Development and Application of Integrated Indicators for Assessing Healthcare Waste Management Systems in Kenyan Hospitals

Healthcare waste management (HCWM) is an important aspect of healthcare delivery globally because of its hazardous and infectious components that have potential for adverse health and environmental impacts. The paper introduces a set of indicators for assessing HCWM systems in hospitals. These indicators are: HCWM policies and standard operating procedures, management and oversight, logistics and budget support, training and occupational health and safety, and treatment, disposal and waste treatment equipment housing. By plotting a mark on a continuum which is defined as good and poor on the extremes and is connected with all other marks in a spoke arrangement, it’s possible to describe a baseline for HCWM in any specific hospital. This baseline can be used to improve awareness of the actors and policy-makers, compare the same hospital at a different point in time, to compare observations by different evaluators and to track improvements. Results suggest that in Kenya, the application of such indicators is useful for evaluating which priorities should be addressed to improve outcomes in HCWM systems. Systematic sampling technique was used to identify and collect data by use of observational checklist, interviews, visual verification and review of documents and a HCWM assessment tool. The objective is to suggest an integrated management tool as a method to identify prevailing problems with a HCWM system. The method can be replicated in other contexts worldwide, with a focus on the developing world. The integrated indicators focus on management of HCW and not its potential impact on human health and environment, an area recognized to be critical for future research.

An Analysis of the Structure of Carbide-tool Utilization Expert System

The necessity and feasibility of an expert system for carbide-tool utilization are analyzed and a practical system named CUES(carbide-tool utilization expert system ) is developed and realized. The system concept, module structure, data management, inference strategy and the interface design of the system are discussed in.detail. The system would be useful not only for the preparation of tool bank of FMS or CIMS, but the for the proper application of cemented carbide tools in conventional machining Processes.

Modelling growing space of four valuable broadleaved tree species in southern China

We present management tools for growing four valuable broadleaved tree species, indigenous to subtropi.cal southern China. Crown diameter （CD） of the species studied can be predicted very well by using a model that is so e y a near funct on of d ameter at breast he ght （DBH）. The add t on of tree age （AGE） and yield class （YC） to this-nodel did not significantly improve its predictive capacity. We used species-specific crown diameter models to calcu- ate the amount of growing space and subsequently stand density that each species needs to achieve desired stem ＂adial growth rates. Furthermore we used this information to calculate a ＂distance factor＂, a rule of thumb that roughly ~stimates the distance between two neighboring trees needed to achieve a desired future target diameter. These tools ＇acilitate the planning of thinning regimes by using crown diameter models combined with annual radial growth rates to ;alculate the number of crop trees per hectare required to reach a desired target stem diameter.

Precision Livestock Farming: The Opportunities inPoultry Sector

Precision management of animals using technology is one innovation in agriculture that has the potential to revolutionizewhole livestock industries including the poultry sector. Limited research in precision livestock farming (PLF) in the poultry productionhas been so far conducted and most of them are conducted within the past 5-10 years. The PLF collects real-time data from individual orgroup of animals or birds using sensor technology, and involves the multidisciplinary team approach to give it a reality. Poultry scientistsplay a central role in executing poultry PLF with collaboration from agri-engineers and computer scientists for the type of measurementsto be made on biological or environmental variables. A real-time collection of environmental, behavioral and health data from birdgrow-out facilities can be a strong tool for developing daily action plans for poultry management. Unlike other livestock farming, theattributes of poultry rearing such as a closed housing system and vertically integrated industry provides a greater opportunity for poultrysector to adopt technology-based farming for enhanced production output.

Project Planning and Scheduling in the Face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution(4IR)

This paper addresses the integrated processes of planning and scheduling of projects using technologies advanced tools as means for managing change in the era of the 4IR.The paper explores the traditional project management planning and scheduling tools in conjunction with what technology has to offer,to bridge the gap between the traditional project management planning and scheduling tools and what the modern-day business market demands.An analysis of literature covering a wide range of theoretic and empirical studies was performed.The theories underlying various planning and scheduling methods were analysed in relation to the design of projects.A descriptive quantitative secondary data was used as a tool to assess the impact of technology on project planning for scheduling.The analysis of the study’s data was conducted using the principles of cross-tabulation.Inferences were drawn on the significant impact of the use of advanced technological tools on project planning for scheduling in current business time.Organisations can make use of the findings of this study to correctly apply the available advanced technological tools for more efficient schedule management planning to enhance the successful delivery of their projects.Further,this research can be used to provide learning opportunities for new and inexperienced planners and schedulers,and as a basis for further research in this field of knowledge.

River management system development in Asia based on Data Integration and Analysis System(DIAS) under GEOSS

This paper introduces the process of development and practical use implementation of an advanced river management system for supporting integrated water resources management practices in Asian river basins under the framework of GEOSS Asia water cycle initiative （AWCI）. The system is based on integration of data from earth observation satellites and in-situ networks with other types of data, including numerical weather prediction model outputs, climate model outputs, geographical infor- mation, and socio-economic data. The system builds on the water and energy budget distributed hydrological model （WEB-DHM） that was adapted for specific conditions of studied basins, in particular snow and glacier phenomena and equipped with other functions such as dam operation optimization scheme and a set of tools for climate change impact assess- ment to be able to generate relevant information for policy and decision makers. In situ data were archived for 18 selected ba- sins at the Data Integration and Analysis System （DIAS） of Japan and demonstration projects were carded out showing poten- tial of the new system. It included climate change impact assessment on hydrological regimes, which is presently a critical step for sound management decisions. Results of such three case studies in Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam are provided here.

Climate change and its consequences for water and wastewater management

Life,in combination with solar radiation and abiotic processes,is most probably the reason why liquid water has existed on Earth for over billions of years,and the global mean temperature has remained in a lifeenabling range.Efforts to limit or even reverse global warming must be derived from the knowledge of the Earth’s complex life-support system.In this context,the balance between liquid and gaseous water plays a crucial role,and water management becomes an important field of innovation and action,globally,on the scale of watersheds but also on the very local level.Cascading use,reuse,and temporary storage of water in urban settings must be considered to limit over-extraction of water from natural resources,and to maintain the life supporting function of ecosystems.At the same time,public health requirements,cost efficiency,and reliability demands are to be met.

WEATHERFORD PLACE ECOCRAFT HYBRID^(TM) COMMUNITY OF LEED PLATINUM HOMES

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world;indeed,it is the only thing that ever has.”-Margaret Mead My partner,Denise Donahue,and I,Simone du Boise,AIA,LEED AP,NCARB are,in essence,environmentalists.As licensed architects,certified general contractors,and LEED Accredited Professionals,we co-founded Cadmus Environmental Design-Build in spite of our belief that the world doesn’t really need another developer,builder,or architect,but rather because it most certainly needs environmental stewards.We also believe we have both a personal and professional responsibility to utilize our abilities and expertise to“Build A Better Environment.”Our Weatherford Place Community is a living expression of that commitment to comprehensive energy and water conservation,coupled with contributory assets that demand less and deliver more as a community.Our signature solution,the EcoCraft Hybrid^(TM)Home,provides a prescriptive method towards Net Zero Energy results.Our formula factors efficiency,conservation,and CARE(Clean,Alternative,Renewable,Energy)toward a result of zero demand.Synergistic systems and innovations that include passive solar,active solar PV,and solar thermal are key to measurable results and LEED Platinum Certifications.The EcoCraft Hybrid^(TM)Home evolves around a holistic approach that includes:low impact design;utilitarian driven and directed by the local vernacular;passive and active solar integration;engineered systems to enhance conservation measures;and in-situ analysis that integrates the past with the present.Energy efficiency,water conservation,and environmental care inform the design and construction of an artistic,comfortable,easy to care for,and healthy home that enables universal access and age-in-place abilities.Following our specific design and construction directives,all of this is achievable at price points comparable to conventional construction.

Product Information Modelling and Integration of CAD/CAPP/CAM

Integration of CAD/CAPP/CAM requires a common product information model with CAD as the key process in forming the model.CAD can not only meet the demands of design, but also meet the demands of the subsystems, such as CAPP and CAM.The product modelling system based on STEP (PMSS) uses the 1-DEAS system andadopts STEP as its mechanism to exchange product information.PMSS closely integrates with 1-DEAS and takes advantage of the functions of 1-DEAS to meet the demands of CAD/CAPP/CAM integration. For integration with othersystems, PMSS uses management tool for STEP file to manage information required by subsystems.