A Multi-Directional and Agile Academic Knowledge Transfer Strategy for Healthcare Technology

Technology, especially cognitive agents and robots, has significant potential to improve the healthcare system and patient care. However, innovation within academia seldomly finds its way into practice. At least in Germany, there is still a digitalization gap between academia and healthcare practice and little understanding of how healthcare facilities can successfully purchase, implement, and adopt new knowledge and technology. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a successful academic knowledge transfer strategy for healthcare technology. We conducted a qualitative study with academic staff working in higher education in Germany and professionals in their practice partner organizations. In 15 semi-structured interviews, we aimed to assess interviewees experiences with knowledge transfer, to identify perceived influencing factors, and to understand the key aspects of a successful knowledge transfer strategy. The Dynamic Knowledge Transfer Model by Wehn and Montalvo, 2018 was used for data analysis. Based on our findings, we suggest that a successful transfer strategy between academia and practice needs to be multi-directional and agile. Moreover, partners within the transfer need to be on equal terms about expected knowledge transfer project outcomes. Our proposed measures focus particularly on regular consultations and communication during and after the project proposal phase.

Evaluation of compatibility of the generic competencies defined for Latin-American Tuning project (2011-2013): a case study (2011-2013)

The higher education institutions decided to work on the creation of a general competencies framework that allows their graduates to meet the requirements of the global labor market, adapting to the Tuning project created in Europe and adapted in Latin America. Being it an independent project that aims to establish reference points, convergences, and mutual understanding, according to certain generic and specific competencies. This research seeks to determine if the foreign trade and international business programs of the Escolme University Institution have developed the competencies established in the Latin-America Tuning Project proposal. The methodology applied is based on a quantitative approach through a case study in which all the students of these programs participated. Among the results, there is a low development of competencies allowing us to conclude that both the participants of technology in foreign trade and those of professionalization of international businesses do not comply with the generic competencies defined by the Tuning Latin America Project.

HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, NATURAL AND RECREATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THE CITY FOREST PARK OF SLUZOVAYA MICRODISTRICT OF TOLYATTI

The purpose of the article is a comprehensive study of the urban forest park located within the boundaries of the Sluzovaya microdistrict, Komsomolsky district of Togliatt i, with a subsequent project proposal for its improvement. The historical analysis of the general plans and natural characteristics of the forest park is designed to rethink a particularly valuable territory for its preservation and development in the future. The task is to evaluate and compare the implemented objects of the adjacent historical development, in order to use the identifi ed language of forms in the new improvement proposal.

Urban blue space: An Architectural exploration into Sea-Level-Rise Resilience and the future of South Dunedin

<p>Due to anthropogenic climate change, sea level rise (SLR) will cause low-lying coastal areas such as South Dunedin, New Zealand, to be permanently flooded, jeopardizing future viability as a commercial and residential community. Using South Dunedin as a case study to test built environment issues, this thesis carried out design research into adaptation strategies for continued on-site occupation with SLR. Exploring the extreme scenario of a transition to a floating suburb, the research examines: retrofitting light-weight buildings with buoyant foundations, adapting larger heavy construction buildings to flood, and explores wider urban design strategies for the transition to a resilient floating suburb. Design interventions had to respond to changing conditions from present day Dry Land, to an Urban Wetland (0-500mm standing water), to the eventual Urban Blue Space (500mm+ water depth). The project proposal has three design objectives: • ZC, Zero-Carbon – While climate change is inevitable, mitigation to reduce the severity is possible through lowered emissions, improved building technologies and changes in human lifestyle. • SLR, Sea Level Rise Adaption – Preparing for and adjusting successfully to the consequences of SLR, which will require radical lifestyle and architectural changes. • HR, Holistic Resilience – For a community to be holistically resilient it must be able to consistently provide for all 5 human needs (Carmona et al 2010, 134) despite changing conditions. This meant addressing both existing and future challenges. Adaption and continued on-site habitation is possible if significant lifestyle and architectural changes are embraced. SLR requires a site-specific design response. Successful adaptation requires a holistic multi-disciplinary long-term commitment to a resilient future.</p>

Urban blue space: An Architectural exploration into Sea-Level-Rise Resilience and the future of South Dunedin

<p>Due to anthropogenic climate change, sea level rise (SLR) will cause low-lying coastal areas such as South Dunedin, New Zealand, to be permanently flooded, jeopardizing future viability as a commercial and residential community. Using South Dunedin as a case study to test built environment issues, this thesis carried out design research into adaptation strategies for continued on-site occupation with SLR. Exploring the extreme scenario of a transition to a floating suburb, the research examines: retrofitting light-weight buildings with buoyant foundations, adapting larger heavy construction buildings to flood, and explores wider urban design strategies for the transition to a resilient floating suburb. Design interventions had to respond to changing conditions from present day Dry Land, to an Urban Wetland (0-500mm standing water), to the eventual Urban Blue Space (500mm+ water depth). The project proposal has three design objectives: • ZC, Zero-Carbon – While climate change is inevitable, mitigation to reduce the severity is possible through lowered emissions, improved building technologies and changes in human lifestyle. • SLR, Sea Level Rise Adaption – Preparing for and adjusting successfully to the consequences of SLR, which will require radical lifestyle and architectural changes. • HR, Holistic Resilience – For a community to be holistically resilient it must be able to consistently provide for all 5 human needs (Carmona et al 2010, 134) despite changing conditions. This meant addressing both existing and future challenges. Adaption and continued on-site habitation is possible if significant lifestyle and architectural changes are embraced. SLR requires a site-specific design response. Successful adaptation requires a holistic multi-disciplinary long-term commitment to a resilient future.</p>

Application of Project-Driven Teaching in College English Class

Project-driven teaching is a student-oriented teaching strategy to cultivate the autonomous learning ability of students. This paper tries to effectively apply project-driven teaching in college English class through a comparative experiment. The experimental results show that project-driven teaching greatly enhanced the satisfaction and learning effect of classroom English teaching. Throughout the teaching process, teachers are responsible for project design, project proposal, and dynamic monitoring of teaching effect; the students are responsible for accepting and completing the projects. Teachers work with the students to evaluate the completion of the projects and give feedback. The application of project-driven teaching in English class makes the classroom atmosphere more active, boosts the participation enthusiasm of students, and increases the attentiveness of students in English classroom. The research results provide theoretical evidence for English education reform.

Proposed Wellington South Coast Marine Reserve (Taputeranga Marine Reserve): Towards Increasing Community Support

<p>The aim of this research is to develop a set of community focussed guidelines for the establishment of marine reserves in Wellington, based on an in-depth understanding of the perceived impacts of the proposed Taputeranga Marine Reserve on the community. The proposed guidelines form the basis of recommendations that include key factors to help increase community support for future proposals in the Wellington area. Like many public submission processes, community objections to the proposed marine reserve were intense. These objections were classified and analysed using interpretative methods. A stakeholder analysis model developed by the World Bank was applied. The objections to the proposed Marine Reserve were interpreted from a community development perspective, within the framework of the Marine Reserve Act 1971. The analysis of the concerns raised by the community reflected the following issues: - a lack of understanding of the content of the Marine Reserve Act - inadequate consultation with various stakeholder groups - community's well-being affected by the proposed marine reserve - low credibility of the applicant. Many conservation projects are complex and it is normal and healthy to expect some degree of community opposition. In order to achieve greater community support for marine reserve proposals, communities and applicants need to seek collaborative approaches that accommodate multiple interests. The issues raised by the stakeholders of Taputeranga Marine Reserve highlighted the need for future marine reserve applicants in Wellington (and possibly other urban areas) to: - take greater care in the identification of stakeholders - provide more complete information to the community - allow community input into the project proposal</p>

Proposed Wellington South Coast Marine Reserve (Taputeranga Marine Reserve): Towards Increasing Community Support

<p>The aim of this research is to develop a set of community focussed guidelines for the establishment of marine reserves in Wellington, based on an in-depth understanding of the perceived impacts of the proposed Taputeranga Marine Reserve on the community. The proposed guidelines form the basis of recommendations that include key factors to help increase community support for future proposals in the Wellington area. Like many public submission processes, community objections to the proposed marine reserve were intense. These objections were classified and analysed using interpretative methods. A stakeholder analysis model developed by the World Bank was applied. The objections to the proposed Marine Reserve were interpreted from a community development perspective, within the framework of the Marine Reserve Act 1971. The analysis of the concerns raised by the community reflected the following issues: - a lack of understanding of the content of the Marine Reserve Act - inadequate consultation with various stakeholder groups - community's well-being affected by the proposed marine reserve - low credibility of the applicant. Many conservation projects are complex and it is normal and healthy to expect some degree of community opposition. In order to achieve greater community support for marine reserve proposals, communities and applicants need to seek collaborative approaches that accommodate multiple interests. The issues raised by the stakeholders of Taputeranga Marine Reserve highlighted the need for future marine reserve applicants in Wellington (and possibly other urban areas) to: - take greater care in the identification of stakeholders - provide more complete information to the community - allow community input into the project proposal</p>

The Rolling Out Of International Project SMART E263/E77 For Advanced Traffic Management

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) provide significant added value to road transportation, making the related investments distinctively effective and long-lasting. Moreover, some ITS activities may be eligible for financial support of the European union (EU). That was the way how Estonian Transport Administration and Latvian State Roads worked on the project proposal “Smart corridor Tallinn-Tartu-Luhamaa-Riga E263/E77” (acronym – SMART E263/E77), which was approved by EU program Interreg Central Baltics as CB891 project. The project started on June 1, 2020, and its implementation will last till the end of 2022 according to quite challenging schedule. Project activities primarily include numerous installations or road telemetry and telematics devices (especially, variable message signs) for advanced traffic management to be supported by cross-border traffic plans and improvements of traffic control centers. Project target is to provide general travel time savings at least by 0.88% across the whole corridor, however for the motorway-type sections it should reach more than 5.5%. Expected project results will establish new and improve existing functions on the E263 and E77 road transport corridors, namely: traffic management adaptive to variable road conditions; gathering and dissemination of traffic information; decision-making support for road maintenance operations (especially in winter). This report will summarize the information on project progress with emphasis on traffic management considerations.

EFFECT OF LOCKDOWN DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON AIR QUALITY IN THE INDUSTRIAL CITY OF EASTERN INDIA

The lockdown due to coronavirus (COVID-19) was forced in India from March, 25 to May 3 2020 as precautionary actions in contradiction of the diffusion of infectious virus. The objective of this study is to analyse the changes in air quality between pre and during the lockdown in Asansol, the “coal mining city” of Eastern India is characterized by high pollution levels due to several industries leading to human discomfort and even health problems. Secondary data of seven parameters like CO, SO2, NO2, PM2.5, PM10, NH3, and O3 have been collected from the website of the Central Pollution Control Board, India and AQI were calculated as per the calculator provided by CPCB. The result displays a significant reduction of seven parameters from 33.31 % (SO2) to 60.44 % (PM2.5) due to the shut down of all manufacturing units and transportation throughout the lockdown period. The air quality index (AQI) was also upgraded from a very poor to a satisfactory state during this period. Plants are the main carbon sink, so, a green belt project proposal for this polluted city has been recommended to improve air quality management. This lockdown (temporarily) showed some vaccine effect on the air quality, but this is totally against economic growth.