Practical Project Research Articles

Rural healthcare workers' well-being: A systematic review of support interventions.

Although there is increased awareness about healthcare workers' (HCWs') stress and burnout after the COVID-19 pandemic, support interventions should be tailored according to the needs of HCWs. Given the unique challenges rural HCWs face, we sought to systematically identify the types of interventions specifically designed and utilized to support the well-being of HCWs practicing in rural settings. We conducted a comprehensive search of the existing literature through electronic databases to identify quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies describing supportive interventions for rural HCWs with well-being-related outcomes between January 1, 2023 and March 31, 2023. We used the Effective Public Health Practice Project, Mixed Methods Assessment Tool, and Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist to evaluate the study quality. Out of 1,583 identified records, 25 studies were included in the analysis. The studies described a wide range of supportive interventions and outcomes. The overall quality of the studies was weak to moderate. None of the studies were randomized and only six included controls. Included interventions were generally well- accepted. Quantitative and qualitative themes identified shared decision making, effective supervision, and proactive cultural change as promising interventions that warrant further exploration. Financial interventions alone were not effective. Most of the studies were either unfunded or were funded internally by the institutions. There is limited research in support interventions for rural HCWs. Larger, well-designed studies are needed to explore promising interventions to promote well-being of rural healthcare workforce. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Physical therapy registries worldwide: A systematic review.

Nowadays, the demand for physical therapy services has grown significantly over the last few decades due to an aging population, a rise in chronic conditions, and increased awareness of the benefits of physical therapy for injury recovery and managing various health issues. Collecting and managing data from physical therapy services is highly significant and beneficial. One of the information management systems that facilitates data collection related to physical therapy services is a physical therapy registry. In this systematic review, we aimed to identify physical therapy registries worldwide and examine the characteristics and data elements of each registry. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE databases were searched from inception until March 19, 2023 by using keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms regarding "registries" and "physical therapy." The criteria for inclusion in the study were: (1) studies with the English language; (2) original studies, and online access to the physical therapy registry is available; (3) full-text available; (4) studies related to the aims of the study, and (5) studies that have sufficient available information regarding the minimum datasets and other characteristics physical therapy registry. The methodological quality of the included studies was independently assessed by two reviewers using the Effective Public Health Practice Project's (EPHPP) quality assessment tool. Sixteen studies were eligible to be included. The findings of this review indicated that the oldest physical therapy registry was established in 1992, while the newest one was established in 2017. The USA has the highest number of physical therapy registries (n = 7). Ten registries were funded by the government, and the data source for most registries was collected in clinics (n = 11). The geographical coverage of 10 registries was national. All registries collected administrative data (such as sociodemographic data, healthcare provider's data, and others) and clinical data (such as diagnosis, type of physical therapy intervention, pain location, comorbidities, and others) through web-based systems. The data collection method in half of the registries was retrospective (n = 8 out of 16). According to the EPHPP quality assessment tool, 11 studies (73%) were rated as moderate, 3 (20%) as weak, and 1 (7%) as strong. This systematic review found that most developed countries have implemented web-based physical therapy registries to collect administrative and clinical data at the national level. It is recommended that developing countries design and implement similar registries based on these characteristics and extracted data elements. Additionally, these registries should be designed to enable data sharing and interoperability with other international health information systems.

The Influence of Practical Drawing Courses on Student Work Competence in SKKNI Building Drawing: Case Study at Surabaya State University

This research examines the influence of emphasizing practical drawing learning methods and work competencies in the SKKNI for building drawings. The majority of respondents work in the vocational school sector with a percentage of 53%. Furthermore, as many as 41% of respondents work in the PT sector. Meanwhile, only 6% of respondents work in the high school sector. The results of the analysis show that the majority of respondents consider these two methods to have a significant impact. The emphasis on "Fieldwork" was considered very large by 40 respondents and had a large influence by another 35 respondents, while "Participation in Research Projects" was considered very large by 25 respondents and had a large influence by 40 respondents. These findings emphasize the importance of practical learning methods and research projects in preparing graduates for various career paths, and demonstrate the variety of career choices made by graduates after completing their studies.

An Athlete-Centered Career Assistance Intervention Program for the Chinese Sport System: Reflections Into Polyphonics

The aim through this manuscript is to share our career intervention situated in individual, group, and meta-reflective practice, to help elite athletes manage changes in their careers and support their autonomy and development within the Chinese Whole Nation System (CWNS). Translating findings from a science to practice project, we provide an athlete-centered reflective intervention integrating the perspectives of sport psychology practitioners (SPPs), coaches, athletes, and parents from a Chinese collective vantage. First, we introduce how athlete career transition scholarship and theoretical frameworks guided this intervention. Second, we explain how different levels of reflective practice can be used as a part of a career intervention. Third, we provide a brief summary of recent research project from which the intervention was derived, and fourth, we describe a six-step intervention to inform future implementations.

Rebar indentation on performance of CFS columns strengthened by rebar at flange-lip

To facilitate easier construction when longitudinally reinforcing cold-formed thin-walled lipped channel steel columns with steel bars, here, both ends of the steel bars used for reinforcement were cut, and the impact on the reinforcement effect was studied through experimental and numerical simulation methods. Seven groups of reinforced column specimens with different indentation lengths and one group of unreinforced specimens were designed, and axial compression tests were conducted. Parametric analyses were performed using the numerical models calibrated by tests. These numerical models included three types of specimens with typical sections and several series of specimens with different steel plate thicknesses. Using these models, the effects of the steel bar indentation length Li, steel bar diameter D, and other factors on the ultimate bearing capacity and deformation of the reinforced specimens were studied. The experimental results indicated that when the steel bar is the same length as the specimen, the compressive bearing capacity of the cold-formed thin-walled lipped channel column can be significantly improved by bonding the steel bar. Additionally, the numerical analysis results indicated that the influence of changing the steel bar diameter D on the bearing capacity of the specimens is not significant when the steel bars are indented within a certain range. As the length of the steel bar indentation increases to a certain extent, the stress concentration at the end of the steel bar becomes more significant, causing local buckling of the specimen and ultimately leading to a sharp decrease in the bearing capacity of the specimen. To achieve reinforcement, facilitate construction, and ensure structural safety, the total indentation length Li of the steel bars should not be >2 cm in practical engineering projects. Considering the economy of reinforcement engineering, it is suggested that steel bars with smaller diameters, i.e., 6 mm, should be selected. Through a comparison between the FEA and the experimental process, it was confirmed that the failure model of the numerical model is basically consistent with the experimental phenomenon, and the bearing capacity deviation was <3.3%. This indicates that the FEM established in this study was reliable.

Multi-index evaluation on reinforcement programs for frame structures based on life cycle theory and time-varying reliability

Under the mandates of economic and environmental sustainability, the consideration of reinforcement engineering must extend beyond mere enhancement effects and short-term project costs. As a long-term engineering activity, reinforcement significantly impacts urban economies and environments. Although extensive research has evaluated the costs or environmental impacts of reinforcement engineering based on the whole life cycle theory, existing studies often focus on single indicators without adequately integrating them with other domains. Using a reinforced concrete frame structure as a case study, this paper develops a combined evaluation decision-making model integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process for subjective assessment and an enhanced Rough Set method for objective evaluation. This model comprehensively assesses the seismic performance, economic costs, and environmental impacts of various reinforcement strategies. The results indicate that the combined strategy of enlarging column sections and carbon fiber reinforced polymer strengthening beams performs best in seismic performance, long-term economic benefits, and environmental impacts. Grounded in practical projects, this study adjusts the whole life cycle cost model to better align with engineering maintenance realities and introduces Rough Set theory to address deficiencies in objective indicator weighting. This research offers insights and guidance for leveraging information technology in resolving multi-criteria evaluation decision-making challenges in reinforcement engineering solutions.

Fatigue performance and damage of partially prestressed concrete beam with fiber reinforcement

Ordinary concrete exhibits low strength and a propensity for cracking. Carbon fibers and aramid fibers, as materials characterized by high strength, high toughness, and excellent fatigue resistance, can effectively limit the propagation of micro-cracks and enhance the strength of concrete. To explore the influence of different fiber types on the fatigue performance of prestressed concrete beams, this study initiates from the perspective of beam components. Employing a combination of experimental research and theoretical analysis, it conducts bending and constant-amplitude fatigue tests on 12 prestressed concrete beams with various fiber types. Based on the stiffness of the beam section and residual strain, the damage evolution patterns of the tested beams were described. The results indicated that the utilization of fiber-reinforced concrete significantly improves the fatigue life and residual bearing capacity of the beam components. Specifically, the residual bearing capacities of beams reinforced with carbon fibers, aramid fibers, and hybrid fibers increased by 58.6 %, 49.5 %, and 64.9 %, respectively. The analysis revealed that residual strain is a suitable indicator for describing fatigue damage in specimens and recommends prioritizing the concrete residual strain index. These findings provided a theoretical basis for the application of fiber-reinforced concrete in practical engineering projects and lifespan assessment.

Project performance factors in the domestic business support system in Kazakhstan: An empirical study

The relevance of the study is due to the importance of assessing projects implemented within the framework of the state business support system, in which entrepreneurs take an active part by submitting applications for various types of support, including investment subsidies, technical assistance in the implementation of quality management systems, export support, and educational programs. The study identified the main factors determining the successful implementation of projects aimed at supporting and stimulating business development. The research design of project implementation effectiveness factors in the business support system is a strategic approach that allows you to organize and structure the analysis of theoretical concepts, and also provides a basis for subsequent experimental research in a real practical project management environment. The research methodology includes the use of structural modeling, which is a validated technique for testing multiple parallel hypotheses about the existence of cause-and-effect relationships. The conducted survey of business entities in several regions of Kazakhstan and the subsequent data analysis confirmed the significance of the identified factors, as a result of which the identified analysis allows to better understand the processes occurring in the business support system and offer practical recommendations for its improvement, which can also serve as a basis for the development of more effective strategies and programs to support entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan.

Research on the Construction of Typical Practical Projects of School-Enterprise Co-operation in Vocational Institutions

Research on the Construction of Typical Practical Projects of School-Enterprise Co-operation in Vocational Institutions

Study on fracture characteristics of surrounding rock of twin tunnels under various crack inclination and location conditions

In some practical projects, two neighboring tunnels are often constructed in natural rock bodies that have a significant number of fractures with unpredictable inclination angles and locations. To study dynamic fracture characteristics of the surrounding rock mass of the twin tunnels containing a crack with different crack inclinations and crack locations, an experimental model of a cracked twin tunnel was designed and proposed, dynamic experimental analyses were carried out by using a traditional split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) device and digital image correlation (DIC) method, followed by simulation conducted by using LS-DYNA code. The findings indicate that the spandrels and corners of the twin tunnels nearest the pre-cracks are more vulnerable to failure under dynamic loads, resulting in tunnels joining the ends of the pre-cracks. With various crack inclinations and crack locations, the initial cracks are typically produced at the roof and floor of the tunnel, as well as at the points of the pre-cracks. The specimen's kind of crack and its emergence site are connected. Crack inclination and location have little influence on the maximum displacement value in the twin tunnels. The study's findings could offer a fresh theoretical direction for evaluating the stability of twin tunnels when there are numerous joints and flaws.

Analytical Formulation and Optimization of the Initial Morphology of Double-Layer Cable Truss Flexible Photovoltaic Supports

With the rapid development of the photovoltaic industry, flexible photovoltaic supports are increasingly widely used. Parameters such as the deflection, span, and cross-sectional dimensions of cables are important factors affecting their mechanical and economic performance. Therefore, in order to reduce steel consumption and cost and improve application value, it is crucial to design and optimize their initial morphology. In this paper, the mechanical behavior of a single-cable structure is introduced, and the simplified analytical formulations for internal force and displacement are deduced based on the geometric nonlinear characteristics and small strain assumption of the flexible photovoltaic supports. On this basis, the analytical expressions for the cable force and displacement of a convex prestressed double-layer cable truss flexible photovoltaic support structure under a uniform load are derived, and the correctness of the analytical formulations is verified by comparing the values with the finite element analysis results. In order to reduce the construction costs of the flexible photovoltaic support, a mathematical model for optimizing the initial structure’s morphology is established according to the analytical formulations. The initial morphology of the double-layer cable truss flexible photovoltaic support is optimized, and the optimization results of different deflection deformation limits and whether the lower load-bearing cable is allowed to relax are compared. The results indicate that the errors of the displacement formulation and cable force formulation, when compared with the finite element results, are less than 3% and 4%, respectively, which verifies the accuracy of the analytical formulations. By analyzing the cable force and displacement of the structure under static action, it is suggested that the deflection limit of the double-layer cable truss structure should be 1/100 of the single span. The lower load-bearing cables of the double-layer cable truss flexible photovoltaic support are highly susceptible to relaxation under wind suction loads, and, by comparing the optimization results, it is suggested that slack should be allowed in the lower load-bearing cables for a better economic effect. When choosing the most economical structure morphology, it is recommended that the total height of the mid-span struts should be 1/20~1/15 of the single span. The analytical formulation and the mathematical model for the optimization of the initial morphology proposed in this paper can provide certain theoretical references and bases for the design of practical engineering projects and play an important role in promoting its application and promotion.

Blockchain Projects in Environmental Sector: Theoretical and Practical Analysis

The growing interest in environmental sustainability issues and, at the same time, the advantages offered by blockchain technology have strong connections to each other. This study explores the application of blockchain technology across various environmental domains, such as air quality, climate change impacts, and resource management. The research utilised a dual approach, combining a bibliometric analysis with VOSviewer and a topic analysis using BERT models to assess the discourse within both the scientific literature extracted from Scopus and practical blockchain projects obtained from GitHub. The findings reveal that food security, energy, and sustainable agriculture are predominant topics in academic discussions, with a noticeable increase in focus from 2017 onwards. Practical projects are focused on transparent tracking and decentralised management. The overlap between academic and practical spheres is evident in the shared focus on energy and environmental management, demonstrating blockchain’s growing role in addressing global environmental challenges. This study underscores the importance of integrating theoretical research with practical implementations to harness blockchain’s full potential in promoting sustainable environmental practices.

Ecological sustainability program in the development of environmental awareness of high school students

This study examined the attitudinal behavior of high school students who participated in an educational program to promote environmental awareness. The program was implemented with an intervention group, while a control group followed traditional teaching methods for comparison. The intervention group engaged in practical activities and community projects, enabling them to interact directly with social and environmental realities. The results indicated that although the control group demonstrated some level of environmental awareness, their commitment was not as strong as that of students who actively engaged with nature. The results suggest that the developed program has proven to be effective in improving both the didactic approach and the environmental commitment of the students.

Response of semicircular canyons and movable cylindrical cavities to SH waves in anisotropic half-space geology

The development of tunnels or the laying of underground pipelines are essential engineering projects in modern society, and in canyon tunnels and underground pipeline projects, the surface motion and cavity edge motion have been topics of concern in ground vibration problems. We investigate the wave scattering problem in an elastic half-space anisotropic medium containing a semicircular canyon and a subsurface movable cylindrical cavity by using the wave function expansion method, the complex function method, and the mirror method. By deriving the governing equation and transforming it into the standard form of the Helmholtz equation satisfying the zero-stress boundary condition, we solve the corresponding displacement functions. Introducing a position correction coefficient, the scattered wavefield in a half-space anisotropic medium is constructed by the mirror method, which improves the problem of scattered wave source singularity in anisotropic half-space media. Then, combining the free boundary conditions with a Fourier series expansion method, we solve the unknown coefficients in the equations. The correctness of the method is verified by degenerating it to a classical analytic solution. Finally, using frequency- and time-domain analysis, we investigate the effects of the relevant parameters on the surface motion [Formula: see text], the dynamic stress concentration factor, and the displacement amplitude [Formula: see text]. The results indicate that rock anisotropy and the presence of semicircular canyons have a significant effect on the dynamic response of subsurface structures. This not only provides a theoretical basis for practical unlined tunnels or pipeline projects but also can provide a basis for seismic design of underground structures.

The Correlation between Java Programming and BSICT Graduate Attributes of Information Technology Students at Surigao del Norte State University

This study examines the relationship between graduate attributes of 150 Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) students and Java programming. The study focuses on graduate-level skills like problem-solving abilities, communication, and problem analysis in relation to Java programming elements like classes, file handling, and methods. A 5-point Likert scale rating is incorporated into the survey questionnaire design in order to quantitatively evaluate the responses. The study makes use of the Jamovi application as a statistical spreadsheet. The outcome shows a good relationship between the characteristics of BSIT graduates, such as communication, problem-solving skills, and problem analysis, and Java programming elements like classes, file handling, and methods. Additionally, some BSIT students find it difficult to use complicated methods, indicating the necessity for instructional strategies, practical projects, assessments, and peer programming exercises.

Predicting the wear on the non-working side of the rail profile registration method and its validation

Abstract Rail cross-section profile detection can assess the wear and tear of measured rails, providing crucial references for railway maintenance and upkeep. It is challenging to use the conventional method to register only the profile of rail head detection accurately. After the rail edge adjustment in some conventional railways, it becomes difficult to determine the base point of rail profile registration. Due to the wear of non-working edge of rail, a rail profile registration method is proposed. Firstly, a wear prediction model based on the generalized regression neural network is constructed by optimizing smoothing parameters through ten-fold cross-validation to achieve the optimal values. This model predicts the wear values on the non-working rail edge, providing reliable coordinates for two wear points as alignment reference points. Secondly, an initial alignment between the measured profile and the target profile is achieved using the nearest point iterative algorithm, which ensures that both profiles are in the same region and oriented similarly. Thirdly, the weight is assigned to the wear measurement points based on their respective wear values. The predicted positions of wear points are applied for calculating the translation and rotation parameters. These parameters could align the measured profile and facilitate the final profile alignment. Lastly, the experimental profiles under rail adjustment conditions were registered, verifying the accuracy of the proposed method. The research results indicate that under rail adjustment conditions, the mean squared error (MSE) between the calculated and actual values of lateral wear is 0.094 mm2, which is lower than the MSE from manual measurements. The calculated lateral wear value for experimental profiles achieved high alignment and calculation accuracy. This method can be applied in practical projects, providing an effective solution for rail head profile alignment and serving as a reference for profile alignment on the non-working rail edge with incomplete measurement data.

Determining the Effects of Complex Education on Primary Care Nurse Practitioners' Self-efficacy in Advance Care Planning for Healthy Adults.

Advance care planning is a process in which capable adults communicate their preferences for medical care in case of incapacitation. Regardless of health status, most adults are interested in advance care planning conversations and prefer providers to initiate these discussions. Primary care nurse practitioners are ideally positioned to lead these conversations but lack knowledge, confidence, and communication skills to do so. This project aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate an educational program for primary care nurse practitioners regarding leading advance care planning conversations with healthy adults. This evidence-based practice project used the Advance Care Planning Self-Efficacy Scale to measure primary care nurse practitioners' self-efficacy after completing a complex educational program. The educational program was developed based on a nationally recognized program incorporating didactic, observational, and role-play learning. The findings of this project indicated that providing complex education was an effective intervention immediately and after 3 months ( P = .018 and P = .023, respectively). The results indicate that educating nurse practitioners is an effective intervention for increasing their self-efficacy in leading advance care planning conversations with healthy adults over 3 months, recommending additional intervention at least earlier than 6 months.

On the multi‐parameters identification of concrete dams: A novel stochastic inverse approach

AbstractThis paper introduces a novel stochastic inverse method that utilizes perturbation theory and advanced intelligence techniques to solve the multi‐parameter identification problem of concrete dams using displacement field monitoring data. The proposed method considers the uncertainties associated with the dam displacement monitoring data, which are comprised of two distinct sources: the first is related to stochastic mechanical properties of the dam, and the second is due to observation errors. The displacements at different measuring points generated by dam mechanical properties exhibit spatial correlation, while the observation errors at different points can be considered statistically random. In this context, the inversion formulas are derived for unknown stochastic parameters of the dam by combining perturbation equations and Taylor expansion methods. An improved meta‐heuristic optimization method is employed to identify the mean of stochastic parameters, while mathematical and statistical methods are used to determine the variance of stochastic parameters. The feasibility of the proposed method is verified through numerical examples of a typical dam section under different conditions. Additionally, the paper discusses and demonstrates the applicability of this method in a practical dam project. Results indicate that this method can effectively capture the uncertainty of dam's mechanical properties and separates them from observation errors.

Exploration and Practice of Digital Teaching in Digital Media Art Design Major

The Digital Media Art Design major plays an important role in cultivating students' digital skills and innovative thinking. This article aims to explore the exploration and practice of digital teaching in this major, analyze the challenges and opportunities of existing teaching models, propose teaching strategies and methods that meet the needs of the digital age, and cultivate students' practical and innovative abilities through practical teaching, project driven, virtual simulation and other methods, providing feasible solutions for the development of the Digital Media Art Design major.

Teachers’ Stories about Home Language Surveys

U.S. schools use home language surveys (HLS) as initial screening tools to determine whether students should be screened for ESL services. These placement decisions have potentially long-lasting implications for multilingual students. In this Self-Study of Teacher Education Practices (S-STEP) project, we explored how teachers talk about HLS across 7 academic years of the first author’s ESL assessment course, and how they made sense of families’ decisions to hide home languages on the HLS. We analyzed teachers’ stories when discussing a news article about families who provided misinformation on HLS, so their children would not be screened for ESL. Our question is: How do teachers use their experiences to understand families’ decisions about providing misinformation on HLS? These stories illuminated how teachers made sense of the HLS experiences of families in the news article, and how teachers identified problems with HLS. Teachers’ stories included sharing about people they knew or about they themselves, as parents, completing HLS; about what happened after families submitted HLS; and about why families would provide misinformation, including past difficult experiences in ESL themselves and fears of stigma or tracking. Based on these stories, we consider implications for those who might change HLS, teachers, teacher educators, and researchers.