Chris Boselli, Jason Danis, Sandra McQueen, Alex Breger, Tao Jiang, Douglas Looze and Daiheng Ni
Small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) are becoming increasingly popular among hobbyists, and with this popularity there comes the risk of runway incursion between a commercial…
Abstract
Purpose
Small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) are becoming increasingly popular among hobbyists, and with this popularity there comes the risk of runway incursion between a commercial aircraft and sUAS around airports. To keep airports safe and secure, the purpose of this paper is to propose a module, called the Airport Secure Perimeter Control System, that can be attached to every hobbyist’s sUAS for the purpose of notification and prevention.
Design/methodology/approach
Upon startup, the module connects to a database containing the central coordinates of every airport in the USA. A five-mile critical radius plus an additional one-mile buffer region is established around each point. The buffer region is created in order to inform the user that he/she is approaching a safe airspace and needs to take corrective action. Once the five-mile zone has been breached, autopilot software takes over the manual controls, and the sUAS is landed in a controlled manner, while the user still has lateral control of the vehicle in order to avoid any potential hazards below it. Then, both operator and airport receive messages about the event.
Findings
To demonstrate the proposed design, a prototype was developed that successfully implemented this system, and was formally tested within a controlled environment.
Originality/value
This solution would drastically reduce the security threat of sUAS breaching the critical regions surrounding airports, and its implementation is relatively simple.
Details
Keywords
Douglas Aghimien, Matthew Ikuabe, Lerato Millicent Aghimien, Clinton Aigbavboa, Ntebo Ngcobo and Jonas Yankah
The importance of robotics and automation (R&A) in delivering a safe built environment cannot be overemphasised. This is because R&A systems can execute a hazardous job function…
Abstract
Purpose
The importance of robotics and automation (R&A) in delivering a safe built environment cannot be overemphasised. This is because R&A systems can execute a hazardous job function that the construction workforce may not execute. Based on this knowledge, this study aims to present the result of an assessment of the impediments to the deployment of R&A for a safe and healthy construction environment.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a post-positivist philosophical stance, using a quantitative research approach and a questionnaire administered to construction professionals in South Africa. The data gathered were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean item score, Kruskal–Wallis H-test, exploratory factor analysis and partial least square structural equation modelling (SEM).
Findings
This study revealed that the impediments to the deployment of R&A could be grouped into: industry, technology, human and cost-related factors. However, SEM assessment showed that only the industry, human and cost-related factors would significantly impact attaining specific health and safety-related outcomes.
Practical implications
The findings offer valuable benefits to construction organisations as the careful understanding of the identified impeding factors can help lead to better deployment of R&A and the attainment of its inherent safety benefits.
Originality/value
This study attempts to fill the gap in the shortage of literature exploring the deployment of R&A for a safe construction environment, particularly in developing countries like South Africa, where such studies are non-existent. This paper, therefore, offers a theoretical backdrop for future works on R&A deployment, particularly in developing countries where such a study has not been explored.
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Keywords
Productivity is a multidimensional and context-dependent concept. Therefore, many different definitions and consequently, many different approaches to productivity measurement…
Abstract
Purpose
Productivity is a multidimensional and context-dependent concept. Therefore, many different definitions and consequently, many different approaches to productivity measurement (PM) exist in the literature. As a result, the understanding of productivity and the appropriate use of PM approaches are at a low level. The literature provides some overviews, but these overviews consider only a few selected individual aspects. Therefore, the overviews do not allow a comprehensive comparison and evaluation of existing approaches. This paper aims to give an overview of existing approaches to PM and to classify them according to elaborated criteria based on the main characteristics of productivity.
Design/methodology/approach
Literature review for existing approaches to PM using the following keywords: productivity, PM, productivity measure, labour productivity and labor productivity.
Findings
A total of 38 approaches are identified and listed between 1955 and 2020. The main result is a systematic overview and classification of existing approaches to PM.
Research limitations/implications
Researchers can use the overview to determine the development over time, the current state of research in the field of PM and identify research gaps. The classification can also be used to classify new approaches.
Practical implications
Companies can use the classification as a guide to identifying appropriate approaches to measuring productivity in corporate practice.
Originality/value
This paper enables a comprehensive comparison and evaluation of existing approaches to PM. Also, the understanding of the multidimensional character of the productivity concept is enhanced.
Details
Keywords
Angelique Mavrodaris and Ian Philp
One in 14 people over 65 years suffer from dementia in the UK. Over 25 per cent are receiving antipsychotics, which cause increases in mortality and cerebrovascular events. The…
Abstract
Purpose
One in 14 people over 65 years suffer from dementia in the UK. Over 25 per cent are receiving antipsychotics, which cause increases in mortality and cerebrovascular events. The need for a reduction and the use of alternative supportive strategies has been advocated. Risperidone at six‐week intervals is the only antipsychotic licensed for treatment with regular review. The majority of management occurs at primary care level and in care homes. The purpose of this paper is to investigate antipsychotic prescribing practices and patient review in these settings.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, two surveys comprising questions addressing prescribing practices were developed and distributed electronically to all GP practices and care homes in Coventry and Warwickshire, West Midlands, England.
Findings
The majority of GPs (75 per cent) reported only “occasional” discontinuation of antipsychotics due to concerns at reducing drugs on their own, expectations of regulation from secondary care and resistance from care home staff. Poor reduction levels were reported in care homes, attributing low numbers to reluctance among GPs. History of cardiovascular risk factors did not appear to influence withdrawal. Only 40 per cent of GP practices maintained sole use of risperidone. At least six‐monthly reviews were reported by 63 per cent of GPs and 64 per cent of care homes, with very few conducting reviews at least three‐monthly. The importance of non‐pharmacological alternatives was emphasized, yet access was limited and highly resource‐dependent.
Originality/value
This study reveals the perspectives of staff delivering healthcare for people with dementia and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Potentially inappropriate antipsychotic principles were reported. A lack of communication and uncertainty of roles was evident. The development of understandable guidelines for healthcare workers and care home staff managing behavioural issues in patients with dementia is necessary.