Fit between humanitarian professionals and project requirements: hybrid group decision procedure to reduce uncertainty in decision-making

Choosing the right professional that has to meet indeterminate requirements is a critical aspect in humanitarian development and implementation projects. This paper proposes a hybrid evaluation methodology for some non-governmental organizations enabling them to select the most competent expert who can properly and adequately develop and implement humanitarian projects. This methodology accommodates various stakeholders’ perspectives in satisfying the unique requirements of humanitarian projects that are capable of handling a range of uncertain issues from both stakeholders and project requirements. The criteria weights are calculated using a two-step multi-criteria decision-making method: (1) Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process for the evaluation of the decision maker weights coupled with (2) Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to rank the alternatives which provide the ability to take into account both quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Sensitivity analysis have been developed and discussed by means of a real case of expert selection problem for a non-profit organisation. The results show that the approach allows a decrease in the uncertainty associated with decision-making, which proves that the approach provides robust solutions in terms of sensitivity analysis

The effects of precision teaching and self-regulation learning on early multiplication fluency

Fluent recall of basic facts is essential to the development of more complex math skills. Therefore, failure to develop fluency with basic facts may impede the development of these skills. The present study used a between groups experimental design to investigate whether a basic facts fluency program, implemented within a self-regulated learner (SRL) framework, could lead to increased fluency with multiplication facts for Year 5 and Year 6 New Zealand students (9–10 years old). This study also investigated the extent to which the SRL program altered students’ basic facts practice behavior outside of school hours. The study found that the SRL program resulted in rapid fluency development that was maintained over time. Nomothetic and idiographic analysis confirmed that the program was suitable for use within Tier 1 of the response to intervention framework. In addition, the study also found that students who received the program altered their practice behavior outside school hours. The results from this study show how elements of self-regulated learning and precision teaching can be successfully combined to enhance students’ mathematics achievement

Clinical longevity of ceramic laminate veneers bonded to teeth with and without existing composite restorations up to 40 months

<p>This study evaluated the survival rate of ceramic laminate veneers bonded to teeth with and without existing composite restorations (ECR).</p><p>Twenty patients (mean age: 49.7 years) received 92 feldspathic ceramic laminate veneers (Shofu Vintage AL) on the maxillary teeth (intact teeth: n = 26; teeth with ECR: n = 66). Preparations with incisal overlap were made, and ECR of good quality were not removed but conditioned using silica coating (CoJet) and silanization (ESPE-Sil). Enamel and dentin were etched with 38 % H3PO4 for 15-30 s and rinsed 30 s; adhesive resin (Excite) was applied, and laminate veneers were then cemented (Variolink Veneer). Restorations were evaluated at baseline and thereafter every 6 months using modified United States Public Health Service criteria.</p><p>Mean observation period was 21.6 months. Overall, five absolute failures were encountered (fractures: n = 3; chipping: n = 1; debonding: n = 1), resulting in a survival rate of 94.6 % (Kaplan-Meier). Survival rates of the laminates bonded to teeth without (96 %) and with ECR (93.5 %) did not show significant differences (p > 0.05). Slight marginal defects (16 of 87 laminates) and slight marginal discoloration at the margins were noted (12 of 87 laminates) until the final recall. Secondary caries and endodontic complications were not detected in any of the teeth.</p><p>The clinical survival of ceramic laminate veneers up to 40 months was not significantly influenced when they were bonded onto intact teeth or onto teeth with ECR.</p><p>When no caries is present, it may not be necessary to replace existing composite restorations prior to cementation of ceramic laminate veneers.</p>