Comparing Performance of Construction Projects Delivered through Different Delivery Methods

When new delivery methods are introduced in public procurement, it is customary to analyze and compare their performance against traditional methods. Many early studies compared performance of different project delivery systems, and often developed decision support tools to help owners follow a structured path in measuring performance and, consequently, choose the most appropriate project delivery method. However, the measurement process adopted by these studies was mostly specific to the dataset to be analyzed. Only rarely, it took into account differences deriving from varying project characteristics, and, therefore was not generalizable. Building upon these studies, this study proposes a general framework for comparing performance of projects delivered through different delivery methods. A discussion of how the framework could also be adapted to every industry sector is included. This work can help owners choose a set of metrics to evaluate and compare the performance of project portfolios delivered with more than one delivery method and different industry secto

A Qualitative Methodology for Studying Parent–Child Argumentation

This chapter provides a detailed exposé of the research methodology on which the investigation of parent–child argumentation during mealtime is based. In the first part, the conceptual tools adopted for the analysis of argumentative discussions between parents and children, i.e., the pragma-dialectical ideal model of a critical discussion and the Argumentum Model of Topics, are presented. Subsequently, the process of data gathering and the procedures for the transcription of oral data are discussed. Finally, in the last part of the chapter, ethical issues and practical problems in collecting parent–child mealtime conversations present throughout the study are considered

Institutional argumentation and conflict prevention: The case of the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner

By focusing on a case study of institutional argumentation in the sector of data protection and transparency, this paper offers a view on the role of institutional argumentative discourse aimed at conflict prevention in public organizations. In particular, the context we are analyzing is that of a Swiss institutional role named Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC). Among other tasks, the person who serves as a FDPIC has the right to monitor data protection in the whole territory of the Swiss Confederation, with the possibility of issuing recommendations to subjects who are found in violation of the law on this matter. The FDPIC's role appears similar to that of ombudsmen; his or her recommendations are not binding for the parties, but they represent powerful argument-based warnings that serve the function of preventing escalation to a court proceeding. The specific nature of this type of recommendation is explored in this paper both at the level of a semantic–pragmatic analysis of the speech act “to recommend”, and at the level of argumentation. Integrating an argumentative level is necessary to fully explain the intended effect of this specific type of speech act of recommendation in this context. Argumentation is also advanced by the FDPIC to support his decision: by devising a comprehensive, convincing and well-structured argumentative discourse, the FDPIC pursues the ultimate pragmatic goal of preventing the emergence of conflicts between citizens and legal authorities

IRDR: causa-piloto ou causa-modelo?

O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar as fontes internacionais que influenciaram o incidente de resolução de demandas repetitivas, principalmente a respeito da sua eficiência dentro do ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, buscando soluções alternativas para consolidar o instrumento no cotidiano do cidadão comum. Por meio da pesquisa dogmáticainstrumental, e da técnica bibliográfica, sistematizou-se a doutrina jurídica, a fim de investigar as consequências jurídicas geradas pela influência das fontes internacionais no procedimento de julgamento de massa. O estudo do processo civil nacional e sua estrutura pautada em dois instrumentos teóricos (causa-piloto e causa-modelo) possibilitou a comparação entre esses, demonstrando o modelo exclusivamente brasileiro/tupiniquim, como as suas peculiaridades. A crítica gira tem sua pertinência, na medida em que, o instrumento demonstra lacunas estruturais entre os institutos jurídicos do nosso ordenamento (civil law) e o common law. Por fim, o incidente de resolução de demandas de massa consolida-se de forma precoce no Código de Processo Civil de 2015, evidenciado por lacunas normativas, e panaceias jurídicas frutos dos modelos externos

Hydrous zirconium dioxide: interfacial properties, the formation of monodisperse spherical particles, and its crystallization at high temperatures

The characteristics of hydrous zirconia gels obtained by hydrolysis of highly acidic ZrOCl₂· 8H₂O solutions at ∼100ºC are described. Under adequate conditions, monodisperse spherical hydrous zirconia is obtained. The role of sulphate and chloride ions is described. The gel has a large water content, indicating only modest crosslinking. Crystallization upon heating takes place with the formation of both monoclinic and tetragonal zirconia polymorphs; X-ray line widening studies do not indicate a particle size-crystal structure correlation. On the basis of this observation and using Stranki's rule, the crystallization sequence upon heating is rationalized. Surface properties of hydrous zirconia are discussed on the basis of electrophoretic measurements, and compared with those of baddeleyte. The site binding model is not very adequate to describe these systems, and the existence of a very thin gel-like region at the baddeleyte-water interface is postulated.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Molecular structure and semiexternal molecular motions in 2,4,5-trichlorobenzenesulfonyl chloride, C6H2Cl4O2S

The molecular structure of 2,4,5-trichlorobenzenesulfonyl chloride has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The compound is orthorhombic,Aba2, witha=16.253(12),b=17.016(9),c=7.146(5) A,V=1976(5) A3,Z=8,D=1.88 kg·mm−3, (MoKα)=0.7107 A,μ=136.8 cm−1,F(000)=1104. Data were obtained at room temperature; the finalR is 0.029 for 854 independent reflections. The substituted benzene ring is planar within experimental accuracy, the dihedral angle with the C(1)-S(1)-Cl(1) plane being 66.0(5)°. The compound has normal bond lengths and angles; some short intramolecular distances account for the maintenance of the rigid benzene frame. No significatively short intermolecular distances have been found. Confirmation of the oscillatory character of the semiexternal molecular motions operating above 180 K is accounted for.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Sleep disturbances and psychological well-being among military medical doctors of the Swiss Armed Forces: study protocol, rationale and development of a cross-sectional and longitudinal interventional study.

BACKGROUND Compared to civilians and non-medical personnel, military medical doctors are at increased risk for sleep disturbances and impaired psychological well-being. Despite their responsibility and workload, no research has examined sleep disturbances and psychological well-being among the medical doctors (MDs) of the Swiss Armed Forces (SAF). Thus, the aims of the proposed study are (1) to conduct a cross-sectional study (labeled 'Survey-Study 1') of sleep disturbances and psychological well-being among MDs of the SAF; (2) to identify MDs who report sleep disturbances (insomnia severity index >8), along with low psychological well-being such as symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, but also emotion regulation, concentration, social life, strengths and difficulties, and mental toughness both in the private/professional and military context and (3) to offer those MDs with sleep disturbances an evidence-based and standardized online interventional group program of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (eCBTi) over a time lapse of 6 weeks (labeled 'Intervention-Study 2'). METHOD All MDs serving in the SAF (N = 480) will be contacted via the SAF-secured communication system to participate in a cross-sectional survey of sleep disturbances and psychological well-being ('Survey-Study 1'). Those who consent will be provided a link to a secure online survey that assesses sleep disturbances and psychological well-being (depression, anxiety, stress, coping), including current working conditions, job-related quality of life, mental toughness, social context, family/couple functioning, substance use, and physical activity patterns. Baseline data will be screened to identify those MDs who report sleep disturbances (insomnia severity index >8); they will be re-contacted, consented, and randomly assigned either to the eCBTi or the active control condition (ACC) ('Intervention-Study 2'). Individuals in the intervention condition will participate in an online standardized and evidence-based group intervention program of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (eCBTi; once the week for six consecutive weeks; 60-70 min duration/session). Participants in the ACC will participate in an online group counseling (once the week for six consecutive weeks; 60-70 min duration/session), though, the ACC is not intended as a bona fide psychotherapeutic intervention. At the beginning of the intervention (baseline), at week 3, and at week 6 (post-intervention) participants complete a series of self-rating questionnaires as for the Survey-Study 1, though with additional questionnaires covering sleep-related cognitions, experiential avoidance, and dimensions of self-awareness. EXPECTED OUTCOMES Survey-Study 1: We expect to describe the prevalence rates of, and the associations between sleep disturbances (insomnia (sleep quality); sleep onset latency (SOL); awakenings after sleep onset (WASO)) and psychological well-being among MDs of the SAF; we further expect to identify specific dimensions of psychological well-being, which might be rather associated or non-associated with sleep disturbances.Intervention-Study 2: We expect several significant condition-by-time-interactions. Such that participants in the eCBTi will report significantly greater improvement in sleep disturbances, symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress reduction both at work and at home (family related stress), and an improvement in the overall quality of life as compared to the ACC over the period of the study. CONCLUSION The study offers the opportunity to understand the prevalence of sleep disturbances, including factors of psychological well-being among MDs of the SAF. Further, based on the results of the Intervention-Study 2, and if supported, eCBTi may be a promising method to address sleep disturbances and psychological well-being among the specific context of MDs in the SAF

Sleep Disturbances and Psychological Well-Being Among Military Medical Doctors of the Swiss Armed Forces: Study Protocol, Rationale and Development of a Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Interventional Study

Background: Compared to civilians and non-medical personnel, military medical doctors are at increased risk for sleep disturbances and impaired psychological well-being. Despite their responsibility and workload, no research has examined sleep disturbances and psychological well-being among the medical doctors (MDs) of the Swiss Armed Forces (SAF). Thus, the aims of the proposed study are (1) to conduct a cross-sectional study (labeled ‘Survey-Study 1’) of sleep disturbances and psychological well-being among MDs of the SAF; (2) to identify MDs who report sleep disturbances (insomnia severity index \u3e8), along with low psychological well-being such as symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, but also emotion regulation, concentration, social life, strengths and difficulties, and mental toughness both in the private/professional and military context and (3) to offer those MDs with sleep disturbances an evidence-based and standardized online interventional group program of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (eCBTi) over a time lapse of 6 weeks (labeled ‘Intervention-Study 2’). Method: All MDs serving in the SAF (N = 480) will be contacted via the SAF-secured communication system to participate in a cross-sectional survey of sleep disturbances and psychological well-being (‘Survey-Study 1’). Those who consent will be provided a link to a secure online survey that assesses sleep disturbances and psychological well-being (depression, anxiety, stress, coping), including current working conditions, job-related quality of life, mental toughness, social context, family/couple functioning, substance use, and physical activity patterns. Baseline data will be screened to identify those MDs who report sleep disturbances (insomnia severity index \u3e8); they will be re-contacted, consented, and randomly assigned either to the eCBTi or the active control condition (ACC) (‘Intervention-Study 2’). Individuals in the intervention condition will participate in an online standardized and evidence-based group intervention program of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (eCBTi; once the week for six consecutive weeks; 60–70 min duration/session). Participants in the ACC will participate in an online group counseling (once the week for six consecutive weeks; 60–70 min duration/session), though, the ACC is not intended as a bona fide psychotherapeutic intervention. At the beginning of the intervention (baseline), at week 3, and at week 6 (post-intervention) participants complete a series of self-rating questionnaires as for the Survey-Study 1, though with additional questionnaires covering sleep-related cognitions, experiential avoidance, and dimensions of self-awareness. Expected outcomes: Survey-Study 1: We expect to describe the prevalence rates of, and the associations between sleep disturbances (insomnia (sleep quality); sleep onset latency (SOL); awakenings after sleep onset (WASO)) and psychological well-being among MDs of the SAF; we further expect to identify specific dimensions of psychological well-being, which might be rather associated or non-associated with sleep disturbances. Intervention-Study 2: We expect several significant condition-by-time-interactions. Such that participants in the eCBTi will report significantly greater improvement in sleep disturbances, symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress reduction both at work and at home (family related stress), and an improvement in the overall quality of life as compared to the ACC over the period of the study. Conclusion: The study offers the opportunity to understand the prevalence of sleep disturbances, including factors of psychological well-being among MDs of the SAF. Further, based on the results of the Intervention-Study 2, and if supported, eCBTi may be a promising method to address sleep disturbances and psychological well-being among the specific context of MDs in the SAF

Mitigating diversity biases of AI in the labor market

Effective Protection of Fundamental Rights in a pluralist worl

Enhanced smoking cessation support for newly abstinent smokers discharged from hospital (The Hospital to Home trial): A randomised controlled trial

Background and aimsThe United Kingdom's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance (NICE PH48) recommends that pharmacotherapy combined with behavioural support be provided for all smokers admitted to hospital; however, relapse to smoking after discharge remains common. This study aimed to assess the effect of adding home support for newly?abstinent smokers to conventional NICE?recommended support in smokers discharged from hospital.Designindividually?randomised parallel group trial.SettingOne UK acute hospital.Participants404 smokers aged >18 admitted to acute medical wards between June 2016 and July 2017 were randomised in equal numbers to each treatment group.Interventions and comparatorsThe intervention provided 12 weeks of at?home cessation support which included help in maintaining a smoke?free home, help in accessing and using medication, further behavioural support and personalised feedback on home air quality. The comparator was NICE PH48 care as usual.MeasuresThe primary outcome was self?reported continuous abstinence from smoking validated by an exhaled carbon monoxide level ?6ppm four?weeks after discharge from hospital.FindingsIn an intention?to?treat analysis at the four?week primary endpoint, 38 participants (18.8%) in the usual care group and 43 (21.3%) in the intervention group reported continuous abstinence from smoking (odds ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval 0.72 to 1.90, Bayes factor 0.33). There were no significant differences in any secondary outcomes, including self?reported cessation at 3 months, having a smoke?free home, or number of cigarettes smoked per day in those who did not quit.ConclusionsProvision of a home visit and continued support to prevent relapse to smoking after hospital discharge did not appear to increase subsequent abstinence rate above usual care in accordance with UK guidance from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence