Swarm intelligence in project management decision sciences: Enhancing resource, allocation, decision making and team collaboration

Swarm intelligence (SI) is a paradigm in computing and decision-making processes based on the collective behavior of decentralized agents, including insects, birds, and fish. This study examines the extensive application and development of SI in decision sciences and project management, highlighting its significance in improving future decision-making and collaborative efficiency across multiple sectors, such as logistics, healthcare, urban planning, and project-oriented contexts.This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining theoretical and empirical research to gain a comprehensive understanding of SI and its role in modern decision-making scenarios. The methodology is separated into three sections: an appraisal of the literature, a case study, and a comparative analysis. These approaches were used to showcase SI's adaptability and efficacy in addressing complex, dynamic challenges through collective behavior, decentralization, and self-organization principles.The research emphasizes the effectiveness of SI algorithms, particularly Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), in practical applications, enhancing processes and outcomes across various sectors and project environments. The study also examines the real-world applications and theoretical implications of SI, addressing challenges and future prospects for deeper integration into decision-making frameworks, especially in areas such as resource allocation and team collaborations within project management.The findings reveal that SI not only improves decision-making efficiency but also offers resilient solutions adaptable to evolving conditions. This makes SI a pivotal methodology in advancing decision sciences and elevating project management outcomes. By fostering collaboration and optimizing resource allocation, SI emerges as a transformative tool in contemporary project management, enhancing the discipline's ability to navigate uncertainty and complexity in the future of work and project management domains

Passive design strategies in traditional Japanese architecture: A case study of the Chochikukyo house

The Chochikukyo house showcases the fusion of traditional Japanese architectural principles and contemporary ecological design methodologies. This study assesses the impact of various design elements on the energy efficiency, comfort, and environmental compatibility of a house. These elements include building orientation, layout and dimensions, size and height, eaves and shade from plants, height from nearby ground, material selection, proper air circulation, cooling in the summer, and positioning of underground pipes for cool air. Through the optimization of building orientation and layout, the house effectively utilizes passive solar heating and cooling, resulting in a substantial reduction in energy requirements. Strategic material selection and the integration of natural cooling and ventilation techniques improve thermal comfort and indoor air quality while reducing dependence on mechanical systems. The combined impact of these measures has the potential to decrease total energy usage by 40-50%, showcasing the effectiveness of incorporating conventional design features into modern sustainable building. This study emphasizes the significance of comprehensive design strategies that harmonize with natural environmental conditions in order to attain energy-efficient, comfortable, and sustainable living spaces

Post mortem comparison of cardiac anatomy between an electrocuted sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) and five other individuals

Knowledge about cardiovascular physiology in Xenarthra species is limited, despite thorough investigation in other mammals. In particular, there is no published literature on the detailed cardiology of either sloth genera found on Costa Rica (Bradypus or Choloepus). This discontinuity in available knowledge makes the clinical cardiac evaluation of Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) particularly difficult. In this report, we describe the case of a wild electrocuted sloth during rehabilitation. In which no cardiac problems were discovered even though electrocution could be severe enough to internally affect organs thus provoking death in severe cases. We discuss the ante- and post-mortem presentation of the study subject and describe sloth cardiac anatomy in relation to our findings. This information may be used to provide an improved understanding of sloth cardiology for clinical management of patient

A review on deep-learning based egocentric action anticipation

As autonomous systems become more embedded into our environments, the ability of these systems to anticipate the future actions of humans will become invaluable for providing assistance and safety measures. Egocentric action anticipation is a task in which a future activity must be predicted using first-person footage. This project is a survey that aims to provide an updated view of advancements within this task, to guide architecture design for future implementations. This survey has chosen a range of publicly available egocentric action anticipation models

Maize crop price prediction in Ghana using time series models

ABSTRACTThe agribusiness has become very complex in recent years, and hence the importance of agricultural planning has increased. Crop producers can often base their decisions for crop production and selling on yield and price forecasts. Prediction of future crop selling prices is another important aspect in decision planning. (Wen, n.d.). In this research, the price of maize in Ghana was carefully studied. Single Exponential Smoothing (SES), Double Exponential Smoothing (DES), Triple Exponential Smoothing (TES), Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving-Average (SARIMA) modeling were done to find the best fit model to future predict the price of the maize crop in Ghana. The results of this study indicate that the DES model is the best fit model over other time series models considered in this paper

Risk factors for patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A protocol and statistical analysis plan for a secondary analysis of the REVISE (Re-Evaluating the Inhibition of Stress Erosions) trial

Background: While studies have reported risk factors for clinically-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding among critically ill patients, the risk factors for patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding, as defined by ICU survivors and family members, are unknown. Further, although trials show that stress ulcer prophylaxis with pantoprazole decreases the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, some research suggests that mortality may be increased among patients with high illness severity who are exposed to pantoprazole. The risk of death during critical illness is greater than the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.Objective: To identify risk factors for patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding among invasively ventilated critically ill adults, taking into account illness severity and the competing risk of death.Materials and Methods:  This pre-planned secondary analysis of the REVISE trial database will be guided by this protocol. We will use Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to assess the effect of candidate risk factors on the hazard rate of the primary outcome of time to patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding, considering the competing risk of death. We propose 2 sensitivity analyses.  Secondary analyses will evaluate risk factors for clinically-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and another model will evaluate whether enteral nutrition attenuates the effect of pantoprazole on bleeding prevention compared to placebo by including an interaction term between pantoprazole vs. placebo and amount of enteral nutrition received.Results: This study will identify conditions of critical illness which confer an increased risk of patient-important upper gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients, and factors that decrease the risk.Conclusions: The findings may inform bedside care, practice guidelines, and the design of future studies

Assessment of tolerance of cotton genotypes to jassids

Tolerance of cotton genotypes to jassids attacks should be one of the on-going research programmes that Cotton Research Institute (CRI) should continue to carry on. This is because pests have a tendency of developing resistance to the use of insecticides which has become the most common and relied upon form of pest control in Zimbabwe’s farmers. This can be done by fusion of tolerant traits which can be both genetic and morphological. Among the morphological traits are the openness, hairiness and small leaves. Openness reduces the density of leaf foliage thereby making difficult the moving of jassids, especially the nymphs that cannot fly, from one leaf to the next. Hairiness makes the jassid uncomfortable getting into contact with the hairy cotton due to their soft body tissue.  Other traits like nectariless, gossypol content, reduced pubescence, tannins and trichome densities are genetic traits that increases varietal resistance to jassids attack on cotton. Fourteen  medium staple genotypes namely 562-00-9, 564-00-6, 566-99-23, 651-01-1, 665-01-3, 666-01-2, 668-01-2, 816-01-1, 833-01-3, 931-05-9, 937-05-4, 97-05-1, LV96-05-8, SO-99-9 and two released  varieties CRI MS1(check) and Delmac (check) were evaluated for their tolerance to jassids population and damage for three seasons from 2018-19 up to 2020-21 at Chibuwe, CRI, Muzarabani, Shamva and Umguza. The experimental design used was a Square lattice (partially balanced and randomized blocks) replicated three times. Treatments 97-05-1, 937-05-4, 562-00-9 and 666-01-2 were the best performing genotypes in terms of jassid resistance in most sites and seasons

Organizational cognitive neuroscience and its applications in the workplace: An analysis of the perception of leaders

This paper analyzes the perception of leaders about the discoveries of organizational cognitive neuroscience (OCN) and their practical applications in the work environment, as well as identifying gaps and distortions of knowledge that leaders have about this area of study. Based on a study with the participation of one hundred and thirty-six respondents, of which part consider themselves in leadership positions, conducted in two stages, using a quantitative and qualitative method, it was possible to highlight the perception of such leaders about the practices currently used in their companies, even though they are unaware of the neurological factors and reflexes that trigger them. The results also made it possible to propose initiatives and actions for leaders regarding the expansion of knowledge about NCO. Finally, this research presents recommendations for including or changing internal and external leadership training programs on the topics covered in Organizational Cognitive Neuroscience

Evolution of the ecuadorian industrial sector and its reputation under the merco index

Corporate reputation is a representation of a company's performance, management, and behavior to improve results and long-term soundness. This article analyzes the evolution of the financial performance of the Ecuadorian industrial sector through financial indicators and its corporate reputation and compares it with the ranking prepared by the Corporate Reputation Business Monitor (Merco). The methodology applied focuses on the analysis of Ecuadorian industrial companies rated as the most representative according to Merco, whose financial information is obtained from the financial statements provided by the Superintendence of Companies of Ecuador.  The results show that the indicators with the highest correlation are those of liquidity, with the Acid Test ratio being the most directly related to Merco at 34%, followed by the Current Liquidity indicator at 24.82%.  The indicators that show a less positive correlation with Merco are the ratios of Operating Return on Equity with 3.56% and Financial Profitability with 2.26%. In conclusion, there is a direct positive relationship between the Merco index and the financial indicators of Ecuadorian industrial companies

Exploring the challenges of implementing COVID_19 guidelines: Experiences of commuters in the Copperbelt Province, Zambia.

Background: The first case of COVID-19 in Zambia was confirmed on the 18th of March 2020, to date 320, 412 people have been infected and 3983 Covid related deaths have been reported. In Zambia, public transport is mainly by road, dominated by intra-city minibuses. This mode of transport particularly involve serious human interaction and compliance with Covid -19 preventive measures, especially in urban areas had not been systematically evaluated.Aims: To explore the challenges to compliance in implementing the recommended WHO COVID -19 guidelines in Copperbelt Province, Zambia.Design: An explorative qualitative study.Methods: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted from February to April 2022 and, content analysis was used.Results: The following 5 major themes emerged: “perception and experiences about Covid 19; knowledge of prevention guidelines; attitudes towards implementation of the prevention guidelines; accessibility and availability of protective equipment; and, accessibility and availability of transport.” Drivers and conductors experienced tremendous reduction in income due to restricted movements of passengers as well as social distancing which called for a reduction in the number of passengers in a particular bus, cost of face masks and hand sanitizers. This left them with no profit and most of them were retrenched. Passengers reported discomfort caused by the face masks which prevented some of them from breathing properly, while others reported impact on their business and restriction in movements. A section of respondents felt that Covid was a hoax therefore prevention guidelines were an infringement on them.Conclusion: This study highlights the fact that creating an enabling environment for doing business is critical by ensuring Covid -19 prevention materials are subsidized or provided for free. In addition provision of loans to transporters to cushion the challenges are crucial. Furthermore there is need to maximize information dissemination to raise awareness and depoliticize the fight against Covid -19