A theoretical review of risk identification : perspective of construction industry

Abstract: Managing risks in construction projects has been acknowledged as an essential management process in order to accomplish the project objectives in terms of time, cost, quality, safety and environmental sustainability. However, up to now most studies have concentrated on some aspects of construction risk management rather than using a systematic and comprehensive approach to identifying risks and analyse the probability of occurrence and impacts of these risks. Risk management consists of identifying risks, assessing risks either quantitatively or qualitatively, selecting the appropriate method for handling risks, and then monitoring and documenting risks. By identifying risks in an early stage of planning and assessing their comparative significance, project managers can identify techniques employed to reduce risks and allocate the best people to mitigate them. Thus, this research focuses on risk identification, as opposed to other processes of risk management. This research is mainly a literature review and was conducted through accredited academic and Professional journals, books, the internet, theses, and dissertations. The reviewed literature revealed that the entire risk management process is not only limited to solving problem in advance but also for the occurrence of any unexpected future problems. The study further shown that issues with possible threats envisaged in a project are not only a means to reduce losses within the project, but also a means to transfer risks into opportunities, which can lead to economic profitability, environmental and other advantages. This paper is of value to managers and decision makers involved in managing risks where it is intended to boost their knowledge regarding the importance of risk identification as a crucial stage of the process to managing risks

Evaluating the use of risk-identification techniques in the South African construction industry

Abstract: Purpose of this paper: This paper seeks to investigate the current use of risk-identification techniques in the South African construction industry. Methodology: An extensive literature search was conducted to collect the secondary data; and these were supplemented by primary data via a questionnaire survey. These were then distributed to contractors, who were conveniently sampled in Gauteng (South Africa). The data were analysed by using the Mean-Item Score (MIS). Findings: A total of twelve risk-identification techniques were identified, of which checklist, flowchart and brainstorming were rated as the most used risk-identification techniques in construction projects in Gauteng. Research limitations: This research was conducted only with considered contractors in the Gauteng province. Further research could include an increased target population more representative of the South African construction industry. Practical implications: Practitioners and researchers are likely to find the study useful; as it discusses the risk-identification techniques used in construction; and in particular, it seeks to report empirically on the techniques mostly applied in identifying risks in construction projects. Valuable information about current risk-identification techniques are provided..

Evaluation of Antibacterial Properties of Triorganotin Carboxylates Containing Functionalised Ester Groups in Tests Against Some Pathogenic Bacteria

Bacterial screening employing the agar diffusion test on triphenyltin carboxylates containing various functional residues in the ester moiety revealed appreciable differences in their activities relative to triphenyltin acetate. Among these, [3-(Diethylphosphono)propionato] triphenyltin (1) and [N-cyclohexylcarbamoyl) glycinato] triphenyltin displayed activities comparable to tri-n-butyltin cinnamate (2) towards both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria; the latter compound was the most active among the eleven triorganotin compounds tested, which included cyclopentyldiphenyltin hydroxide (3) and its methacrylate derivative. Applying the more quantitative plate count and optical density tests on compounds 1-3, it was shown that their inhibitory activity ranked in the order 2 > 3 >1. Significantly, 3 caused around 90% inhibition of both Eschechia coli (−) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (−) when incubated for 24 h at 37±1℃ at the 10.0 μg/ mL concentration level. Compound 2 was less effective against P.aeruginosa than against E.coli. While the Gram-positive bacteria were all readily inhibited, Bacillus subtilis (+) appeared to the most susceptible among them towards the test compounds

Exploiting the Synergy Between Gossiping and Structured Overlays

In this position paper we argue for exploiting the synergy between gossip-based algorithms and structured overlay networks (SON). These two strands of research have both aimed at building fault-tolerant, dynamic, self-managing, and large-scale distributed systems. Despite the common goals, the two areas have, however, been relatively isolated. We focus on three problem domains where there is an untapped potential of using gossiping combined with SONs. We argue for applying gossip-based membership for ring-based SONs---such as Chord and Bamboo---to make them handle partition mergers and loopy networks. We argue that small world SONs---such as Accordion and Mercury---are specifically well-suited for gossip-based membership management. The benefits would be better graph-theoretic properties. Finally, we argue that gossip-based algorithms could use the overlay constructed by SONs. For example, many unreliable broadcast algorithms for SONs could be augmented with anti-entropy protocols. Similarly, gossip-based aggregation could be used in SONs for network size estimation and load-balancing purposes

Acarbose versus orlistat in weight management of infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects about 4 to 12% of women worldwide. PCOS is the most common cause of anavulation in infertile women. The endocrine dysfunction of PCOS is aggravated by obesity. Weight management is the first line treatment of this condition. In this study, we tried to compare acarbose versus orlistat in weight management of infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of acarbose and orlistat in weight management of infertile polycystic ovarian syndrome women.Methods: This open label randomized controlled trial study was conducted in the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study period was 1 year from July 2019 to June 2020. A total of 32 obese infertile women with PCOS were included in the study and randomized to two treatment arms: acarbose 100 mg tds for 3 months and orlistat 120 mg tds for 3-months.Results: The response of adequate (>10%) weight reduction with acarbose was 67% of that with orlistat. The side effects with acarbose were 15% of that with orlistat. Acanthosis nigricans was reduced in 18.8% (n=3/16) of those receiving acarbose.Menstrual cycle regularized in 37.5% (n=6/16) in experimental (acarbose) group and in 18.8% (n=3/16) in control (orlistat) group.Conclusions: The therapeutic potential of acarbose in reducing weight was relatively less than orlistat in obese infertile PCOS women

Graphene Used as a Lateral Force Microscopy Calibration Material in the Low-Load Non-Linear Regime

A lateral force microscopy (LFM) calibration technique utilizing a random low-profile surface is proposed that is successfully employed in the low-load non-linear frictional regime using a single layer of graphene on a supporting oxide substrate. This calibration at low loads and on low friction surfaces like graphene has the benefit of helping to limit the wear of the LFM tip during the calibration procedure. Moreover, the low-profiles of the calibration surface characteristic of these layered 2D materials, on standard polished oxide substrates, result in a nearly constant frictional, adhesive, and elastic response as the tip slides over the surface, making the determination of the calibration coefficient robust. Through a detailed calibration analysis that takes into account non-linear frictional response, it is found that the adhesion is best described by a nearly constant vertical orientation, rather than the more commonly encountered normally directed adhesion, as the single asperity passes over the low-profile graphene-coated oxide surface

Effect of aromatase inhibitor, letrozole on semen parameters in eugonadotropic hypoandrogenic men with oligozoospermia

Background: Some men with severely defective sperm production commonly have excess aromatase activity, reflected by low serum testosterone and relatively elevated estradiol levels. Elevated levels of estrogen lead to feedback inhibition of the hypothalamic -pituitary-gonadal axis, and the end result is a decrease in LH necessary for the production of testosterone, and FSH to optimize sperm production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aromatase inhibitor, letrozole on the semen parameters of infertile male having oligozoospermia, low serum testosterone level and testosterone to estradiol ratio <10.Methods: This Prospective study was conducted in the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from May 2019 to April 2020. The sample size was 30 subfertile men with oligozoospermia (≤ 10 million/ml), low serum testosterone level (<300 ng/dl) and low testosterone to estradiol ratio (<10). All patients were treated with letrozole 2.5 mg daily for 4 months. At the end of the 4 months the semen analysis was performed. Statistical analysis was carried out by using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 for windows (SPSS version 25.0).Results: The sperm concentration, sperm motility and total motile sperm count significantly increased after letrozole treatment. The side effects were mild and well tolerated.Conclusions: This study suggests that some men with oligozoospermia, low serum testosterone levels and normal gonadotropin concentration may have a treatable endocrinopathy. Letrozole may be used to improve sperm parameters in infertile men with low serum testosterone to estradiol ratio

Outcomes and Cost Ef-fectiveness of a Respiratory Coordinated Care Program in Patients with Severe or Very Severe COPD

Abstract Multidisciplinary community coordinated care programs are widely adopted to optimise care of chronic disease patients, but there is a need for further evaluation in the setting of COPD. This observational study evaluated 147 patients with severe or very severe COPD who were enrolled in a multidisciplinary community respiratory coordinated care progra

p-Adic Models of Ultrametric Diffusion Constrained by Hierarchical Energy Landscapes

We demonstrate that p-adic analysis is a natural basis for the construction of a wide variety of the ultrametric diffusion models constrained by hierarchical energy landscapes. A general analytical description in terms of p-adic analysis is given for a class of models. Two exactly solvable examples, i.e. the ultrametric diffusion constraned by the linear energy landscape and the ultrametric diffusion with reaction sink, are considered. We show that such models can be applied to both the relaxation in complex systems and the rate processes coupled to rearrangenment of the complex surrounding.Comment: 14 pages, 6 eps figures, LaTeX 2.0