The Plan Quality Index: An Empowerment Evaluation Tool for Measuring and Improving the Quality of Plans

Author(s):  
Frances Dunn Butterfoss ◽  
Robert M. Goodman ◽  
Abraham Wandersman ◽  
Robert F. Valois ◽  
Matthew J. Chinman
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-55
Author(s):  
Bartosz Czepil

The objective of this paper is an attempt to explain the determinants of the lowest governance quality level in one of the communes of the Opolskie Province, Poland. The first stage of the research consisted in developing a commune-level governance quality index in order to measure the quality of governance in the 60 communes of the Opolskie Province. Subsequently, the commune with the lowest score in the index was qualified for the second stage of the research which was based on the extreme case method. The major conclusion from the research is that the commune leader's governance style which allowed him to hold on to power for many terms of office was responsible for generating low governance quality. Furthermore, the low quality of governance was not only the effect of the governance style but also the strategy aimed at remaining in the commune leader office for many terms.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shashi Kant ◽  
Y.V. Singh ◽  
Lokesh Kumar Jat ◽  
R. Meena ◽  
S.N. Singh

<p>In sustainable groundwater study, it is necessary to assess the quality of groundwater in terms of irrigation purposes. The present study attempts to assess the groundwater quality through Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) in hard-rock aquifer system and sustainable water use in Lahar block, Bhind of district, Madhya Pradesh, India. The quality of ground water in major part of the study area is generally good. In order to understand the shallow groundwater quality, the water samples were collected from 40 tube wells irrigation water. The primary physical and chemical parameters like potential Hydrogen (pH), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), calcium (Ca<sup>2+</sup>), magnesium (Mg<sup>2+</sup>), sodium (Na<sup>+</sup>), potassium (K<sup>+</sup>), bicarbonate (HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>), carbonate (CO<sub>3</sub><sup>2-</sup>), chloride (Cl<sup>-</sup>), and nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>) were analyzed for (irrigation water quality index ) IWQI. The secondary parameters of irrigation groundwater quality indices such as Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Sodium Soluble Percentage (SSP), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Permeability Index (PI), and Kellies Ratio (KR) were also derived from the primary parameter for irrigation water quality index (IWQI). The IWQI was classified into excellent to unfit condition of groundwater quality based on their Water Quality Index (WQI). The IWQI (82.5%+15.0%) indicate that slightly unsustainable to good quality of ground water. Due to this quality deterioration of shallow aquifer, an immediate attestation requires for sustainable development.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
J A Sánchez-Margallo ◽  
J Castillo Rabazo ◽  
D Durán Rey ◽  
I López-Agudelo ◽  
M R González-Portillo ◽  
...  

Abstract INTRODUCTION This study presents the first steps and results towards the development of a system for predicting the quality of surgical performance and workload in laparoscopic training. MATERIAL AND METHODS Surgeons wore a smartwatch which recorded their heart rate and hand motion during each laparoscopic procedure. Data was then correlated with both the Surgery Task Load Index (SURG-TLX) subjective questionnaire and the Global Operational Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS) objective evaluation tool. Statistical analysis was conducted in order to study the relationship between parameters and to compare the results according to the surgeons’ level of experience. RESULTS Nine laparoscopic surgeons participated in this study, five gynecologists and four digestive surgeons. Gynecological surgeons showed a positive correlation between their level of experience, heart rate, hand motion, and GOALS score, except for bimanual dexterity. The reduction in the variability of hand accelerations led to improved tissue handling. Digestive surgeons showed a negative correlation between their level of experience and the reported temporal demand and complexity of the procedure. Novice digestive surgeons reported increased workload during surgery, mainly in mental, physical, and temporal workload. In both surgical specialties, it was observed that reduction in surgical workload was associated with improved GOALS score. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary results showed that bimanual dexterity is independent of the experience of gynecological surgeons. During laparoscopic surgical procedures, reduced variability in hand accelerations leads to better tissue manipulation. In addition, in gynecological and upper gastrointestinal procedures, reduced surgical workload is associated with improved surgical performance.


Author(s):  
María Cascales Mira

AbstractThis article deals with the development of a new model for measuring job quality based on the intrinsic components of work, an European Intrinsic Job Quality Index. The objective is measure job quality on the basis of the characteristics inherent to the labour activity itself, and not from its financial rewards. First, we review the existing literature on current measurement models and justify the need for an index of this nature. Secondly, we explain the fundamental methodological decisions adopted for the construction of the index, and present the descriptive model, the indicators that make up each dimension, and the empirical model. Finally, we present the index scores by European Union countries within the framework of institutional theories. In this work, we have used a quantitative methodology, based on social indicator systems, and it has been carried out mainly with data from the European Working Conditions Survey (2015). The fundamental contribution of this article is the construction of a new model for measuring the quality of work, robust, valid and reliable, which will allow us to monitor the intrinsic job quality of the member countries, and thus provide relevant information that contributes to the framework of public policies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataša Rebernik ◽  
Marek Szajczyk ◽  
Alfonso Bahillo ◽  
Barbara Goličnik Marušić

Cities are exposed to a growing complexity, diversity and rapid socio-technical developments. One of the greatest challenges is as of how to become fully inclusive to fit the needs of all their citizens, including those with disabilities. Inclusive city, both in theory and practice, still lacks attention. Even in the context of ambitious contemporary concepts, such as smart and sustainable city, the question remains: Do smart and sustainable cities consider inclusiveness of all their inhabitants? Among numerous evaluation systems that measure city’s smartness, sustainability or quality of life, those tackling inclusion are very rare. Specifically, disability inclusion is hardly covered. This may be one of the reasons why cities struggle with applying disability inclusion to practice in a holistic and integrative way. This paper proposes a Disability Inclusion Evaluation Tool (DIETool) and Disability Inclusion Performance Index (DIPI), designed to guide cities through a maze of accessibility and disability inclusion related requirements set within the political, legislative and standardization frameworks. The testing in two European cities shows that the tool is beneficial for providing diagnosis as to how disability friendly a city is, and as such offers an opportunity for designing informed corrective measures towards disability inclusive city design.


2013 ◽  
Vol 295-298 ◽  
pp. 755-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ya Yun Liu ◽  
Zhi Hong Li ◽  
Xiao Jian Liang ◽  
Yan Peng Lin ◽  
Rong Hao Wu ◽  
...  

Based on the water quality investigation data of December in 2010, the water environment quality of Lv-tang River in Zhanjiang national urban wetland park was assessed using single water quality parameter model and integrated water quality index model. The results show that the water quality of Lv-tang River is worse than the national quality standards for Grade V. The water is polluted seriously. The main pollutants are total nitrogen (TN), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and chemical oxygen demand CODCr with their average concentrations of 60.49 mg/L, 30.57 mg/L and 227.38mg/L, respectively. The averages of their single parameter pollution index are 30.25 , 19.79 and 8.74. The average of single parameter pollution index of the river is 8.23 which indicated that the river belongs to heavy pollution zone. The integrated water quality index was 22.5 showing that the river belongs to serious pollution zone.


2005 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 659-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Hongbo ◽  
Charles L. Thomas ◽  
Michael A. Harrison ◽  
M. Sam Salek ◽  
Andrew Y. Finlay

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Josyandra Paula de Freitas ◽  
Mariana Pereira Inácio Silvestri ◽  
César Eduardo Fernandes ◽  
Emerson de Oliveira

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the quality of sleep in women with urinary incontinence before and after sling surgery. Methods: A prospective study of case series of women with urodynamic diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence. To evaluate the subjective quality of sleep, two specific questionnaires were used and validated for the Portuguese Language: Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The questionnaires were applied before and 6 months after surgical repair. Results: When analyzing the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, there was an improvement in sleep quality (p=0.0401). For the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, only for sleep disorder there was improvement in quality of sleep after surgery (p=0.0127). Conclusion: Women with urinary incontinence, submitted to surgery with sling, showed improvement in both quality of sleep and sleep disorder.


2020 ◽  
pp. 43-49
Author(s):  
T. V. Koroleva ◽  
I. I. Ivanova ◽  
E. V. Filatova

Social maladjustment of children with atopic dermatitis, an increase in the number of cases of disability in pediatric practice, violation of intra-familial relations, rise in the level of anxiety of parents, in particular, of mothers, are closely associated with the formation of protracted recurrent forms. Educational programs for parents, traditional conservative treatment and hydrotherapy in combination with polychromatic polarized light and low-intensity laser blood irradiation significantly improve the quality of life of patients and their families, according to the corresponding indices.


2018 ◽  
Vol 931 ◽  
pp. 1295-1300
Author(s):  
Azariy A. Lapidus ◽  
Ndayiragije Yves

Construction project involves a complex array of specific interdependent activities, undertaken by multiple participants with contradictions of interests. It has phases to follow in its life cycle to meet the project’s objectives. Each phase will typically have multiple sub-phases and processes. The choice of technological and organizational solutions is carried out in the planning and design phase. Changes affecting any task (or the need to resolve conflicting elements of two or more tasks) can have a significant knock-on effect on the project’s success, regardless of the phase of the life cycle. This paper intends to develop an integral model of organizational and technological solutions, which allows to choose the optimal criteria for Burundian capital master plan as well as monitoring the quality of their implementation.


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