Practical Guidelines Research Articles

Hygrothermal risk assessment tool for brick walls in a changing climate

Due to the heritage value of historical buildings, external facades can often not be modified. Therefore, in heritage buildings interior insulation is often considered when undergoing an energy renovation. However, interior retrofitting drastically changes the hygrothermal behaviour of a wall and can potentially cause moisture-related problems. Besides an interior retrofit, a changing climate might also trigger some of these damage mechanisms as parameters such as temperature and precipitation will change over time. Hygrothermal models can provide relevant insights into the risk of deterioration associated with these damage phenomena. However, these Heat, Air and Moisture (HAM) tools are commercially available but rarely used in the building industry to study deterioration risks. Translating research into practical tools and guidelines is a challenge across the whole field of building renovation. This paper aims to tackle that challenge, by means of creating a hygrothermal risk assessment tool based on 48,384 HAM-simulations for the climate of Brussels, Belgium. Seven different performance criteria are addressed and discussed: freeze-thaw damage, mould growth, wood rot, corrosion, moisture accumulation, salt efflorescence and bio-colonisation. Subsequent to a sensitivity analysis, the study further explains how these results can be translated into practice, providing building practitioners the most suitable insights and recommendations. The development of an interactive web tool to assess hygrothermal risks is demonstrated and its use and benefits are further elaborated.

An activity theory perspective on interprofessional teamwork in long-term care.

Teamwork in healthcare is shaped by reciprocal interactions among individual team members and their clinical context. Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) provides a framework to study teamwork from a developmental perspective. We observed interactions between members of an Interprofessional Healthcare Team (IHT) to identify practical guidelines for educators. Three Health Care Providers (HCPs) with more than 22-years' experience in a semi-urban LTC facility participated. We video-recorded two regular IHT meetings and selected excerpts for subsequent video-recall interviews. The excerpts were shown and discussed first with each team member, then with members in pairs and finally with all members reunited. We prompted participants to explain what was happening on the videos. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using CHAT's unit of analysis based on Activity Systems. We observed contradictions within the Activity Systems involving diverging views on outcomes of enhancing or maintaining quality of life; using non-traditional tools and spaces to sustain resident mobility; safeguarding community and patient safety despite time constraints and job titles, and unease for being paid to perform unconventional interventions. The contradictions have been grouped into three themes reflecting the Activity Systems: 1) enhancing versus maintaining quality of life; 2) improvising to achieve care goals; and 3) role fluidity. Our findings show that practical goal-oriented and contextual adaptations rely heavily on improvisation and dialogue. Educating HCPs for interprofessional teamwork should focus on developing situational awareness to foster continuous adaptation of disciplinary interventions.

What Has the Most Impact? An Exploration of Dual-Processing Systems in Hotel Booking Decisions

This research explores the role of dual-processing systems in evaluating complex information on online travel agency (OTA) websites, explicitly focusing on the transformative effects of multiple cues considering information sources. Two experimental studies were conducted to explore the processing modes of information using priming in assessing the impact of a controllable cue (brand in study 1 and scarcity in study 2 and an uncontrollable cue (customer ratings). The findings indicate that customer ratings function as a primary cue. With positive priming producing heuristics, the value of a brand offsets the negative impact of low ratings, while it is disregarded with high ratings. The perceived value of scarcity aligns consistently with customer ratings due to its inherent uncertainty with irrelevant priming triggering a systematic mode. This research advances the understanding of customers’ evaluation of complex information and suggests practical guidelines for implementing optimal marketing strategies in OTA settings.

How does engagement on social media reinforce life aesthetic literacy? The role of interpersonal and intrapersonal influences

With the proliferation of social media, researchers have begun exploring novel forms of literacy. One emerging concept is life aesthetic literacy (LAL), or the capacity to interpret and assign meaning to artistic and creative content perceptively. This study explores the impact of LAL on social media platforms. To do so, it draws on probability-proportional-to-size sampling in the Taiwan Communication Survey to investigate 1,776 social media–savvy adults and adopts structural equation modeling, path analysis, latent class analysis, and multi-group analysis to validate the proposed models. The findings show that increased exposure to and involvement with artistic material on social media platforms positively influence LAL. Furthermore, enhanced LAL extends to improved perceived self-expansion and self-concept clarity. These findings provide empirical evidence that social media use has a multifaceted impact on contemporary literacy and self-perception. The findings provide practical guidelines for platforms to cultivate LAL through tailored content and engagement strategies.

Radical-Mediated Creation of Fluorescent Defects in Carbon Nanotubes

The fluorescent defects in carbon nanotubes have been demonstrated to give exceeding optical properties such as room temperature single photon emissions at telecom wavelengths. A handful of methods for creating these defects have been invented in the past 13 years and provides practical guidelines for obtaining desired functional groups. However, most reactions are performed in the aqueous solution, and the transfer of the single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) from aqueous to organic solvents are usually challenging. This gives barriers for applications that require SWCNTs to be dissolved in an organic solvent. Here, we introduce controlled creations of three different fluorescent defects in carbon nanotube hosts in organic solvents using a single radical initiator. We achieved selective creations of benzyl, phenyl, and benzoyloxy defects by controlling the reaction conditions such as dissolved oxygen concentration, reaction temperature, solvents, and addition of radical scavengers. It is worth noting that the both radical initiator and solvent can provide functional groups at the defect sites through radical reaction. We believe that this method will serve as a practical platform for designing new fluorescent defects in the organic phase.

Indwelling urinary catheter use and adherence to clinical practice guidelines: A point prevalence study in adult hospital inpatients

Background Approximately 25% of hospitalised adults require an indwelling urinary catheter (IDC) during their hospital stay. IDCs expose patients to risks of infectious and non-infectious complications. Aims To identify IDC prevalence, assess adherence to clinical practice guidelines and patient-reported involvement in IDC care for adult hospital inpatients. Methods This point prevalence study was conducted in 22 wards in a single quaternary hospital. Data was collected by clinical and research nurses working in pairs on a single day. Study outcomes were reported descriptively as frequencies and percentages. Results Of 502 patients included, 77 (15.3%) had an IDC (median duration 99.6 h). The median age of patients with an IDC was 64 years (interquartile range 22–88 years), 54 (70%) were male and one-quarter ( n = 19; 25%) of IDCs were inserted at another hospital. More than half ( n = 44; 57%) of the 77 IDCs had no documented removal plan. Three patients were unavailable for review for observed clinical practices, and it was found 43% ( n = 32/74) lacked a securement device. Of 77 people with IDCs, there were 44 patient responses, and 27 (61.4%) patients did not know the reason for their catheter. Discussion Areas for improvement included securement device use, timely removal plans and patient education for the reason for the device. Regular point prevalence studies to assess use and adherence to clinical practical guidelines can improve safety outcomes for patients requiring IDCs.

Constant or inconstant? The time-varying effect of danmaku on user engagement in online video platforms

PurposeAs an emerging video comment feature, danmaku is gaining more traction and increasing user interaction, thereby altering user engagement. However, existing research seldom explores how the effectiveness of danmaku on user engagement varies over time. To address this research gap, this study proposes a comprehensive framework drawing on social presence theory and information overload theory. The framework aims to explain how the effectiveness of danmaku in increasing user engagement changes over shorter time intervals.Design/methodology/approachA research model was proposed and empirically tested using data collected from 1,019 movies via Bilibili.com, one of China’s most popular danmaku video platforms. A time-varying effect model (TVEM) was used to examine the proposed research model.FindingsThe study finds that the volume of danmaku and its valence exert a time-varying influence on user engagement. Notably, the study shows that danmaku volume plays a more substantial role in determining user engagement than danmaku valence.Originality/valueThis research offers theoretical insights into the dynamic impact of danmaku on user engagement. The innovative conceptualization and measurement of user engagement advance research on pseudo-synchronous communication engagement. Furthermore, this study offers practical guidelines for effectively managing danmaku comments on online video platforms.

Component diagnosis of food allergy: precise identification of allergenic components in egg and milk

Food allergy are triggered by an abnormal immune response to specific food components, with milk and eggs being the most common food allergens, especially in children. Food allergy can cause various symptoms such as rashes, difficulty breathing, and digestive issues. Allergen component diagnostics is a technique used to identify specific allergenic proteins, aiding doctors in providing more precise treatment and management recommendations for patients. This article analyzes the latest research developments and clinical significance of milk and egg allergen components based on the " Molecular Allergology User's Guide 2.0 (MAUG 2.0)" issued by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), including their applications in clinical diagnosis, treatment, and management. This article aims to enhance healthcare professionals' understanding of milk and egg allergies, offering new perspectives and practical guidelines for research and clinical practice to promote accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies.

Relation of Transversus Abdominis to Rectus Abdominis Muscle in Various Anatomical Landmark Levels: A Cadaveric Study

Abstract Background Posterior Component Separation (PCS) is a surgical technique used in abdominal wall reconstruction. Understanding the relationship between the rectus abdominis and transversus abdominis muscles and the location of intercostal nerves is crucial for minimizing nerve injury during PCS. This cadaveric study aimed to investigate these anatomical relationships and propose practical guidelines for safer PCS procedures. Methods Eighteen fresh cadavers were dissected to assess the overlap or separation of the rectus abdominis and transversus abdominis muscles at seven abdominal levels. The distance of intercostal nerves from the lateral border of the rectus abdominis was measured. Results The study found that the muscles overlapped at the xiphoid and upper abdominal levels but began to separate below the 2/4 upper to umbilicus level. Intercostal nerves entered at varying distances from the lateral edge of the rectus abdominis, suggesting that levels above the 3/4 upper to umbilicus level are relatively safe for dissection. Conclusion The study recommends initiating the first incision for PCS between the subxiphoid and 2/4 upper to the umbilicus, based on observed muscle relationships and nerve distances. This practical approach enhances safety and simplifies decision-making during surgery.

Practice guideline for multidisciplinary investigation of diving fatalities

Nowadays, diving is a safe practice and fatalities are uncommon. The main cause of death reported is drowning but others have been described, such as, those secondary to the biophysical foundations that govern the hyperbaric environment, like arterial gas embolism or decompression illness. Because of this, multidisciplinary investigation is essential for elucidating the cause of death.A practical guideline is proposed to systematise and direct the collection of technical-police and medical-forensic data by the different professionals involved to correctly identify all events related to the accident.It consists of 2 well-differentiated blocks which shows the sequence to choose the most appropriate autopsy techniques and complementary tests to carry out a complete analysis of each diving fatality, all aimed to avoid overdiagnosis of deaths by drowning.This way, it will be possible to identify risk factors or unsafe behaviours about which to develop prevention measures.

Study on the dynamic heating polymerization of PA MXD6: From thermal analysis to efficient polymerization

Optimizing a practical polymerization strategy for poly(m-xylylene adipamide) (PA MXD6) requires regulating the high-temperature residence time and preventing the solidification of the reaction mixture. Dynamic heating strategies have shown promise in addressing this issue. However, conventional polycondensation kinetics are not optimal for characterizing nonisothermal processes due to continuous changes in the reactant state. This study employed thermal analysis as a continuous monitoring method to comprehensively investigate the effects of pressure, temperature, and diffusion on polymerization. The results indicate that high heating rates lead to faster reaction rates, as evidenced by the evolution of the kinetic parameters throughout the reaction process. Nevertheless, excessively high heating rates increase the solidification risk. To resolve this contradiction, a low-rate heating process with pressure was developed for efficient polymerization and scale-up, resulting in superior products. This study provides new insights into polyamide polymerization and offers practical guidelines for enhancing polymerization efficiency and process stability.

Through the Shadows: Exploring Domestic Child Torture

Child torture is a severe form of child maltreatment. Children who are tortured are at high risk of death and/or re-traumatization. It is imperative both legally and ethically that health care providers recognize children who are being tortured in order to develop a safety plan to help prevent further abuse and trauma to the child. This article will define and address the following: child torture, intrafamilial child torture (ICT), common presentations of victims of ICT, risk factors of victims of ICT, and guidelines for healthcare practitioners working in the United States when they assess victims. Additionally, there will be a discussion on the importance of collaborating both on an interdisciplinary (e.g. medical, social workers, child protective case workers, psychology) and multidisciplinary (clinical and legal) level. and the utilization of self-care activities for clinicians, after treating a child who has been tortured.

BIOPHILIC DESIGN ELEMENTS AND NATURAL MATERIALS IN HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS

ABSTRACT Biophilic design elements in healthcare environments increase the connection between the built environment and its local natural environment and have been shown to improve the psychological and physiological well-being of patients and medical staff. Similarly, natural materials, which are part of the biophilic paradigm, have been shown to enhance the indoor qualities of habitable spaces. Despite these advantages, existing research on biophilia and natural materials in healthcare design has been mostly focused on specific case studies and thus requires further synthesis into practical design guidelines. To address this need, this paper uses case studies and evidence from the literature to enumerate predictable outcomes and develop visual guidelines related to biophilic design—daylight, views, gardens—with a final focus on materials. The implications of key design parameters are analyzed to their potential impact on patients and medical staff, including recovery rates, hospitalization days, pain medication intake, stress levels, active behavior, and task performance. The provided guidelines include biophilic light design specifications that can reduce hospital stays by 3.67 days and biophilic views that may reduce pain medication intake by up to 61%. Natural materials, including living garden vegetation, were shown to be most impactful on stress and behavioral well-being. An additional focus on natural materials for biophilic design is defined by developing a toolkit for analyzing effective locations for views of materials within a patient's room. The guidelines developed in this further support the transition into simulation and computational analysis tools that assess the health outcomes of various biophilic design strategies from a range of design characteristics and interventions to produce correlations to health and productivity metrics.

Comprehensive and practical guidelines for reduction synthesis of atomically precise coinage-metal nanoclusters

Comprehensive and practical guidelines for reduction synthesis of atomically precise coinage-metal nanoclusters

An innovative model to enhance engineer-to-order companies operational efficiency conceived using axiomatic design theory

ABSTRACT The paper introduces the E.OpEx (ETO Operation Excellence) Model, a new framework to improve operational efficiency in Engineer-to-Order (ETO) manufacturing companies. The study used a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and surveys to identify critical challenges in the ETO sector, which were prioritized through criticality analysis. The research applied Axiomatic Design (AD) theory to address these challenges and create structured solutions. The E.OpEx Model offers practical guidelines for resource management, workflow optimization, and customer satisfaction, aligning with the operational goals of ETO companies. Input from a Focus Group (FG) of industry experts was crucial in refining the model and identifying areas for improvement and practical integration with existing methodologies. This research also contributes to the application of AD to tackle operational challenges and proposes a model that enhances practices and lays the foundation for future innovations. Future research will focus on validating the E.OpEx Model in diverse ETO settings.

Numerical study on the efficiency of an electrostatic precipitator having the shape of a truncated cone

This paper presents a comprehensive numerical study of a truncated conical precipitator. The main objective was to enhance the efficiency of the precipitator by exploring the influence of several parameters on particle trajectories and the evolution of the collection efficiency. The studied parameters include the cone coefficient ( D), flow velocity, applied voltage, conduit diameter and length, as well as relative permeability. For each parameter, analyses were conducted on the evolution of the collection efficiency for particles with various diameters, ranging from 0.01 to 10 μm. The results obtained from the numerical simulation on COMSOL Multiphysics® indicate that, regardless of the value of D, the precipitator exhibits optimal efficiency in collecting particles with extreme diameters (0.01 and 10 μm) due to the dominance of the electrical force. In contrast, particles with intermediate diameters (0.1–1 μm) present a challenge, as the drag and electric forces are too weak to ensure effective particle collection. The study highlights that a sharper tip at the top of the precipitator significantly enhances its efficiency. Increasing the applied voltage and selecting lower inner radii of the collecting electrode reinforce the electrical force and enhance particle collection. Furthermore, increasing the height of the precipitator directs particle trajectories more effectively toward the collecting electrode. The results provide valuable insights for the design of more efficient precipitators and propose practical guidelines for improving their effectiveness. These contributions are particularly important for air pollution control technologies, offering significant advancements in this field.

Speeding up the recovery of coastal habitats through management interventions that address constraints on dispersal and recruitment.

Plans for habitat restoration will benefit from predictions of timescales for recovery. Theoretical models have been a powerful tool for informing practical guidelines in planning marine protected areas, suggesting restoration planning could also benefit from a theoretical framework. We developed a model that can predict recovery times following restoration action, under dispersal, recruitment and connectivity constraints. We apply the model to a case study of seagrass restoration and find recovery times following restoration action can vary greatly, from <1 to >20 years. The model also shows how recovery can be accelerated when restoration actions are matched to the constraints on recovery. For example, spreading of propagules can be used when connectivity is the critical restriction. The recovery constraints we articulated mathematically also apply to the restoration of coral reefs, mangroves, saltmarsh, shellfish reefs and macroalgal forests, so our model provides a general framework for choosing restoration actions that accelerate coastal habitat recovery.

Halal Product Assurance at Traditional Markets in Luwu Raya Based on Halal Supply Chain Traceability

The purpose of this study is to explore halal products in the Greater Luwu Market using halal supply chain treacebilit. the research intends to develop practical guidelines and recommendations for market operators and regulators to implement and maintain Halal assurance systems effectively. Ultimately, the goal is to promote consumer confidence in Halal products available in these traditional markets and contribute to the broader objective of standardizing Halal practices in the region. This study uses qualitative research by collecting data in the form of random interviews with economic actors of producers, distribution, and consumers in the Greater Luwu market. The results of the study found that first there are three sources of supply of goods or commodities in the Greater Luwu Market, namely outside the city , collectors of goods and land products themselves. Secondly, the application of halal awareness indirectly in the Greater Luwu community, which in fact is mostly Muslim, makes halal supply management in the Greater Luwu market run according to the provisions even though there is no specific tool to detect supply, so that the availability of halal food ingredients in the Greater Luwu market can be said to be easy to find and still dominant.

Smart Practice of Integrating Administrative Management and Human Resources of Chinese Local Governments under the Background of Digital Transformation

Local Chinese governments face a challenge in improving the efficiency and quality of services provided during administrative management in the digital transformation era. The present study identifies three prime drivers for integration—technical, organisational efficiency, and policy support. Finally, it runs the hypotheses through the structural equation model for 133 data points from the questionnaire prepared for the local government administration. Superior integration is primarily contributed to by as discussed, technical support, organisational efficiency, and policy suit will improve effective management and organisational efficiency while reducing the cost and time required for integration; policy support will ensure legal compliance and standardisation. The study also finds that by adopting these factors, local governments can foster efficient and speedy integration of administrative management and human resources. These findings provide practical guidelines for the effective application of digital technology, organisational design, and public policies that promote innovation and sustainable development in public administration. It is necessary to investigate the particular technological approaches and multi-faceted methods for improving organisational performance in various digital contexts.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of 5G Technology in Enhancing Mobile Network Performance in South Korea

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 5G technology in enhancing mobile network performance in South Korea. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: South Korea's adoption of 5G technology has significantly enhanced mobile network performance. The deployment of 5G has resulted in vastly improved download and upload speeds, reduced latency, and better network reliability compared to previous technologies. This advancement has enabled smoother and more reliable mobile internet experiences, facilitating new applications such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Diffusion of innovations theory, technology acceptance model (TAM) &amp; resource-based view (RBV) theory may be used to anchor future studies on evaluating the effectiveness of 5G technology in enhancing mobile network performance in South Korea. Develop practical guidelines for telecom operators on the deployment and optimization of 5G networks. These guidelines should address best practices for infrastructure development, spectrum management, and network configuration to maximize performance. Advocate for the establishment of comprehensive regulatory frameworks that support the widespread deployment of 5G technology.