Evaluating the whole-life cost implication of revocability and disruption in office retrofit building projects.

Retrofit buildings are becoming popular in the United Kingdom as well as many parts of the advanced economies. Existing whole-life costing models have however, not proven to be robust enough to deal with building retrofit scenarios. Recent research has made a case for the existence of revocability and disruption in building retrofit investments. This paper evaluates the whole-life cost implication of revocability and disruption in office retrofit building projects. The potential implication of revocability and disruption are evaluated based on probability and fuzzy logic principles respectively. Two case study projects are selected to appraise the economic potentials of revocability and disruption. It was found that the average cost of revocability relative to the initial capital cost can be up to 119% over a 60-year life. It was also found that the average cost of disruption relative to the initial capital cost can be up to 12%. Future studies will utilise sensitivity analysis in assessing the relative preference of building retrofit configurations in office building projects. The external validity of this work is moderate, as the intention is to establish analytical generalisation rather than statistical generalisation for office retrofit building projects

Developing whole-life cost models for retrofit options in office buildings

Office retrofit building projects have become a subject of increased attention among building researchers in the United Kingdom, and in many economically advanced nations. Existing whole-life costing models have however, not proven to be robust enough to deal with these retrofit building scenarios. There is a growing body of evidence that conceptual modifications in the mechanics of whole-life cost modelling, could facilitate improvements in the long-term cost assessment of buildings. Recent research has made a case for the existence of revocability and disruption, in the appraisal of retrofit building investments. Revocability, connotes the potential for variability, in the future cost projections of a building over its estimated life. Disruption relates to the diminished building use, or unusability, over a period of implementing a retrofit initiative. Existing whole-life cost models have however, not recognised the implications of revocability and disruption in their framework. This study conducts an investigation into the whole-life costing of office retrofit building projects, and develops a Fuzzy New-Generation Whole-life Costing approach. Two office retrofit building projects are adopted, to appraise the identified issues in the whole-life costing framework. A number of building configuration permutations (BCPs) constituting different retrofit options, are developed in both projects. The potential implication of revocability and disruption, are evaluated based on probability and fuzzy logic principles respectively. Sensitivity analysis is applied to discount rate assumptions over the estimated lives, of the projects considered. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient is used in analysing the ranking results of selected projects. This provided an assessment of the relative preference of BCPs in the projects.Results from the case studies show 1) disruption issues account for up to 12% of initial capital costs; 2) revocability accounts for up to 35% of initial capital cost, over a 20-year life; up to 119%, over a 60-year life; 3) up to 2% underestimation in the whole-life cost, over a 20-year life; and up to 45% underestimation, over a 60-year period, in the SPACE project; 4) up to 9% underestimation in the whole-life cost, over a 20-year life; and up to 53% underestimation, over a 60-year life, in the MS project

Developing whole-life cost models for retrofit options in office buildings

Office retrofit building projects have become a subject of increased attention among building researchers in the United Kingdom, and in many economically advanced nations. Existing whole-life costing models have however, not proven to be robust enough to deal with these retrofit building scenarios. There is a growing body of evidence that conceptual modifications in the mechanics of whole-life cost modelling, could facilitate improvements in the long-term cost assessment of buildings. Recent research has made a case for the existence of revocability and disruption, in the appraisal of retrofit building investments. Revocability, connotes the potential for variability, in the future cost projections of a building over its estimated life. Disruption relates to the diminished building use, or unusability, over a period of implementing a retrofit initiative. Existing whole-life cost models have however, not recognised the implications of revocability and disruption in their framework. This study conducts an investigation into the whole-life costing of office retrofit building projects, and develops a Fuzzy New-Generation Whole-life Costing approach. Two office retrofit building projects are adopted, to appraise the identified issues in the whole-life costing framework. A number of building configuration permutations (BCPs) constituting different retrofit options, are developed in both projects. The potential implication of revocability and disruption, are evaluated based on probability and fuzzy logic principles respectively. Sensitivity analysis is applied to discount rate assumptions over the estimated lives, of the projects considered. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient is used in analysing the ranking results of selected projects. This provided an assessment of the relative preference of BCPs in the projects.Results from the case studies show 1) disruption issues account for up to 12% of initial capital costs; 2) revocability accounts for up to 35% of initial capital cost, over a 20-year life; up to 119%, over a 60-year life; 3) up to 2% underestimation in the whole-life cost, over a 20-year life; and up to 45% underestimation, over a 60-year period, in the SPACE project; 4) up to 9% underestimation in the whole-life cost, over a 20-year life; and up to 53% underestimation, over a 60-year life, in the MS project

LKP : Rancang Bangun Sistem Informasi Inventory Obat Pada Bidan Praktek Swasta Farida Hadjri

BPS Farida Hadjri memiliki kesulitan dalam melakukan pemantauan stok obat. Setiap hari seorang karyawan harus melakukan pencatatan jumlah obat yang terjual dan jumlah obat pada masing-masing obat. Melakukan pemantauan stok obat bukanlah hal yang mudah dilakukan dengan cara yang masih manual, misalnya pencatatan data pembelian dan penjualan. Untuk mengatasi permasalahan yang terjadi, dibutuhkan suatu sistem yang yang memudahkan pemilik BPS Farida Hadjri melakukan pemantauan serta perhitungan stok obat dan pendapatan setiap harinya. Dengan demikian, kinerja perusahaan dapat meningkat dan keuntungan dapat lebih optimal. Untuk mengatasi masalah yang dialami BPS Farida Hadjri maka dibentuklah sebuah aplikasi yang dapat melakukan pencatatan transaksi obat pada BPS Farida Hadjri setiap hari, sehingga dari pencatatan tersebut dapat dilakukan pemantauan stok barang yang ada pada BPS tersebut. Berdasarkan solusi diatas maka dibuatlah sebuah aplikasi Inventory Obat yang dapat digunakan untuk memantau persediaan obat dan tanggal expired obat pada BPS Farida Hadjri, dapat memberikan laporan mengenai kegiatan penjualan dan pembelian pada BPS Farida Hadjri sesuai dengan tanggal yang ditentukan oleh pemilik dan dapat mengoptimalkan kinerja karyawan pada BPS Farida Hadjri sehingga karyawan tidak perlu lagi melakukan pengecekan stok Obat secara manual. Dibuktikan dengan adanya laporan mengenai stok obat, tanggal expired obat, laporan pembelian dan penjualan pada BPS Farida Hadjri

A qualitative study of traditional healthcare practices: evidence from Ilorin less city

The object of research: This study aimed to explore different forms of healthcare practice in Egbejila an Ilorin less city, Nigeria. The investigated problem: Throughout the world, traditional healthcare practice leads the edge with regards to healthcare delivery for humanity. It follows that rural inhabitants marshal various forms of healthcare practice. This study investigated peculiar healthcare practices performed by traditional healthcare practitioners in Egbejila a rural Nigeria. The main scientific results: The research study unveiled different and various dimensions and approaches of healthcare practice that are visualized and sustained as an indispensable component of continuity and survival of human entity. The area of practical use of the research results: The results of this research study gave insight to various traditional healthcare services being sought after by rural inhabitants of variant cultural, religious, socio-political and economic backgrounds aside the orthodox medicine. Scope of the innovative technological product: The study adopted purposive sampling procedure for the selection of key informants. A total of twenty-five (25) key informants were purposively selected. Data obtained through the recorded interviews were transcribed into Microsoft Word and was analyzed by using N-Vivo softwar

Economic implications of pastoralists -farmers’ conflicts on agroforestry farming in North Central Nigeria

This study examines the escalating conflict between the farmers and the pastoralists in the North Central region of Nigeria. The  conflicts have reached an alarming rate in recent times as examined. It has not only led to social disorder but has also left an unfortunate indelible mark on the agroforestry farmers in terms of their productivity. The study examines the pastoralists-farmers’ conflicts in north central Nigeria with regard to the economic implication the conflicts specifically have on the agroforestry farmers as well as their productivity in general. North Central Nigeria was purposely selected for the study because of the severity of the prevailing conflicts between the farmers and the pastoralists (Abugu and Onuba, 2015). Out of the six states that make up the North Central in Nigeria, three (3) states: Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states were purposely chosen being the most affected states (Abugu et. al., 2015). ne hundred and eighty (180) questionnaires were prepared and administered to the selected agroforestry farmers within the region. The questionnaires solicited for the following information: demographic characteristics of the respondents, causes of farmer- pastoralist conflicts, economic implication of farmer- pastoralist conflicts, frequency of conflict, among others. Keywords: Economic Implication, Pastoralist, Farmers, Conflic

Perception of farmers on agroforestry systems adoption in Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

The study assessed farmers’ characteristic variables and perception towards the adoption of agroforestry practices in Akinyele Local Government, Ibadan, Oyo State. Multistage Sampling Technique was used for the study. Five Wards which include Ijaye /Ojedeji, Ajibade/Alabata/Elekuru,  Akinyele/Isabiyi/Irepodun, Ojo Emo/Moniya and Ojoo/Ajibode/Laniba were randomly selected from the Local Government Area. Ajeja, Alabata, Akinyele, Moniya and Idowu oko areas were selected from each of the Wards, respectively while ten (10) farmers were selected from each of these areas. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage distributions as well as correlational studies were used to analyse the collected data. 34 % of the respondents were involved in the practice of agroforestry according to the study. The correlation (r value) at (p< 0.01) also shows that there is a significant association between respondents’ characteristic variables such as age, educational and marital status and adoption of agroforestry practices, while age, sex, marital and educational status are significant on agroforestry perception. It is recommended that awareness  on benefits of agroforestry should be raised in order to create needed awareness and its importance, adequate technical supports should be  provided for farmers interested in practicing agroforestry and also the efficient use of available farmlands of all types of landholders should be  ensured. Keywords: Farmers’ characteristic variables; Perception; Adoption; Agroforestry practices

Hunting introduced species in Indonesia New Guinea

Hunting in tropical forests is mostly performed to obtain animal protein sources, generate income, and enact cultural activities. However, it is acknowledged that hunting was conducted indiscriminately, killing both native and introduced species. This study aimed to describe hunting activities along the lowland coastal forests in Tambrauw Districts. Fieldwork was carried out between June 2011 and December 2012 in eleven villages across the Abun and Amberbaken sub districts of Tambrauw Districts, Papua Barat Province of Indonesia. Information about hunting was gathered through interviews with 220 hunters (focus respondents; 20 hunters in each village). Therefore, to gain an overall picture of hunting in the sampled villages, we distributed 100 questionnaires, not including those focal respondents, and 800 were returned from 11 villages. This study revealed hunting for trading (49%) compared to consumption (44%) and the rest (7%) hunting for others (festive, pest, and trophy). The hunting is classified as very frequent (2-3 days per week) by 10%, frequent (weekly and fortnightly) by 41%, and rarely (monthly) by 49% of hunters. Active techniques used were bows and arrows, spears and blades were primarily used by 38%, and hunting with dogs was 29% by inhabitants in the studied villages. On the other hand, passive hunting using snares and guns were used by 28% and 5% of hunters, respectively. Hunters reported nine main prey species had been hunted, and the prey consisted of six mammal and three bird species. Two of the nine species were introduced species, i.e., rusa deer and wild pig; they provided the largest amount of meat and fat and were economically profitable. Other native species were also hunted, although not much as introduced ones. The average catch per hunting trip was 2 individuals (2.42 ± SD 1.93). In this study, hunting introduced species is important because it is more profitable while protecting the native species or those of conservation concern

Impact of pastoralists-farmers’ conflicts on agroforestry farmers’ psychology and agricultural production in north central Nigeria

The study examined the escalating conflict between the farmers and the pastoralists in the North Central region of Nigeria with regard to its impact on the psychology and productivity of agroforestry farmers. Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states were reported to be the most affected by farmer- pastoralist conflicts in North Central Nigeria, they were therefore purposively selected for the study. The local governments that are most affected by the conflicts were also selected in each state. 25% of agroforestry farmers in each of the selected local government were randomly selected for the study. A total of one hundred and eighty (180) well-structured questionnaires were administered to farmers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage while the correlation coefficient (r) was used to draw inferences between the variables of the hypotheses. The study found out that 29% of the respondents were between the ages of 31-40, 75.6% were male, 69.8% were married, 37.2% had secondary education and majority of them (83.8%) were Christians. Also, 67.8% of them take farming as their main occupation. 40% of them has 6-10 acres of farm size. The Spearman’s rho correlation analysis revealed that demographics characteristics [age (r= -0.341; p= 0.000) education status (r= 0.200; p= 0.008) and household size (r= 0.151; p= 0.042)] of the respondents significantly correlated with the impact the conflict had on respondents’ psychology. The correlation coefficient (R)) showed that frequency of conflict is significantly related to respondents’ agricultural loss (r=0.183; p=0.025) and that the conflicts impact on respondents’ psychology is significantly correlated with their agricultural productiity (r=0.1357; p=0.034)

Use GPT-J Prompt Generation with RoBERTa for NER Models on Diagnosis Extraction of Periodontal Diagnosis from Electronic Dental Records

This study explored the usability of prompt generation on named entity recognition (NER) tasks and the performance in different settings of the prompt. The prompt generation by GPT-J models was utilized to directly test the gold standard as well as to generate the seed and further fed to the RoBERTa model with the spaCy package. In the direct test, a lower ratio of negative examples with higher numbers of examples in prompt achieved the best results with a F1 score of 0.72. The performance revealed consistency, 0.92-0.97 in the F1 score, in all settings after training with the RoBERTa model. The study highlighted the importance of seed quality rather than quantity in feeding NER models. This research reports on an efficient and accurate way to mine clinical notes for periodontal diagnoses, allowing researchers to easily and quickly build a NER model with the prompt generation approach.Comment: 2023 AMIA Annual Symposium, see https://amia.org/education-events/amia-2023-annual-symposiu