Planning Support Research Articles

Suspected hindlimb peripheral nerve damage in a feline patient

Peripheral nerve disorders affecting the hindlimb in the feline are an uncommon reason for presentation for rehabilitation therapies. This article describes how suspected cases may be approached and presents a case report of a feline patient that was referred for physiotherapy following hindlimb monoparesis with a presumed diagnosis of peripheral nerve injury.

The stand allocation model for aircraft MRO service provider

ABSTRACT In recent years, airlines have been expanding their fleets, but this has posed a challenge in terms of limited airport space for maintenance facilities. Maintenance, repair, and overhaul provider (MRO) enhances the efficiency of existing space utilization by reducing the distance between parked aircraft. However, it is often necessary to change the position of parked aircraft during maintenance and if there are other aircraft blocking this movement it is necessary to interrupt the original maintenance work to allow the aircraft to pass. Unnecessary relocation of aircraft could reduce maintenance efficiency and increase costs. This study adopts mathematical programming with a network flow technique to develop an MRO stand allocation model. The effectiveness of the proposed model is evaluated in a case study performed using the data collected from a Taiwan aircraft MRO service provider. The results demonstrate that the proposed model could be a useful and practical planning support tool.

Person-centred support plans and staff wellbeing innovations for in-patient dementia care: A service development project

Comprehensive person-centred support plans are completed for all people living with dementia admitted to Holbrook ward, a dementia specialist unit in the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. However, staff have faced barriers in using these effectively for person-centred care due to the demanding and busy nature of the ward environment. It has also been challenging for new, bank, and agency staff to find time to read about and understand the person living with dementia, leading to escalation in situations which could have been avoided. In collaboration with nursing staff, the psychology team developed support plan flash cards that serve the purpose of being a ‘grab and go’ style resource. These are targeted at individuals with more complex presentations and used during handovers and when staff are on one-to-one observations, providing a useful snippet of information about the person living with dementia. The psychology team also developed a wellbeing support plan for staff, with tips for keeping well and supporting their own mental health and wellbeing.

Saudi social work students' perceptions of future career: A quantitative and qualitative research in light of changes in the labor market and social representations of jobs

This study explores the views of Saudi social work students about their career prospects, especially considering the reduced job openings for students in humanities and social sciences. Unlike most research that focuses on science and medical fields, this study aims to bridge the gap by examining social work students. It employs surveys and focus groups to understand why students choose social work as a major and what they expect from their careers post-graduation. The findings reveal that students often choose this major not out of passion or a calling but to gain a university degree and secure a government job, which offers job stability and social status. The extended wait for employment has led to a willingness to take up jobs previously seen as unsuitable for Saudis. Additionally, the lack of university support in career planning leaves many students feeling uncertain and doubtful, highlighting the issue of transitioning from education to the workforce.

Predicting short-term PM2.5 concentrations at fine temporal resolutions using a multi-branch temporal graph convolutional neural network

Predicting PM2.5 concentrations at an hourly temporal resolution in urban areas can provide key information for public health protection. The spatiotemporal dependency among monitoring stations and the spatiotemporal correlations between PM2.5 and relevant factors (e.g. meteorology and emissions) are both essential for such predictions. This study proposes a multi-branch temporal graph convolutional neural network (MB-TGCN) for short-term predictions of PM2.5 concentrations at city monitoring stations. Composed of a set of graph convolutional networks (GCNs) for spatial dependency modeling, a set of gated recurrent units (GRUs) for temporal dependency modeling, and a multi-branch structure for integrating PM2.5 and relevant factors, MB-TGCN aims to accurately predict PM2.5 concentrations by capturing both spatial and temporal relationships through a graph modeling approach. Experiments with an air quality dataset from 35 stations in Beijing showed that MB-TGCN achieved higher accuracy than several deep learning models for various prediction durations ranging from 1 to 12 h. The method described in this study can help enhance the prediction capability of PM2.5 and provide decision support for environment-aware activity planning.

Non-pharmacological prescribing for behaviour that challenges in dementia: An evaluation of 12 months of outcome data

BackgroundNon-pharmacological interventions are recommended as a first line treatment for the management of Behaviour that Challenges in Dementia (BtC). For the past decade, The Durham and Darlington Care Home Liaison (CHL) Hub have developed Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs), providing guidance on staff approaches and recommending specific, individualised, non-pharmacological interventions. Until recently, it was left to residents’ families to pay for and provide any items recommended. Clinicians knew what interventions could help, but they could not prescribe them. The CHL Hub was awarded non-recurrent funding in 2021 to prescribe a range of non-pharmacological interventions. This evaluation presents 12 months of routine outcome data for residents receiving such interventions.MethodProxy-rated measures of behaviour that challenges (Challenging Behaviour Scale, CBS, Moniz-Cook et al., 2001) and Quality of Life in Dementia Scale (QUALID, Weiner et al., 2000) were completed as part of routine care pre and post non-pharmacological intervention. Qualitative feedback .from care home staff and families of residents receiving non-pharmacological interventions was collected via telephone interview.ResultsResults show a significant difference between pre and post intervention CBS (z=1.28, p<.01) and QUALID scores (z=1.03, p<.01), with large effect sizes (r=.82, CI [.74-.87] and r=.67, CI [.5-.81], respectively).ConclusionCare home residents showed reduced BtC and improved quality of life following the introduction of non-pharmacological interventions as part of BSPs. Recommendations are discussed.

디지털 격차 해소를 위한 초등 국어과 매체 영역 교육 방안

Purpose: This study examined the concept of digital gap to determine how to view the digital gap
 that occurs among elementary school students. In this process, we explored the causes of the digital
 gap, considered the discussion points of the digital gap considering the 2022 revised Korean language
 and ‘media’ area, and proposed types of digital gap and efficient intervention measures.
 Methods: Previous research related to the digital gap was reviewed, the educational content system
 focusing on the 'media' area shown in the 2022 revised elementary Korean language curriculum was
 analyzed, and issues of the digital gap were identified according to content elements in the content
 system table of the 'media' area. In addition, five elementary school teachers were interviewed to
 reveal the types of digital divide in elementary school students and the implications for intervention
 measures, and foreign studies related to digital literacy education were also extracted.
 Results: As a result, it was found that the ‘digital gap’ of elementary school students is deeply related
 to the problem of ‘access’. The problem of the digital gap among elementary school students is not
 so much the dissemination of digital devices and the gap in the Internet use environment, but rather
 the problem of control methods within the home environment concerning digital access, engagement
 methods according to access, how well they understand and utilize the digital and media environment,
 and 'access'. It arose from a difference in perspective. In order to resolve the digital gap, it was suggested
 to strengthen guidance connected with therir homes, strengthen group classes and student cooperation
 classes in Korean language and media education. A systematic support plan by partner organizations
 to support teachers' systematic digital media education should also be implemented.
 Conclusion: In order to bridge the digital gap among students, it is ultimately necessary to further
 strengthen proper digital media literacy education. In addition, more emphasis should be placed in
 informal situation rather than those that are formal and educational methods should not be inconsistent.

Research on smart baby cradle using sensor technology

A support is a gadget intended to assist infants with nodding off, utilizing a delicate side-to-side shaking movement. Be that as it may, it requests impressive actual exertion from guardians to produce this swinging movement physically. Moreover, consistent oversight is expected to screen the child's exercises when they are set inside the support. In the contemporary period of mechanical headway, guardians regularly wrestle with a horde of difficulties in offsetting their expert obligations with the sustaining needs of their kids. Our paper means to resolve the common issues looked by guardians by presenting an inventive IoT-based Savvy Support Observing Framework. The key goal is to ease the nurturing difficulties by making an answer that guides in the consistent observing of babies. The Shrewd Support includes a mechanized swinging component set off by the recognition of a child's crying sound. Moreover, it consolidates an inherent camera to give ceaseless reconnaissance, engaging guardians with an improved capacity to watch out for their kid. To accomplish this usefulness, we have consistently incorporated parts like Arduino, sound sensors, wetness sensors, and the swinging system, among other electronic components, into the customary support plan. This overhauled arrangement offers increased productivity and unwavering quality as well as outperforms the capacities of traditional supports, giving guardians an additional viable method for really focusing on their newborn children. Key Word: IoT Innovation, Brilliant Child Support.

Analysis of Factors Related to the Incidence of Postpartum Blues in Adolescent Mother

BACKGROUND: Adolescent marriage in Indonesia is very high, this will have an impact on the psychological aspects of adolescents. Postpartum psychological disorders of adolescent mothers are postpartum blues. AIM: The study aimed to identify factors related to the incidence of postpartum blues in adolescent mothers. METHODS: This quantitative study used a cross-sectional method involving 90 respondents taken by consecutive sampling. Research sites in Bandung City Special Hospital for Mothers and Children and Al-Ihsan Regional Public Hospital, Bandung District. This research was conducted from May to September 2019. Data collection instruments in this study use the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. Pregnancy planning uses the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy questionnaire. Social support uses a postpartum support system and a family coping questionnaire. The last questionnaire is the psychosocial condition of the mother Postpartum Postnatal Risk Questionnaire. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression tests to determine the factors most related to the incidence of postpartum blues in adolescent mothers. RESULTS: The results showed that there were 44.4% of adolescent mothers experience postpartum blues. There was a significant relationship between social support and the incidence of postpartum blues (p = 0.001; odds ratio [OR] 11,777; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3604–109,534) and home living also had a significant relationship with the incidence of postpartum blues (p = 0.002; OR = 9,653; 95% CI = 0.001–0.225). A negative B value at the home living indicated that home living is a preventative factor for postpartum blues in adolescent mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Postpartum blues are influenced by social support, psychosocial conditions, and pregnancy planning. Adolescent mothers need to get attention, especially from their husbands and families during the period of puerperium.

Embedding planning support systems in spatial planning practice: the role of drift in implementing the Spatial Development Framework methodology

ABSTRACT Planning Support Systems (PSS) research has explored ways to improve PSS use and embeddedness. However, there is little knowledge of how unplanned changes during implementation impact outcomes. This paper answers the question, ‘How can drift influence PSS implementation and use?’ It applies the concept of drift (changes in new technology, user behaviour, and/or existing practice during ICT implementation) to explain how PSS users (GIS specialists, planners) initiate unplanned changes during implementation and use. Following a qualitative approach, we investigate a PSS implementation case study in Rwanda – the Spatial Development Framework (SDF) methodology – to establish the role of drift in PSS use and embeddedness. Our study reveals that a) user understanding and perception of PSS can initiate drift during implementation and use, and b) drift can influence outcomes of PSS use or embeddedness. This study confirms the role of drift in PSS use and embeddedness in Rwanda’s spatial planning process.

A comprehensive assessment method for manned confined space layouts taking into account operational posture comfort supported by artificial intelligence algorithm

Given its specialized design application, the layout design of confined spaces for human occupancy has a significant impact on the efficiency of operators, especially in the design processes aimed at aviation, aerospace, navigation, and other significant engineering fields. The influence of operational posture on layout comfort is crucial, yet existing assessment methods have limited considerations for the impact of operational posture on layout comfort. Therefore, this study proposes a layout decision support method that integrates posture recognition, simulation, and simulation-based comfort comprehensive assessment. By combining intelligent recognition technology, simulation technology, and comprehensive evaluation methods, it aims to provide a highly reliable comprehensive evaluation result for layout design and decision recommendations. To validate the effectiveness of the method, we conducted a comfort experimental evaluation involving seven individuals in the layout design of human-occupied confined spaces at Northwestern Polytechnical University. The results indicate that the proposed method offers a more objective and comprehensive means for layout design and optimization. This Improvement method not only addresses the deficiencies in existing spatial layout evaluation methods and provides a theoretical basis for architectural layout planning evaluation but also offers new perspectives and methodological support for scientific layout design and planning.

Infant mortality in Ghana: investing in health care infrastructure and systems.

Child and infant mortality is a global problem. Almost half of deaths of children under age 5 years occur in the neonatal period, the first 28 days of life, with 2.4 million neonatal deaths globally in 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa has disproportionately high numbers of neonatal deaths. Ghana's neonatal mortality rate is 22.8 per 1000 live births and remains behind targets set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Quality antenatal care, postnatal monitoring, breastfeeding support, and postnatal family planning are important in preventing neonatal deaths. While Ghana has made progress in making care more financially accessible, it has not been matched with the improvements in the critical infrastructure required to ensure quality health care. The improvements have also not eliminated out-of-pocket costs for care, which have hindered progress in decreasing infant mortality. Policymakers should consider investments in health care infrastructure, including expanding public-private partnerships. Policies that improve workforce development programs, transportation infrastructure, and health insurance systems improvements are needed.

A planning support system for boosting walkability

This study introduces a walkability planning support system (W-PSS), a novel framework designed to revolutionise urban walkability within the 15 min city concept. The W-PSS stands out for its approach that develops a new walkability index, underscores pertinent explanatory variables and introduces a methodology for sculpting diverse walkability scenarios using the multiscale geographical weighted regression model, which achieved an adjusted R2 of 67.3%. Central to the findings is the significant role of employment density in enhancing walkability, and the nuanced interplay between commercial and population densities. A particularly insightful revelation is the unexpected negative correlation between cycling and walkability, emphasising the need for a meticulous strategy to avoid cyclist–pedestrian conflict by harmoniously integrating and balancing both modes. While cities with robust public transit showed limited room for enhancement, safety and green space emerged as opportunities for refinement. Informed by these insights, this research furnishes tailored scenarios and policy recommendations to foster enhanced walkability in urban landscapes. While the W-PSS framework offers a universal PSS model for assessing and improving walkability, the study acknowledges that the concluded insights and implications vary based on each city's unique characteristics. Therefore, the application and the interpretation of results should be tailored.

Statistical analysis plan for the Recovery-focused Community support to Avoid readmissions and improve Participation after Stroke randomised controlled clinical trial

BackgroundUnplanned hospital presentations may occur post-stroke due to inadequate preparation for transitioning from hospital to home. The Recovery-focused Community support to Avoid readmissions and improve Participation after Stroke (ReCAPS) trial was designed to test the effectiveness of receiving a 12-week, self-management intervention, comprising personalised goal setting with a clinician and aligned educational/motivational electronic messages. Primary outcome is as follows: self-reported unplanned hospital presentations (emergency department/admission) within 90-day post-randomisation. We present the statistical analysis plan for this trial.Methods/designParticipants are randomised 1:1 in variable block sizes, with stratification balancing by age and level of baseline disability. The sample size was 890 participants, calculated to detect a 10% absolute reduction in the proportion of participants reporting unplanned hospital presentations/admissions, with 80% power and 5% significance level (two sided). Recruitment will end in December 2023 when funding is expended, and the sample size achieved will be used. Logistic regression, adjusted for the stratification variables, will be used to determine the effectiveness of the intervention on the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes will be evaluated using appropriate regression models. The primary outcome analysis will be based on intention to treat. A p-value ≤ 0.05 will indicate statistical significance. An independent Data Safety and Monitoring Committee has routinely reviewed the progress and safety of the trial.ConclusionsThis statistical analysis plan ensures transparency in reporting the trial outcomes. ReCAPS trial will provide novel evidence on the effectiveness of a digital health support package post-stroke.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ACTRN12618001468213. Registered on August 31, 2018.SAP version1.13 (October 12 2023)Protocol version1.12 (October 12, 2022)SAP revisionsNil

Application Strategies of Shotcrete Anchor Support Technology in Highway Bridge and Tunnel Engineering

This article analyzes the application strategies of shotcrete anchor support technology using a highway bridge-tunnel construction project as an example. The article covers various strategies, including support plan formulation, mortar shotcrete anchor construction, grid steel frame construction, steel mesh construction, and concrete support construction. This analysis aims to provide a guideline for those interested in applying this technology and improving the quality and safety of highway bridges and tunnels construction.

Association of intensifying supportive care with improved survival in patients with gastric cancer with malignant ascites.

294 Background: Gastric cancer patients with malignant ascites often have poor functional status and malnutrition that precludes receipt of systemic therapies. Thus, these patients have a very poor prognosis. Beginning in 2019, our multidisciplinary gastric cancer disease-oriented team implemented a more aggressive supportive care plan for gastric cancer patients with malignant ascites. The initiative included measures such as supplemental enteral nutrition, ascites drainage, and initiation of chemotherapy on an inpatient basis. We compared outcomes for gastric cancer patients who presented with synchronous malignant ascites treated before and after the implementation of the care plan. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of our institutional database to identify patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma and synchronous malignant ascites between 2010-2022. We compared survival between patients diagnosed from 2010-2018, which will be referred to as the historical control era and patients diagnosed from 2019-2022, which will be called the aggressive supportive care era. Results: 54 patients were included in our analysis; 31 patients were treated in the historical control time frame and 23 patients treated during the aggressive supportive care era. Demographic, clinical, and pathologic characteristics were similar between groups. 3% of historical controls received supplemental tube feeds at diagnosis as compared to 30% of the aggressive supportive care cohort (p=0.008). 3% of historical controls received their first cycle of chemotherapy in the inpatient setting versus 39% of patients treated during the aggressive supportive care era (p=0.001). The median number of chemotherapy cycles received was 5 among historical controls and 9.5 among aggressive supportive care era patients (p = 0.02). There was no difference in the number of days spent as an inpatient between the two groups. The median overall survival for historical control patients was 5.4 months as compared to 10.4 months for patients treated during aggressive supportive care era (p=0.035). Conclusions: Gastric cancer patients with synchronous malignant ascites treated during a timeframe when our multidisciplinary team implemented more aggressive supportive care measures had improved OS as compared to historic controls.Our results suggest that aggressive supportive measures for these patients with highly challenging clinical issues and poor prognosis can prolong survival. Specifically, initiation of chemotherapy in the inpatient setting and supplemental nutrition should be considered for patients at high risk for treatment intolerance.

Assessing Regional Public Service Facility Accessibility Using Multisource Geospatial Data: A Case Study of Underdeveloped Areas in China

Promoting the accessibility of basic public service facilities is key to safeguarding and improving people’s lives. Effective public service provision is especially important for the sustainable development of less developed regions. Lincang in Yunnan Province is a typical underdeveloped region in China. In parallel, multisource remote sensing data with higher spatial resolution provide more precise results for small-scale regional accessibility assessment. Thus, we use an assessment method to measure and evaluate the accessibility of three types of infrastructure in Lincang based on multisource geospatial data. We further analyze the matching between public service facility accessibility and the socioeconomic attributes of inhabitant clusters and different poverty groups. The results show that the accessibility of educational facilities is currently better than that of health facilities in Lincang and that of sanitation facilities is relatively poor. Public service facility accessibility varies significantly among different types of inhabitant clusters, with better accessibility in inhabitant clusters with high levels of population density, aging, and income. Accessibility to healthcare, education, and sanitation is negatively correlated to varying degrees of poverty levels of poor groups, and the mean values of accessibility to various types of public facilities vary significantly across poor groups. Our findings can help inform policy formulation and provide theoretical support for planning and optimizing the layout of public facilities.

The lived experiences of relatives of autistic adults, and their perceptions of their relationships with autistic adults across multiple age-related transitions and demands: A qualitative interview study with reflexive thematic analysis.

There is a need to better understand autism across the life course, including the lives of both autistic people and supporting relatives. As part of a larger mixed methods cohort study involving autistic adults, carers and relatives this sub-study focused on the experiences of relatives alone to learn more about the lives of people from the wider personal networks. Our research questions were: 1. What are the experiences of family members who care for and/or support autistic adults, 2. How can the viewpoints of relatives add to what we know about transitions and challenges experienced by autistic adults, and 3. What strategies/support have been helpful for adults and relatives? Relatives of autistic adults were purposively sampled and recruited using the Relatives/Carers cohort from the Adult Autism Spectrum Cohort-UK. 18 participants aged 31-81years who were related to 16 autistic adults aged 18-57years were interviewed for 24-91minutes. Interview transcripts were examined using reflexive thematic analysis. Two overarching themes were developed, 'Family support goes a long way in caring for autistic adults' and 'When families turn to society for support' with subthemes. Relatives described benefits they had gained and their admiration for autistic adults. They reflected on how they gave support for independence in various contexts of dependence. They also identified the challenges that both autistic adults and families face navigating support systems (for example for healthcare and employment). An important novel outcome was the advocated value of role-models with lived experience who come from outside of the family. The findings lead to recommendations for: (i) Strategies to reduce the barriers for support that are faced by autistic individuals and relatives during crisis points; (ii) recognition and support for what enables both relatives and autistic adults to function independently (e.g. funded activities, flexible employment); (iii) future planning conversations to include relatives who can enhance knowledge and help plan for future care or support needs for autistic adults and (iv) opportunities for role models (persons with lived experience, autistic adults and relatives) to inspire others and disseminate knowledge. These findings add valuable insights into the experiences of relatives of autistic adults and challenge the reader to have greater appreciation of the many roles relatives can contribute across time and in a variety of contexts. These perspectives add important information for those working with and planning provision for autistic adults.

Make or break: Succeeding in transition from incarceration.

Several factors impact successful reintegration after incarceration. We sought to better understand these factors such as pre-release preparedness or access to financial resources in provincial correctional facilities in Ontario, Canada with an underlying focus on the role of personal identification (PID) among people at risk of homelessness. We conducted a qualitative study with one-on-one telephone interviews. Eligibility criteria included having been released from a provincial correctional facility in the preceding 2 years, being over the age of 18, speaking English and having telephone access. Participants were recruited between February 2021 and July 2021. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Data was analyzed using a thematic analysis framework along with strategies from grounded theory research. We interviewed 12 individuals and identified six key themes including 1) Degree of Preparedness Pre-Release 2) Managing Priorities Post-Release 3) Impact of Support Post-Release 4) Obstacles with Accessing Services 5) Influence of Personal Identification 6) Emotions and Uncertainty. We found that people with mental health and addiction challenges are uniquely at risk post-release. Solutions must include comprehensive and proactive case management that bridges the pre-release and post-release periods, simplified processes for obtaining PID, better connections to health and social services, and improved pre-release planning for community support.

Evaluation and optimization of ecological spatial resilience of Yanhe River Basin based on complex network theory

The loess hilly and gully areas have broken terrain, vertical and horizontal ravines and fragile ecological environments. Improving the resilience of the regional ecological space is conducive to improving the quality of the local ecological environment. With the ecological space of the Yanhe River Basin selected as the research object, this paper constructs a research framework of "network identification topology-resilience evaluation-spatial optimization" and uses morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and the minimum cumulative resistance model (MCR) to identify ecological spatial networks. Based on circuit theory, the ecological pinch point is identified, the ecological spatial network is optimized, and scenario simulation is performed. Through complex network theory and related indicators, the ecological spatial resilience of the basin is evaluated, and the hierarchical optimization strategy of the ecological space is confirmed. According to the ecological function of the source area and the results of the resilience evaluation, the boundaries of the protected control area, guidance development area, remediation area, and maintenance and improvement area of the basin are delineated. The importance of ecological source and corridor protection is classified, and corresponding protection strategies are proposed. The research results can provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the territorial spatial planning and ecological space construction of the Yanhe River Basin and provide a reference for the ecological restoration, resource development and environmental governance of the Yanhe River Basin.