities of the calibration dataset, at the cost of diminishing their generalisation capacity. In support of the principle of model parsimony, a model selection method based on the validation performance of the models, "traditionally" used in the context of conceptual rainfall-runoff modelling, was adapted to the choice of a FFN structure. This method was applied to two different case studies: river flow prediction based on knowledge of upstream flows, and rainfall-runoff modelling. The predictive powers of the neural networks selected are compared to the results obtained with a linear model and a conceptual model (GR4j). In both case studies, the method leads to the selection of neural network structures with a limited number of neurons in the hidden layer (two or three). Moreover, the validation results of the selected FNN and of the linear model are very close. The conceptual model, specifically dedicated to rainfall-runoff modelling, appears to outperform the other two approaches. These conclusions, drawn on specific case studies using a particular evaluation method, add to the debate on the usefulness of Artificial Neural Networks in hydrology. Keywords: forecasting; stream-flow; rainfall-runoff; Artificial Neural Networks

Onward Christian Soldiers: American Dispensationalists, George W. Bush and the Middle East

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilay Saiya
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
American Foreign Policy ◽  
Conservative Christians

The goal of this paper is twofold. First, it attempts to explain why dispensationalist Christians were successful at influencing American foreign policy during the administration of George W. Bush, particularly towards the Middle East. Specifically, I connect this success to their ties to Washington neo-conservatives, the personal faith of Bush himself and his links to conservative Christians, and their broad cultural appeal and grassroots strength. Second, it will present two brief case studies on the influence that dispensationalism has had on US policy towards Israel and Iraq during the administration of George W. Bush.

scholarly journals Improving Capacity Development for Threatened Maritime and Marine Cultural Heritage Through the Evaluation of a Parameter Framework

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-427
Author(s):  
Katherine Recinos ◽  
Lucy Blue
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Capacity Development ◽  
The World ◽  
The Future ◽  
Development Initiatives

Abstract Maritime cultural heritage is under increasing threat around the world, facing damage, destruction, and disappearance. Despite attempts to mitigate these threats, maritime cultural heritage is often not addressed to the same extent or with equal resources. One approach that can be applied towards protecting and conserving threatened cultural heritage, and closing this gap, is capacity development. This paper addresses the question of how capacity development can be improved and adapted for the protection of maritime cultural heritage under threat. It asserts that capacity development for maritime cultural heritage can be improved by gaining a more comprehensive and structured understanding of capacity development initiatives through applying a consistent framework for evaluation and analysis. This allows for assessment and reflection on previous or ongoing initiatives, leading to the implementation of more effective initiatives in the future. In order to do this, a model for classifying initiatives by ten parameters is proposed. It is then applied to a number of case studies featuring initiatives in the Middle East and North Africa region. This is followed by a discussion of how conclusions and themes drawn from the examination and evaluation of the case study initiatives can provide a deeper understanding of capacity development efforts, and an analysis of how the parameter model as a framework can aid in improving capacity development for threatened maritime cultural heritage overall.

scholarly journals Development of conceptual model of project value dynamics analysis in conditions of uncertainty

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (13(112)) ◽  
pp. 101-112
Author(s):  
Olexander Bugrov ◽  
Olena Bugrova
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Cash Flow ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Value Engineering ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Annual Total ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
The Impact

A conceptual model for analyzing the dynamics of the value of the project, achieved as a result of engineering, under conditions of uncertainty has been developed. In the methodological context, the proposed approach is based on an array of isovalues, each of which corresponds to its own level of optimism in forecasting the cash flow for the project. With the increase in the efficiency of the project due to engineering, the entire array of iso-value lines’ changes its geometrical position, moving further from the origin (in the four-dimensional space "time-benefit-cost-risk"). The proposed model includes three stages. At the first stage, input information is collected and the corresponding analysis is initiated. The result of the second stage is a multivariate cash flow forecast and calculation of the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) and its changes for each scenario. The third stage provides the calculation of the expected BCR and its change, an assessment of the risk of making an erroneous decision and changing this risk as a result of the engineering session. The model makes it possible to calculate the achieved proportion of the static and dynamic vectors of change in the value of the project, which is one of the key manifestations of the scientific novelty of the work. In the example considered, the share of the dynamic vector of growth in the value of the project was found to be 35.47 %. The model has an environmental property - the assessment of the success of value engineering under conditions of uncertainty is carried out on the basis of the annual total benefits and the annual total costs throughout the project cycle. Thus, the analysis takes into account the impact of the project on the environment, which is reflected in the risk assessment. The given case testifies to the feasibility of applying the model in the practice of engineering the value of construction projects.

scholarly journals Safety Incentive Program for Construction Project: Case Studies of Several Construction Projects in Klang Valley, Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-365
Author(s):  
Nor Haslinda Abas ◽  
Mohammad Hafiz Nurahim ◽  
Norazam Yasin ◽  
Muhamad Hanafi Rahmat
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Incentive Program ◽  
Klang Valley

scholarly journals Ontological modeling of the International Classification of Functioning, Disabilities and Health (ICF): Activities&Participation and Environmental Factors components

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Cozzi ◽  
Andrea Martinuzzi ◽  
Vincenzo Della Mea
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
International Classification ◽  
World Health ◽  
International Classification Of Functioning ◽  
Conceptual Clarity ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Upper Ontology

Abstract Background The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a classification of health and health-related states developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide a standard and unified language to be used as a reference model for the description of health and health-related states. The concept of functioning on which ICF is based is that of a “dynamic interaction between a person’s health condition, environmental factors and personal factors”. This overall model has been translated into a classification covering all the main components of functioning. However, the practical use of ICF has highlighted some formal problems, mainly concerning conceptual clarity and ontological coherence. Methods In the present work, we propose an initial ontological formalization of ICF beyond its current status, focusing specifically on the interaction between activities and participation and environmental factors. The formalization has been based on ontology engineering methods to drive goal and scope definition, knowledge acquisition, selection of an upper ontology for mapping, conceptual model definition and evaluation, and finally representation using the Ontology Web Language (OWL). Results A conceptual model has been defined in a graphical language that included 202 entities, when possible mapped to the SUMO upper ontology. The conceptual model has been validated against 60 case studies from the literature, plus 6 ad-hoc case studies. The model has been then represented using OWL. Conclusions This formalization might provide the basis for a revision of the ICF classification in line with current efforts made by WHO on the International Classification of Diseases and on the International Classification of Health Interventions.

scholarly journals CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF DIFFERENTIATED ATTRACTION OF SOURCES OF RESOURCE PROVISION OF INVESTMENT AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 0 (71) ◽  
pp. 283-300
Author(s):  
Galyna Ryzhakova ◽  
Dmуtrо Rуzhаkov ◽  
Iryna Leshchinska ◽  
Dmytro Kistion ◽  
Vadim Kondratskyi
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Construction Projects
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