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The objective of this research is to know the economic feasibility of hydroponics technology by estimating the expected demand for green forage for the years 2021-2031 as well as Identify and analyze project data and information in a way that helps the investor make the appropriate investment decision in addition to preparing a detailed technical preliminary study for the cultivar barley project focusing on the commercial and financing aspects and the criteria that take into account the risks and uncertainties . that indicating the economic feasibility of the project to produce green forage using hydroponics technology. Cultured barley as a product falls within the blue ocean strategy. Accordingly, the research recommends the necessity of implementing such projects that save land, water, and fertilizers and provide green forage throughout the year. The government should provide financial support for the supply and establishment of these projects because they require large capital, and livestock owners need support because the demand for forage is a request to implement an indicative program to introduce the advantages of hydroponics and green forage to breeders to increase the demand for it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering that the traditional investment project evaluation system can no longer fully adapt to the characteristics of the new power system under the investment environment of the new power system, this study constructed a new power system investment project evaluation and optimization method based on the combination of the cloud model, evidence theory and the TOPSIS method. First, 16 evaluation indexes were considered based on four dimensions, namely green and low‐carbon, safe and reliable, flexible and intelligent, and economical and efficient, and the optimal evaluation index system of new power system investment projects was designed. Second, the normal cloud model was used to obtain the evaluation membership distribution of each index and turn it into evidence. Considering the conflicts between indicators and the combinational contradictions of traditional evidence theories, an improved DS evidence theory based on a game weight coefficient discount to reduce conflicting evidence was used to fuse the membership information of multiple indicators. On the basis of the evaluation results of each scheme, this study used the TOPSIS method to sort the advantages and disadvantages of each scheme. Finally, the project of planning and putting this model into operation in the 14th Five‐Year project database of a power grid enterprise was selected as an example to carry out empirical analysis, and the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed model were verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes the monitoring and evaluation project of the implementation of the late support policies for large and medium-sized reservoir resettlers in WZ City, GX Autonomous Region in 2021 as an example based on the original survey data of 200 resettlement families in 10 resettlement villages, and uses the grey clustering-multiple correlation-information sensitivity method and constructs an evaluation index system including per capita disposable income and other indicators. After the index weights are calculated by the entropy weight method and the sequential scoring method, the subjective and objective combined weights of the evaluation indices are determined by the combination weighting method based on game theory.The grading standards of indices are determined based on survey data and official statistical data. The index of productive and living standards of reservoir resettlers is calculated by the comprehensive scoring method, and the index is used to carry out an empirical evaluation of the production and living standards of the reservoir resettlers in the sample village. The resuits show that the index system and evaluation model constructed by the method in this paper are relatively reasonable and effective, and the evaluation results are in line with the reality, which serve as a reference for the evaluation of the late support effect of reservoir resettlers and other related evaluation work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Target audience; Our study, which included 10 special education teachers and 10 students with mild mental disabilities, was conducted in out-of-school learning environments with activities based on nature experience. Teachers selected from different provinces and students selected from different schools constituted the participants. Our project, supported by Tübitak as project number 222B080, was completed between 12-16 June 2023, under the Nizip District Directorate of National Education. Purpose of the study; to assimilate activities based on nature experience with an interdisciplinary approach in out-of-school learning environments. The study consists of 16 activities in the disciplines of Astronomy, Science, English, Math, Music, Robotics, Art, Sports, History, Turkish Language and Creative Drama. Project implementation was completed in 5 days. The method of the study was chosen as a pretest-post experimental design. Qualitative measurement tools were used in the project. Pre and post-test results were compared and interpreted. After the project, there was an increase in the environmental awareness of the participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious threat to public health due to the lack of effective drugs to combat infectious diseases, which generates the need to search for new antimicrobial substances. In this study, the potential of soil as a source of antimicrobial-producing bacteria (APB) was investigated and the importance of the connection between education and science was emphasized, using service-learning methodologies. Sixty-one soil samples were collected, and 1220 bacterial isolates were recovered. Eighteen of these isolates showed antimicrobial activity against at least 1 of the 12 indicator bacteria tested (including multidrug-resistant and relevant pathogens). The 18 APB were identified by MALDI-TOF and 6 different genera (Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Lysinobacillus, Peribacillus, Streptomyces, and Advenella) and 10 species were identified. The 18 APB were tested for antifungal activity against four phytopathogenic fungi (Botritis cynerea, Lecanicillium fungicola, Trichoderma harzianum, and Cladobotryum mycophilum). Moreover, the antibiotic susceptibility of APB was tested using the disk-diffusion method as well as their β-hemolytic activity (important safety criteria for potential future applications). A total of 10 of the 18 APB were able to inhibit at least 50% of indicator bacteria tested, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), among others. A total of 4 of the 18 APB (3 Bacillus pumilus and 1 Bacillus altitudinis) showed inhibitory activity against two of the four fungal pathogens tested (B. cinerea and L. fungicola), as well as against 5–7 of the 12 bacterial pathogen indicators; these 4 isolates showed susceptibility to the antibiotics tested and lacked β-hemolytic activity and were considered promising APB for use as potential biocontrol agents. In addition, one Brevibacillus laterosporus strain had activity against 83% of indicator bacteria tested including Escherichia coli, MRSA and other methicillin-resistant staphylococci, as well as vancomycin-resistant enterococci (but not against fungi). These results show that soil is a source of APB with relevant antibacterial and antifungal activities, and also emphasize the importance of education and science to raise public awareness of the AMR problem and the strategies to control it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The authors explore the under-researched area of post-decision evaluation in PPPs (public–private partnerships), focusing upon how and whether Post-decision Project Evaluation (PdPE) is considered and provided for in United Kingdom (UK) public infrastructure projects. Design/methodology/approach: The authors' research design sought insights from overviewing UK PPP planning and more focused exploration of PPP operational practice. The authors combine the extensive analysis of planning documents for operational UK PPP projects with interviews of different stakeholders in PPP projects in one city. Mobilising an open critical perspective, documents were analysed using ethnographic content analysis (ECA) and interviews were analysed using thematic analysis consistent therewith. The authors theorise the absence and ambiguities of PdPE drawing on the sociology of ignorance. Findings: The authors find a long-standing absence and lack of PdPE in PPP projects throughout planning and operational practice, reflecting a dynamic, multi-faceted ignorance. Concerning planning practice, the authors' documentary analysis evidences a trend in PdPE from its absence in the early years (which may indicate some natural or genuine ignorance) to different levels or forms of weak inclusion later. Regarding this inclusion, the authors find strategic ignorance played a substantive role, involving "deliberate engineering" by both public sector and private partners. Interview findings indicate lack of clarity over PdPE and its under-development in PPP practice, deficiencies again suggestive of natural and strategic ignorance. Originality/value: The authors draw from the sociology of ignorance vis-à-vis accounting's absence and ambiguity in the context of PPP, contributing to an under-researched area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The usefulness of transportation project evaluation depends on the completeness of its benefit measures. Since transportation networks are intrinsically spatial, transportation improvement projects have spatial access and location characteristics that can lead to a variety of non-user economic benefits. Recent research has enabled us to better understand how spatial context and spatial heterogeneity play further roles in generating efficiency gains for non-users, in the form of productivity, income, and cost savings for both private and public sectors of the economy. This paper draws upon that body of research to expand our understanding of the means by which transportation projects can generate economic efficiency gains, and approaches needed to measure them. It covers topics beyond those captured by current definitions of "wider economic benefits," including additional sources of scale economies associated with freight distribution and connectivity, and further public and private sector economic gains enabled by environmental and social inclusion improvement. It points to ways that non-user economic benefits can be more comprehensively defined and better measured by recognizing their spatial scale, context, and threshold effects. It also identifies ways that current benefit measurement methods introduce unintended bias into transportation investment decision-making through omission and mismeasurement. The result is a case for a refresh of thinking about how we classify and recognize non-user economic benefits in transportation evaluation, and how we apply transportation planning and economic models to support their measurement. • Transport decisions biased when non-user benefits are ignored or mis-measured. • Non-user economic benefits depend on spatial access, proximity, or connectivity. • Spatial scale, context, and heterogeneity affect measurement of non-user benefit. • Benefits from freight density, virtual density, effective density, non-user cost. • Rigid travel modeling standards hold back non-user benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delved into the intricate challenges associated with the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of local government projects in Nigeria. Local governments play a pivotal role in the government structure, closely interacting with grassroots communities and frequently tasked with project execution. However, existing literature has demonstrated that many local government councils experience substantial financial losses and disconnection from the populace due to inadequate project monitoring and evaluation practices that fail to assess their adherence to established project management standards. Utilising secondary data, this study shed light on the multifaceted obstacles faced by local governments in the realm of project M&E. It advocated stringent adherence to all facets of project planning and management, while also emphasising the engagement of grassroots participants in project inception, formulation and execution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to carry out an ergonomic assessment of the entire working situation in the industrial field, we have created and implemented an ergonomic risk assessment methodology—Ergonomics Risk Assessment Methodology in Industry (ERAI)—which takes into account a number of aspects that have a major impact on the physical condition and health of workers as well as on their efficiency. This study was conducted on 18 assembly line workers. ERAI identifies the level of exposure of the neck, trunk, shoulders/arms, wrists/hands and feet and can be used using printed forms, but it is preferred to use software that implements this method, thus avoiding errors. For this purpose, we have developed the ERAI software application that allows the management of the entire evaluation project. The main activities, the sub-activities carried out by the worker, together with the anthropometric characteristics are entered into the application, evaluating the posture of each part of the body, the effort exerted, the physical condition, etc. ERAI highlights the possible problems related to the physical condition of workers, e.g., there are three workers with a weaker physical condition, and the score for them is between 258 and 282, which is very high compared to the score of the other workers, which varies between 43 and 141. The results obtained with ERAI provide a correct diagnosis, facilitating effective ergonomic interventions to reduce the level of exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to outline fundamental principles for the electric lighting design of workplace environments such as offices. The study considers both the suggested guidelines and values for non-visual light design and the specifications for visual tasks dictated by the EN 12464-1:2021. When properly balanced, the two distinct procedures -- for the visual task and for the non-visual responses - can lead to an integrated lighting design: This integration ensures that the office environment provides both well-being and optimal visibility for tasks that require good lighting conditions. Various lighting scenarios, using only electric lighting, were analysed under different conditions and parameters (three different photometries, three different spectra and three environmental wall reflectance configurations). The choice of luminaire photometry is critical in achieving a well-rounded integrated design, as observed in the examination of various scenarios. Depending on the goals set, the designer can also decide whether to use a spectrum that stimulates the eye the most: Different spectra with similar correlated colour temperatures were compared to evaluate the impact on design purposes. The next step of the research work is to consider the daylight into the project and an evaluation of the potential energy savings it can offer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on evaluating modular house construction projects, which is a critical segment within sustainable building practices. Despite the significant advantages of modular construction, such as enhanced resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact, existing research often overlooks its unique attributes and constraints. Our objectives were to identify crucial parameters for a comprehensive evaluation of modular construction, particularly emphasizing sustainability, and to explore how an advanced conversational AI tool, ChatGPT, can assist in modular building assessments. We employed the Delphi method to define these parameters and integrated ChatGPT to develop a robust assessment methodology. This approach allowed us to harness AI-driven insights to enrich the evaluation process. Our findings suggest that ChatGPT delivers high-quality results comparable to those produced by experts in modular building assessments. ChatGPT formulated a detailed description of the evaluation scale for each criterion, effectively outlining the guidelines for evaluating modular house projects. To illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed methodology, we applied it to a real-world modular house project in Lithuania, demonstrating how this approach can significantly contribute to advancing sustainable construction practices.

The traditional mobility-oriented travel-time saving benefit assessment method has been repeatedly questioned for numerous intrinsic flaws, motivating the search for alternative benefit assessment approaches. Although a wealth of literature confirms the capitalization effect of access benefits induced by transport improvements to land or real estate value, the access-based land value uplift method hasn’t yet been widely recognized and employed as an official tool assisting transport decision-making. The present paper collects 136 empirical studies and aims to disentangle the obstacles hindering the promotion of the access-based assessment method by systematically reviewing methodological design, the access metrics used, and the target real estate sub-markets or land use types upon which access benefits are quantified. First, it was found that almost half of the sampled studies just investigated the general effects of transport operation on real estate prices without incorporating sufficient temporal and locational considerations, thereby failing to isolate project-specific incremental impacts. Second, while the hedonic pricing model remains the most popular model, a trend towards embracing more advanced modelling techniques such as spatial lag, spatial error, and Difference-in-Differences (DID) models to control for bias caused by spatial dependence has been observed. Third, Euclidean distance and distance buffer rings are the most widely used operational measures of access. Primal access measures covering the number of opportunities available at a destination and travel impedance are recommended. Last, over 86% of sampled empirical studies target the residential real estate market. The lack of non-residential land uses in the literature presents a significant research gap that should be addressed.

Against the backdrop of China's "double carbon" objective, the exploration of low-carbon land consolidation has become a prominent area of focus for enhancing the development of ecological civilization. In this study, three typical projects at different time points (2016, 2019, and 2022) in Wudi County were selected to measure the carbon effect of land consolidation from four perspectives: artificial and industrial materials, mechanical shift consumption, land use structure, and farmland ecosystem. Based on the calculation of carbon effect of land consolidation by using carbon emission coefficient method, the changes of land use structure and carbon storage of farmland ecosystem before and after land consolidation were corrected by using GIS tools and net ecosystem productivity (NEP) model based on remote sensing technology, and the carbon emission intensity of each land consolidation project was finally obtained. The study summarized the influencing factors of carbon emissions through the above analysis and uses the fuzzy interpretation structure (FISM) model to provide the hierarchy of influencing factors of carbon emissions, thus proposing a low-carbon promotion path for land consolidation. The findings of this study can serve as a useful reference for low-carbon land consolidation efforts. The results showed that (1) the first, second, and third projects emitted 6140.06 t, 1243.78 t, and 17,604.62 t of carbon, respectively. Among them, the largest contributors to these emissions were labor and industrial materials, followed by mechanical shift; land use structure and farmland ecosystem were the main sources of carbon sinks and have a positive impact on the carbon cycle. (2) The carbon emission intensity of project one, project two, and project three after standardization is 0.26, 0.49, and 0.25, respectively, which are all at a high level. (3) According to the FISM model categorized 15 low-carbon upgrading paths, it was recommended that the government take a leading role in Wudi County by developing a scientific and rational construction plan. Additionally, efforts were made to actively protect farmland and forest land from destruction, reduce energy and material consumption, increase carbon storage in the farmland ecosystem, and promote low carbonization of land consolidation to the fullest extent possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the amount of public money invested in science, technology and innovation (STI) projects have been increasing, the debate continues about the best strategies for evaluating the impacts of STI projects in society. Consequently, it is crucial to ascertain what benefits society gains in return for the invested public resources. This paper presents a systematic literature review about the ex-post evaluation of STI projects to identify the relevant methodologies adopted to analyse with accuracy the direct/indirect results and the further deployment of impacts of STI projects, given that such impacts are difficult to foresee in the project objectives. Findings show that the majority of ex-post methodologies are complex to be applied for practitioners. Findings show that those that are meant to evaluate the direct and indirect impacts of STI projects are suitable, although only partially, for evaluating single or a few types of impacts, or they are oriented for specific contexts. The paper offers a better comprehension of the systemic relationship between STI projects' objectives, results, and impacts. Furthermore, a novel conceptual framework supporting policymakers, scholars, and practitioners to evaluate the interactions between the objectives, results and impacts in STI projects is drawn from the findings extending the theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Criminal justice responses to stalking in England and Wales have come under increased scrutiny following the Joint Criminal Justice Inspectorate report in 2017. In response, police forces throughout England and Wales attempted to improve their handling of stalking. In one UK police force, a project was developed to improve the identification, investigation and victim journey for domestic abuse cyberstalking offences. The project included a specialist investigation team along with a dedicated and co-located Independent Domestic Violence Advisor. This article draws on research conducted during the evaluation of the project and will evidence high levels of victim engagement, positive reports from victims and a 100% success rate in obtaining restraining orders. These findings highlight the valuable role of specialist teams with integrated, independent support for victims and suggest that the victim journey can be improved through collaborative projects between the police and specialist organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probabilistic linguistic term set (PLTS), which consists of multiple linguistic terms and their probabilities, has been proposed to tackle qualitative information in informs of linguistic expressions. Since experts are inclined to compare alternatives in pairs, the probabilistic linguistic preference relation (PLPR), a matrix whose elements are PLTSs, has attracted wide attention since it was first introduced in 2016. Fruitful research achievements regarding PLPRs have been generated, especially in group decision making (GDM). This paper reviews 88 selected articles published from 2016 to June 4, 2023 regarding PLPRs, and presents a review of researches on theory and applications of PLPRs. First, we conduct a bibliometric study of these selected articles in terms of publication and citation trends, most productive countries/regions, categories of publications and keyword co-occurrence relationships. Next, the theory of PLPRs including definition, missing element deduction, consistency checking, prioritization, and decision-making analysis methods are recalled. We also review real-world applications of these publications and find that PLPRs have been mainly applied in four areas, including healthcare management, project evaluation, environment and energy management, and emergency management. In the end, we propose future research directions related to the probabilistic linguistic decision-making theory and provide insights for researchers and practitioners who have an interest in complex linguistic decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseño y Comunicación is the property of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseno y Comunicacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseño y Comunicación is the property of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseno y Comunicacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseño y Comunicación is the property of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseno y Comunicacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseño y Comunicación is the property of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseno y Comunicacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseño y Comunicación is the property of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseno y Comunicacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Project evaluation is a process that involves multiple decision criteria for different objectives and involves several specialists, becoming a complex decision-making process. In this sense, to reduce projects evaluation subjectivity in start-ups selection processes, this paper aims at structuring an evaluation model to select projects that present business models focused on strategies for smart cities. To test the proposed model, it was considered a smart cities project selection program in a medium-size city located on southside of Brazil. To do so, it was considered a multicriteria analysis method, in which relevant evaluation criteria for projects focused on intelligent cities were identified. Subsequently, Decision-Making And Trial Evaluation Laboratories (DEMATEL) method was used to weigh these identified evaluation criteria and, finally, TOPSIS method was instantiated to select the best alternative – the evaluated projects – among all alternatives. As a result, the multicriteria proposed model proved to be efficient in evaluating projects aimed at smart cities concepts, showing that the use of MCDA methods can minimise uncertainty and bias in evaluating projects in a quantitative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-project evaluation and analysis of a mining construction project is the final step of a complete mining construction project and is also a crucial process. Conducting a scientific and effective post-project evaluation can examine the level of investment decision-making and management, comprehensively understand the implementation process and operational status of the entire project, and provide references for other projects of the same type based on the lessons learned. This paper introduces the post-project evaluation and methods, and for a specific mining construction project, analyzes the post-evaluation from aspects such as overall project summary and evaluation, effectiveness and economic benefits evaluation, environmental and social benefits evaluation, and goal and sustainability evaluation. The main lessons learned are summarized, and countermeasures and recommendations are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with raising awareness for sustainable nutrition in elementary schools. The evaluation of an interdisciplinary project shows that targeted didactic approaches can provide the foundation for a sustainable lifestyle already among the youngest children. Research design, intervention project and results as well as an outlook are presented in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transportation projects have significant impacts on the transportation system's resilience as well as people's welfare. In addition, governments bear a financial burden associated with developing such projects due to the significant resources needed both during and after the founding period. Hence, the process of evaluating transportation projects is essential. This work presents a complete guideline for decision makers to evaluate transportation projects or choose from alternatives. The evaluation process of transportation projects consists of two parts: travel demand modeling and the assessment phase. The four-step modeling approach is described in this paper as an illustration of travel demand models, which is considered the initial stage in the evaluation process. After that, evaluation criteria affecting the judgment of decision makers are presented. The selection of these criteria forms the framework for the project evaluation process. Next, each evaluation criterion's key performance indicators (KPIs) are discussed. Decision-making techniques such as benefit-cost analysis (BCA) and multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) tools are then carefully explained. The forenamed techniques are used throughout the phase of assessment and prioritization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and evaluation of exercise training subject is an important part of military training， the quality and effectiveness of military training can be effectively improved by scientific training subject design and reasonable subject design and evaluation methods. In view of difficulty to design exercise training subject and the unscientific evaluation of exercise training subject， the paper analyzes the requirements of training subject design, studies the design method of training subject and training mode based on task, and proposed similarity-based the evaluation method for training subject design. The research results have formed a complete set of training project design and evaluation model, it can provide reference for the army to organize exercises and training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Values education is a structure of abstract concepts, and it is difficult for students to internalize these abstract structures. This situation brings some difficulties in values education. Activity-based practices developed by using values education approaches will facilitate the learning of the relevant value. Digital stories are also materials that can be used at different levels of education and for different purposes. In this regard, the "Digital Story in Values Education" project adopted within the scope of TÜBİTAK 4005 Innovative Educational Applications Support Programme, was aimed to give information to primary school teachers about the concept of digital stories for use in values education processes, to introduce digital story preparation programs, to provide basic program information and training that can be used to create digital stories, to prepare sample digital stories that can be used in classroom values education, and sharing the prepared digital stories with all teachers by publishing them. This study aimed to determine whether the targeted widespread impact of the "Digital Story in Values Education" project, which was accepted within the scope of the TÜBİTAK 4005 program and completed in 2019, has been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though academic entrepreneurship has long been associated with technology transfer and more broadly with the passage of the Bayh–Dole Act in 1980, we have little understanding of its emergence as a research field. This paper therefore investigates development of the concept of academic entrepreneurship by studying the use of related keywords in the titles of papers published in the Journal of Technology Transfer (JTT) beginning with volume 1 in 1977. We conclude from our empirical findings that the role of universities in technology transfer has been consistently emphasized in the titles of papers published in the JTT over time, with entrepreneurship emerging more recently as a crucial area of scholarly focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Diálogos Pedagógicos is the property of Universidad Catolica de Cordoba and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture is the property of Journal of Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Small-scale hydropower plants (SHP) have been losing competitiveness compared to other renewable sources in the global electricity matrix due to technical, environmental, regulatory, and economic issues. In this context, and to contribute to the development and strengthening of SHP's integration into the country's electricity matrix, this study proposes the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) as a strategic evaluation tool for SHP projects from the prospecting phase to the pre-implementation phase, taking into account financial and non-financial performance indicators. This study aims to structure a strategic map of the SHP source composed of economic, socio-environmental, institutional, and technical perspectives, adapted to the four perspectives of the BSC, with the required performance indicators for the strategic evaluation of SHP. The development of a computer program allowed data visualization from eight case studies focusing on indicators or perspectives that jeopardize the project's strategic viability. The results showed that (i) the adaptation of the BSC methodology for the strategic evaluation of SHP feasibility proved effective and (ii) the developed computer program demonstrated robustness and effectiveness in analyzing SHP, even in different stages of development and with different technical and environmental characteristics. Finally, the strategic evaluation of SHP feasibility is an effective tool in assisting decision makers, indicating the positive aspects and weaknesses of the project under evaluation and providing a better understanding of the asset and the areas of development that deserve greater attention to improve its performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many advanced reactor concept designs rely on high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel, enriched up to approximately 19.75% 235U by weight. Efforts are underway by the US government to increase HALEU production in the United States to meet anticipated needs. However, very few data exist for validation of computational models that include HALEU, beyond a few fresh fuel benchmark specifications in the International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project. Nevertheless, there are other data with potential value available for developing into quality benchmarks for use in data- and software-validation efforts. This paper reviews the available evaluated HALEU fuel benchmarks and some of the potentially relevant benchmarks for fresh highly enriched uranium. It then introduces experimental data for HALEU fuel irradiated at Idaho National Laboratory, from relatively recent irradiation programs at the Advanced Test Reactor. Such data should be evaluated and, if valuable, collected into detailed benchmark specifications to meet the needs of HALEU-based reactor designers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuous expansion of international development as a discipline can promulgate gaps in knowledge, training, praxis, and pedagogy. This viewpoint offers a critical reflection of training literature for both research and evaluation projects that international development practitioners undertake. In exploring the intersection of international development's growth and its training resources, one key question emerges: where do practitioners go to obtain up-to-date information on training pedagogy and methods for international development projects? This viewpoint proposes increasing accessibility of literature on methodological practices and training. Concluding thoughts discuss suggestions for achieving a succinct training literature for both practitioners and enumerators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The paper focuses on the presentation of key results of the project of applied research oriented on evaluation of the increased safety and reliability of the railway network due to the implementation of relevant railway network projects and their projection into the investment project socio-economic evaluation using Cost-Benefit Analysis. The subject research described in the article is the design and verification of the functionality of the methodological procedure for the evaluation of these benefits for their further use in the assessment of public projects on railways. The methodological part summarizes the basic outputs of the previous research. These outputs were subsequently applied at the formulation of basic rules for the assessment of benefits connected with increased railway reliability and safety, which were later processed into the form of simplified methodological procedure. The simplified approach uses average data on the occurrence impact for the entire railway network, broken down into line and station sections. The functionality of individual approaches was checked on case studies of actually implemented projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Railway Science & Engineering is the property of Journal of Railway Science & Engineering Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of ANIAV: Revista de Investigación en Artes Visuales is the property of Universidad Politecnica de Valencia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

It is challenging to select an appropriate group structure for any given multigroup neutron transport problem. Many group structures were designed long ago, and the reasoning behind the creator's choices may be unknown. In this work, we apply the simulated annealing optimization method to develop improved group structures for a set of test problems. We then use a random forest (a machine learning method) to identify which group structure will be the best for any new problem based on input characteristics, such as geometry and isotopics. Simulated annealing spans a large solution space before narrowing in on an optimal solution, avoiding local minima by jumping around. Our solution space, however, is large and inconsistent, making finding the optimal group structure infeasible. Instead, we find potentially optimal group structures, ones that yield more accurate solutions than our standard group structures, but are probably not the "best" possible. Group structures are obtained for six classes of problems, ranging from a fast 233U system to a thermal 239Pu system. These were chosen to encompass a series of critical assemblies from the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project (ICSBEP) handbook. These optimized group structures were used in PARTISN for a large range of ICSBEP critical assemblies and compared to the traditional Los Alamos National Laboratory group structures. Our reference solution was from 618-group PARTISN runs. The results were used to train a random forest regressor model with bagging, which was then tested on similar benchmarks. The bagging regressor model chose the best group structure from 52% to 65% of the time, and a subjectively "good" group structure up to 91% of the time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the outcomes and tracking the trajectory of biodiversity offsets is essential to demonstrating their effectiveness as a mechanism to conciliate development and conservation. We reviewed the literature to determine the principles that should underpin biodiversity offset planning and the criteria for offset evaluation at the project level. According to the literature, the core principles of equivalence, additionality, and permanence are used as criteria to evaluate conservation outcomes of offsets. We applied the criteria to evaluate offsets of a large iron ore mining project in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. We examined equivalence in terms of the amount of area per biodiversity value affected and fauna and flora similarity, additionality in terms of landscape connectivity, and permanence in terms of guarantees to ensure protection and restoration offsets lasting outcomes. We found an offset ratio (amount of affected area:offset area) of 1:1.8 for forests and 1:2 for grasslands. Ecological equivalence (i.e., similarity between affected and offset areas) was found for forested areas, but not for ferruginous rupestrian grasslands or for fauna. Landscape metrics showed that connectivity improved relative to the preproject situation as a result of locating restoration offsets in the largest and best‐connected forest patch. Permanence of offsets was addressed by establishing covenants and management measures, but financial guarantees to cover maintenance costs after mine closure were lacking. Offsets should be equivalent in type and size, provide conservation outcomes that would not be obtained without them (additionality), and be lasting (permanence). To monitor and evaluate offsets, it is necessary to determine how well these 3 principles are applied in the planning, implementation, and maintenance of offsets. Achieving measurable conservation outcomes from offsets is a long‐term endeavor that requires sustained management support, and is information intensive. Thus, offsets require ongoing monitoring and evaluation as well as adaptive management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large projects involving substantial investment encounter numerous risks related to cost and time estimation due to the multitude of variables in play when making the decision to invest. The significance of these decisions is highlighted by their ramifications, which include determining the project's feasibility, margin, and profitability--crucial factors, particularly when such projects are bank-financed. Concurrently, establishing the timeline for project completion is pivotal as it aligns with the contracts agreed upon with buyers. To address uncertainties and mitigate investment risks, decision-makers employ diverse methods. This paper offers a meticulous literature analysis focusing on the merits and drawbacks of utilizing the Monte Carlo simulation for budget and schedule estimations, considering it evaluates the probability distributions of all alterations affecting project evaluation, exemplified through a study on a phosphate processing plant. The paper elucidates the evaluation and risk analysis criteria of this investment project and illustrates the relevance of the Monte Carlo simulation in this scenario. The simulation, developed and executed via "@Risk" (Palisade), serves as a valuable tool in comprehensively understanding and mitigating the inherent risks and uncertainties in large-scale, significant investment projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Systems Engineering & Electronics is the property of Journal of Systems Engineering & Electronics Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With the development of the economy and real-time embedded systems and the progress of science and technology, people's economic income forms have undergone tremendous changes, and the concept of financial management has become clearer in people's property income arrangements. Project investment is one of the most popular financial management methods in the era of big data. Both large enterprise groups and individual petty bourgeoisie groups have begun to pay attention to the risks and benefits brought by the new financial management method of project investment. This paper's goal is to develop a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) model for project investment risk based on computer vision technology and explore the application of computer vision technology in project investment risk evaluation. This article first uses a real-time embedded system to understand the basic process of project investment and select 10 investment experts for risk assessment, risks, and causes of the risks through literature research and case analysis. Then, this paper establishes a model of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation of project investment risk through computer vision technology, real-time embedded systems, and neural network models in big data and artificial intelligence technology to realize the analysis and prediction of project investment risk. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) are used in this evaluation model to evaluate and forecast project investment risks. In addition, this paper also trains and tests the risk evaluation model of this research through the support vector machine classification algorithm, the real-time embedded system, and the average random consistency index. The research shows that the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model of this study has higher accuracy for project investment risk evaluation than other risk evaluation methods. For example, for the investment risk of chemical fiber projects, this research model evaluated the factors such as organization, management, technology, and economy and found that the risks were all higher than 21.36%, which concluded that the overall investment risk of chemical fiber projects was relatively high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the implementation and efficacy of the Hands Project - a prevention program for teen dating violence among middle and high school students, implemented during the pandemic. The Hands Project is a brief in-class intervention, targeting the attitudes, personal skills, and the role of bystanders in abusive dating situations with youth. A monitoring process was conducted with 11 classes, and a quasi-experimental evaluation was carried out with 61 students (intervention group n = 45; comparison group n = 16), with pre-test and post-test administration of the Attitudes Toward Dating Violence Scales (ATDV). Program responsiveness and implementation quality were high, and positive significant results were found for female physical violence, indicating a decrease in tolerance for the intervention group, when compared to the comparison group. Discussion reflects on the implications of this study for the implementation and evaluation of teen dating violence programs, and future research regarding this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of the construction industry, people's requirements for the construction quality continue to improve, and the supervision and management of the construction project quality has been paid more and more attention. The perfect quality supervision and management system is not only an important guarantee for the whole construction project implementation process, but also provides support for the smooth implementation of the construction project. With the increasing number of high-rise buildings in cities and the increasing difficulty of construction, it has posed great challenges to the construction industry, which also means that the quality supervision and management of construction projects are facing new challenges. Therefore, the project quality supervision and management department should review the situation, optimize the quality supervision and management work according to the current situation and needs of the construction project development, effectively improve the system guarantee and content optimization, maximize the role of quality supervision and management, and provide assistance for the high-quality and sustainable development of the construction industry. The quality evaluation of construction project is a classical multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM). In this paper, we extended multi-attributive border approximation area comparison (MABAC) method for MAGDM with Pythagorean 2-tuple linguistic sets (P2TLSs). Firstly, a brief review of the definition of P2TLSs is given. Next, two aggregation operators of P2TLSs are used to fuse overall evaluation information. Moreover, combining traditional MABAC model with P2TLSs, Pythagorean 2-tuple linguistic number MABAC (P2TLN-MABAC) is built with all computing steps depicted in detail. Furthermore, a numerical example related to quality evaluation of construction project is conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Finally, some comparisons with P2TLWA and P2TLWG operators are also carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]