Practical Guidance Research Articles

Data Monitoring Committee Reports: Telling the Data's Story.

A Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) plays a pivotal role in monitoring participant safety and efficacy and overseeing the integrity of clinical trials. DMCs accomplish this mission by periodically reviewing accumulating data to assess benefits and harms of interventions in ongoing studies and making subsequent recommendations regarding future clinical trial conduct to the trial sponsor. Reports summarizing data from the clinical trial are prepared for the DMC by statistical and data analysis centers to inform DMC decision-making. In practice however, these reports are often disorganized, complex, and provide overwhelming detail yet insufficient information, that hinders accurate and efficient interpretation of interim data. This review paper delves into the nuances of preparing effective DMC reports, highlighting the importance of simplicity, clarity, and thoughtful relevance in data presentation. We discuss structured approaches for preparing closed reports, which deal with sensitive and sometimes messy interim data, and underscore the use of visual summaries and narrative elements that enhance comprehension and facilitate efficient assessments of trial data. The paper outlines key principles for preparing DMC reports and provides practical guidance on their structure. Ultimately, this guidance seeks to ensure that the data's story is clearly and efficiently conveyed to facilitate the DMC decision-making process.

The Impact of Perceived Platform Interactivity on Customer Value Co-Creation ----Exploring the Mediating effects of Customer Inspiration and the Moderating effects of ethical perceptions

As the digital economy progresses, community group buying has emerged as a novel social retail model, reshaping traditional business structures. Customers play an increasingly pivotal role in the process of value creation, with their perceived value dictating market orientation and serving as the focal point for corporate value creation. However, effectively fostering customer co-creation of value remains an unresolved critical issue in this field. Diverging from previous studies, this research adopts an individual perception-based approach, employing social cognitive theory to construct an integrated theoretical model that explores how perceived platform interactivity influences customer co-creation behaviors. Data were collected through surveys conducted in Nanchang and Changsha, yielding 557 valid responses. Structural equation modeling was used for empirical analysis. The results indicate that perceived platform interactivity significantly positively affects customer participation behavior (β=0.503, p<0.001) and customer citizenship behavior (β=0.457, p<0.001). Customer inspiration plays a partial mediating role between perceived platform interactivity and value co-creation behaviors. Moreover, moral perception positively moderates the impact of perceived platform interactivity on value co-creation. This study not only enriches the theoretical exploration of customer value co-creation in the platform economy but also confirms that customer inspiration can supplement social cognitive theory's motivational constructs, expanding the theory’s applicability in digital marketing. The findings offer practical guidance for optimizing interaction design on community group buying platforms and stimulating creative customer engagement.

Post-Implementation challenges of the Outcome-Based budgeting model in budgetary practices: a Malaysian perspective

Purpose This study aims to explore the challenges in post-implementing the Outcome-Based Budgeting (OBB) model in budgetary practices in Malaysian Government agencies, in the context of government official’s perspective. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology by collecting data from eight budget experts within federal government agencies through semi-structured interviews was used. Purposive sampling was used to select informants based on their relevant experiences and roles in the OBB model and associated budgetary processes. Data analysis involved thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti software, with member checking to enhance credibility. Findings Sustainability, innovation characteristics, organisational dynamics, individual capabilities and social context are identified as critical factors influencing the successful post-implementation of the OBB model in Malaysian federal government agencies. Organisational dynamics, encompassing policy control and Budget Review Officers role, as well as social factors, such as the presence of an OBB champion and broader buy-in, significantly impact the model’s effectiveness. These findings underscore the complex interplay of factors shaping the post-implementation phase of OBB in the Malaysian budgetary context. Research limitations/implications This study is constrained by its qualitative methodology and focus on the Federal Government of Malaysia, limiting the generalisability of findings. Future research using quantitative or mixed methods, expanded to include other government entities and comparative analysis across government levels is recommended to enhance understanding of OBB implementation challenges. Practical implications This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge on Performance-based budgeting (PBB) implementation, particularly in developing countries. By identifying critical success factors and barriers, it offers valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to improve public financial management. The study’s focus on Malaysia’s OBB experience provides timely and relevant information for addressing challenges in budgetary practices. Additionally, the research offers practical guidance for organisations navigating change management and building capacity for PBB implementation. Originality/value The study’s originality lies in its focus on the post-implementation challenges of the OBB within Malaysian Government agencies, which are largely under-studied. By using the Diffusion of Innovation theory, the study systematically investigates the interplay of sustainability, innovation characteristics, organisational dynamics, individual capabilities and social context in shaping OBB outcomes. Identifying sustainability and organisational dynamics as critical success factors contributes to the ongoing discourse on public sector budgeting reforms, particularly in developing country contexts.

Consenso Latinoamericano de Lubricantes Oculares y Ojo Seco (LUBOS)

The tear film has a complex composition allowing it fulfill multiple functions, such as optical, lubrication, immunological, endocrine, and neurotrophic, which are relevant for visual health. Alterations in its components, both in quality and quantity, will affect its homeostasis, also impacting the ocular surface, leading to a condition known as “dry eye”. Dry eye has a high global prevalence, which is further increasing due to environmental factors (mainly screen mainly) and the overall rise in life expectancy. Several products are available for its treatment, but lubricants, generally referred to as “artificial tears”, continue to be crucial. There is a wide variety of lubricant formulations with different indications, which, when used appropriately according to the type and severity of dry eye, allow for effective customized treatment. Considering the complexity and relevance of this issue, the Latin American Study Group on Lubricants and Dry Eye (LUBOS) was formed. This work represents a consensus with the aim of creating a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for dry eye, focused on the proper use of lubricants, providing practical guidance for general ophthalmologists.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in Healthcare Settings: A Practical Guide. by Kidge Burns and Sarah Northcott

The reader is taken systematically through the core principles and approaches of SFBT, which is useful for anyone new to SFBT, or those more seasoned practitioners to re-engage with its philosophical tenets. With a focus on recognising its merits in fostering worthwhile therapeutic interactions, especially with individuals experiencing life-changing conditions where there can be no simple solutions such as living with stroke, Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease (MND) who may experience communication difficulties including expressive or receptive dysphagia.

Sales innovation and synergy strategy of Chinese pharmaceutical enterprises in the context of digital transformation: A perspective from the affordance theory

In the rapidly evolving landscape of China’s pharmaceutical industry, this study investigates how pharmaceutical enterprises can achieve profitable sales innovation amid the process of digital transformation. Grounded in the Affordance theory, it posits that the positive impact of digital transformation on sales innovation is driven by the affordance afforded by digital technology and ubiquity. The research focuses on A-share pharmaceutical companies in China, utilizing data from 2012 to 2022 and employing multiple regression analysis to examine the influence of digital transformation on corporate sales innovation. The results demonstrate a significant positive effect of digital transformation on sales innovation. The study further categorizes digital transformation into technological affordance and ubiquity affordance, separately validating their roles in promoting sales innovation. Moreover, by considering synergistic effects, the research unveils the intricate relationship between digital transformation and corporate innovation performance. The findings provide a fresh perspective on understanding how digital technology propels sales innovation and offer concrete guidance for the digital transformation practices in the pharmaceutical industry.

Comprehensive Investigation of Machine Learning and Deep Learning Networks for Identifying Multispecies Tomato Insect Images

Deep learning applications in agriculture are advancing rapidly, leveraging data-driven learning models to enhance crop yield and nutrition. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a vegetable crop, frequently suffers from pest damage and drought, leading to reduced yields and financial losses to farmers. Accurate detection and classification of tomato pests are the primary steps of integrated pest management practices, which are crucial for sustainable agriculture. This paper explores using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to classify tomato pest images automatically. Specifically, we investigate the impact of various optimizers on classification performance, including AdaDelta, AdaGrad, Adam, RMSprop, Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD), and Nadam. A diverse dataset comprising 4263 images of eight common tomato pests was used to train and evaluate a customized CNN model. Extensive experiments were conducted to compare the performance of different optimizers in terms of classification accuracy, convergence speed, and robustness. RMSprop achieved the highest validation accuracy of 89.09%, a precision of 88%, recall of 85%, and F1 score of 86% among the optimizers, outperforming other optimizer-based CNN architectures. Additionally, conventional machine learning models such as logistic regression, random forest, naive Bayes classifier, support vector machine, decision tree classifier, and K-nearest neighbors (KNN) were applied to the tomato pest dataset. The best optimizer-based CNN architecture results were compared with these machine learning models. Furthermore, we evaluated the cross-validation results of various optimizers for tomato pest classification. The cross-validation results demonstrate that the Nadam optimizer with CNN outperformed the other optimizer-based approaches and achieved a mean accuracy of 79.12% and F1 score of 78.92%, which is 14.48% higher than the RMSprop optimizer-based approach. The state-of-the-art deep learning models such as LeNet, AlexNet, Xception, Inception, ResNet, and MobileNet were compared with the CNN-optimized approaches and validated the significance of our RMSprop and Nadam-optimized CNN approaches. Our findings provide insights into the effectiveness of each optimizer for tomato pest classification tasks, offering valuable guidance for practitioners and researchers in agricultural image analysis. This research contributes to advancing automated pest detection systems, ultimately aiding in early pest identification and proactive pest management strategies in tomato cultivation.

Body awareness and dyspraxia: between theory and practice

This essay aims to address a gap in the educational literature, specifically the limited studies on dyspraxia and potential interventions in schools. By intertwining theoretical and practical dimensions, the essay seeks to elucidate how to effectively intervene with children with dyspraxia within an educational setting. The embodied cognition perspective recommends early engagement with body awareness to address the educational needs and enhance the skills of children with dyspraxia. Following a theoretical introduction, the essay provides practical guidance for teachers, divided into six distinct areas. The authors advocate an inclusive approach, emphasising the importance of not only focusing on the child with dyspraxia but also involving the whole class. This inclusive perspective is believed to be beneficial for all pupils.

Analysis of the Impact of Chinese Population Aging on Economic Growth and Coping Strategies

Population aging has become a frequent occurrence due to changes in the global population structure, and it has a significant impact on the economic growth of many nations. Particularly in China, with the decline in fertility rates and the extension of life expectancy, the aging problem is further intensifying. The phenomenon of "fewer children and an aging population" is gradually becoming the norm, posing severe challenges to China's economic development. By searching for the relevant population data of the National Bureau of Statistics, this paper analyzes the current situation of Chinese population structure, analyzes the causes of population aging from four aspectsfertility policy, economic and social development, culture and education, and population migration. It also puts forward the impacts of population aging on economic growth, including the decrease in labor supply, the decline in consumption level and the increase in social pension pressure. This paper argues that even though the aging population structure has had a certain impact on China's social economy, people can turn challenges into opportunities. Furthermore, this paper proposes the coping strategies for China's population aging and promoting high-quality economic development, such as improving the elderly consumer market, giving full play to the leading role of government planning, improving the quality of the labor force, and forming an age-appropriate society. The purpose of this paper is to provide theoretical reference and practical guidance for China to cope with the challenges of population aging and the healthy development of population and economy.

Exploring Sustainable Innovation Level, Spatial Inequities, and Convergence Trends in China’s Wood Industry

The importance of sustainable innovation in the wood industry is growing, but there is a lack of comprehensive analysis of its evolution, regional differences, and patterns of convergence in China. Based on the panel data of 31 provinces in China from 2011 to 2021, the sustainable innovation index of the wood industry is measured by the projection pursuit method. On this basis, the kernel density estimation method and Dagum Gini coefficient are used to study the dynamic evolution trend, regional differences, and sources of the index, and the convergence characteristics are examined using the coefficient of variation method. The study shows that (1) China’s overall wood industry sustainable innovation index shows a decreasing trend from 2011 to 2021. (2) The differences in the four regions mainly come from inter-regional differences. (3) The index shows significant nonequilibrium characteristics and progressive evolution patterns, and the spatial agglomeration is significant. The magnitude of the index deviation from the average did not decrease over time for the northern and southwestern forest regions. (4) The wood industry sustainable innovation index of the four major forest regions has obviously converged to the same level; under the condition of considering multifactors differentiation, the growth rate of the index of the lower regions is significantly higher than that of the higher regions. The study concludes that current regional imbalances in sustainable innovation in China impede progress and equitable distribution of benefits in the wood industry, and that the impact of regional differences on the β-convergence of sustainable innovation varies according to specific regional characteristics and conditions. These findings provide important theoretical contributions and practical guidance for the development of targeted innovation strategies for the sustainable development of the wood industry, as well as for the promotion of balanced regional development.

Toxin for Tics: Practical Guidance for Clinicians from a Registry-Based Naturalistic Study.

Botulinum toxin is a recommended treatment for tics. There is little practical guidance on the use of this treatment. Our aim is to describe our experience using botulinum toxin injections for tics in adults. We provide information on tics treated, muscles injected, and dosages used to give practical guidance. We analyzed data from the Calgary Adult Tic Registry on tic severity, the tics and muscles injected, and dosages. We assessed treatment length, reasons for discontinuation, and concurrent medications. Botulinum toxin was the most used medication for tics, received by 32 of 95 (33.7%) registry participants. Participants receiving botulinum toxin were significantly older and had significantly lower vocal tic severity and total tic severity. The most common motor tics treated were blinking, head turns, and shoulder raising. The mean length of treatment was 40.4 months. Botulinum toxin is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for adults with tics.

The Effect of Pricing Strategies on Client Retention Rates for Small to Medium-Sized Auditing Firms

The study aims to identify which pricing strategies are most effective in retaining clients, with the purpose of providing practical guidance for audit firms in Vietnam to enhance their competitiveness and sustainability. The study used quantitative methods, using survey data collected from 257 experts in 132 small and medium-sized auditing companies (with an annual revenue of less than VND 300 billion) in the Vietnamese auditing industry. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling to analyze the relationships between pricing strategies and client retention rates. The results reveal that Value-based pricing (VBP) and Dynamic pricing (DYP) strategies have a positive and statistically significant impact on client retention, while Cost-plus pricing (CPP) and Competition-based pricing (CBP) do not show significant effects. These findings are significant as they highlight the evolving nature of the Vietnamese audit market, emphasizing the growing importance of value communication and pricing flexibility. The implications suggest that small and medium-sized audit firms in Vietnam should focus on developing more sophisticated, value-oriented pricing strategies to improve client retention and strengthen their market position. This research contributes to both theoretical understanding and practical application in the field of audit pricing in emerging markets.

Measuring Collision Risk in Mixed Traffic Flow Under the Car-Following and Lane-Changing Behavior

This study proposes a risk measurement approach to assess collision risks in mixed traffic flow, focusing on the integrated behavior of car-following and lane-changing. A new surrogate safety measure (SSM), denoted as Rtotal, is developed to provide a comprehensive risk assessment. Numerical analysis is used to determine the weights of parameters within Rtotal, and its validity is substantiated using an empirical dataset, with a risk threshold of 0.49 established when the time to collision (TTC) is set to 2 s. The study incorporates scenarios of connected and automated vehicle (CAV) degradation and evaluates the influence of penetration rates, perception–reaction time (PRT), and lane-changing modes on risk levels. Simulation results reveal that a CAV penetration rate between 0.4 and 0.6 represents a critical range where collision risks significantly increase, reflecting safety dynamics under CAV degradation. Furthermore, in scenarios involving lane-changing, the degradation of the following vehicle in the target lane poses the highest risk. At lower PRTs, the penetration rate exerts a more significant influence on collision risks. Rtotal has been validated across various scenarios, showing strong applicability and more sensitive trends than other SSMs, making it well-suited for assessing long-term comprehensive traffic flow risks. These findings offer practical guidance for traffic management to establish real-time risk prediction and warning systems for identifying high-risk car-following and lane-changing behaviors. Future research can explore the applicability of the proposed risk index in more complex traffic scenarios and its effectiveness across different levels of vehicle automation and connectivity.

Development of an Information and Communication Technology Literacy Evaluation Model for Vocational College Students in Guangxi

Background and Aims: As the global digitalization process accelerates, the rapid development and widespread application of new ICT technologies, such as AI, cloud computing, big data, blockchain, and the metaverse, have made digitalization the main driver of global social and economic development. Evaluating the ICT literacy of vocational college students is crucial for enhancing their ICT skills and serves as an important foundation for their future career development. This study aims to: 1) investigate the current issues and solutions in the assessment of ICT literacy among vocational college students in Guangxi, and 2) develop an ICT literacy evaluation model. Methodology: The research methods include semi-structured interviews and the Delphi technique. This study successfully constructed an ICT literacy evaluation model for vocational college students in Guangxi and provided corresponding recommendations, aiming to offer theoretical references and practical guidance for improving students' ICT literacy. Results: Social responsibility and vocational competency are two components of the ICT literacy model that Guangxi vocational students use to improve their digital literacy and problem-solving abilities. It supports the creation of successful curricula, enhances instructional strategies, and harmonizes evaluation procedures. Curriculum development and educational policies are informed by this model, which also gets students ready for the workforce. Conclusion: For Guangxi vocational students, the ICT literacy model improves digital skills, problem-solving abilities, and vocational competence, helping to prepare them for the workforce. It also supports the creation of successful curricula and informs policy in education.

A Multidimensional Exploration of the Mechanism of Color Emotion Elicitation in Oil Painting under the Perspective of Psycho-Aesthetics

This thesis focuses on the psychological aesthetics perspective, and deeply analyzes the emotion-inducing mechanism of oil painting colors. By elaborating the theory of emotional expression of color, exploring the specific mechanisms of emotional evocation of oil painting color in the basic attributes of color, symbolic connotations, landscape oil painting techniques, synergy with other elements of painting, as well as psychological interaction between the artist and the viewer, the thesis reveals how the color of oil paintings touches the emotions in the process of creation and enjoyment, and provides the theoretical basis and practical guidance for a deeper understanding of the art of oil paintings.

Interaction between ischemia-reperfusion injury and intestinal microecology in organ transplantation and its therapeutic prospects

Organ transplantation is a vital intervention for end-stage organ failure; however, ischemia-reperfusion injury is a complication of transplantation, affecting the prognosis and survival of transplant recipients. As a complex ecosystem, recent research has highlighted the role of the intestinal microecology in transplantation, revealing its significant interplay with ischemia-reperfusion injury. This review explores the interaction between ischemia-reperfusion injury and intestinal microecology, with a special focus on how ischemia-reperfusion injury affects intestinal microecology and how these microecological changes contribute to complications after organ transplantation, such as infection and rejection. Based on a comprehensive analysis of current research advances, this study proposes potential strategies to improve transplant outcomes, offering guidance for future research and clinical practice.

Levels of evidence supporting recommendations in gastroenterology.

We aimed to analyze gastrointestinal guidelines to assess quality of evidence and strength of recommendation. We abstracted clinical practice guidelines and guidance statements from 4 American GI societies (ACG, AGA, ASGE and AASLD) and the United States Multi-Society Task Forc. Of the 3,609 statements analyzed, only 13% were supported by high level of evidence. The number of statements published annually is increasing, but the level of evidence supporting recommendations is declining over time. This analysis highlights the need for high quality research in GI to support the development of stronger evidence-based guideline statements.

Determinants of undergraduate medical students' satisfaction with clinical supervision: Acohort study in a longitudinally structured sixth year clinical placement.

Work satisfaction is associated with fewer employee turnover intentions, increased job engagement and interest, and has agreater impact on employee well-being than environmental factors, such as workload. In workplace learning, clinical supervisors promote student satisfaction by meeting students' supervision needs in providing safe practice opportunities, training, and guidance in the social field. To quantitatively investigate this relationship, we proposed asupervision deficit index as ameasure of learner-centered supervision received and explored its correlation with satisfaction in workplace learning. In total, 1017Austrian medical students (2015-2017) in year 6 selected the 5most helpful supervisory activities (from 26options) and rated their experience levels of these activities during surgery and internal medicine placement. Asupervision deficit index was then created (range 0-3; 0 = no deficit). Students with no, minor or moderate supervision deficits reported higher overall satisfaction with their placements than those experiencing considerable deficits. Students' gender, clinical experience, hospital size, placement year, and clinical field did not influence the relationship. The deficit index's psychometric qualities were good. Training activities supporting competence, such as discussing patients, planning disease management, and practicing skills, were selected more often than activities supporting autonomy, such as an appropriate level of clinical duties, and social relatedness. Students favored competence support. Highlighting the importance of autonomy support to students and encouraging supervisors to engage in learner-centered supervision may improve the supervision experience and work satisfaction for both. The deficit index can be used to evaluate the effects of such interventions.

A Review on Leaching of Spent Lithium Battery Cathode Materials Adopting Deep Eutectic Solvents.

As a result of the swift surge in the adoption of electric vehicles, the quantity of spent lithium-ion power batteries has been growing at an exponential rate. Improper handling of these batteries can lead to the waste of strategic metal resources and pose risks to the environment and human health. Without doubt, it is essential to scientifically recover and reuse these spent power batteries, particularly by recovering positive electrode materials. Currently, there are several methods for recovering positive electrode materials, including pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, bioleaching, and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) leaching. This review concetrated on the emerging technology of DESs leaching for positive electrode materials in spent lithium-ion battery. It provided an overview of the latest advancements in DESs leaching, considering factors such as acidity, reducibility, and coordination of DESs. The current technical status was analyzed and discussed, while also addressing the challenges and prospects for the development of DESs recovery in spent Li-ion power batteries. This work aims to offer practical guidance and serve as a foundation for additional studies and widespread implementation of DESs leaching for positive electrode materials.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Antibiotic Use in Food-Producing Animals Among University Students in Seven Cities in Southern and Central China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The misuse of antibiotics in both humans and food-producing animals poses significant risks to human health and contributes to the rise of antibiotic resistance. Raising public awareness is crucial to managing antibiotic resistance, particularly among university students, as they represent a future force in tackling this global issue. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to May 2024 in seven cities in Southern and Central China to assess university students’ knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding antibiotic use in humans and food-producing animals. Binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors. Results: A total of 6357 students from 72 universities participated. Less than half of the students answered the knowledge items appropriately. Only 21.47% to 29.98% had a proper understanding of basic antibiotic concepts and their use in humans and food-producing animals. Respectively, 21.49% and 28.50% students paid attention to antibiotic content in food from food-producing animals and refused to buy food containing antibiotics. Factors associated with higher knowledge, attitude, and practice total scores included being male, being of older age, having a postgraduate education, majoring in the medical science discipline, studying at a double-first-class university, having a higher family monthly income, having parents in the medical area, and using antibiotics in the past year (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Given students’ insufficient knowledge—particularly in identifying antibiotics and understanding their functions—and inappropriate practices related to purchasing food from food-producing animals, targeted education programs are suggested. These programs should address the fundamental concepts of antibiotic use in both humans and food-producing animals while providing practical guidance on individual behaviors to help mitigate antibiotic resistance.