A pricing optimization modelling for assisted decision making in telecommunication product-service bundling

Product service bundle (PSB) is a marketing strategy that offers attractive product-service packages with competitive pricing to ensure sustained profitability. However, designing suitable pricing for PSB is a non-trivial task that involves complex decision-making. This paper explores the significance of pricing optimization in the telecommunication industry, focusing on product-service bundling (PSB). It delves into the challenges associated with pricing PSB and highlights the transformative impact of big data analytics on decision-making for PSB strategies. The study presents a data-driven pricing optimization model tailored for designing appropriate pricing structures for product-service bundles within the telecommunication services domain. This model integrates customer preference knowledge and involves intricate decision-making processes. To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach, the paper conducts a case study encompassing two design scenarios, wherein the results reveal that the model offers competitive pricing compared to existing telecommunication service providers, facilitating PSB design and decision-making. The findings from the case study indicate that the data-driven pricing optimization model can significantly aid PSB design and decision-making, leading to competitive pricing strategies that open avenues for new market exploration and ensure business sustainability. By considering both product and service features concurrently, the proposed model provides a pricing reference for optimal decision-making. The case study validates the feasibility and effectiveness of the approach within the telecommunication industry and highlights its potential for broader applications. The model's capability to generate competitive pricing strategies offers opportunities for new market exploration, ensuring business growth and adaptability

Clinical and parasitological response to oral chloroquine and primaquine in uncomplicated human Plasmodium knowlesi infections

Background: Plasmodium knowlesi is a cause of symptomatic and potentially fatal infections in humans. There are no studies assessing the detailed parasitological response to treatment of knowlesi malaria infections in man and whether antimalarial resistance occurs. Methods: A prospective observational study of oral chloroquine and primaquine therapy was conducted in consecutive patients admitted to Kapit Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo with PCR-confirmed single P. knowlesi infections. These patients were given oral chloroquine for three days, and at 24 hours oral primaquine was administered for two consecutive days, primarily as a gametocidal agent. Clinical and parasitological responses were recorded at 6-hourly intervals during the first 24 hours, daily until discharge and then weekly to day 28. Vivax malaria patients were studied as a comparator group. Results: Of 96 knowlesi malaria patients who met the study criteria, 73 were recruited to an assessment of the acute response to treatment and 60 completed follow-up over 28 days. On admission, the mean parasite stage distributions were 49.5%, 41.5%, 4.0% and 5.6% for early trophozoites, late trophozoites, schizonts and gametocytes respectively. The median fever clearance time was 26.5 [inter-quartile range 16-34] hours. The mean times to 50% (PCT50) and 90% (PCT90) parasite clearance were 3.1 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 2.8-3.4) hours and 10.3 (9.4-11.4) hours. These were more rapid than in a group of 23 patients with vivax malaria 6.3 (5.3-7.8) hours and 20.9 (17.6-25.9) hours; P = 0.02). It was difficult to assess the effect of primaquine on P. knowlesi parasites, due to the rapid anti-malarial properties of chloroquine and since primaquine was administered 24 hours after chloroquine. No P. knowlesi recrudescences or re-infections were detected by PCR. Conclusions: Chloroquine plus primaqine is an inexpensive and highly effective treatment for uncomplicated knowlesi malaria infections in humans and there is no evidence of drug resistance. Further studies using alternative anti-malarial drugs, including artemisinin derivatives, would be desirable to define optimal management strategies for P. knowlesi.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Mobilisation of Income Zakat Payment in Indonesia

The objectives of the study establish a conceptual framework to strengthen institutions that support the mobilisation of paying zakat and to identify the concept of the cultural factor of mutual assistance in paying zakat. This is Important because the institution of zakat has implemented the collection of zakat. Meanwhile, the culture of mutual assistance in Indonesia can be a power of zakat payment mobilisation to gain the blessings of Allah SWT. This paper presents the factors of determining mobilisation of zakat payments, e.g., are awareness, willingness to donate, confidence in collection and distribution with the latest development of technology. The implication of this study will help mobilise the payment of income zakat in Zakat Institutions. This study uses the documentation analysis method. Factors affecting mobilisation are awareness, willingness to donate, confidence in collection and distribution with the latest development of technology to help mobilise the payment of income zakat in Zakat Institutions

Quantifying tropical wetlands using field surveys, spatial statistics and remote sensing

Tropical wetlands support high biodiversity and ecological services, but in most areas they suffer from a paucity of baseline data to support management. We demonstrate how modern technology can be used to develop ecological baseline data including, landuse/landcover, water depth, water quality, lake-level fluctuation, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). For the first time we quantified and mapped these metrics for the Paya Indah Wetlands, Malaysia using the new high-spatial-resolution World View 2 imagery. Landuse/landcover classifications were validated by field visits and visual interpretation of the imagery. NDVI was extracted based on red and near infra-red 2 bands. Topo to Raster method was used for interpolation of water depths. Annual mean of a water-quality index and annual water-level fluctuation of lakes were interpolated across lakes using the inverse-distance weighting method. Qualitative and quantitative accuracy assessment of classification (75 % overall accuracy, user’s accuracies ranged from 60 % to 90 % and producer’s accuracy ranged from 60 % to 97 %) was promising and clearly illustrated that World View 2 imagery can yield fast and reasonably precise identification of ecosystem characteristics for ecological baselines

Comparison on seaweed communities of the two rocky shores in Sarawak, Malaysia.

A study on seaweeds was carried out at Tanjung (Tg.) Batu (3°12’28.3”N, 113°02’38.4”E) and Kampung (Kg.) Kuala Nyalau (3°37’50.8”N, 113°22’16.1”E), Bintulu, Malaysia, from January to October 2008. This study examined the diversity and monthly distribution of seaweeds at two rocky shores with distinct landform characteristics and differences in their environmental conditions. A total of 32 seaweeds were identified belonging to 20 families and 27 genera comprising of 28 species (9 Chlorophyta, 5 Phaeophyta and 14 Rhodophyta) at Kg. Kuala Nyalau and 15 species (5 Chlorophyta, 2 Phaeophyta and 8 Rhodophyta) at Tg. Batu. Rhodophyta was dominant at both sites. Based on Bray-Curtis similarity evaluation, four distinct clusters on species occurrence in relation to months were observed at Tg. Batu: I–January, February and March, II–June and July, III–April and August, IV–September and October and, three clusters at Kg. Kuala Nyalau: I–February, March and April, II–January, III–June, July, August, September and October. Besides the topography and wave physical forces, a combination of some environmental (physical and chemical) factors were influencing the occurrence and differences in seaweed communities between the sites

Synthesis and cycloaddition reactions of derivatives of strained alkynes derived from 2,2’-dihydroxy-1,1’-biaryls

A series of strained alkynes, based on the 2,2’-dihydroxy-1,1’-biaryl structure, were prepared in a short sequence from readily-available starting materials. These compounds can be readily converted into further derivatives including examples containing fluorescent groups with potential for use as labelling reagents. The alkynes are able to react in cycloadditions with a range of azides without the requirement for a copper catalyst, in clean reactions with no observable side reactions

Sebaran Ukuran, Hubungan Panjang-Berat dan Faktor Kondisi Ikan Pantau Janggut (Esomus Metallicus AHL) di Sungai Tenayan dan Tapung Mati, Riau

The research about length frekuency distribution, length-weight relationshipand factor condition stripped flying barb in Tenayan and Tapung Mati River, RiauProvince have been conducted from May 2010 until April 2011. Fishes were caughtby floating net (2 x 5 m) and scoopnet (diameter 0,5 m). The fish samples werecollected every month, and fish collecting based on sensus method. The researchpurpose to know the biggest length frekuency distribution of stripped flying barb inthe nature population. Growth pattern and condition factor of stripped flying barb.Result shown that the population of stripped flying barb is dominate by lengthfrekuency distribution 41 – 50 mm, growth pattern of fish was allometric negativeand value condition factor of the female is the biggest than the male fishes

An explorative study on the adoption and dis-adoption of improved rice varieties among farmers in the Northern region of Ghana

Rice consumption in Ghana has increased steadily over the years. To enhance rice productivity to meet demand, several high-performing rice varieties have been disseminated via numerous interventions to smallholders in Northern Ghana. Nevertheless, productivity is still low at farm gate compared to research stations, due to smallholder poor adoption of the varieties. Using primary data collected from 404 farmers, the study examines the adoption levels of the main rice varieties among farmers and investigates the reasons for their adoption and dis-adoption. The empirical results revealed that rice varieties namely, Agra, Sakai, Jasmine 85, and Afife were the most adopted in the study area. Also, the study finds that GR-18, Nerica, Digang, Tox, Mandee, and Faro-15 were the most dis-adopted rice varieties. The main reasons for which farmers adopted the improved rice varieties were availability of a ready market for the produce, crop resistance to pests and diseases, consumer higher demand for rice, advice by extension staff to cultivate, and encouragement from researchers to adopt. The reasons for the dis-adoption of improved rice varieties in the study area were high input requirements, lack of ready market for the varieties, and unfavorable climatic conditions. The findings of the study give direction as to the angle from which the adoption of improved rice varieties can be stepped up while dis-adoption is reduced. Research scientists should research into rice varieties that are more suitable for the soil and climatic conditions of the study area and continue to sensitize and motivate the farmers to adopt them, while government should step up its support for the research scientists as well as the extension officers to deliver on their mandate

Thermal Comfort Assessment of An Office Room Under High Air Conditioning Setting Temperatures with Fan-Assisted Ventilation

The usage of the air-conditioning system to provide comfortable indoor conditions is found necessary especially for hot-and warm countries. However, the excessive use of the air-conditioning system or without properly controlled will significantly affect the energy consumption of the building and also the environment badly. This study investigates the strategy to reduce energy for cooling in an office room by utilizing the high setting temperature of the air conditioning system with the addition of fan ventilation by field measurement. About 9 study cases have been investigated which includes the air-conditioning setting of 27°C to 28°C, with and without fan-assisted ventilation. The measured physical thermal comfort parameters are air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and black globe temperature. The operative temperature and Predicted Mean Vote value (PMV) have been calculated for each study case for analysis. The results revealed that the comfortable condition with neutral sensation can be achieved by air-conditioning setting of 28°C with an air speed of 1 m/s-1.2m/s. Moreover, the results showed that the room with 27°C-28°C setting temperature was under comfortable conditions before afternoon hours, while fan-assisted ventilation is required to enhance the comfortable hours through the rest working hour. By this practice, it is expected the energy consumption and cooling load of the building can be reduced

MINIMIZATION OF MACHINING PROCESS SEQUENCE BASED ON ANT COLONY ALGORITHM AND CONVENTIONAL METHOD

Machining airtime or non-productive time or airtime is a process of movement of the tool before shaping the workpiece. One of the methods to decrease the total machining time is by reducing airtime. Thus, in this study, an optimization of the sequence operation in machining was conducted using an Artificial Intelligence method, which is the Ant Colony algorithm. This algorithm was employed to decrease the machining airtime to enhance the effectiveness of the machining process. A three-dimensional model consisting of the drilling process and pocket milling process was developed using Solidworks software. Matlab software was used to develop the algorithm based on Ant Colony, which was then used to optimize the process sequence. Hence, the results of the optimization were implemented in MasterCAM software to run the machining simulation. Then, the results of machining time that used the tool path generated by the Ant Colony algorithm method was compared with the machining time that used tool paths generated by conventional methods. Based on the simulation, the Ant Colony algorithm method is, on average, 10.8% better than conventional methods in reducing machining time. It can be concluded that the Ant Colony algorithm is capable of reducing airtime machining and enhancing the machining process's performanc