Metrics, indicators and analytics to support government excellence programme::the case of Dubai Government Website Excellence Model (WEM)

This research is focused on the construction of composite indicators: a complex process involving various steps that have significant impact on the results. One of the main problems in constructing composite indicators is its reliance on multiple subjective judgments (Cherchye et al., 2008). This was clearly demonstrated in the case of Website Excellence Model (WEM) scores, whose main purpose is to assess and compare the performance of Dubai Government departments’ website. Many subjective judgments were being made by different parties in each of the three main stages of the WEM process: pre-assessment, assessment and post-assessment stage. This level of subjectivity led to a problem where many departments end up being unsatisfied with the overall scores and the general process of deriving the results.This research indicates that at each stage of the WEM process, the reliability, validity and fairness of the results were affected. To construct a more accurate, flexible, equitable and transparent WEM scoring methodology, we proposed the use of geometric data envelopment analysis model (G-DEA) along with some general guidelines to be followed during different stages of the process. G-DEA methodology combines positive characteristics of geometric aggregation, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and DEA. Geometric aggregation makes improvements on two different levels. First, it is better suited for constructing WEM scores than the “standard” additive aggregation, for much the same reasons as for why the switch from additive to geometric aggregation took place for Human Development Index back in 2010. Second, it allows for DEA-like models to be easily extended and applied to a composite indicator irrespective of how complex its hierarchy structure may be. The elements of AHP and DEA contribute through their own well-known properties, such as the reduction of decision bias (AHP and DEA) and an equitable evaluation of departments relative to the observed best practices (DEA).In short, this thesis proposes the use of G-DEA model and discusses the most relevant theoretical and practical aspects and features of that method when applying it to WEM scores. G-DEA methodology is well suited for the WEM scoring framework but there are certainly many other applications, relating to the construction of composite indicators that could benefit from the same methodology. Overall, this study aims to provide both practitioners and academics in the field of composite indicators with a clear application focus on using G-DEA to assess website performance, penetrating the area which so far has never been used in the context of composite indictors. In addition, this study clearly illustrates how G-DEA can combine many good qualities of different well-known techniques for constructing composite indicators

Performance of electrical discharge machining (EDM) with nickel added dielectric fluid

In this study, the effect of nickel powder mixed dielectric fluid on Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) performance of mild steel has been carried out. Peak current, tool/electrode diameter and concentration of powder are the process parameters. The process performance is measured in terms of material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), and surface roughness (SR). The experiment has been designed using a Full Factorial in Design of Experiment (DOE) software. The research outcome is to identify the important process parameters that maximize MRR and minimize TWR and SR. The experiment has been carried out using 2 levels of current (3.5 A and 6.5 A), tool diameters (14 mm and 20 mm) and Nickel powder concentrations (0 g/l and 6 g/l). The weight of the mild steel work piece and copper electrode are measured before and after each run. Based on the results, current is the most significant parameter affecting MRR, TWR, and SR. It was also found that with added nickel powder in the dielectric fluid, the tool life is longer and surface roughness of the work piece is improved. Furthermore, it was shown that both MRR and TWR increased with the increase in tool diameter. However, SR was improved as tool diameter increased but its effect was not very significant

Factors Associated with High Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoan Infections among Patients in Sana'a City, Yemen

Intestinal protozoan diseases in Yemen are a significant health problem with prevalence ranging from 18% to 27%. The present study is a cross-sectional study aimed at determining the factors associated with the high prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among patients seeking health care in Sana'a City, the capital of Yemen. (0.4%). Multivariate analysis using forward stepwise logistic regression based on intestinal protozoan infections showed that contact with animals (OR = 1.748, 95% CI = 1.168–2.617) and taking bath less than twice a week (OR = 1.820, 95% CI = 1.192–2.779) were significant risk factors of protozoan infections. infections being most common. Statistical analysis indicated that low personal hygiene and contact with animals were important predictors for intestinal protozoan infections. As highlighted in this study, in order to effectively reduce these infections, a multi-sectoral effort is needed. Preventive measures should include good hygienic practices, good animal husbandry practices, heightened provision of educational health programs, health services in all governorates including rural areas. Furthermore, it is also essential to find radical solutions to the recent water crises in Yemen

Influence of the angle of cut of workpiece on taper and corner roundness during Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM)

Wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) is a unique machining technique which is capable of machining parts with high degree of complexity regardless of their hardness. However, when high precision and accuracy are needed, the taper and corner roundness on the workpiece machined need to be controlled to ensure that the parts can perform their intended function. Parameters such as angle of the profile cut; peak current (IP) and wire speed (WS) might affect the taper and the corner roundness of the machined workpiece. To know the sharpness of the profile, the corner roundness and taper of the kerf should be assessed. Hence, to assess the influence of IP and WS on angle of the profile cut, the design of experiment (DOE) was used for this investigation. By employing full factorial design of DOE, eight runs were conducted for each of the responses which are corner radius and taper angle. The experiments were performed by using brass as the wire electrode and stainless steel 304 (SS 304) as the workpiece. The taper (in terms of angle) is calculated by using the value of kerf width at the top and bottom of the cut. The corner roundness was also measured using a measuring microscope. It was found that the degree of angle of cut and IP have a significant effect on taper angle and corner roundness while the significance of WS is low. From the analysis, it is found that the optimum value of the angle of the cut, IP and WS are 117.47°, 5.00A and 10.00 mm/s respectively. By knowing the significance of the angle of the profile cut, IP, and WS and the optimum values, the profile with low taper and sharp corner can be achieved

Enhancement of machining performance during electrical discharge machining of stainless steel with carbon nanotube powder added dielectric fluid

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a nontraditional process of removing material from an electrically conductive work piece. It produces sparks to produce any desired shape cavity or geometry. The demand for good surface finish of a workpiece in EDM has developed a new method to improve surface condition where powder material is added to dielectric fluid during EDM. The present paper is on investigation of influence of carbon nanotube (CNT) powder addition to dielectric fluid on EDM performance. The effect of the addition of CNT is analyzed on MRR and surface roughness (Ra). The variable factors were pulse on time (Ton) and powder concentration. The addition of CNT powder has improved the surface roughness and MRR in comparison EDM without CNT addition. Lowest surface roughness obtained by the lowest Ton time of 6μs with the CNT powder concentration of 0.3 mg/L of 8.61μm compared to 9.97μm of no powder addition. Ton of 10μs has produced the highest surface roughness with no powder addition with the value of 30.38μm. The addition of 0.3mg/L powder addition and 10μs Ton enhanced the surface roughness to 29.40μm. The addition of CNT powder with the concentration of 0.3mg/L has also increased the MRR to the highest value of 0.4625g/min from 0.3503g/min without powder addition. The analysis of the result has shown that the MRR and surface finish improved due to CNT powder addition to dielectric

Improving machining performance using alumina powder-added dielectric during electrical discharge machining (EDM)

Alumina powder was added to dielectric fluid during Electrical discharge machining (EDM) of AISI 304 steel. The main machining parameters of current (A), tool diameter (mm) and powder concentration (g/L) were chosen to determine the EDM machining characteristics of material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR) and surface roughness (Ra). This work adopted two-level full factorial experiments. The significant factors that affect the MRR and tool TWR are current, tool diameter and powder concentration. The MRR increases when the current and tool diameter are higher. The presence of powder concentration also increases the MRR. The higher current used and the presence of powder concentration increase the TWR. Meanwhile, a smaller tool diameter gives higher value of TWR. Current and powder concentration are the significant factors to determine the surface roughness of work surfaces. Higher current applied gives high surface roughness, but higher powder concentration gives improved surface finish

Improvement of surface quality using silicon carbide powder added dielectric fluid during EDM

In recent years there is an increasing interest of Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) process, with particular emphasis on the potential of this process for surface modification. In this study, the effect of various EDM parameters on the material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR) and surface roughness (SR) using powder-mixed electrical discharge machining (PMEDM) was carried out by using Silicon Carbide (SiC) powder. The workpiece material used was high carbon steel AISI 1050 and the electrode tool material was copper (Cu). Experiments have been designed using full factorial design of experiment (DOE) and the 3 factors were designed for 2 levels. The input process parameters used were the concentration of powder from 0.0 to 5.0g/L, peak current ranging from 2.5A to 4.5A and pulse-on time ranging from 8μs to 10μs. The result shows that when silicon carbide powder is mixed into dielectric fluid during EDM process, it gives minor effect on material removal rate (MRR), but improves tool wear rate (TWR) and surface roughness (Ra). However, as peak current and pulse-on time increase gradually, all responses follow the same trend

The Effect of Spironolactone on the Incidence of Contrast Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Catheterization: Study Design and Rationale

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