scholarly journals Cost-effective infrastructure choices in education: Location, build or repair

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-83
Author(s):  
Glenn P Jenkins ◽  
Armin Zeinali
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Capital Budgeting ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
New School ◽  
System A ◽  
Optimal Mix ◽  
New Construction ◽  
Practical Tool

The purpose of this study is to develop a model to arrive at a joint optimising strategy for capital budgeting for the construction of new school buildings and for the renovation of existing schools. This model provides a practical tool for ranking construction projects so as to yield the maximum positive impact on the education system. A key aspect of the model is that it provides the optimal mix of renovation and new construction that should be undertaken under a fixed budget constraint.The model is applied to a sample dataset from the education sector of Limpopo province, South Africa, in order to quantify the benefits of using the model. The benefits from using this model for decision making on the evaluation of new and renovation investments in school infrastructure is estimated to increase the effectiveness of these investments by up to 300 percent over the counterfactual system for making these decisions.

scholarly journals Estidama and the Pearl Rating System: A Comprehensive Review and Alignment with LCA

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5041
Author(s):  
Ayyagari Ramani ◽  
Borja García de Soto
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Rating System ◽  
Practical Relevance ◽  
Rating Systems ◽  
Sustainable Buildings ◽  
System A ◽  
Robust Implementation ◽  
New Construction ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Sustainability Standards

Multiple sustainability standards and rating systems have been developed to draw attention to constructing sustainable buildings. The Pearl Rating System (PRS) is a mandate for all new construction projects in Abu Dhabi. Hence, it is important to understand the main components, advantages, and limitations of the PRS. The feasibility and the practical relevance of the PRS are still being studied. This paper addresses this gap and critically evaluates the PRS against some of the well-established rating systems like LEED and BREEAM. The analysis suggests that the PRS considers the cultural aspect of sustainability, in addition to the environmental, societal, and economic aspects. It was also found that most rating systems, including the PRS, have a very superficial inclusion of life cycle assessment (LCA). The paper finally concludes with other observations and outlook for a more robust implementation of the PRS.

scholarly journals Tourism, meditation, sustainability

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila Lengyel
Keyword(s):  
World View ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
System A ◽  
Tourism Product ◽  
Service Portfolio ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Hungarian Population ◽  
Practical Tool ◽  
Level Of Significance

The economic value of meditation based services is clearly demonstrated by a growing number of companies using such services. In the USA one quarter of the companies offer in-house meditation training to their employees. On the otherhand,the number of those who think that the western consumption paradigm in its present form is unsustainable is also increasing. In addition to its business value, meditation and its most popular western form mindfulness is a practical tool that can catalyze a change in our world view and value system. A basic precondition for learning meditation techniques is to have an open, receptive, feminine attitude. As it is revealed in the present research, tourists poses a significantly elevated level of openness to new experience. This increased openness together with an upward trend for spiritual experiences can create a synergy for certain destinations, accommodation types, tourism locations to expand their service portfolio with meditation based services. While favourable physical and psychological effects of traditional tourism services fade within a few weeks, meditation is a portable tourism product which can be taken home and practiced regularly in a virtually cost-free way. By learning and practicing meditation the extremely poor physical and psychological condition of the Hungarian population could be improved in a preventive and cost-effective way. As the level of mindfulness is positively correlated with sustainable behaviour by offering meditation services tourism might take on a new level of significance in the battle for sustainability.

scholarly journals The Utilisation of Payment Models Across the HIV Continuum of Care: Systematic Review of Evidence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiago Rua ◽  
Daniela Brandão ◽  
Vanessa Nicolau ◽  
Ana Escoval
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Relative Magnitude ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Continuum Of Care ◽  
Clinical Conditions ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Payment Models

AbstractThe increasing chronicity and multimorbidities associated with people living with HIV have posed important challenges to health systems across the world. In this context, payment models hold the potential to improve care across a spectrum of clinical conditions. This study aims to systematically review the evidence of HIV performance-based payments models. Literature searches were conducted in March 2020 using multiple databases and manual searches of relevant papers. Papers were limited to any study design that considers the real-world utilisation of performance-based payment models applied to the HIV domain. A total of 23 full-text papers were included. Due to the heterogeneity of study designs, the multiple types of interventions and its implementation across distinct areas of HIV care, direct comparisons between studies were deemed unsuitable. Most evidence focused on healthcare users (83%), seeking to directly affect patients' behaviour based on principles of behavioural economics. Despite the variability between interventions, the implementation of performance-based payment models led to either a neutral or positive impact throughout the HIV care continuum. Moreover, this improvement was likely to be cost-effective or, at least, did not compromise the healthcare system’s financial sustainability. However, more research is needed to assess the durability of incentives and its appropriate relative magnitude.

scholarly journals Measurement of Gem Colour Using a Computer Vision System: A Case Study with Jadeite-Jade

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 791
Author(s):  
Sufei Zhang ◽  
Ying Guo
Keyword(s):  
Computer Vision ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Vision System ◽  
Expert Group ◽  
Group Test ◽  
System A ◽  
Real Objects ◽  
Practical Tool ◽  
Almost All

This paper introduces computer vision systems (CVSs), which provides a new method to measure gem colour, and compares CVS and colourimeter (CM) measurements of jadeite-jade colour in the CIELAB space. The feasibility of using CVS for jadeite-jade colour measurement was verified by an expert group test and a reasonable regression model in an experiment involving 111 samples covering almost all jadeite-jade colours. In the expert group test, more than 93.33% of CVS images are considered to have high similarities with real objects. Comparing L*, a*, b*, C*, h, and ∆E* (greater than 10) from CVS and CM tests indicate that significant visual differences exist between the measured colours. For a*, b*, and h, the R2 of the regression model for CVS and CM was 90.2% or more. CVS readings can be used to predict the colour value measured by CM, which means that CVS technology can become a practical tool to detect the colour of jadeite-jade.

scholarly journals A Reference Framework to Combine Model-Based Design and AR to Improve Social Sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2031
Author(s):  
Fabio Grandi ◽  
Riccardo Karim Khamaisi ◽  
Margherita Peruzzini ◽  
Roberto Raffaeli ◽  
Marcello Pellicciari
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Digital Models ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Digital Contents ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Virtual Simulations ◽  
Product And Process ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Time Information

Product and process digitalization is pervading numerous areas in the industry to improve quality and reduce costs. In particular, digital models enable virtual simulations to predict product and process performances, as well as to generate digital contents to improve the general workflow. Digital models can also contain additional contents (e.g., model-based design (MBD)) to provide online and on-time information about process operations and management, as well as to support operator activities. The recent developments in augmented reality (AR) offer new specific interfaces to promote the great diffusion of digital contents into industrial processes, thanks to flexible and robust applications, as well as cost-effective devices. However, the impact of AR applications on sustainability is still poorly explored in research. In this direction, this paper proposed an innovative approach to exploit MBD and introduce AR interfaces in the industry to support human intensive processes. Indeed, in those processes, the human contribution is still crucial to guaranteeing the expected product quality (e.g., quality inspection). The paper also analyzed how this new concept can benefit sustainability and define a set of metrics to assess the positive impact on sustainability, focusing on social aspects.

scholarly journals Intersecting Residential and Transportation CO2 Emissions: Metropolitan Climate Change Programs in the Age of Trump

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Landis ◽  
David Hsu ◽  
Erick Guerra
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Fixed Ratio ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Scale Efficiency ◽  
Diversion Programs ◽  
Residential Energy ◽  
Past Performance ◽  
Compact Growth ◽  
New Construction ◽  
Effective Cost

This article uses a series of fixed-ratio projections and scenarios to explore the potential for local residential energy conservation mandates and compact growth programs to reduce locally based CO2 emissions in eleven representative US metropolitan areas. Averaged across all eleven metros, residential energy conservation mandates could reduce residential CO2 emissions in 2030 by an average of 30 percent over and above 2010 levels. In terms of implementation, residential conservation standards were found to be goal-effective, cost-effective, scale-effective, and in the case of new construction standards, reasonably resistant to local political pushback. Local compact growth programs do not perform as well. If accompanied by aggressive efforts to get drivers out of their cars, compact growth programs could reduce auto-based 2030 CO2 emissions by as much as 25 percent over and above any emissions reductions attributable to higher fuel economy standards. Unaccompanied by modal diversion programs, the stand-alone potential for local compact growth programs to reduce auto-based CO2 emissions falls into a more modest range of 0 to 7 percent depending on the metropolitan area. Based on past performance, local compact growth programs are also likely to have problems in terms of their goal- and scale-efficiency, and their potential to incur political pushback.

scholarly journals The Situate Detection System - A Cost-Effective Approach to Preventing Retained Surgical Sponges

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. A705
Author(s):  
B Leinwand ◽  
KE Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Detection System ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
System A ◽  
Cost Effective Approach ◽  
Retained Surgical Sponges

scholarly journals Self-fill oxygen technology: benefits for patients, healthcare providers and the environment

Breathe ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phyllis Murphie ◽  
Nick Hex ◽  
Jo Setters ◽  
Stuart Little
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
List Type ◽  
Potential Cost ◽  
Unlimited Supply ◽  
Technology Benefits

“Non-delivery” home oxygen technologies that allow self-filling of ambulatory oxygen cylinders are emerging. They can offer a relatively unlimited supply of ambulatory oxygen in suitably assessed people who require long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT), providing they can use these systems safely and effectively. This allows users to be self-sufficient and facilitates longer periods of time away from home. The evolution and evidence base of this technology is reported with the experience of a national service review in Scotland (UK). Given that domiciliary oxygen services represent a significant cost to healthcare providers globally, these systems offer potential cost savings, are appealing to remote and rural regions due to the avoidance of cylinder delivery and have additional lower environmental impact due to reduced fossil fuel consumption and subsequently reduced carbon emissions. Evidence is emerging that self-fill/non-delivery oxygen systems can meet the ambulatory oxygen needs of many patients using LTOT and can have a positive impact on quality of life, increase time spent away from home and offer significant financial savings to healthcare providers.Educational aimsProvide update for oxygen prescribers on options for home oxygen provision.Provide update on the evidence base for available self-fill oxygen technologies.Provide and update for healthcare commissioners on the potential cost-effective and environmental benefits of increased utilisation of self-fill oxygen systems.

FAKTOR PENANGULANGAN TERJADINYA WASTE PADA PROYEK KONSTRUKSI DI SURABAYA

EXTRAPOLASI ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Michella Beatrix ◽  
Nurul Rochmah ◽  
Gede Sarya ◽  
Pebru Dwijayanto
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Scale Construction ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Construction Costs ◽  
Warehouse Storage ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Material Requirements

AbstractLarge and small scale construction projects have waste that cannot be predicted in advance, even the amount cannot be predicted directly, whether it is in large or small amounts. The existence of waste can have a significant impact that can affect construction costs. Waste can have both negative and positive impacts. Good waste management will have a positive impact on the company in terms of cost, even time, and quality, but if the waste that occurs cannot be handled or managed properly it will harm the company in terms of cost, time, and even in terms of quality. In this case, the party that always gets the impact of the waste is the contractor.This study focuses on mitigating the occurrence of waste that is how to minimize it. Thisstudy uses the distribution of questionnaires to the contractor in Surabaya. The results of this study are 5 item indicators on how to minimize the highest ranking. The 5 items are Updating material requirements, Mixing, transporting, and placing concrete at the right time, Increasing the competence and expertise of labor, Provision of good and adequate material/warehouse storage facilities, and accurate material measurement.  Abstrak Proyek konstruksi dalam skala besar maupun kecil, memiliki waste yang tidak dapat diprediksi sebelumnya, bahkan jumlahnya pun tidak dapat diprediksi secara langsung, apakah itu dalam jumlah besar ataupun jumlah yang kecil. Adanya waste dapat memberikan dampak yang signifikan yang dapat mempengaruhi biaya konstruksi. Pada dasarnya waste dapat memberikan dampak negatif maupun positif. Pengelolaan waste yang baik akan memberikan dampak positif bagi perusahaan dalam segi biaya, bahkan waktu dan mutu, namun apabila waste yang terjadi tidak dapat diatasi atau dikelola dengan baik maka akan memberikan dampak negatif bagi perusahaan dalam segi biaya, waktu bahkan dalam hal mutu. Dalam hal ini pihak yang selalu mendapatkan dampak dari adanya waste adalah pihak kontraktorPenelitian ini memfokuskan pada faktor penanggulangan terjadinya waste yaitu cara meminimalisirnya. Penelitian ini menggunakan penyebaran kuisioner kepada pihak kontraktor di Surabaya. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah 5 item indicator cara meminimalisir yang memiliki ranking tertinggi. 5 item tersebut adalah Updating kebutuhan material, Mencampur, mengangkut dan menempatkan beton pada waktu yang tepat, Meningkatkan kompetensi dan keahlian tenaga kerja, Penyediaan fasilitas penyimpanan material/gudang yang baik dan memadai, dan Pengukuran bahan yang akurat.

Experimental evaluation on engineering properties and microstructure of the high-performance fiber-reinforced mortar with low polypropylene fiber content

2021 ◽  
Vol 72 (7) ◽  
pp. 824-840
Author(s):  
Hung Vu Viet ◽  
Cuong Nguyen Tuan ◽  
Duy Nguyen Huu ◽  
Tho Ngo Nguyen Ngoc ◽  
Phuoc Huynh Trong
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Polypropylene Fiber ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Fiber Content ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Fiber Reinforced ◽  
Cement Mortars ◽  
High Performance Fiber ◽  
New Construction ◽  
Local Materials

Recently, high-performance fiber-reinforced mortar/concrete (HPFRM) has been researched and developed in many fields such as repair, maintenance, and new construction of infrastructure works due to its high strain capacity and tight crack width characteristics. Optimizing the design of mixture proportions and structures using HPFRM is still a complex mechanical and physical process, depending on the design principles, specific site conditions, and their local materials. This study aims to develop an HPFRM with low polypropylene fiber content by using locally available ingredients in Southern Vietnam to address the deficiencies commonly observed in traditional cement grout mortars. Three mixture proportions were prepared with different water-to-binder (w/b) ratios of 0.2, 0.25, and 0.3. Then, the performance of HPFRM was evaluated in both fresh and hardened stages. Additionally, the microstructural characteristics of each mix design were also assessed through scanning electron microscope observation. The experimental results showed that the optimum w/b of 0.25 and a fixed dosage of 0.6% polypropylene fiber produced positive impacts on the rheological, mechanical properties, and also ductility of the high-performance mortar. It was concluded that HPFRMs are promising for cost-effective and sustainable cement mortars.

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