Hierarchizing the importance of the attributes of an online shared freight transportation service platform with the use of Multi-Actor Multi-Criteria Analysis (MAMCA)

The purpose of this paper is to hierarchize the importance of the attributes of an online shared freight transportation service platform with the use of Multi-Actor Multi-Criteria Analysis (MAMCA). A MAMCA was performed amongst the partners of the INTERREG Balkan-Med SCOPE project in order to hierarchize the attributes of such a platform which is under development in the frame of the project. The results show that all the actors agree that the most important criterion is the Service, i.e., the services that the platform will provide. The research institute and the chambers actors agree that the second most important criterion is Access, i.e., the interface of the platform, while the university actor thinks that Range is the second most important criterion, i.e., the service area of the platform. Probably, the actors who are closer to the market understand better the needs, requirements, and preferences of the users than academia, and that once you set up the platform for a specific Range, it can be easily expanded to cover more areas in the future. Nevertheless, it has to be underlined that these results have been derived by a very small sample, i.e., the partners of the SCOPE project and probably a broader MAMCA, including more stakeholders, should be performed in order to validate them.

Optimization of an online shared freight transportation service platform with the use of Conjoint Analysis

The purpose of this paper is the optimization of an online shared freight transportation service platform with the use of Conjoint Analysis for the region of Balkan – Mediterranean. A Choice-Based Conjoint analysis was performed amongst the partners of the INTERREG Balkan-Med SCOPE project in order to optimize such a platform which is under development in the frame of the project. The results show that the best possible configuration of the platform should be offered at least in the local language, on a website, in the form of an auction platform, the charging should be done per shipment, and its range should be European / international. Moreover, selecting the right levels for each attribute is of crucial importance for the success of a freight transportation service platform, as the best configuration has a market share that is above 100% of the second-best configuration, according to the market simulation that was performed. Therefore, tools as Conjoint Analysis should be incorporated in the planning and design of such products in order to have the best marketable results for shippers, carriers, and consumers; a product that is customized according to their needs and preferences.

The Screening and COnsensus Based on Practices and Evidence (SCOPE) Program–Results of a Survey on Daily Practice Patterns for Patients with mCRC

The SCOPE project aimed to better understand practice patterns, identify drivers for treatment goals, and determine third- and fourth-line treatment choices for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The survey was developed by an expert panel of gastrointestinal oncologists. Questions concerned general practice patterns, and treatment decisions for three hypothetical patient case scenarios. Participants had to routinely manage patients with mCRC. We present results from 629 participants who provided input on patient treatment scenarios (data cutoff: 17/01/2020). Prolonging overall survival (OS; 51%) was the main aim in first line. In third line, quality of life (QOL) was the primary goal (34%). Forty-three percent also cited efficacy-focused goals; 18% and 13% noted prolonging OS and improving progression-free survival as main aims, respectively. For fit and active patients, 89% of respondents considered trifluridine-tipiracil an appropriate third-line treatment; regorafenib (31%) or clinical trial enrollment (29%) were the fourth-line options. For patients with comorbidities and limited caregiver support, trifluridine-tipiracil was the preferred third-line treatment (70%). For KRAS-mutated patients with comorbidities and adverse events who received prior oxaliplatin, 90% considered oxaliplatin rechallenge an unsuitable third-line treatment, mainly due to the risk of cumulative toxicity (75%). In the third/fourth-line settings, trifluridine-tipiracil followed by regorafenib was the most common option (54%); 17% chose regorafenib followed by trifluridine-tipiracil. Efficacy coupled with QOL are important goals in third-line treatment. Daily practice patterns reflect the guideline recommendations in third- and fourth-line settings, with a trend toward using trifluridine-tipiracil versus regorafenib in KRAS-wildtype and KRAS-mutant tumors.

Anti-Cancer Effects of Huaier on Prostate Cancer; miRNA-Mediated Transcription Control Induced Both Inhibition of Active Progression and Prevention of Relapse

Prostate cancer is classified as mild malignant tumor, since the growth is slow, and also the early detection and monitoring of PSA and other cancer cell-specific markers are available among the target population in walk-in clinic even effect the bones and lymph nodes, it requires long term treatments which significantly decrease the lifespan in patients. Trametes robiniophila Murr (Huaier) has proved broad spectrum anti-cancer effects, which initiates the recovery of damaged bio physiological functions in the end by dose-dependent manner which proved the molecular basis of Huaier effects by total RNA and small non-coding RNA sequencing (“genome-scope” project) and that is based on the rescue of the disrupted transcriptional control based on individual capability and flexibility of genomic potential. Here we focused to show MEGA-DATA genome analysis results on inhibition of active progression in cancer in situ, and also prevents relapse of prostate cancer. Total sequencing of RNAs revealed massive SNP variances (average 89,473SNP variances per individual), however, it is unlikely that specific type variants influenced to the malignancy, process, and prognosis. On the other hand, the significant up-regulation and alteration of major ontogenesis and tumor suppressor genes were detected in transcribed genes, especially in altered (normalized) NFkB, TGFb, BRCA2 and p53 genes and their leading signaling pathways. These genetic alterations in transcriptomes were based on miRNA-mediated transcriptional control as reported drugs have not shown any effect. Thus, the present study provides the safe and effective treatment to prevent and inhibit prostate cancer progression, and also to maintain homeostasis in a long-range of stressful human life without excessive medical treatments.

A Lossless Compression Approach Based on Delta Encoding and T-RLE in WSNs

The sending/receiving of data (data communication) is the most power consuming in wireless sensor networks (WSN) since the sensor nodes are depending on batteries not generally rechargeable characterized by limited capacity. Data compression is among the techniques that can help to reduce the amount of the exchanged data between wireless sensor nodes resulting in power saving. Nevertheless, there is a lack of effective methods to improve the efficiency of data compression algorithms and to increase nodes’ energy efficiency. In this paper, we proposed a novel lossless compression approach based on delta encoding and two occurrences character solving (T-RLE) algorithms. T-RLE is an optimization of the RLE algorithm, which aims to improve the compression ratio. This method will lead to less storage cost and less bandwidth to transmit the data, which positively affects the sensor nodes’ lifetime and the network lifetime in general. We used real deployment data (temperature and humidity) from the sensor scope project to evaluate the performance of our approach. The results showed a significant improvement compared with some traditional algorithms.

Microclimate Analysis as a Design Driver of Architecture

In the context of global climate change, it is increasingly important for architects to understand the effects of their interventions on indoor and outdoor thermal comfort. New microclimate analysis tools which are gaining appreciation among architects enable the assessment of different design options in terms of biometeorological parameters, such as the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and the Outdoor Thermal Comfort Autonomy. This paper reflects on some recent experiences of an architectural design office attempting to incorporate local climatic considerations as a design driver in projects. The investigation shows that most of the available tools for advanced climatic modelling have been developed for research purposes and are not optimized for architectural and urban design; consequently, they require adaptations and modifications to extend their functionality or to achieve interoperability with software commonly used by architects. For this scope, project-specific Python scripts used to extract design-consequential information from simulation results, as well as to construct meteorological boundary conditions for microclimate simulations, are presented. This study describes the obstacles encountered while implementing microclimate analysis in an architectural office and the measures taken to overcome them. Finally, the benefits of this form of analysis are discussed.

The Determination of Relevant Contextual Factors for the Interpretation of Intervention Studies: a Stepwise Approach with Online Information (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The role of the context within intervention studies is often ignored. To consider the context in future research, one needs to know whether enough information is available, and a uniform methodology to study the local context in a standardized way is desirable. Through the World Wide Web, a lot of information is nowadays available. OBJECTIVE The present study aims to test the feasibility of studying the local context with online information and to provide a stepwise approach how to detect these relevant contextual factors which might moderate the effect of an intervention. METHODS The present study is framed within the D-SCOPE project, where a complex intervention by means of home visits was set up to improve the access to tailored care in 3 municipalities (Ghent, Knokke-Heist and Tienen). A case study of these three municipalities was performed to determine which contextual factors could influence the D-SCOPE intervention, a five-step approach was designed and tested: (1) a theoretical/conceptual discussion of relevant contextual factor domains was held; (2) a search was done to find appropriate web-based public datasets which covered these topics with standardized information (e.g., official statistics); (3) a list of all identified contextual factors was made (inventory); (4) a concise list with the assumedly most relevant contextual factors was made by two independent reviewers to reduce the long list of contextual factors+; and (5) a Nominal Grouping Technique was applied. RESULTS Based on the aims of the D-SCOPE intervention, the research team decided that the datasets should cover sociodemographic contextual factors, socioeconomic contextual factors, contextual factors related to care supply/availability or care use and contextual factors related to the local government. The team also decided to use only standardized data. Three public web-based datasets were found resulting in an inventory of 157 contextual factors. After the selection by two independent reviewers, 41 contextual factors were left over and presented in the Nominal Grouping Technique. According to the Nominal Grouping Technique, contextual factors such as: dependency ratio (65+/20-64y), availability of a community center, percentage of people aged 65 or more living alone, and the total resources of the community social security system were considered as most decisive. CONCLUSIONS The present study shows that the five-step approach is feasible to determine relevant contextual factors that might affect the results of an intervention study. Such information may be used to correct for in the statistical analyses and for interpretation of the outcomes of intervention studies. CLINICALTRIAL none

The Causes of Low Success Rate of Public Sector Projects as Compared to the Private Sector In Ghana- The Study Area of Greater Accra Region

The issue of project failure is alarming in Ghana and this experience has persisted for a long time. However, some projects undertaken by private organizations are able to chalk successes more often. This study therefore examines the causes of low success rate of project completion in both the public and private sectors in Ghana, study area of Greater Accra Region. The research intends to analyze how the setting of project goals, project scope, project budget, monitoring and feedback, meeting stakeholders’ expectations and project management practice influence completion of projects in both public and private sectors. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used for collecting and analyzing the data. The stratified sampling technique was employed and out a total of 200 questionnaires administered to respondents. 158 questionnaires representing 79% were retrieved. Regression and correlation analysis were used in analyzing the data collected, based upon which conclusions were drawn. The findings of the research were that setting project goals, monitoring and feedback and project management practice are the most influential factors in successful completion of projects in both sectors. The study has made recommendations in the article to guide project implementation Key Words: Project Management, Success factors, Project goals, Project budget, Monitoring and Feedback