Time-thieves and Bottlenecks in the Norwegian Construction Projects

AbstractUtilizing time effectively and efficiently is one of the important factors that can determine the success of achieving desired results of projects. Nevertheless, several projects come across delays and unnecessary use of time due to various reasons, and hence suffer from unfavorable consequences. Construction industry is not exceptional. There are elements that “steal” time in construction projects; and, there are bottlenecks that cause delays. This paper will present the first findings from the SpeedUp project survey conducted in seven public and private organizations in autumn 2014 in Norway. The purpose with the study was to establish –what arethe most common factors extending project life cycle or makingproject going slower than planned. We have conducted a broad literature review that aimed to establish – what are the most common delays factors mentioned in the literature and the result from the literature review has been analyzed against our data from the survey. This paper will present the ten most common “time-thieves” and “bottlenecks”revealed in the SpeedUpproject survey. It willidentify the major “time-thieves” and “bottlenecks”seen from owners, consultants and contractors views.This identification can be seen as a mapping process that will lead to find out possible causes as well as possible efforts, those can be carried out in order to deal with slow pace and delays in construction projects. This study on “time-thieves” and “bottlenecks” in the construction industry will contribute to shade light on important improvements areas for the construction industry

Ranking the accelerated weathering of plastic polymers

The timespans over which different plastics degrade in the environment are poorly understood. This study aimed to rank the degradation speed of five widespread plastic polymers–low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polylactic acid (PLA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)–in terms of their physicochemical properties. Five of the six samples were plastic films with identical dimensions, which allowed the influence of morphology to be excluded, with a polyethylene carrier bag (PEB) tested for comparison. An accelerated weathering chamber was used to photochemically degrade samples over 41 days, with degradation monitored via mass loss and changes to carbonyl index, crystallinity and contact angle. The mass loss ranking was PP ≫ LDPE > PEB > PS > PLA > PET. Estimates of the time needed for complete degradation ranged from 0.27 years for PP to 1179 years for PET. Therefore, mass loss in PP proceeded more rapidly than the other polymers, which was unexpected based on previous literature and is plausibly explained by the presence of an unlisted additive which accelerated degradation. Increases in carbonyl index proceeded more rapidly in PP and LDPE than the other polymers tested. However, changes in contact angle and crystallinity did not correspond to the mass loss ranking. Therefore, monitoring the carbonyl index during accelerated weathering trials can indicate which polymers will fragment more quickly. However, alternative approaches are needed to simulate conditions where photooxidation reactions are negligible, such as the ocean floor

Stem cell-mediated angiogenesis in skin tissue engineering and wound healing

The timely management of skin wounds has been an unmet clinical need for centuries. While there have been several attempts to accelerate wound healing and reduce the cost of hospitalisation and the healthcare burden, there remains a lack of efficient and effective wound healing approaches. In this regard, stem cell-based therapies have garnered an outstanding position for the treatment of both acute and chronic skin wounds. Stem cells of different origins (e.g., embryo-derived stem cells) have been utilised for managing cutaneous lesions; specifically, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from foetal (umbilical cord) and adult (bone marrow) tissues paved the way to more satisfactory outcomes. Since angiogenesis plays a critical role in all four stages of normal wound healing, recent therapeutic approaches have focused on utilising stem cells for inducing neovascularisation. In fact, stem cells can promote angiogenesis via either differentiation into endothelial lineages or secreting pro-angiogenic exosomes. Furthermore, particular conditions (e.g., hypoxic environments) can be applied in order to boost the pro-angiogenic capability of stem cells before transplantation. For tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications, stem cells can be combined with specific types of pro-angiogenic biocompatible materials (e.g., bioactive glasses) to enhance the neovascularisation process and subsequently accelerate wound healing. As such, this review article summarises such efforts emphasising the bright future that is conceivable when using pro-angiogenic stem cells for treating acute and chronic skin wounds

Generalized Contractive Mappings and Weakly α

The aim of this paper is to present some coincidence and common fixed point results for generalized (ψ, φ)-contractive mappings using partially weakly G-α-admissibility in the setup of G-metric space. As an application of our results, periodic points of weakly contractive mappings are obtained. We also derive certain new coincidence point and common fixed point theorems in partially ordered G-metric spaces. Moreover, some examples are provided here to illustrate the usability of the obtained results

The Relationship between Uterine Endometrial Neovascularization and Pelvic Pain Intensity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pelvic pain is one of the most important symptoms of endometriosis. There is evidence that high blood flow to endometrioma is associated with more pelvic pain, but this has not been completely proven. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between uterine endometrial neovascularization and pelvic pain intensity. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 76 patients with ovarian endometrioma (based on the final diagnostic pathology) were divided into two groups of mild/moderate pelvic pain (VAS lower than 66) and severe pelvic pain (VAS 66 to 100) in terms of pelvic pain intensity (using the visual analog scale). Patients underwent transvaginal doppler ultrasound prior to surgery, and endometrial neovascularization, as well as resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) in the artery of the endometrioma cyst wall were measured and were compared between two groups of mild/moderate pelvic pain and severe pelvic pain. FINDINGS: Moderate and severe neovascularization (50%) in patients with severe pelvic pain was significantly higher than patients with mild/moderate pelvic pain (13%) (p=0.005). The mean RI in the group with severe pelvic pain (0.59±0.05) was lower than the mild/moderate group (0.66±0.06) (p<0.001). The mean PI in patients with pelvic pain (1.07±0.13) was lower than patients with mild/moderate pelvic pain (1.14±0.15) (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Severe neovascularization and low RI and PI indices in transvaginal doppler ultrasound of ovarian endometrioma indicate high activity of endometrium and is associated with severe pelvic pain in patients

Implementation of the LPS Using an Excel Spreadsheet: A Case Study From New Zealand Construction Industry

Purpose This study investigated the implementation challenges of one of lean construction’s recent tools, the Last Planner System (LPS), by exploring issues in the New Zealand construction sector to identify potential areas for improvement. To achieve this aim, the study formulated two objectives: 1) to present the challenges in LPS use; and 2) to explore solutions through using an Excel spreadsheet to facilitate LPS applications. Design/methodology/approach The study drew primarily upon a case study approach. A fieldwork study and document analysis of a New Zealand construction project were conducted with an extensive literature review undertaken on the LPS concept. Findings The findings revealed that, although an automated spreadsheet could be a simple and inexpensive option for using the LPS, data collection, storage and transfer into the spreadsheet could significantly influence the LPS outcomes’ reliability. Most data utilisation challenges were found to occur around the three data sets included in the Weekly Work Plan (WWP). The study presented several automation solutions which had been applied to overcome data utilisation challenges. Originality/value Among the first of its kind in the construction industry, this study, with its first-hand account of an organisation which uses the lean paradigm, provides an in-depth insight into LPS tool implementation. The study extends the current body of knowledge through unearthing the challenges of LPS integration into construction activities and presenting efforts undertaken in a construction case project to overcome relevant issues. This adds value through enhancing the reliability of the LPS and, consequently, the effectiveness of its implementation in practical terms

Investigation on propagation of Sparidentex hasta (sobaity) in spawning tanks and rearing of larvae up to fingerling

In order to achieve biotechnic normative of Sobaity Sparidentex hasta propagation and its fries rearing, 96 brood stocks were caught by using hook from Bandar Imam and Mahshahr creeks. For natural spawning, at first stage some selected broodstocks (sex ratio 2:1 & 1:1 male to female) were directly introduced to spawning tanks. In this method eggs were absorbed and spawning was not occured. For artificial spawning (natural spawning with hormone injection): At second stage for males, in one step, 40 g kg-1 and 200 Iu kg-1 body weight and for females, in two steps, 75 g kg-1 and 500 Iu kg-1 LRHa & HCG hormones were injected. After introducing broodstocks to 40- tone oval tanks, spawning occurred only in female and also some injected broodstocks were spawned artificially and all obtained larvae died after four days. At third stage 6 g kg-1 and 1000 Iu kg-1 body weight of PG and HCG hormones were injected to broodstock respectively. HCG hormone injected in two steps (1/2 dose each stop in 24 hours duration). Metoclopramide was used at the first step and PG hormone injected with second step of HCG coincidentally. In this method spawning, fertilization and fry production occurred. The results indicated that sobaity, with hormone injection is able to spawn at 12-19 c (which is available in Khouzestan in March). The time of hatching was 42-50 hours, absorption of larvae Yolk sac 96-120 hours. The size of one- day- larvae was 1.4- 1.7mm and 65-day- fry was 24mm

MXene-Graphene Field-Effect Transistor Sensing of Influenza Virus and SARS-CoV-2

An MXene-graphene field-effect transistor (FET) sensor for both influenza virus and 2019-nCoV sensing was developed and characterized. The developed sensor combines the high chemical sensitivity of MXene and the continuity of large-area high-quality graphene to form an ultra-sensitive virus-sensing transduction material (VSTM). Through polymer linking, we are able to utilize antibody-antigen binding to achieve electrochemical signal transduction when viruses are deposited onto the VSTM surface. The MXene-graphene VSTM was integrated into a microfluidic channel that can directly receive viruses in solution. The developed sensor was tested with various concentrations of antigens from two viruses: inactivated influenza A (H1N1) HA virus ranging from 125 to 250,000 copies/mL and a recombinant 2019-nCoV spike protein ranging from 1 fg/mL to 10 pg/mL. The average response time was about ∼50 ms, which is significantly faster than the existing real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method ( \u3e 3 h). The low limit of detection (125 copies/mL for the influenza virus and 1 fg/mL for the recombinant 2019-nCoV spike protein) has demonstrated the sensitivity of the MXene-graphene VSTM on the FET platform to virus sensing. Especially, the high signal-to-viral load ratio (∼10% change in source-drain current and gate voltage) also demonstrates the ultra-sensitivity of the developed MXene-graphene FET sensor. In addition, the specificity of the sensor was also demonstrated by depositing the inactivated influenza A (H1N1) HA virus and the recombinant 2019-nCoV spike protein onto microfluidic channels with opposite antibodies, producing signal differences that are about 10 times lower. Thus, we have successfully fabricated a relatively low-cost, ultrasensitive, fast-responding, and specific inactivated influenza A (H1N1) and 2019-nCoV sensor with the MXene-graphene VSTM

Prognostic value of FBXO39 and ETS-1 but not BMI-1 in Iranian colorectal cancer patients

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Despite recent progress in diagnosis and treatment, it remains a major health problem and further studies are needed. We here investigated expression profiles of the FBXO39, ETS-1 and BMI-1 genes in CRCs to validate any possible diagnostic/prognostic significance. Material and Methods: Thirty six patients with locally advanced CRC admitted to Hazrate-Rasoul Hospital-Tehran were enrolled. Initially the expression pattern of FBXO39, ETS-1 and BMI-1 genes were determined using RT-PCR in CRC tumor and adjacent normal tissues then real-time RT-PCR was employed to quantify BMI-1 gene expression. Results: FBXO39 expression was restricted to tumor tissues. Interestingly, expression of this gene was detected in all stage-0 tumor samples. There was a significant relation between FBXO39 gene expression and lymph node involvement. The ETS-1 gene was expressed in 66 of all tumor tissues with p-value=0.03 for increase as compared to the adjacent normal samples. In addition, there was a significant relation between ETS-1 gene expression and tumor size and lymph node involvement. RT-PCR demonstrated BMI-1 gene expression in both tumor and normal tissues and quantification by real-time RT-PCR showed no association between BMI-1 levels and CRC clinicopathological features. Conclusion: Expression of FBXO39 and ETS-1 with lymph node involvement may be considered as an alarm for the occurrence of CRC metastasis, and therfore have prognostic value while BMI-1 appears without importance. © 2018 Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention