scholarly journals An evaluation of the critical factors influencing productivity of masonry work in construction sites in Kano, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-48
Author(s):  
J.D. Jibril ◽  
M.A. Mukarram
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
High Effect ◽  
Physical Abilities ◽  
Worker Experience ◽  
Very High ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Construction labour productivity is of great interest to practitioners and researchers because it affects the performance and success of the project. This research assesses and ranks factors that critically influenced productivity of masonry work for some selected within Kano metropolis, Nigeria. A total of sixty three (63) respondents which include construction experts from lower to top management levels of various positions were selected. Structured questionnaire related to masonry labour and productivity was distributed to the selected respondents. The four most critical factors that negatively influence labour productivity of masonry as identified by the respondents work were found to be delayed in payment process. Payment process discourages some qualified contractors from bidding for the job, material quantity which result in stoppage of material delivery, security of life and property. Security as a constraint has negative and significant influence on the program of projects and worker experience. Lack of labourexperience has a very high effect on productivity; experience improves both intellectual and physical abilities that improve productivity.The inferences drawn from this study could be used by the project managers to take account of these factors at an early stage in order to improve labour productivity of workers on construction site in Nigerian.

scholarly journals Study of relationship between time overrunand productivity on construction sites

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oko Ameh ◽  
◽  
Emeka Osegbo ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Cost Overruns ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
History Of ◽  
Management Staff

The history of the construction industry worldwide is full of projects that were completed with significant time and cost overruns. In an attempt to reverse this trend, this study aims at establishing the relationship between time overrun and labour productivity on construction sites in Lagos, Nigeria. 43 technical and management staff of some medium and large construction firms based in Lagos, Nigeria were sampled and administered a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire contained 18 causes of project time overrun and 14 causes of low labour productivity which had been identified from the literature reviewed. With these a relationship between project time overrun and low labour productivity was established. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing the data. Results indicate that inadequate funds for the project, inadequate planning before project takeoff, inadequate tools and equipment and delay in delivery of material top the list of major causes of time overrun while the use of wrong construction methods, inadequate construction materials and inaccurate drawing/specification are the key factors causing low labour productivity on construction sites. Significant negative relationship was found between time overrun and labour productivity in construction sites in Nigeria. The study concludes by recommending that early appointment of project managers could ensure proper management of both the human and material resources that could guarantee improved productivity and ultimately save projects from time overrun.

scholarly journals Enzyme-Loaded Flower-Shaped Nanomaterials: A Versatile Platform with Biosensing, Biocatalytic, and Environmental Promise

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1460
Author(s):  
Khadega A. Al-Maqdi ◽  
Muhammad Bilal ◽  
Ahmed Alzamly ◽  
Hafiz M. N. Iqbal ◽  
Iltaf Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Metal Ions ◽  
Critical Points ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Surface Orientation ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Inorganic Hybrid ◽  
Iron Based ◽  
Significant Attention

As a result of their unique structural and multifunctional characteristics, organic–inorganic hybrid nanoflowers (hNFs), a newly developed class of flower-like, well-structured and well-oriented materials has gained significant attention. The structural attributes along with the surface-engineered functional entities of hNFs, e.g., their size, shape, surface orientation, structural integrity, stability under reactive environments, enzyme stabilizing capability, and organic–inorganic ratio, all significantly contribute to and determine their applications. Although hNFs are still in their infancy and in the early stage of robust development, the recent hike in biotechnology at large and nanotechnology in particular is making hNFs a versatile platform for constructing enzyme-loaded/immobilized structures for different applications. For instance, detection- and sensing-based applications, environmental- and sustainability-based applications, and biocatalytic and biotransformation applications are of supreme interest. Considering the above points, herein we reviewed current advances in multifunctional hNFs, with particular emphasis on (1) critical factors, (2) different metal/non-metal-based synthesizing processes (i.e., (i) copper-based hNFs, (ii) calcium-based hNFs, (iii) manganese-based hNFs, (iv) zinc-based hNFs, (v) cobalt-based hNFs, (vi) iron-based hNFs, (vii) multi-metal-based hNFs, and (viii) non-metal-based hNFs), and (3) their applications. Moreover, the interfacial mechanism involved in hNF development is also discussed considering the following three critical points: (1) the combination of metal ions and organic matter, (2) petal formation, and (3) the generation of hNFs. In summary, the literature given herein could be used to engineer hNFs for multipurpose applications in the biosensing, biocatalysis, and other environmental sectors.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the vulnerability of families assisted in Primary Care in Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 935-943 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tharsila Martins Rios da Silva ◽  
Márcia Regina Martins Alvarenga ◽  
Maria Amélia de Campos Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Federal District ◽  
Family Development ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Critical Dimensions ◽  
The Family ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Access To Knowledge ◽  
The City ◽  
Very High ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE: to characterize the profiles of families in the area covered by a Primary Health Center and to identify those in a vulnerable situation. METHOD: this is an epidemiological, observational, cross-sectional and quantitative study. 320 home visits were made, defined by a random sample of the areas covered by the Urban Center 1 in the city of São Sebastião, in Brazil's Federal District. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, elaborated based on the Family Development Index (FDI). RESULTS: there was a predominance of young families, women, and low levels of schooling. The FDI permitted the identification of families in situations of "high" and "very high" vulnerability. The most critical dimensions were: "access to knowledge" and "access to work". CONCLUSION: the study indicated the importance of greater investments in the areas of education, work and income, and highlighted the need for the use of a wider concept of vulnerability by the health services.

scholarly journals Detection & Classification of Cardiac Arrhythmia

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Chetan M. Jadhav ◽  
V. K. Bairagi
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrhythmia ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Arrhythmia Detection ◽  
Ecg Signals ◽  
Electrocardiogram Signals ◽  
Electrical Impulses ◽  
Very High

<p>The term Arrhythmia refers to any change from the normal sequence in the electrical impulses. It is also treated as abnormal heart rhythms or irregular heartbeats. The rate of growth of Cardiac Arrhythmia disease is very high &amp; its effects can be observed in any age group in society. Arrhythmia detection can be done in many ways but effective &amp; simple method for detection &amp; diagnosis of  Cardiac Arrhythmia is by doing analysis of Electrocardiogram signals from ECG sensors. ECG signal can give us the detail information of heart activities, so we can use ECG signals to detect the rhythm &amp; behaviour of heart beats resulting into detection &amp; diagnosis of Cardiac Arrhythmia. In this paper new &amp; improved methodology for early Detection &amp; Classification of Cardiac Arrhythmia has been proposed. In this paper ECG signals are captured using ECG sensors &amp; this ECG signals are used &amp; processed to get the required data regarding heart beats of the human being &amp; then proposed methodology applies for Detection &amp; Classification of Cardiac Arrhythmia. Detection of Cardiac Arrhythmia using ECG signals allows us for easy &amp; reliable way with low cost solution to diagnose Arrhythmia in its prior early stage.</p>

scholarly journals Measurement and Monitoring of Particulate Matter in Construction Sites: Guidelines for Gravimetric Approach

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 558
Author(s):  
Ingrid Priscylla Silva Araújo ◽  
Dayana Bastos Costa
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Experimental Methods ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Gravimetric Sampling ◽  
Inform Decision Making ◽  
Experimental Sampling

Studies on particulate matter (PM) from construction activities are still at an early stage. Thus, there is still no consensus on standardized experimental methods for monitoring PM in construction sites, which impedes the advancement of knowledge on this subject. This work proposes guidelines for measuring and monitoring the concentration of suspended PM and the annoyance generated by sedimented particles on construction sites in urban areas. These guidelines aim to reduce the variability and uncertainties that exist during the PM sampling processes at construction sites. This study adopts a literature review strategy in order to update the available scientific literature based on empirical evidence obtained in experimental PM studies and relevant documents from government agencies. The proposed guidelines were applied in a study protocol for gravimetric monitoring PM and annoyance tracking generated by sedimented particles using sticky pads. As a result, this article details sampling techniques, procedures, and instruments, focusing on gravimetric sampling, highlighting their characteristics compared to other monitoring approaches. Additionally, it points out a series of parameters for the measurement and monitoring of PM. This paper seeks to support future researchers in this area, inform decision making for experimental sampling, and provide a benchmark for measuring and monitoring PM at construction sites.

Determining Critical Factors Project Delay and Effecting Cost Overruns in Telecommunication Mobile Network Projects

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-35
Author(s):  
Deni Bakhtiar ◽  
Mulya R. Mashudi ◽  
Maulahikmah Galinium
Keyword(s):  
Role Model ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Mobile Network ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Monitoring Equipment ◽  
Cost Overruns ◽  
4G Lte ◽  
Cost Plan ◽  
Structured Questionnaire ◽  
Project Delay

Telecommunication Industry has created numerous employment opportunities and playing a role model in economic growth of Indonesia. This industry is facing serious and critical problem of cost overruns in Telecommunication Mobile Network Projects, especially in implementation 4G-LTE Project in Jakarta, Depok, Bogor, Tangerang, Bekasi (Jadebotabek) area. The purpose of this research is to identify and classify critical factors project delay and expound the effect of that critical factors to cost overruns. A structured questionnaire based on 38 factors project delay related to cost overruns (Ullah et al., 2017) was developed and distributed to 100 respondents from 35 selected Contractor Company in Jadebotabek area. The collected data was statistically analyzed with Factor Analysis and Multiple Linear Regression that processed using SPSS. As a result, 4 new Critical Factor Project Delay effect to Cost Overruns in sequence are Lack of cost plan and monitoring, Equipment failure, Extension of time, and Inadequate project preparations were identified.

Commute and labour productivity: investigation of inner city construction sites

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 1305-1319
Author(s):  
Daniel Alejandro Chaparro ◽  
Fei J. Ying ◽  
Funmilayo Ebun Rotimi ◽  
Temitope Egbelakin
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Central Business District ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Content Type ◽  
City Construction ◽  
Business District ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to identify the impact that commute patterns pose on construction labour productivity (CLP). There is limited research focussed on the impact of workforce transportation on productivity, even fewer in a construction environment. In particular, this study seeks to fill a gap in the understanding of how commute patterns may influence CLP. Design/methodology/approach Key factors reported affecting CLP were identified through a comprehensive literature review. Data were collected from 27 interviews and observational evidence at construction sites on Auckland Central Business District (CBD). Findings Shortage of skills, communication among workers, shirking behaviour, absenteeism and tardiness were perceived as the most critical labour productivity factors that are influenced by commute patterns. It is considered that stressful commutes may lead to shirking behaviours (absenteeism and calling sick). Meanwhile, ridesharing may encourage communication among workers. Research limitations/implications The study was carried out in a central business district, focussing on a geographic area with its particular characteristics. The results, thus, may not be generalised in general urban settings. Originality/value The research outcomes can be used as guidelines for companies considering travel plans for their employees, to minimise the negative impact commuting can have on workers, especially in industries with low productivity.

scholarly journals Model Fusion for Building Type Classification from Aerial and Street View Images

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eike Jens Hoffmann ◽  
Yuanyuan Wang ◽  
Martin Werner ◽  
Jian Kang ◽  
Xiao Xiang Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Destructive Effect ◽  
Street View ◽  
Learning Techniques ◽  
The Common ◽  
Diverse Ensemble ◽  
Type Classification ◽  
Level Fusion ◽  
Very High ◽  
Image Type

This article addresses the question of mapping building functions jointly using both aerial and street view images via deep learning techniques. One of the central challenges here is determining a data fusion strategy that can cope with heterogeneous image modalities. We demonstrate that geometric combinations of the features of such two types of images, especially in an early stage of the convolutional layers, often lead to a destructive effect due to the spatial misalignment of the features. Therefore, we address this problem through a decision-level fusion of a diverse ensemble of models trained from each image type independently. In this way, the significant differences in appearance of aerial and street view images are taken into account. Compared to the common multi-stream end-to-end fusion approaches proposed in the literature, we are able to increase the precision scores from 68% to 76%. Another challenge is that sophisticated classification schemes needed for real applications are highly overlapping and not very well defined without sharp boundaries. As a consequence, classification using machine learning becomes significantly harder. In this work, we choose a highly compact classification scheme with four classes, commercial, residential, public, and industrial because such a classification has a very high value to urban geography being correlated with socio-demographic parameters such as population density and income.

Greek Construction Project Managers' Cognitive Abilities, Personality and Knowledge

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios N. Aretoulis ◽  
Christoforos H. Triantafyllidis
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
International Management ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Management Literature ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The tasks performed by a project manager are of special importance to the well being and economic prosperity of construction companies. This paper is aiming at defining the Greek project managers' dominant cognitive abilities, personality characteristics, skills and knowledge. An effort is made to identify available attributes associated with successful management performance and career development. The survey was conducted based on a structured questionnaire. The effort led to 102 responses, originating from engineers and construction professionals, throughout the Greek Construction Industry, including Public-Work Authorities. The questionnaire was based on international management literature and interviews. The study discusses the results of the survey and provides a comparison with those attributes identified in the international literature and correlates the participants' profile with their responses.

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