An investigation on Virtual Information Modeling acceptance based on project management knowledge areas

In the contemporary construction management, poor project performance, cost overrun, and low-quality construction have become a central point of attention for improving project performance including information, interaction and communication management. Virtual design and building information modeling play indispensable role in improving the project performance. The aim of this study is to investigate the benefits and challenges of Virtual Information Modeling as a novel information and communication technology method on project management knowledge areas in the construction industry. Using one-sample T test with Kolmogorov-Smirnov approach, we analyzed data collected from structured questionnaire survey involving project managers working at architecture, engineering and construction industries in Tehran, Iran. The results with 64% response rate suggest that the most important benefits and challenges of using Virtual Information Modeling are related to the area of integration, and implementation of Virtual Information Modeling has significant impact on project integration management knowledge in compare with other project management knowledge areas. Thus, integration should be considered a top priority for construction companies implementing Virtual Information Modeling in their projects. Policymakers should understand that careful management of virtual information is essential for improving the performance of projects and enhancing the process efficiency

Topography of gastritis and its severity in 864 first degree relatives of gastric cancer patients

Objectives: Studies on gastric mucosal histological ndings among rst degree relatives (FDR) of gastric cancer (GC) patients are scarce. The aim is to evaluate the topography and the severity of gastritis among FDR of GC patients. Design: A total of 989 subjects who were FDR of GC patients, ages 40-65 years underwent gastroscopies. When no gross lesion was found, ve specimens were evaluated according to the Sydney Classication and one for urease testing in order to determine the type of gastritis and its severity. Results: Of the 989 subjects, 107 had signicant lesions, including two with GC and one with esophageal cancer. The 864 subjects who had complete morphological data taken from five gastric areas (two from the antrum and three from the corpus) comprised 419 males (mean age 48.5±7 years) and 445 females (mean age 47±6.4 years). The H. pylori rate was 76.6. Normal mucosa was seen in 6.9, antrum-restricted gastritis in 7.4, antrum-predominant gastritis in 63.5 and corpus-predominant gastritis in 20 (both had >80 H. pylori infection) and corpus-restricted gastritis in 2. More atrophy was seen in the antrum and corpus of FDR females than males. The severity did not differ between those with one or more GC patients' relatives. Forty-nine percent of FDR had atrophy and 9.4 intestinal metaplasia (IM) in the corpus. After the age of 40, there was progression of intestinal metaplasia from 12.2 to 27.3 in the antrum and from 6.7 to 26.2 in the corpus during two decades. No high grade dysplasia was found in this mid-age population. Conclusion: Only one-fifth of FDR have H. pylori-induced corpus-predominant gastritis who are at risk for cancer and suitable for eradication. Corpus-restricted gastritis is a rare disease in this area