This study proposes a novel approach to optimizing individual work schedules for book digitization using mixed-integer programming (MIP). By leveraging the power of MIP solvers, we aimed to minimize the overall digiti...This study proposes a novel approach to optimizing individual work schedules for book digitization using mixed-integer programming (MIP). By leveraging the power of MIP solvers, we aimed to minimize the overall digitization time while considering various constraints and process dependencies. The book digitization process involves three key steps: cutting, scanning, and binding. Each step has specific requirements and limitations such as the number of pages that can be processed simultaneously and potential bottlenecks. To address these complexities, we formulate the problem as a one-machine job shop scheduling problem with additional constraints to capture the unique characteristics of book digitization. We conducted a series of experiments to evaluate the performance of our proposed approach. By comparing the optimized schedules with the baseline approach, we demonstrated significant reductions in the overall processing time. In addition, we analyzed the impact of different weighting schemes on the optimization results, highlighting the importance of identifying and prioritizing critical processes. Our findings suggest that MIP-based optimization can be a valuable tool for improving the efficiency of individual work schedules, even in seemingly simple tasks, such as book digitization. By carefully considering specific constraints and objectives, we can save time and leverage resources by carefully considering specific constraints and objectives.展开更多
The construction projects’ dynamic and interconnected nature requires a comprehensive understanding of complexity during pre-construction. Traditional tools such as Gantt charts, CPM, and PERT often overlook uncertai...The construction projects’ dynamic and interconnected nature requires a comprehensive understanding of complexity during pre-construction. Traditional tools such as Gantt charts, CPM, and PERT often overlook uncertainties. This study identifies 20 complexity factors through expert interviews and literature, categorising them into six groups. The Analytical Hierarchy Process evaluated the significance of different factors, establishing their corresponding weights to enhance adaptive project scheduling. A system dynamics (SD) model is developed and tested to evaluate the dynamic behaviour of identified complexity factors. The model simulates the impact of complexity on total project duration (TPD), revealing significant deviations from initial deterministic estimates. Data collection and analysis for reliability tests, including normality and Cronbach alpha, to validate the model’s components and expert feedback. Sensitivity analysis confirmed a positive relationship between complexity and project duration, with higher complexity levels resulting in increased TPD. This relationship highlights the inadequacy of static planning approaches and underscores the importance of addressing complexity dynamically. The study provides a framework for enhancing planning systems through system dynamics and recommends expanding the model to ensure broader applicability in diverse construction projects.展开更多
Leadership succession in nursing academic programs poses a significant challenge, primarily due to the limited availability of professionals with the competencies required for effective leadership [1]. This study aims...Leadership succession in nursing academic programs poses a significant challenge, primarily due to the limited availability of professionals with the competencies required for effective leadership [1]. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the critical factors in succession planning for nursing program administrators. The research objectives include identifying the competencies necessary for academic administrators, assessing the experience of current administrators, and developing a comprehensive succession plan framework. The research uses qualitative methods, including literature review, interviews with nursing administrators, and analysis of existing succession models. Results highlight the importance of integrating strategic planning into succession processes to ensure smooth transitions and organizational stability. Conclusions suggest that a formalized succession plan, incorporating mentorship and leadership development, can mitigate leadership gaps in nursing academia [2].展开更多
Background: Globally, an estimated 80 million unintended pregnancies comprising both mistimed and unwanted pregnancies are recorded yearly. Yet only half of the women at risk of mistimed pregnancy use contraceptives. ...Background: Globally, an estimated 80 million unintended pregnancies comprising both mistimed and unwanted pregnancies are recorded yearly. Yet only half of the women at risk of mistimed pregnancy use contraceptives. In developing countries, over 100 million females have unmet need, and national surveys in Ghana indicate 23% unmet need rate. Methods: Using a cross-sectional community-based approach, a sample size of 300 women of reproductive age were selected using multi-step cluster sampling techniques. The study was quantitative, using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: Two-third (66%) of the women in reproductive age still had unmet need, 71% were currently pregnant, and more than a third (36%) confirmed ever having a mistimed pregnancy. Fifty-three percent (53%) of the women confirmed never communicating with their partners on family planning issues, a little below half (45%) took their own health care decisions. Seventy nine percent (79%) ever received family planning services from a health professional. Factors related to unmet needs included mistimed pregnancy, level of education, preferred birth/pregnancy interval, communication between partners and the autonomy to spend self-earnings. Conclusion: Considering that high rates of unmet need results in mistimed pregnancy, improved policies around the influence of unmet need on mistimed pregnancies are needed.展开更多
Introduction: Postpartum family planning is the prevention of pregnancies during the 12 months following childbirth. Few studies have been devoted to postpartum family planning in Mali. Our work will contribute to red...Introduction: Postpartum family planning is the prevention of pregnancies during the 12 months following childbirth. Few studies have been devoted to postpartum family planning in Mali. Our work will contribute to reducing unmet need for family planning. Objective: To study the use of contraceptive methods in the postpartum period in the obstetrics and gynecology unit of Timbuktu hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with prospective collection of data from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023. All women who gave birth having chosen and benefited from a contraceptive method were included. The statistical test used was the Fisher test with a significance threshold fixed at 5%. Results: The frequency of contraception in the postpartum period was 17.03%. The average age of clients was 26.14% with extremes of 14 and 45 years. They were paupiparous at 56.4% with an inter-birth interval of less than 12 months at 12.3%. More than half of the counseling (58.5%) was done during postnatal visits. The methods chosen were implants at 48.1%, injectable progestins at 21.3%, intrauterine device at 14.7%, miro-progestin pills at 13.5%, tubal ligation at 1 .4% and condoms at 1%. The regular follow-up rate was 51.1% of cases and 25.6% had no follow-up. Conclusion: The overall rate of postpartum family planning of 17.08% remains low. Improving FP staff skills will reduce unmet needs and contribute to increasing contraceptive prevalence in Timbuktu.展开更多
The accelerated growth of the vehicular fleet, the modernization of large urban centers, and the few adjustments to the road network in Fortaleza have intensified the problems of traffic and emissions of atmospheric p...The accelerated growth of the vehicular fleet, the modernization of large urban centers, and the few adjustments to the road network in Fortaleza have intensified the problems of traffic and emissions of atmospheric pollutants, highlighting the necessity for strategic urban planning initiatives to address the escalating issues of traffic and pollution. With the objective of analyzing the indices of concentrations of atmospheric pollutants and estimating how these levels can affect human health, this work consists of a study of the analysis of air quality in the intense trade region of Fortaleza. For this, the analysis zone was divided into three perimeters (Major - Medium - Minor), where each perimeter was analyzed at 7 am, 12 noon and 5 pm. Concentrations of the type of O<sub>3</sub>, particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub>), CO<sub>2</sub> and HCHO were collected. Our results demonstrate that most of the analyses are within the limits of current legislation;however, at certain times and perimeters, the analyses of CO<sub>2</sub> and HCHO exceeded the established limits. In view of the above, we conclude that public policies to control air quality are necessary to reduce the damage to human health and the environment caused by pollutants.展开更多
The burgeoning robotics industry has catalyzed significant strides in the development and deployment of industrial and service robotic arms, positioning path planning as a pivotal facet for augmenting their operationa...The burgeoning robotics industry has catalyzed significant strides in the development and deployment of industrial and service robotic arms, positioning path planning as a pivotal facet for augmenting their operational safety and efficiency. Existing path planning algorithms, while capable of delineating feasible trajectories, often fall short of achieving optimality, particularly concerning path length, search duration, and success likelihood. This study introduces an enhanced Rapidly-Exploring Random Tree (RRT) algorithm, meticulously designed to rectify the issues of node redundancy and the compromised path quality endemic to conventional RRT approaches. Through the integration of an adaptive pruning mechanism and a dynamic elliptical search strategy within the Informed RRT* framework, our algorithm efficiently refines the search tree by discarding branches that surpass the cost of the optimal path, thereby refining the search space and significantly boosting efficiency. Extensive comparative analysis across both two-dimensional and three-dimensional simulation settings underscores the algorithm’s proficiency in markedly improving path precision and search velocity, signifying a breakthrough in the domain of robotic arm path planning.展开更多
文摘This study proposes a novel approach to optimizing individual work schedules for book digitization using mixed-integer programming (MIP). By leveraging the power of MIP solvers, we aimed to minimize the overall digitization time while considering various constraints and process dependencies. The book digitization process involves three key steps: cutting, scanning, and binding. Each step has specific requirements and limitations such as the number of pages that can be processed simultaneously and potential bottlenecks. To address these complexities, we formulate the problem as a one-machine job shop scheduling problem with additional constraints to capture the unique characteristics of book digitization. We conducted a series of experiments to evaluate the performance of our proposed approach. By comparing the optimized schedules with the baseline approach, we demonstrated significant reductions in the overall processing time. In addition, we analyzed the impact of different weighting schemes on the optimization results, highlighting the importance of identifying and prioritizing critical processes. Our findings suggest that MIP-based optimization can be a valuable tool for improving the efficiency of individual work schedules, even in seemingly simple tasks, such as book digitization. By carefully considering specific constraints and objectives, we can save time and leverage resources by carefully considering specific constraints and objectives.
文摘The construction projects’ dynamic and interconnected nature requires a comprehensive understanding of complexity during pre-construction. Traditional tools such as Gantt charts, CPM, and PERT often overlook uncertainties. This study identifies 20 complexity factors through expert interviews and literature, categorising them into six groups. The Analytical Hierarchy Process evaluated the significance of different factors, establishing their corresponding weights to enhance adaptive project scheduling. A system dynamics (SD) model is developed and tested to evaluate the dynamic behaviour of identified complexity factors. The model simulates the impact of complexity on total project duration (TPD), revealing significant deviations from initial deterministic estimates. Data collection and analysis for reliability tests, including normality and Cronbach alpha, to validate the model’s components and expert feedback. Sensitivity analysis confirmed a positive relationship between complexity and project duration, with higher complexity levels resulting in increased TPD. This relationship highlights the inadequacy of static planning approaches and underscores the importance of addressing complexity dynamically. The study provides a framework for enhancing planning systems through system dynamics and recommends expanding the model to ensure broader applicability in diverse construction projects.
文摘Leadership succession in nursing academic programs poses a significant challenge, primarily due to the limited availability of professionals with the competencies required for effective leadership [1]. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the critical factors in succession planning for nursing program administrators. The research objectives include identifying the competencies necessary for academic administrators, assessing the experience of current administrators, and developing a comprehensive succession plan framework. The research uses qualitative methods, including literature review, interviews with nursing administrators, and analysis of existing succession models. Results highlight the importance of integrating strategic planning into succession processes to ensure smooth transitions and organizational stability. Conclusions suggest that a formalized succession plan, incorporating mentorship and leadership development, can mitigate leadership gaps in nursing academia [2].
文摘Background: Globally, an estimated 80 million unintended pregnancies comprising both mistimed and unwanted pregnancies are recorded yearly. Yet only half of the women at risk of mistimed pregnancy use contraceptives. In developing countries, over 100 million females have unmet need, and national surveys in Ghana indicate 23% unmet need rate. Methods: Using a cross-sectional community-based approach, a sample size of 300 women of reproductive age were selected using multi-step cluster sampling techniques. The study was quantitative, using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: Two-third (66%) of the women in reproductive age still had unmet need, 71% were currently pregnant, and more than a third (36%) confirmed ever having a mistimed pregnancy. Fifty-three percent (53%) of the women confirmed never communicating with their partners on family planning issues, a little below half (45%) took their own health care decisions. Seventy nine percent (79%) ever received family planning services from a health professional. Factors related to unmet needs included mistimed pregnancy, level of education, preferred birth/pregnancy interval, communication between partners and the autonomy to spend self-earnings. Conclusion: Considering that high rates of unmet need results in mistimed pregnancy, improved policies around the influence of unmet need on mistimed pregnancies are needed.
文摘Introduction: Postpartum family planning is the prevention of pregnancies during the 12 months following childbirth. Few studies have been devoted to postpartum family planning in Mali. Our work will contribute to reducing unmet need for family planning. Objective: To study the use of contraceptive methods in the postpartum period in the obstetrics and gynecology unit of Timbuktu hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with prospective collection of data from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023. All women who gave birth having chosen and benefited from a contraceptive method were included. The statistical test used was the Fisher test with a significance threshold fixed at 5%. Results: The frequency of contraception in the postpartum period was 17.03%. The average age of clients was 26.14% with extremes of 14 and 45 years. They were paupiparous at 56.4% with an inter-birth interval of less than 12 months at 12.3%. More than half of the counseling (58.5%) was done during postnatal visits. The methods chosen were implants at 48.1%, injectable progestins at 21.3%, intrauterine device at 14.7%, miro-progestin pills at 13.5%, tubal ligation at 1 .4% and condoms at 1%. The regular follow-up rate was 51.1% of cases and 25.6% had no follow-up. Conclusion: The overall rate of postpartum family planning of 17.08% remains low. Improving FP staff skills will reduce unmet needs and contribute to increasing contraceptive prevalence in Timbuktu.
文摘The accelerated growth of the vehicular fleet, the modernization of large urban centers, and the few adjustments to the road network in Fortaleza have intensified the problems of traffic and emissions of atmospheric pollutants, highlighting the necessity for strategic urban planning initiatives to address the escalating issues of traffic and pollution. With the objective of analyzing the indices of concentrations of atmospheric pollutants and estimating how these levels can affect human health, this work consists of a study of the analysis of air quality in the intense trade region of Fortaleza. For this, the analysis zone was divided into three perimeters (Major - Medium - Minor), where each perimeter was analyzed at 7 am, 12 noon and 5 pm. Concentrations of the type of O<sub>3</sub>, particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub>), CO<sub>2</sub> and HCHO were collected. Our results demonstrate that most of the analyses are within the limits of current legislation;however, at certain times and perimeters, the analyses of CO<sub>2</sub> and HCHO exceeded the established limits. In view of the above, we conclude that public policies to control air quality are necessary to reduce the damage to human health and the environment caused by pollutants.
文摘The burgeoning robotics industry has catalyzed significant strides in the development and deployment of industrial and service robotic arms, positioning path planning as a pivotal facet for augmenting their operational safety and efficiency. Existing path planning algorithms, while capable of delineating feasible trajectories, often fall short of achieving optimality, particularly concerning path length, search duration, and success likelihood. This study introduces an enhanced Rapidly-Exploring Random Tree (RRT) algorithm, meticulously designed to rectify the issues of node redundancy and the compromised path quality endemic to conventional RRT approaches. Through the integration of an adaptive pruning mechanism and a dynamic elliptical search strategy within the Informed RRT* framework, our algorithm efficiently refines the search tree by discarding branches that surpass the cost of the optimal path, thereby refining the search space and significantly boosting efficiency. Extensive comparative analysis across both two-dimensional and three-dimensional simulation settings underscores the algorithm’s proficiency in markedly improving path precision and search velocity, signifying a breakthrough in the domain of robotic arm path planning.
