Measure Of Success Research Articles

Artificial Intelligence Adoption and Project Success: A Mixed-Method Study

AI's growing acceptance is changing project management's human-centric approach. Project management is using AI to automate and support duties. This change could improve workflows, decision-making, and project efficiency. The full influence of AI on project success is unknown. There is little empirical evidence linking AI use to project outcomes. This ignorance highlights the necessity to study AI's impact on project management. The project management AI industry is expected to expand 38% annually. Since the late 1980s, AI has improved project management by providing more intelligent and autonomous help. Data privacy, accountability, strategic leadership, communication, innovation, and emotional intelligence are important ethical issues. This study examines how AI adoption affects project success through communication and feedback. This mixed-method study examines how AI adoption affects project success. The quantitative phase measured AI communication, feedback, and project progress via a predefined questionnaire. The sample includes construction, IT, manufacturing, healthcare, and finance project managers and team members. Multiple regression analysis and structural equation modelling were employed in IBM SPSS AMOS to examine AI adoption and project success measures. A qualitative phase of semi-structured interviews with respondents contextualised the quantitative data. Thematic analysis gleaned insights from interview transcripts. AI's impact on project success was examined using integrated data, with ethics in mind. The study examined AI tool-project success relationships using a structural equation model. Communication mode, feedback style, and frequency explained 3% of project success variance. Quantitative research showed that AI communication frequency improves project success, whereas mode and style negatively impact it. Participants' qualitative comments indicated six themes that match quantitative findings, and their replies enhance quantitative results and recommend improvements. The study concluded that AI communication frequency positively increases project success, while mode and style negatively affect it. The mixed-methods approach showed that AI tools alone cannot ensure project success; communication style and frequency are. The study recommended among others that organisations should integrate AI tools into project management systems, match AI communication modes to project team preferences, optimise feedback styles, and provide regular updates to improve AI communication. Project teams need ongoing training.

Fiducial Reference Measurement for Greenhouse Gases (FRM4GHG)

The Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) and the Infrared Working Group of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC-IRWG) are two ground-based networks that provide the retrieved concentrations of up to 30 atmospheric trace gases, using solar absorption spectrometry. Both networks provide reference measurements for the validation of satellites and models. TCCON concentrates on long-lived greenhouse gases (GHGs) for carbon cycle studies and validation. The number of sites is limited, and the geographical coverage is uneven, covering mainly Europe and the USA. A better distribution of stations is desired to improve the representativeness of the data for various atmospheric conditions and surface conditions and to cover a large latitudinal distribution. The two successive Fiducial Reference Measurements for Greenhouse Gases European Space Agency projects (FRM4GHG and FRM4GHG2) aim at the assessment of several low-cost portable instruments for precise measurements of GHGs to complement the existing ground-based sites. Several types of low spectral resolution Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers manufactured by Bruker, namely an EM27/SUN, a Vertex70, a fiber-coupled IRCube, and a Laser Heterodyne spectro-Radiometer (LHR) developed by UK Rutherford Appleton Laboratory are the participating instruments to achieve the Fiducial Reference Measurements (FRMs) status. Intensive side-by-side measurements were performed using all four instruments next to the Bruker IFS 125HR high spectral resolution FTIR, performing measurements in the NIR (TCCON configuration) and MIR (NDACC configuration) spectral range. The remote sensing measurements were complemented by AirCore launches, which provided in situ vertical profiles of target gases traceable to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reference scale. The results of the intercomparisons are shown and discussed. Except for the EM27/SUN, all other instruments, including the reference TCCON spectrometer, needed modifications during the campaign period. The EM27/SUN and the Vertex70 provided stable and precise measurements of the target gases during the campaign with quantified small biases. As part of the FRM4GHG project, one EM27/SUN is now used as a travel standard for the verification of column-integrated GHG measurements. The extension of the Vertex70 to the MIR provides the opportunity to retrieve additional concentrations of N2O, CH4, HCHO, and OCS. These MIR data products are comparable to the retrieval results from the high-resolution IFS 125HR spectrometer as operated by the NDACC. Our studies show the potential for such types of spectrometers to be used as a travel standard for the MIR species. An enclosure system with a compact solar tracker and meteorological station has been developed to house the low spectral resolution portable FTIR systems for performing solar absorption measurements. This helps the spectrometers to be mobile and enables autonomous operation, which will help to complement the TCCON and NDACC networks by extending the observational capabilities at new sites for the observation of GHGs and additional air quality gases. The development of the retrieval software allows comparable processing of the Vertex70 type of spectra as the EM27/SUN ones, therefore bringing them under the umbrella of the COllaborative Carbon Column Observing Network (COCCON). A self-assessment following the CEOS-FRM Maturity Matrix shows that the COCCON is able to provide GHG data products of FRM quality and can be used for either short-term campaigns or long-term measurements to complement the high-resolution FTIR networks.

Development of a scale to measure successful aging in late middle-aged women

This study was conducted in two stages, the tool development stage and the tool verification stage, and was based on DeVellis' tool development guidelines. A total of 18 questions were confirmed as a result of developing a successful aging measurement tool for middle-aged women and verifying the validity. It consisted of a total of 5 factors, and in consideration of the characteristics of the items included in each factor, factor 1 was named 'inconvenience of aging', factor 2 was named 'inconvenience of female hormone deficiency', factor 3 was named 'family success', factor 4 was named 'appearance due to aging', and factor 5 was named 'aging and lifestyle change'. It is measured on a 5-point Likert scale, and the score is 18 points to 90 points, which means that the higher the score, the higher the successful aging. The tool developed in this study will be used to measure successful aging status tailored to middle-aged women.

Am I Successful? An Answer of Women Entrepreneurs

The success of women entrepreneurs is almost uniformly judged by financial criteria. As a result, the so-called underperformance hypothesis is put forward. However, this hypothesis may be ill-founded, and it may serve to reproduce and reinforce myths about women and entrepreneurship. It is important to understand what success means for women entrepreneurs operating in a given socio-economic context before we label them as underperformers. Moreover, although the importance of the contextual approach is recognized, some contexts are under-researched and less visible. Results from North America and Western Europe cannot be replicated in other contexts, especially in developing countries or patriarchal societies. For different contexts, we need new evidence. And this new evidence can make us realize that some concepts need to be revised to capture the collective vision of entrepreneurs. Instead of one paradigm, we should recognize the existence of a diversity of forms, motives, and understanding of success in entrepreneurship, as well as the contexts in which it occurs, to ensure holistic knowledge on entrepreneurship. To respond to these challenges, the research is conducted on a sample of 300 female entrepreneurs in the Republic of Serbia who operate in manufacturing. The respondents were asked to state what business success means to them and then to subjectively assess how successful they are according to the same criteria. In this way, the research results reveal how successful women entrepreneurs are, but measured in a way that reflects their perceptions of success. Results show that the importance that a certain criterion has for female entrepreneurs as an indicator of success is positively related to their success measured by that criterion. Not imposing on women entrepreneurs the usual measures of business success, the paper responds to calls to de-masculinize women’s entrepreneurship research by introducing gender-specific variables and widening the set of measures of success. In doing so, it is placed in specific and under-researched contexts of a developing country and manufacturing industry. In this way, the paper further contributes to the enrichment of the entrepreneurship knowledge base.

Study of the rapid variability of a dwarf nova SS Cyg at different brightness levels

Observations of the dwarf nova SS Cyg were made in the period 2019–2021 at different brightness values (V~ 10–12m) both at the stage of falling radiation flux after the flare maximum, and in the inactive state between flares. Data were obtained in filtersRc(~8650 observations, 3 sets), andV(~50 000 points, 22 sets). The value of the system’s orbital period in 2019–2021 (Porb= 0.27408(2)d) used in this study is 0.4% less than the value obtained in 1983–1996. The time resolution between two successive measurements is 6–14 s depending on the equipment used. An extensive database of new observational data allowed us to perform a quantitative analysis of observations. Analysis of the data after taking into account orbital variability and other trends associated with changes in the system’s radiation flux during the night showed the presence of cyclic fluctuations in brightness, usually 4–10 events per orbital cycle — flickering. For most series of observations, the Lafleur-Kinman method determined such a value of the oscillation period at which convolution of observations with it showed a single wave. The obtained values of the characteristic flickering times and their amplitudes show their dependence on the average brightness level of the system. With increasing luminosity of the system, both of these quantities decreased linearly. From the component size ratios SS Cyg it was shown that the source of flickering is located in the region of interaction of the gas flow with the near-disk halo: only this region in the SS Cyg system with parameters (q,i,Rd), defined by the authors earlier, can be eclipsed at large radii disk, and is clearly visible in all other orbital phases of the system.

Beyond the 95s: What happens when uniform program targets are applied across a heterogenous HIV epidemic in Eastern and Southern Africa?

The UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets are an important metric for guiding national HIV programs and measuring progress towards ending the HIV epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. Nevertheless, as proportional targets, the outcome of reaching the 95-95-95 targets will vary greatly across, and within, countries owing to the geographic diversity of the HIV epidemic. Countries and subnational units with a higher initial prevalence and number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) will remain with a larger number and higher prevalence of virally unsuppressed PLHIV—persons who may experience excess morbidity and mortality and can transmit the virus to others. Reliance on achievement of uniform proportional targets as a measure of program success can potentially mislead resource allocation and progress towards equitable epidemic control. More granular surveillance information on the HIV epidemic is required to effectively calibrate strategies and intensity of HIV programs across geographies and address current and projected health disparities that may undermine efforts to reach and sustain HIV epidemic control even after the 95 targets are achieved.

Agreement between manual and automatic ultrasound measurement of the velocity-time integral in the left ventricular outflow tract in intensive care patients: evaluation of the AUTO-VTI® tool.

Transthoracic echocardiography is widely used in intensive care unit (ICU) to manage patients with acute circulatory failure. Recently, automated ultrasound (US) measurement applications have been developed but their clinical performance has not been evaluated yet. The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between automated and manual measurements of the velocity-time integral in the left ventricular outflow tract (VTI-LVOT) using the auto-VTI® tool. This prospective, single-center, interventional study included ICU patients with acute circulatory failure. The examination involved two successive manual measurements of VTI-LVOT (mean of 3 consecutive heartbeats in regular sinus rhythm, and 5 heartbeats in irregular rhythm), followed by a measurement using auto-VTI® software. In patients receiving a fluid challenge, trending ability in detecting fluid responsiveness was also evaluated. Seventy patients were included between January 19, 2020, and September 24, 2020, at the Nîmes University Hospital. The feasibility of the auto-VTI® was 94%. The mean difference between the two methods was 11% with limits of agreement from - 19% to 42%. The proportion of agreement at the 15% difference threshold was 68% [58%; 80%]. The precision and least significant change measured for the manual measurement of VTI were 7.4 and 10.5%, respectively, and by inference for the automated method 28% and 40%. The new auto-VTI® tool, despite interesting feasibility, demonstrated an insufficient agreement with a systematic bias and an insufficient precision limiting its implementation in critically ill patients.Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04360304.

Descriptive study showing the effect of small differences in entry scores on retention and success in six courses in nursing

BackgroundUndergraduate enrolments and completions in nursing are declining at the same time as requirements for registered nurses in the workforce is increasing. One way to increase enrolments is to lower entry requirements into nursing programs. This study determined the effect of a small lowering of entry scores on the retention and success rates. The study was undertaken at Griffith University, where identical bioscience and clinical courses run at three campuses, one with a lower- than normal-entry score and two with the normal-entry requirements.MethodsA comparison of the 62–148 students enrolled in the courses at the lower- than normal- (lesser) entry requiring campus with the 197–288 students enrolled in the courses in one normal-entry requiring campuses. For individual courses (4 bioscience and 2 clinical courses) retention rates were measured and compared between campuses/cohorts. For completing students, we measured success as (i) Academic outcomes; overall marks and marks for the exam and coursework and (ii) Failure rates in the examination and coursework. Data analysis was by Student’s t-test and Odds ratio.ResultsFor all courses, there were few significant differences in measures of retention and success between the lower- and normal-entry campuses, and all differences were small.Comparing the campuses; (a) For all courses, progression rates were similar. (b) For completing students, passing rates were similar in the bioscience courses, but higher in the normal- than lower-entry campus for the clinical courses. (c) In the bioscience courses, the overall marks were similar, but in the clinical courses, the overall mark was slightly higher in the normal- than lower-entry campus. (d) The overall failure rates were similar for the biosciences, but higher for the lower- than normal-entry cohort in the clinical courses. (e) The failure rates in exams were similar between cohorts in all courses.ConclusionsThis study shows that small changes in entry requirements for a nursing program had minimal effects on retention. The differences in entry requirements also did not affect the success of students in the bioscience courses. Decreasing entry requirement for nursing programs may be a way to increase nursing graduates.

Geographic Differences in School Success Among Children and Adolescents in the United States.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between rurality and challenges to school success: lack of school engagement, school absenteeism, and repeated grade. Cross-sectional data from the 2020 to 2021 National Survey of Children's Health, children ages 6 to 17 (n = 42,089), was used. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between residence rurality and each outcome of interest. In bivariate analysis, rural children were more likely to have school absenteeism and repeat a school grade. In our adjusted models, there were no differences between rurality and the three measures of school success. Rural and urban children may be vulnerable to different risk factors for school failure. Findings from this study may be used by school nurses and policymakers as they design and implement programs in rural schools.

SP5.5 - Is Cardio Pulmonary Exercise Testing a Predictor of Success in Colorectal Resections? An Evaluation of Two Years Practice in a University Hospital Colorectal Unit

Abstract Aims Cardio pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has a well establish evidence basis in risk stratification of post operative morbidity. Frail and comorbid patients are at higher risk of complications. These patients may also have impaired aerobic fitness. Changes in UK population demographics mean that colorectal resections are now widely performed in patients with extensive comorbidity and poor aerobic fitness. In this group of patients, return to normal function at home is a key measure of operative success. The aim of this study was to investigate whether CPET performance can predict "days alive at home at 30 days after surgery" (DAH30) in patients undergoing colorectal resection. Methods Approval for evaluation granted by local audit team. All Colorectal resection conducted between January 2020 and January 2022 were analysed. Patients who did not undergo CPET were excluded. Electronic records and notes were screened to establish whether readmission, complications (Clavien-Dindo >1) or mortality occurred in the 30 days post operatively. Data was captured in a database and analysed in JASP. Results Only preliminary results are available at time of writing. Full results will be available at time of presentation. We collected data on a total of 454 patients. 85% underwent CPET testing with median age of 69 years. Risk of major complication was twice as high in the poor CPET group (RR 1.97). Those in good CPET group were twice as likely to be home at 30 days (RR 1.93). Conclusions Preliminary results suggest cardiopulmonary exercise test is an effective means of predicting DAH30.

Predictors of poor pre-operative patient reported outcome measures in elective foot and ankle surgery: Analysis of 1217 patients

AimsPatient reported outcome measures (PROMs) have become the de facto measure of success in orthopaedic publications. It has been established that preoperatively collected patient reported outcomes correlate with post-operative outcome. The aim of our research is to identify which factors predict poor pre-operative scores using the most commonly used PROMs. MethodsMOXFQ and EQ-5D scores were collected for all patients presenting for elective foot and ankle surgery over a four-year period from June 2018 to February 2022. Multivariate linear regression calculated associations between PROMs and demographics, diagnosis, pre-operative appointments and comorbidities. Results1217 patients had PROMs taken, 1102 of these underwent a surgical procedure. Ankle and hindfoot arthritis predicted worse pre-operative scores. Total comorbidity number, depression/anxiety, younger patients, female gender and preoperative appointments with orthotist predicted a worse outcome score. ConclusionUnderlying patient characteristics can influence pre-operative PROMs in foot and ankle surgery.

Structural and functional fetal cardiac imaging using low field (0.55 T) MRI.

This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using a commercially available clinical 0.55 T MRI scanner for comprehensive structural and functional fetal cardiac imaging. Balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) and phase contrast (PC) sequences were optimized by in utero studies consisting of 14 subjects for bSSFP optimization and 9 subjects for PC optimization. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the optimized sequences were investigated. Flow measurements were performed in three vessels, umbilical vein (UV), descending aorta (DAo), and superior vena cava (SVC) using the PC sequences and retrospective gating. The optimized bSSFP, PC and half-Fourier single shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) sequences were acquired in a cohort of 21 late gestation-age fetuses (>36 weeks) to demonstrate the feasibility of a fetal cardiac exam at 0.55 T. The HASTE stacks were reconstructed to create an isotropic reconstruction of the fetal thorax, followed by automatic great vessel segmentations. The intra-abdominal UV blood flow measurements acquired with MRI were compared to ultrasound UV free-loop flow measurements. Using the parameters from 1.5 T as a starting point, the bSSFP sequences were optimized at 0.55 T, resulting in a 1.6-fold SNR increase and improved image contrast compared to starting parameters, as well as good visibility of most cardiac structures as rated by two experienced fetal cardiologists. The PC sequence resulted in increased SNR and reduced scan time, subsequent retrospective gating enabled successful blood flow measurements. The reconstructions and automatic great vessel segmentations showed good quality, with 18/21 segmentations requiring no or minor refinements. Blood flow measurements were within the expected range. A comparison of the UV measurements performed with ultrasound and MRI showed agreement between the two sets of measurements, with better correlation observed at lower flows. We demonstrated the feasibility of low-field (0.55 T) MRI for fetal cardiac imaging. The reduced SNR at low field strength can be effectively compensated for by strategically optimizing sequence parameters. Major fetal cardiac structures and vessels were consistently visualized, and flow measurements were successfully obtained. The late gestation study demonstrated the robustness and reproducibility at low field strength. MRI performed at 0.55 T is a viable option for fetal cardiac examination.

Superior Measurement Accuracy of Digital Thickness Gauge Versus Digital Vernier Caliper in Determining Venous Tissue Thickness.

Background In determining mechanical characteristics, the accuracy of the thickness of the specimens can influence the biomechanical behavior, especially in the case of human tissues, where there is an important variability. This study aims to compare the accuracy of two routine measuring instruments, i.e., the digital vernier caliper and the digital thickness gauge, when measuring the thickness of venous specimens multiple times. Methodology In this study, we used 12 tubular vena cava specimens obtained from common breed pigs aged 18-24 weeks at the time of sacrifice from a local slaughterhouse. The measurements were performed using a digital vernier caliper (Multicomp PRO MP012475) for the first four protocols and a digital thickness gauge (Mitutoyo 547-500S) for the fifth protocol. In the first protocol, three measurements were taken on the same side, and their average was recorded as the sample thickness. The second protocol involved taking measurements on two opposite sides, and the average of these measurements was recorded as the sample thickness. In the third protocol, the thickness of each side was measured at its midpoint, and the average of the four measurements was recorded as the sample thickness. In the last protocol using a digital vernier caliper, the thickness of the vernier specimens was calculated as the average of the measurements taken at each corner of the square sample. Finally, for the fifth protocol, three consecutive measurements were taken using the digital thickness gauge, and their average was recorded as the final thickness of the sample. Results In the first protocol, we observed lower values during the first measurement in comparison to the second (0.409 ± 0.063 vs. 0.536 ± 0.064, p < 0.0001) and the third (0.409 ± 0.063 vs. 0.528 ± 0.055, p = 0.0001). Moreover, with the second protocol, we observed lower values during the first two measurements in comparison to the third measurement (p = 0.0279 and p = 0.0054). Regarding protocols three and four, we recorded higher values for the second and third measurements than the first one, with higher values for the third measurement than the second one. In the fifth protocol, there were no significant statistical differences between the three consecutive measurements (p = 0.953, p = 0.742, and p = 0.897). Further, we examined the variations in sample thickness determined using each of the protocols proposed for the digital vernier caliper, as well as the values obtained with the digital thickness gauge protocol. As a result, during the first and second measurements, we observed lower thickness values for the venous wall samples using the first four protocols compared to the fifth protocol (for all p < 0.05). However, no differences were noted between the five protocols during the third measurement. Conclusions The digital thickness gauge Mitutoyo 547-500S provided superior accuracy with no difference between three successive measurements of venous wall thickness, regardless of the examiner's experience. Accurately determining the thickness of venous specimens is crucial for calculating the tissue's biomechanical properties.

Gaining consensus on a protocol for general surgery physician assistants in the management of non-compressible abdominal haemorrhage in military austere environments: a Delphi study

BackgroundNon-compressible abdominal haemorrhage (NCAH) is a potentially preventable cause of death due to injury. Limited exploratory laparotomy by a non-surgeon is a temporary intervention to sustain life until definitive surgical...

Meeting social welfare legal needs in end-of-life care: co-creation of a system-wide research partnership.

Social welfare legal needs (matters of daily life, such as finances, housing and employment with legal rights, entitlements or protections) are prevalent towards end of life, creating significant difficulties for both patients and carers. Most people do not know where to go, although a range of services provide advice and support for addressing social welfare legal problems. Navigating this complex and fragmented system across health, social care and social welfare legal support is very challenging. Healthcare professionals are often the first contact for social welfare legal needs, although these are often overlooked and their impact on health and well-being unrecognised. Interprofessional learning can increase awareness of social welfare legal needs and build connections between service providers, offering a more holistic and cohesive multiagency response to the complex needs around end of life. The aim of the research was to co-create a robust foundation for cross-agency research investigating the impact of interprofessional learning on social welfare legal needs towards end of life in the North East England region. Convene a research partnership group across academics, multiagency service providers and members of the public with lived experience. Consider and agree key issues for successful place-based multiagency research in this area. Co-create a complexity-appropriate research proposal with interprofessional learning as an intervention. A series of research activities was implemented to convene a multiagency partnership group and consider the key issues for successful place-based multiagency research. Data were collected from two online workshops, an optional reflective workbook, and a modified Delphi technique. Initial participants were selectively recruited from our established stakeholder and patient and public involvement groups. Increasing diversity of the partnership continued throughout the project, using contacts provided by group members. Representation of services supporting underserved groups was a priority. All invited participants were recruited to the partnership, although contribution to research activities was variable. The partnership bridged knowledge gaps between services and united diverse perspectives, expertise and experience. A greater understanding of the barriers and opportunities for place-based multiagency working was generated, such as considering the importance of language in facilitating collaboration and responding to concerns around capacity. A non-hierarchical partnership was meaningful, with both personal and professional insights viewed as equally important. Facilitators to engagement with interprofessional learning were identified including the need for leadership endorsement. A non-traditional, mixed-method approach to interprofessional learning evaluation was favoured, with both qualitative and quantitative measures at three levels: patient and carer, professional learners and organisations. Important outcomes included raising awareness, connectedness and space to reflect. The partnership group expanded throughout the course of the project. While this extended diversity, variable participation hindered depth of discussion, with participants engaging at different points and with different understanding levels of the project. Supplementary materials provided some mitigation. Capacity and funding constraints limited engagement for some participants. Convening a multiagency partnership generated insights into the benefits, barriers and facilitators to research co-design and potential measures of success of interprofessional learning. Learning from this project has informed a complexity-appropriate research proposal to evaluate the impact of interprofessional learning as an intervention across different stakeholders. This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme as award number NIHR135276.

A mouldable fibreglass backslab device as a novel approach to offload chronic plantar foot ulcers: A retrospective observational audit.

Pressure offloading is a critical component of plantar foot ulcer management, including diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFU). Conventional offloading options such as total contact casting and removable knee-high walkers may be unsuitable or unsuccessful in patients with morbid obesity, intermittent lower limb oedema, high exudative wounds or poor mobility. A mouldable fibreglass backslab device (BSD) may be a practical alternative to be considered in these situations. Data were retrospectively collected on 28 patients (29 foot ulcers) with non-healing ulcers who received a BSD to offload their foot ulcer as an extension to standard offloading care. Baseline data included: patient demographics, type of offloading prior to BSD application, date of ulcer onset, days ulcer present prior to BSD application and ulcer size at BSD initiation. Measures of success included ulcer size reduction 12weeks post-BSD application, time to complete ulcer healing in BSD, time to 50% reduction in ulcer size post-BSD application and total number of days ulcer present. The median (IQR) ulcer area and ulcer duration at baseline for 19 patients (20 ulcers) who used the BSD was 1.65 (0.4-3.8) cm2 and 531 (101-635) days. At 12weeks, the median (IQR) ulcer area was 0.3 (0-0.55) cm2 with a median (IQR) reduction of 97 (80-100) %. Nine (45%) ulcers achieved complete wound healing (100% reduction in wound size) at 12weeks post-BSD application, and the remaining 11 (55%) ulcers achieved at least 50% reduction in wound size. The median (IQR) time to complete wound healing and 50% reduction in wound size was 71 (35-134) days and 24 (15-44) days, respectively. Nine patients ceased use of the BSD and reverted to conventional offloading before their wounds had healed. Of these, four patients achieved a 50% reduction in wound size at the 12-week mark with conventional offloading. Our preliminary data suggests that a mouldable fibreglass BSD may be a practical offloading option in the management of DFUs, especially when conventional offloading methods are unsuccessful, unsuitable or unacceptable to patients. Higher level evidence is required to demonstrate suitability or efficacy of the BSD compared to current evidence-based recommended offloading methods.

Profitability Analysis of Transportation and Logistics Sector Companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange

Profitability is one of the important measures of a company's success and is very important in financial terms. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the profitability of companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the transportation and logistics industry is influenced by liquidity, leverage, activity, and company size. This study conducted multiple linear analysis. The study involved 30 businesses, with 28 samples that met the criteria. The main data from www.idx.co.id was used for this study. which was then processed by the researcher.The results of multiple linear analysis in this study indicate that (1) Liquidity, Leverage, Activity, Company Size have a positive effect on profitability simultaneously. (2) Liquidity and activity have a positive effect on profitability partially (3) Leverage and company size have a negative effect on profitability partially.

One-Dimensional Electrical Resistivity Prospecting for Small Dam Projects: A case Study Smaquli Dam, East Erbil City, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Abstract: This study employs the One-Dimensional Vertical Electrical Resistivity technique to elucidate the subsurface stratigraphy and structures beneath the axis and abutments of the suggested Smaquli dam, situated to the east of Erbil City in Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Three traverses were conducted using a Schlumberger array. Data interpretation was performed using the Russian commercial software, IPI2WIN. Each measurement point featured a maximum total electrode spread ranging from 400-600m, reaching an investigation depth of 130m to 150m. The inter-distance between successive measurement points varied from 16m to 17.5m. Geo-electrical sections were generated by interpreting the data, revealing three distinct lithological groups: alluvial deposits (upper first group) with a thickness ranging from 3 to 10 meters, marl and marly limestone of the Shiranish Formation (second group) with thickness ranging from 18 up to 110 meters, and dolomitic limestone of the Bekhme Formation (third group) which its thickness is not defined. These lithological groups exhibited significant resistivity contrasts, rendering the resistivity method effective for delineating their interfaces. The resistivity of the upper horizon ranged from 18 to 136 Ω·m, the second horizon exhibited values between 19 and 304 Ω·m, while the lower third horizon showed high resistivity values ranging from 97 to over 50000 Ω.m.. The relatively low resistivity values of the lower horizon (Bekhme Formation) are interpreted as fractured and water-saturated limestones, whereas the high values are indicative of bituminous material. A correlation was established between the geo-electrical sections and borehole geologic columns, demonstrating consistency in indicating the presence of two rock units within the uppermost 20m, which corresponds to the borehole depth.

Life Skills Education: Equipping Individuals for the Enigmatic World

Traditional academic achievement is no longer the only measure of success in today’s world of fast change. Education in life skills has become an essential part of holistic learning, giving people the tools they need to deal with the challenges of daily living. The debate surrounding integration into existing education systems is addressed, emphasizing the need for fostering active participation and critical thinking. Life skills education, when effectively integrated, empowers individuals to become well-rounded, adaptable and responsible members of society. This article explores the core components of life skills education, encompassing personal, social and citizenship skills. It highlights the many benefits, including improved academic performance, enhanced mental health and increased employability. It also discusses how to integrate life skills programmes into formal education systems successfully and looks at potential strategies for developing these crucial skills.

Subjective career success among new graduates and the role of personal factors

PurposeFlatter organisational structures and nonlinear career trajectories mean intrinsic value and subjective career success are increasingly important for motivating, guiding and rewarding contemporary workers. While objective measures of career success have been well explored, more research is needed to understand the dimensions of subjective career success, their relative importance to graduates and potential variations by personal factors. This is critical for supporting graduates’ transition into work and for organisations to attract and retain graduates amid global talent shortages.Design/methodology/approachBuilding on assertions of the power to understand how what one seeks in a career affects career achievement, this study investigated the importance and achievement of subjective career success among 324 recent graduates from two Australian universities.FindingsResults include a notable emphasis on financial security and work-life balance, particularly among mature individuals, underscoring the value of adaptable work arrangements. Results suggest shifting priorities, with reduced importance placed on opportunities for innovation and assisting others, potentially indicating a move from collective to more individualised goals. Distinct graduate profiles emerged, showcasing diverse priorities and achievements in subjective career success, spanning from “humanistic” to “self-made” success.Originality/valueResults underscore the significance of higher education embedding program-wide career development plans across the curriculum, including value-based assessments, labour market analyses and career planning and review processes. Comprehensively supporting students in career development will empower them to explore, understand and actively pursue their career goals in alignment with their values and motivations, enhancing their person-organisation fit, career satisfaction and organisational commitment.