Challenges of implementing biophilic design principles in hospital infrastructure development: A review

The implementation of biophilic design principles and strategies has become a popular and acceptable idea in both developed and developing economies. While studies acknowledge the potential of biophilic design in hospital settings, the implementation of biophilic principles in developing healthcare infrastructure faces numerous challenges that are neither highlighted nor well documented. This study examined important issues that typically limit the use of biophilic features, based on a review of published literature. The study identified regulatory compliance and cost constraints as the main categories of challenges faced in the implementation of biophilic design. The study recommends awareness and engagement of all stakeholders from the design stage to the implementation stage and post occupancy evaluations, as well as financial incentives to encourage the adoption, innovation and development of specialized skills and business ventures in biophilic design and sustainable infrastructure development

Navigating the complexities of marketing decision-making in uncertain supply chains: A quantitative exploration

Making rational decisions in times of uncertainty is an important capability required of marketing managers. However, choosing the precise quantitative decision-making technique or a combination of such tools usually presents managers with a score of challenges. To lessen this challenge, this single case research demonstrates how the choice of three Bayesian decision models (Laplace criterion, Savage minimax regret, and Hurwicz coefficient of realization) can reduce uncertainty in content marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and referral marketing decision. We employed the case study approach to enable direct access to the decision-making process of the case organization, and to collect relevant data relating to the three marketing decision variables. Results show that, although the Laplace criterion may not have a direct effect on content marketing decisions, it influences the decision-making process leading to the creation and promotion of content. The Savage minimax regret had a direct bearing on SEO decisionmaking. Hurwicz's coefficient of realization yielded no direct impact on referral marketing but shows the possibility of influencing decision-making processes that led to the development and implementation of referral marketing campaigns. The implications are discussed

Design methodology and implementation of stand-alone solar photovoltaic power system for daily energy consumption of 9.16kWh

This stand-alone solar photovoltaic power system was designed to power a daily energy consumption of 9.16 kWh reliably, by means of photovoltaic only. The design involves different components whose capacities depend on 9.16 kWhdaily energy consumption and 1-day autonomy, including several factors that determine the choice of selection. After implementation, the system was put to the test for two days to ascertain the design validity and check if it would be able to sustain the daily load demand for 24 h without failure. The results reveal that the design methodology employed for the stand-alone system in this study is accurate and reliable because the system was able to power the load interminably for 34 h, with a resulting 0.6%DoD at the end of the test. This was due to the complete energy balance that the design methodology offers. Day 1 shows that the overall PV array power was 208% higher than the daytime load power and 61.2% higher than the overall daily load power. While Day-2 shows the overall PV array power to be 130% higher than the daytime load power and 56.3% higher than the overall daily load power, The energy balance between PV array, battery, and load size was completely and sufficiently achieved on both days, as the highest depth of discharge recorded during the test was 48.7%. The study reveals that through a complete energy balance between PV, battery, and load size, a standalone PV system can reliably sustain daily energy demand. It aims to design a stand-alone PV system capable of reliably sustaining daily energy demand without the need for long days of autonomy, so as to help prevent failures in solar PV projects that come as a result of inappropriate sizing, planning, and a lack of technical know-how

Trends in The Residential and Commercial Property Rental Values in Ikeja Metropolis of Lagos State, Nigeria: A Comparative Analysis

Both residential and commercial properties are germane and basic needs of man. While residential properties are needed for man’s occupation and resident, commercial properties are needed for business and commercial purposes. This study is basically set out to compare the developments in leasing or rental values of housing and profitable assets in Ikeja metropolitan axis of Lagos State, Nigeria. The study examined the trends in the rental values of residential and commercial properties in Ikeja from 2009 to 2018 with a view to comparing the trends of the two purposes of property use. The study used questionnaires to collect information from respondents in the area of study while some residents/landlords were selected for the purposes of personal interview. Information retrieved was evaluated via simple percentage and revealed general upward movement in the development of rent payment values of both residential and commercial properties in Ikeja metropolis even though the rate of increase is higher with the commercial properties

Navigating the complexities of marketing decision-making in uncertain supply chains: A quantitative exploration

Making rational decisions in times of uncertainty is an important capability required of marketing managers. However, choosing the precise quantitative decision-making technique or a combination of such tools usually presents managers with a score of challenges. To lessen this challenge, this single case research demonstrates how the choice of three Bayesian decision models (Laplace criterion, Savage minimax regret, and Hurwicz coefficient of realization) can reduce uncertainty in content marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and referral marketing decision. We employed the case study approach to enable direct access to the decision-making process of the case organization, and to collect relevant data relating to the three marketing decision variables. Results show that, although the Laplace criterion may not have a direct effect on content marketing decisions, it influences the decision-making process leading to the creation and promotion of content. The Savage minimax regret had a direct bearing on SEO decisionmaking. Hurwicz's coefficient of realization yielded no direct impact on referral marketing but shows the possibility of influencing decision-making processes that led to the development and implementation of referral marketing campaigns. The implications are discussed

NomadicBTS-2: A Network-in-a-Box with Software-Defined Radio and Web-Based App for Multiband Cellular Communication

The proliferation of mobile communications technologies has greatly contributed to the development of emerging economies. However, a significant digital divide remains in many remote and hard-to-reach regions due to the high Capital Expenditure (CapEx) and Operating Expenditure (OPEX) of mobile network operators. This study addresses the issue by developing and prototyping a cost-effective, software-defined base station, called NomadicBTS-2, utilizing open-source technologies and the Software-Defined Radio (SDR) paradigm. NomadicBTS-2 incorporates the Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) B200 as the Radio Frequency (RF) hardware front-end. The software backend is built on open-source solutions, including the USRP Hardware Driver (UHD) and services such as OpenBTS, Asterisk, SIPAuthserve, and SMQueue. Additionally, a custom web-based software, NomadicBTS WebApp, was developed to configure and monitor the UHD and software services via a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The system was tested using two mobile stations (MSs) for simplex and duplex communication, while network link quality parameters were evaluated to assess users’ Quality of Experience (QoE). Experimental results demonstrated that, within a pico-cell environment, the link quality is sufficient for call routing and Short Messaging Services (SMS) between user-to-user and network-to-user communications. NomadicBTS-2 presents a robust solution for a Network-in-a-Box, ideal for short-range communication in rural and hard-to-reach areas, emergency response scenarios, and IoT sensor networks. It can also be deployed to alleviate network congestion in existing mobile networks. Furthermore, this prototype offers a viable testbed for teaching and research laboratories to explore advancements in SDR, cognitive radio, and other wireless communication technologies, thus opening new frontiers in wireless communications researc

A critical review on enhancement and sustainability of energy systems: perspectives on thermo-economic and thermo-environmental analysis

Given the increased natural resource consumption of contemporary energy conversion systems, as well as the emissions, waste disposal, and climate changes that accompany them, a critical review of new techniques - known as thermo-economic and thermo-environmental analyses - has been carried out for the evaluation and optimization of energy conversion processes, from the perspectives of thermodynamics, economics, and the environment. Such a review study is essential because of the energy system’s impacts on sustainability and performance management requirements, and more importantly, it is crucial to understand the whole picture of performance evaluation of energy systems from the sustainability perspective. The study evaluated the performance and optimization of energy systems and examined the different approaches that integrate the economic, environmental, and second law of thermodynamics for sustainable development. Moreover, to assess the technical, economic, and environmental worth of energy systems and guarantee that the chosen designs are well-suited to a sustainable development framework, a mix of thermodynamic, economic, and environmental indicators is taken into consideration. In this regard, thirteen sustainability indicators for the design, analysis, and performance improvement of energy systems from the viewpoints of thermodynamics, economics, and the environment are presented and discussed. The outcome of this study shows that (i) the sustainability of energy conversion systems can be enhanced with the use of exergy techniques assessment; (ii) by reducing energy losses, exergy efficiency initiatives can lessen their adverse effects on the environment; (iii) the best methods for efficient use of energy resources, low energy production costs, and less environmental impact can be provided by hybrid energy systems; and (iv) use of a single performance metric to optimize the energy process results in improbable outcomes. Hence, multicriteria techniques should be utilized, allowing for a more comprehensive optimization and planning of sustainable energy systems. Researchers and field engineers working on energy systems’ design, modeling, assessment, and performance optimization would find great value in this comprehensive review study

Evaluation of Vitis vinifera seed oil as a green corrosion inhibitor for highcarbon steel and ferrovanadium alloys in sulfuric acid

The corrosion inhibition performance of Vitis vinifera seed oil (VVSO) was investigated on highcarbon steel (HCS) and ferrovanadium (FV) alloy in 0.25 M H₂SO₄ solution using gravimetric, potentiodynamic polarization, open circuit potential (OCP) measurements and optical microscopy. Gravimetric studies revealed superior inhibition efficiency on HCS, where corrosion rates decreased progressively with increasing VVSO concentration, reaching 95% efficiency at 0.5% VVSO after 360 hours of exposure. In comparison, FV alloys exhibited moderate inhibition, peaking at 73.95% at 2% VVSO. Potentiodynamic polarization results confirmed mixed-type inhibition behavior, with significant reductions in corrosion current density for HCS, correlating with efficiencies exceeding 70%. Conversely, for FV alloys, the highest inhibition efficiency of 72.95% was recorded at 2% VVSO, suggesting adsorption saturation at higher concentrations. Open circuit potential studies highlighted shifts to less negative potentials, indicative of enhanced corrosion resistance. For HCS, stabilization occurred around -0.490 V at 0.5% VVSO, forming a protective layer, while for FV, the potential stabilized at -0.495 V at 3% VVSO, demonstrating uniform inhibitor adsorption and reduced anodic dissolution. Overall, VVSO demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition, exhibiting superior protection on HCS and moderate efficacy on FV as evident in the difference between the optical images of the inhibited and non-inhibited alloy surfaces. The findings underscore the potential of VVSO as an eco-friendly and effective corrosion inhibitor, with optimal performance influenced by substrate material and inhibitor concentration

Nanoparticle-Based Remediation and Environmental Cleanup

The chapter entitled “Nanoparticle-Based Remediation and Environmental Cleanup” provides a thorough examination of the utilization of designed nanoparticles as effective instruments in mitigating environmental pollution and resolving contamination issues in diverse ecosystems. The chapter commences by providing a definition of nanoparticle-based remediation and emphasizing its importance in augmenting the efficacy of environmental remediation while mitigating the use of resource-intensive techniques. The importance of promptly implementing novel remedial strategies is emphasized, taking into account the constraints associated with conventional methodologies. The chapter also explores different categories of nanoparticles, namely, metallic nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon-based nanoparticles, and polymer nanoparticles. Each of these categories possesses unique characteristics and finds specific utility in various applications. This section delves into various mechanisms through which nanoparticles can effectively target and eliminate contaminants, with a particular focus on adsorption, absorption, and catalytic destruction. The aim is to highlight the wide array of approaches that nanoparticles employ in order to achieve successful contaminant removal. The chapter presents many practical implementations, such as the remediation of groundwater and soil, the management of air pollution, the purification of water, and the restoration of marine ecosystems. These examples effectively illustrate the wide range of uses and potential of nanoparticles in tackling pollution-related issues. The significance of responsible implementation and mitigation measures is underscored, with a particular emphasis on environmental safety and risk assessment. The chapter examines prospective developments in the field, including developing technology, regulatory factors, and ethical considerations. It underscores the significance of public knowledge and community engagement in influencing the responsible application of nanoparticle-based remediation methods. In summary, the chapter presents a vision for a planet that is cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable. This vision is achieved through the responsible utilization of nanoparticle technologies in environmental cleanup, driven by a dedication to environmental stewardship and adherence to ethical principles

Corrosion and Wear Properties of Aluminium AA7075 Reinforced Chitosan

This study explores the mechanical behaviours of AA7075/chitosan composite at a mesh size of 90μm formed through percentage range of 3, 6, 9, and 12 wt. % by stir casting method. SEM revealed existence of grain at the borderline of the matrix as increased in reinforcing agent resulted to evenly dispersal of fibre links in the micrograph. XRD analysis showed existence of Hydroxyapatite, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, as seen by many high-intensity peaks in the diffract gram of the dominant crystal. The wear rate of the samples is seen to be increasing from the control, peaking at 1.78 % at AA7075+9 wt. % chitosan before dropping by 0.04 % at AA7075+12 wt. % chitosan. The corrosion study revealed that AA7075+9 wt. % chitosan exhibits minimal corrosion rate in comparison to other matrixes. The findings shows that chitosan-reinforced AMMC can be produced using a cost-effective stir casting process while still meeting design requirements for use in electrical cables due to improved mechanical strength and electrical conductivity, as well as lightweight household utensils due to chitosan's antibacterial properties