Productization of construction consultancy services

Abstract. Construction services are considered to still being a traditional industry that hasn’t developed much for a long time. Construction consultancy services are classified as one of knowledge-intensive business services that employ professional competences to deliver customer value. Methods used in product manufacturing are studied in the context of service development and production and found to be very beneficial in systemizing of services. In this research, different practices and techniques studied such as modularity and platform delivery of services in the context of service conceptualization. The concept of service co-creation is also studied as a method that enable customer processes and collaborative service delivery. This study of case companies propose the utilization of product structure for construction consultancy services with different methods to achieve efficient services offering and delivery. The study used the available literature of service productization with focus on knowledge-intensive business services and analyses of the current state of case companies in different areas of commercial and technical service structure. It’s also researched how services are offered, clarified and described for the customers. Findings show a low level of service systemization among the case companies with some interesting productization efforts in one of the cases. The offering process in most cases is following the traditional customer responsive form in the construction business and highly project centric. Although different challenge found to be hindering the development process of construction services, great potential is found utilizing the product structure. The key components required for achieving the productization of construction consultancy services have been identified based on the literature review and analyses of the results of the cases. The key components identified include different methods and practices that aim to clarify the services offering, increase the value perception, systemize and standardize the service process

Optical, structural and thermal properties of hybrid PVA/CaAl2ZrO6 nanocomposite films

This report focuses on fabrication, characterization, and fundamental optical, structural and thermal properties of PVA/calcium aluminum doped zirconate (CaAl2ZrO6) nanocomposites (NCs) films. The PVA-NCs with different amounts viz., 2, 4, 6 and 8 wt% of calcium aluminum zirconate (CaAl2ZrO6) have been fabricated using solvent casting technique. The NC films structural and morphology have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, FTIR and scanning electron microscopy. TEM result indicates that the size of nanoparticles (NPs) lies in the range 10-23nm.. Thermal studies have been evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The optical properties of NCs has been investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy, where the optical study reveals an increased refractive index from 1.22 to 2.23 at a wave length of 300 nm, where as the band gap energy (E-g) is reduced from 5.01 to 3.32 eV for PVA to PVA/8wt% CaAl2ZrO6, respectively. The dielectric studies, optical conductivity measurements and Urbach energy analysis also supports the dopant dependent optical property, tuning of PVA/CaAl2ZrO6 NC films to enable effective material property engineering to suit specified application requirements

National mapping of schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis and anaemia in Yemen: Towards better national control and elimination

Background Schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are known to be endemic in Yemen. However, the distribution of both diseases had not previously been assessed by a well-structured national mapping study covering all governorates. The main aim of this study was, therefore, to map the prevalence of SCH and STH in Yemen in order to better inform implementation of effective national control and elimination interventions. The assessment of the distribution of anaemia was also included as a well-known consequence of infection with both SCH and STH. Secondarily, the study aimed to provide a broad indication of the impact of large-scale treatment on the distribution of infection. Methodology and principal findings To achive these aims, 80,432 children (10–14 years old) from 2,664 schools in 332 of Yemen’s 333 districts were included, in 2014, into this national cross-sectional survey. Countrywide, 63.3% (210/332) and 75.6% (251/332) of districts were found to be endemic for SCH and STH respectively. More districts were affected by intestinal than urogenital SCH (54.2% and 31.6% respectively). SCH infection was mostly mild and moderate, with no districts reporting high infection. One quarter (24.4%) of Yemeni districts had high or moderate levels of Ascaris lumbricoides infection. Infection with Trichuris trichiura was the second most common STH (44.9% of districts infected) after A. lumbricoides (68.1%). Hookworm was the least prevalent STH (9.0%). Anaemia was prevalent in 96.4% of districts; it represented a severe public health problem (prevalence ≥ 40%) in 26.5% of districts, and a mild to moderate problem in two thirds of the districts (33.7% and 36.1% respectively). Conclusion This study provided the first comprehensive mapping of SCH, STH, and anaemia across the country. This formed the basis for evaluating and continuing the national control and elimination programme for these neglected tropical diseases in Yemen

Influence of lip closure on alveolar cleft width in patients with cleft lip and palate

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The influence of surgery on growth and stability after treatment in patients with cleft lip and palate are topics still under discussion. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of early lip closure on the width of the alveolar cleft using dental casts.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 44 clefts were investigated using plaster casts, 30 unilateral and 7 bilateral clefts. All infants received a passive molding plate a few days after birth. The age at the time of closure of the lip was 2.1 month in average (range 1-6 months). Plaster casts were obtained at the following stages: shortly after birth, prior to lip closure, prior to soft palate closure. We determined the width of the alveolar cleft before lip closure and prior to soft palate closure measuring the alveolar cleft width from the most lateral point of the premaxilla/anterior segment to the most medial point of the smaller segment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After lip closure 15 clefts presented with a width of 0 mm, meaning that the mucosa of the segments was almost touching one another. 19 clefts showed a width of up to 2 mm and 10 clefts were still over 2 mm wide. This means a reduction of 0% in 5 clefts, of 1-50% in 6 clefts, of 51-99% in 19 clefts, and of 100% in 14 clefts.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Early lip closure reduces alveolar cleft width. In most cases our aim of a remaining cleft width of 2 mm or less can be achieved. These are promising conditions for primary alveolar bone grafting to restore the dental bony arch.</p

Consanguinity and reproductive health among Arabs

Consanguineous marriages have been practiced since the early existence of modern humans. Until now consanguinity is widely practiced in several global communities with variable rates depending on religion, culture, and geography. Arab populations have a long tradition of consanguinity due to socio-cultural factors. Many Arab countries display some of the highest rates of consanguineous marriages in the world, and specifically first cousin marriages which may reach 25-30% of all marriages. In some countries like Qatar, Yemen, and UAE, consanguinity rates are increasing in the current generation. Research among Arabs and worldwide has indicated that consanguinity could have an effect on some reproductive health parameters such as postnatal mortality and rates of congenital malformations. The association of consanguinity with other reproductive health parameters, such as fertility and fetal wastage, is controversial. The main impact of consanguinity, however, is an increase in the rate of homozygotes for autosomal recessive genetic disorders. Worldwide, known dominant disorders are more numerous than known recessive disorders. However, data on genetic disorders in Arab populations as extracted from the Catalogue of Transmission Genetics in Arabs (CTGA) database indicate a relative abundance of recessive disorders in the region that is clearly associated with the practice of consanguinity

Investigation of triplex CaAl(2)ZnO(5)nanocrystals on electrical permittivity, optical and structural characteristics of PVA nanocomposite films

Nanocomposite (NC) films of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/calcium aluminum-doped zincate (CaAl2ZnO5) have been fabricated with varying amounts, namely 2, 4, 6 and 8 wt% of CaAl(2)ZnO(5)nanoparticles (NPs) by solution casting technique. TEM data showed that an average particle size of CaAl(2)ZnO(5)NPs is \~ 25 nm. The effect of CaAl(2)ZnO(5)content on structural and morphological behaviors has been established by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The photo-response of NCs was derived by UV-visible spectroscopy where the band gap energy (E-g) reduced from 5.25 eV for PVA to 2.82 eV for PVA/8 wt% CaAl2ZnO5NC film. The dielectric permittivity and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics were studied using LCR-meter in frequency range of 50 Hz-5000 kHz. The relative dielectric constant (epsilon `) was increased from 15 to 65 with increase in NPs content from 0 to 8 wt%. The PVA NC with 8 wt% CaAl(2)ZnO(5)NPs raises the ac conductivity to 3.35 x 10(-5) S cm(-1)at room temperature. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests have been performed to calculate the specific capacitance of the NCs as a positive electrode against Ag/AgCl as reference electrode. The specific capacitance increases from 1. Fg(-1)for PVA to 3.69 Fg(-1)for PVA/8 wt% CaAl2ZnO5NC. These behaviors will support the possible applications in optical display devices and micro-electrical and electronic application

Adhesion Improvement Between Polyethylene and Aluminum Using Eco-Friendly Plasma Treatment

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