The Temporal Disciplining of Doctoral Research in the Neoliberal Academy

The neoliberal agenda in higher education has led to expectations and targets of market-likeness in student enrolment and completion demographics through the widening participation agenda. However, the reality is that disadvantaged groups such as students with a disability and Indigenous students are still underrepresented, particularly in advanced research degrees. This disadvantage is compounded by the temporal disciplining imposed by bureaucratically-defined completion deadlines. Taking Australia as a paradigmatic case, this chapter explores the temporal disciplining of doctoral research in the broader context of neoTaylorism and the projectification of research. It argues that a care-inspired slowness is needed to counterbalance the harms created by the managerialist push for ‘timely' completion.

Persistent Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Completion Amid Centralized Outreach: A Mixed Methods Study

Purpose To understand patient experiences and persistent barriers to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening amid centralized outreach at urban family medicine practices. Approach Following a pragmatic trial assessing mailed fecal immunochemical test (FIT) outreach, we invited a subset of participants to complete a semi-structured qualitative interview and structured questionnaire. Setting Single urban academic healthcare system. Participants Sixty patients who were eligible and overdue for CRC screening at the time of trial enrollment. Method Using Andersen’s Behavioral Model, we developed an interview guide to systematically assess factors shaping screening decisions and FIT uptake. Close-ended responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Results Most participants (82%) self-reported that they had ever completed any modality of CRC screening, and nearly half (43%) completed the mailed FIT during the trial. Most patients (60%) preferred FIT to colonoscopy due to its private, convenient, and non-invasive nature; however, persistent barriers related to screening beliefs including fear of test results and cancer treatment still prevented some patients from completing any form of CRC screening. Conclusions Mailed FIT can overcome many structural barriers to CRC screening, yet clear communication and follow-up amid centralized outreach are essential. For some patients, tailored outreach or navigation to address screening-related fears or other screening beliefs may be needed to ensure timely completion of CRC screening.

Risk Based Inspection Study Challenges - An EPC Contractor's Perspective

1.0 Abstract In order to develop an effective inspection program for the early operational phase, Risk Based Inspection (RBI) study is included as a standard requirement in recent EPC Oil & Gas Projects. Conventionally, RBI study was managed by Operators, however nowadays EPC contractors are mandated to execute the same. This paper discusses the challenges faced by EPC Contractor during the execution of RBI study and provides an approach for timely completion of study. RBI study involves enormous data gathering and risk assessment to identify critical equipment, piping systems to optimize inspection programs and recommends inspection frequencies, locations and techniques. In addition, RBI study covers potential damage mechanisms identification, risk ranking and identification of potential hot spots for development of inspection program. RBI is normally performed based on risk assessment methodologies derived from International Standards such as API 580/581, DNV RP G101and applicable Operator guidelines. Specialized software is widely used for carrying out integrated activities involving failure probability, consequence assessment and inspection details. Finally, RBI inspection programs are integrated with Computerized Maintenance Management System. In order to execute RBI study successfully, a specialized third-party Consultant is normally engaged., Further alignment of all stakeholders including RBI study specialist is essential to address the following: - Timely availability of "As-built" data for study such as baseline inspection survey reports Agreement on design data versus baseline inspection data for RBI analysis Agreement on appropriate RBI approach: quantitative vs. semi-quantitative/qualitative Acceptance of RBI software Agreement on inspection program recommendations including hot spots, inspection intervals RBI study activities can be effectively initiated once the equipment fabrication records, piping isometrics, baseline reports and hydro-test data are available. In case of pipelines, inline inspection data should be the initial basis for the pipeline RBI assessment. EPC contractors normally face following challenges during RBI study execution: Delay in finalizing the study due to lack of "As-built" data Inconsistency between the outcomes of Corrosion Risk Assessment Study and RBI study performed by third party due to different corrosion modeling software Implications on selected material of construction as a result of RBI Study findings Ensuring compatibility of RBI templates with Operators CMMS. NPCC, as a large EPC company, has extensive experience in various Oil & Gas projects where RBI studies are developed in recent EPC projects and ensuring the integrity of the newly constructed assets. This paper attempts to address the challenges faced by EPC Contractor during execution of RBI studies; emphasizing the strategic considerations to be adopted for successful and timely completion of the study, providing benefits to the End users.

Optimization of Lead Time through Genetic Algorithm: A Case Study of Equipment Manufacturing Industry

This study aims at optimizing lead time through effective management of resources in an equipment manufacturing industry to ensure timely completion of the projects. The concept of “project crashing” was implemented to identify potential activities at production line of conventional two-roller machines. The developed model is optimized using modified Genetic Algorithm (GA). The results showed that the proposed model enabled to deliver products as per schedule without increasing planned cost. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted to find out the impact of various process parameters. From analyses, it was found that the proposed model facilitate the manufacturer in delivering the products at specified time with increasing the planned cost.

4 Optimisation of shared learning between critical care teams during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionIn anticipation of an uplift in critical care acuity due to COVID-19, staffing at JHG (SE) ICU was reconfigured into six discreet teams. At that time, there was no dedicated mechanism for shared learning and development of SOPs to occur in a horizontal fashion across teams. The aim of this project was to develop a tool that would enable the expanding knowledge base of each individual team to be captured, refined and rapidly disseminated to the rest of the department.MethodsA ‘Virtual Whiteboard’ was created consisting of an electronic feedback form accessible via smartphone. Individual team feedback was collated and then reviewed by a designated consultant. Subsequent modification of SOPs was disseminated across all teams via group email.ResultsThe Virtual White Board proved of particular use in the first few weeks of the new COVID-19 rota. Specific changes which occurred as a consequence of the project included improved efficiency in the use of personal protective equipment, increased clinical support to nursing staff from trainees and the development of new SOPs relating to more timely completion of death certificates.ConclusionsThe Virtual Whiteboard contributed to the ability of JHG (SE) Critical Care Unit to adapt rapidly and cohesively in the context of a fast-changing clinical environment.

Dispute of the Contracts: A Case from Sikta Irrigation Project, Banke, Nepal

Purpose: Government of Nepal (GoN) is implementing many small, medium and large type of Irrigation Projects. Sikta Irrigation Project (SIP) is the National Pride Project implemented by the GoN. The command area of the project has 42766.00 ha and the beneficiary of the project have 46715 households consisting of 4,49,588 population of Banke district. The overall objective of the study is to assess the consequences of delay and dispute of the selected contracts of Sikta Irrigation Project, Banke, Nepal. Design/Methodology/Approach: Using secondary data of the contract the mean planned duration is compared with mean actual duration to analyze delay analysis and Disputes of the contract have been interpreted based on standards of contract using content analysis. Findings/Result: The mean planned duration of the contracts under the study is 17.42 months and mean actual time 32.28 months with a standard deviation of 7.72 months and meantime variance is 13.46 months behind the schedule and meantime overrun is 14.85 months. Dispute resolution of only Papu costal JV has been analyzed. The contracts need to be rectified in terms of time by proper scheduling and resource leveling based local calendar. Hope the new amendments (PPMO 10th) of time extension will be helpful for the timely completion of contracts. Originality/Value: Action research to enhance the performance of Projects by avoiding Disputes. Paper Type: Analytical Policy Research.

A quality improvement project on timely completion of bloods and ECGs on a tier 4 child and adolescent inpatient unit

AimsPhysical health monitoring is paramount to optimal care for psychiatric patients. Blood tests and ECGs are invaluable tests throughout a patient's care. At baseline, they aid investigation of potential organic causes of psychiatric presentations and provide organ and electrolyte status before starting medication. Common psychotropic medications carry physical health risks: bloods and ECGs aid in monitoring potential side effects of prescribed medication.In this local Tier 4 inpatient unit, anecdotal observation revealed completion of these basic investigations was noted to be suboptimal.This project aimed to improve timely completion of baseline (within 72 hours of admission) and monitoring (within one week of due date) bloods and ECGS.MethodThis project was completed within a 12-bed child and adolescent inpatient unit. Using Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) methodology, the multidisciplinary team collated driver diagrams to identify potential areas for intervention. Following baseline analysis, colleague communication was considered key. Consequently, a chart for bloods and ECG completion was created.Each monthly PDSA cycle included the following consecutive interventions: PDSA cycle 1: chart implementationPDSA cycle 2: chart simplification and font size increasePDSA cycle 3: allocated change in team leader for this cyclePDSA cycle 4: Blood request pocket in officePDSA cycle 5: chart simplification through removal of datesPDSA cycle 6: ECG pocketPDSA cycle 7: box on handover listResultMonthly investigations and admission numbers are unpredictable and inconsistent in this cohort: relevant case numbers per PDSA ranged from zero to ten. The results were presented as percentages to allow for direct comparison between cycles.Baseline and results of each consecutive PDSA cycle described above were as follows (N/A represents a cycle where no investigations were required):Admission bloods were completed within 72 hours in 50%, 100%, 50%, 80%, N/A, 100%, 100%, 100%Admission ECG was completed within 72 hours in 30%, 66%, 50%, 70%, N/A, 100%, 100%, 100%Monitoring bloods were completed within one week of due date in 25%, 33%, 0%, 80%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%Monitoring ECG was completed within one week of due date in 0%, 0%, N/A, 66%, 100%, 66%, N/A 100%ConclusionThrough close multidisciplinary collaboration and chart implementation, completion of bloods and ECGs improved. Low patient numbers per PDSA cycle resulted in large changes in percentage results, limiting the significance of these findings. Wider implementation of the chart within local Trust inpatient wards is considered.

Impact of Team Trust on Project Quality and Timeliness in Bayelsa State Civil Service, Nigeria

This study examines the extent to which team trust can bring about project quality and project timeliness in Bayelsa state civil service. A total of 14 ministries and parastatals were studied and 131 team members were our respondents. Spearman Rank order correlation was used for testing our stated null hypotheses. From our findings, we realized that both project and project timeliness were significantly influenced by team trust with positive correlation coefficients and p- values less than 0.05. Therefore, our null hypotheses were rejected. The study further concluded that team members should be supportive to their colleagues. This action will increase benevolence among members and ensures that projects delivered conformed to specification. Secondly, Ethical codes should be developed for team members. This will boost team trust and leads to timely completion of projects and lastly, Teams should be made up of competent individuals. This will help achieve project satisfaction. Keywords: Integrity, Quality, Timeliness, Project, Team, Ministries,

Organization Of Teaching Mathematics Of Scholar Students In The Conditions Of A Credit - Modular Training System

This paper examines the methodology for organizing training in the course of Higher Mathematics in the conditions of a credit - modular training system, the role of intensive control of students 'knowledge, which increases the activity of students in studying the discipline, preparing them for classes and completing tasks in a timely manner, as well as students' independent work. It is possible to improve teaching mathematics through the use of elements of individual, differentiated, problem-solving and programmed teaching. Moreover, a special role is given to the intensive control of students' knowledge, which increases the activity of students in the study of this discipline, their preparation for classes and their timely completion of tasks, as well as their independent work.