Expanding Understanding on Attributes of Innovation Champions: Firms and Individual Perspectives of Professional Quantity Surveying Firms

Quantity Surveying Profession (QSP) globally has undergone significant revolution and has embraced career pathways in providing excellent services within and outside the construction industry. The QSP adapting to the changes in the construction industry, and innovating to remain competitive has allowed them to adopt some specific attributes which makes them process innovation champions. Identifying these characteristics of the QSP for appreciation and implementation gave the purpose for this studies. Drawing from quantitative research approach, and using purposive and convenience sampling technique, data was collected and analysed. The study adopted descriptive statistics, Relative Importance Index (RII) and cross tabulations as its tools of analysis. After analysis, the outstanding attribute of innovative Quantity Surveying (QS) firms’ worthy of emulation were good managerial skills and capability, followed by team learning and competency. On individual perspective, all the identified variables were outstanding characteristics with interaction with others in the workplace ranking first, followed by open to experience while acting out of curiosity ranked last. Findings of this study could assist in understanding the set of characteristics which makes firms innovative. The identified attributes would also help other project teams in the construction industry to increase their innovativeness and output when they are examined, understood and implemented

Modelling a conceptual framework of technology transfer process in construction projects: an empirical approach

Technology transfer (TT) is crucial to social infrastructure and economic development in developing countries (DCs). In Ghana’s construction sector, foreign firms provide an invaluable source of innovation and technological advancement for local contractors. However, TT models published in existing literature are rarely applicable to the construction industry in DCs. This paper therefore presents a conceptual framework of the TT process as a tool for measuring construction performance. Utilising the results from a questionnaire survey of Ghanaian construction industry professionals, eight different perspectives on TT were formulated using exploratory factor analysis. These perspectives represent the enablers and outcomes of the TT process, namely transferor and transferee characteristics, knowledge advancement, the transfer environment, government influence, the learning environment, project performance, communication, and relationship building and absorptive capability. The research outcomes provide useful guidance to local and international funding agencies, governments of developing or newly industrialised countries, and construction firms that seek to effectively evaluate the success (or otherwise) of the TT process. Future research should seek to validate the research findings presented, and to expand the work to include other DCs

Exploratory investigation of challenges and expectations of innovative quantity surveyors and quantity surveying firms in Ghana

Likeother professions that wish to remain competitive, the quantity surveying profession (QSP) will always find ways to improve its output and systems. Despite the QSPs progress in process innovation, the profession still faces some challenges and is overwhelmed by expectations that must be addressed to improve service. The purpose of this study is to identify the expectations and challenges of quantity surveyors and the QSP. Using an in-depth literature review and quantitative research approach, questionnaires were developed and administered to innovative quantity surveying (QS) firms in Ghana. After validating variables and checking the reliability of the scale, data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, and a relative importance index (RII). Findings showed that the quantity surveyors expect elimination of corruption from the industry and a high standard of transparency and accountability. The surveyors also desired enhance their skills to remain competitive and be more entrepreneurial and proactive. This study creates awareness for top managers and leaders in QS firms to identify and adopt innovative solutions to address the challenges of the industry and the expectations of individual quantity surveyors. Managing the expectations of quantity surveyors and the challenges of the QSP would help the QS industry remain competitive and lucrative. This paper makes an original contribution to the field by describing the challenges the QSP faces in the construction industry and providing theoretical views on the expectations of innovators

Gravity as Archimedes' thrust and a bifurcation in that theory

Euler's interpretation of Newton's gravity (NG) as Archimedes' thrust in a fluid ether is presented in some detail. Then a semi-heuristic mechanism for gravity, close to Euler's, is recalled and compared with the latter. None of these two "gravitational ethers" can obey classical mechanics. This is logical since the ether defines the very reference frame, in which mechanics is defined. This concept is used to build a scalar theory of gravity: NG corresponds to an incompressible ether, a compressible ether leads to gravitational waves. In the Lorentz-Poincar\'e version, special relativity is compatible with the ether, but, with the heterogeneous ether of gravity, it applies only locally. A correspondence between metrical effects of uniform motion and gravitation is assumed, yet in two possible versions (one is new). Dynamics is based on a (non-trivial) extension of Newton's second law. The observational status for the theory with the older version of the correspondence is summarized.Comment: 24 pages, invited contribution to the Franco Selleri Festschrift, to appear in Found. Physics. v3: Endnote 45 on absolute simultaneity improved (formerly footnote 6: class file changed to revtex4), a few references updated (and now with titles). v2: minor correction in subsect. 3.2, some wording improvements, and a few references adde

Spectral Properties of the Overlap Dirac Operator in QCD

We discuss the eigenvalue distribution of the overlap Dirac operator in quenched QCD on lattices of size 8^{4}, 10^{4} and 12^{4} at \beta = 5.85 and \beta = 6. We distinguish the topological sectors and study the distributions of the leading non-zero eigenvalues, which are stereographically mapped onto the imaginary axis. Thus they can be compared to the predictions of random matrix theory applied to the \epsilon-expansion of chiral perturbation theory. We find a satisfactory agreement, if the physical volume exceeds about (1.2 fm)^{4}. For the unfolded level spacing distribution we find an accurate agreement with the random matrix conjecture on all volumes that we considered.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, final version published in JHE

Classification and analyses of of coating flows

YesA classification of coating flows is presented to facilitate a fundamental approach to their study. Four categories are observed: free, metered, transfer and gravure coating flows. They are all limited by free surface(s) which make their analysis difficult. Various analytical approaches have been used and these are briefly reviewed in this paper

A phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled study of chemo-immunotherapy combination using motolimod with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in recurrent or persistent ovarian cancer: a Gynecologic Oncology Group partners study.

A phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in women with recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma to evaluate the efficacy and safety of motolimod-a Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) agonist that stimulates robust innate immune responses-combined with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD), a chemotherapeutic that induces immunogenic cell death. Women with ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma were randomized 1 : 1 to receive PLD in combination with blinded motolimod or placebo. Randomization was stratified by platinum-free interval (≤6 versus >6-12 months) and Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) performance status (0 versus 1). Treatment cycles were repeated every 28 days until disease progression. The addition of motolimod to PLD did not significantly improve overall survival (OS; log rank one-sided P = 0.923, HR = 1.22) or progression-free survival (PFS; log rank one-sided P = 0.943, HR = 1.21). The combination was well tolerated, with no synergistic or unexpected serious toxicity. Most patients experienced adverse events of fatigue, anemia, nausea, decreased white blood cells, and constipation. In pre-specified subgroup analyses, motolimod-treated patients who experienced injection site reactions (ISR) had a lower risk of death compared with those who did not experience ISR. Additionally, pre-treatment in vitro responses of immune biomarkers to TLR8 stimulation predicted OS outcomes in patients receiving motolimod on study. Immune score (tumor infiltrating lymphocytes; TIL), TLR8 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, mutational status in BRCA and other DNA repair genes, and autoantibody biomarkers did not correlate with OS or PFS. The addition of motolimod to PLD did not improve clinical outcomes compared with placebo. However, subset analyses identified statistically significant differences in the OS of motolimod-treated patients on the basis of ISR and in vitro immune responses. Collectively, these data may provide important clues for identifying patients for treatment with immunomodulatory agents in novel combinations and/or delivery approaches. Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT 01666444

The transformative potential of international service-learning at a university with a Christian foundation in the UK

This article draws upon the findings of a study at Liverpool Hope University (LHU) into the transformative nature of International Service-Learning (ISL) experiences for student participants. This research is concerned with the implications of these findings for professional practice, in particular how ISL is constructed in Higher Education policy and practice. Recognising the problematic nature of this endeavor, this article responds to a call for discussion around pedagogical approaches underpinning counter-cultural and critical service programmes aligned with the radical principles of the Catholic social teaching. This study is grounded in a holistic conceptualisation of transformative learning that demands looking beyond an epistemological process that involves shifts in worldview and habits of mind to an ontological process that accounts for changes to our being in the world. It investigated how LHU students describe their ongoing experience of ISL and explored the conditions for learning and the associated transformative processes and outcomes in this context. Data analysis involved phenomenological description, constant comparative thematic analysis followed by a critical, hermeneutical analysis. This article will explicate the themes of moral and spiritual learning that emerged as part of a broader framework. In particular, it was found that the development of authentic relationships between travelling companions, accompanying tutors and partners overseas is central to learning that is reciprocated and provides a model of the transformative process in this context. This article concludes that this presents a pedagogical approach grounded in social justice that enables ISL to reach its transformative potential

Thermohaline forcing and interannual variability of northwestern inflows into the northern North Sea

A long-established, 127 km-long hydrographic section in the northern North Sea at 59.28°N that runs from the eastern coast of Orkney (2.23°W) to the central North Sea (0°) crosses the path of the main inflows of Atlantic water. Data from 122 occupations between 1989 and 2015 are examined to determine the annual cycle and long-term trends of temperature, salinity and depth-varying geostrophic flow across the section. In an average year, the geostrophic flow referenced to the seafloor is at its narrowest (40 km) in winter, during which time it is driven by the strong horizontal salinity gradient; the horizontal temperature gradient is very weak. Velocity exceeds 4 cm s−1, but transport is at a minimum (0.11 Sv). In the deeper water in the east of the section, thermal stratification develops throughout summer and persists until October, whereas the west is tidally mixed all year. The bottom temperature gradient becomes the primary driver of the geostrophic flow, which is fastest (9 cm s−1) in September and broadest (100 km) in October. Maximum transport (0.36 Sv) occurs in October. Throughout the summer, the horizontal salinity gradient weakens, as does its contribution to the flow. However, it nevertheless acts to broaden the flow west of the location of the strongest horizontal temperature gradient. Section-mean de-seasoned temperature is found to be positively correlated to the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and negatively correlated to the North Atlantic Oscillation. These results refine our understanding of the thermohaline forcing of Atlantic inflow into the northern North Sea, particularly in relation to the salinity distribution. Understanding the variability of this inflow is important for understanding the dynamics of the North Sea ecosystem