Practical Roadmap Research Articles

Tailoring Learning Analytics for Success

Learning Analytics systems are emerging as a powerful tool for student success, optimising curricula, and informing data-driven decisions. However, these will not be achieved without effective implementation strategies tailored to institutional contexts. This study compares the learning analytics practices of five diverse Australian universities, offering a nuanced exploration of the similarities, differences, and patterns that characterise their adoption journeys. We will work to identify the factors that contribute to successful implementation and enhanced impact. Our findings emphasise the importance of aligning learning analytics initiatives with institutional contexts, student demographics, and unique needs, emphasising the necessity of tailored approaches that resonate with stakeholders and address specific challenges. Our intention is to provide a practical roadmap for Higher Education Institutions seeking to benefit from learning analytics, giving them the means to harness the full potential of these tools.

Optimizing ambulance nurse performance in southern Tuscany: insights from a Delphi study

This study aims to enhance the performance of ambulance nurses in Southern Tuscany through a Delphi method analysis. Conducted from January to December 2022, the research engaged 16 expert participants from a Tuscan health agency. Data on 89 interventions performed by "India" ambulances, which are nurse-led emergency vehicles, were collected. The Delphi method facilitated structured communication among the experts over three rounds, resulting in consensus on nine key intervention proposals. These proposals span areas including staff training, measurement and data collection methods, technologies and materials, and work environments. Key recommendations include prioritizing high-fidelity simulation training, improving data collection for clinical risk, and standardizing equipment across all emergency units. The study highlights the importance of continuous professional development, technological integration, and supportive work environments to optimize the effectiveness of pre-hospital emergency care. These findings provide a practical roadmap for enhancing the competencies and performance of ambulance nurses, ultimately improving patient outcomes in emergency situations.

Low-carbon transformation and ecological safeguarding in the Yellow River Basin: Integrating biomechanical and biological insights

This research, titled “Low-carbon transformation and ecological safeguarding in the Yellow River Basin: Integrating biomechanical and biological insights” explores the interplay between economic activities, land use changes, and environmental impact. Through regression analyses and assessments of land use alterations, the study identifies significant provincial variations in factors influencing carbon emissions. In addition to the socio-economic factors, the research incorporates insights from biomechanics and biology, drawing parallels between the ecological systems of the Yellow River Basin and biological processes such as energy efficiency and resource allocation in living organisms. For instance, just as organisms optimize energy usage and adapt to external stressors, the proposed low-carbon strategies aim to optimize resource use and improve the resilience of the basin’s ecosystem. Proposed strategies for low-carbon transformation provide a practical roadmap for sustainable development, informed by biological principles like ecological balance, regeneration, and the importance of maintaining biodiversity. These principles reflect how biomechanical systems, such as musculoskeletal structures, balance energy expenditure and repair to maintain functionality under strain, similar to how ecosystems must manage resource cycles to withstand environmental stressors. The integration of socio-economic indicators, alongside biological and biomechanical insights, underscores the need for region-specific policies that consider not only economic factors but also the natural regenerative capacities of the ecosystem. The study suggests that, like biological systems that repair and adapt to maintain homeostasis, the Yellow River Basin’s ecological processes can be guided by sustainable management practices to ensure long-term resilience and stability. In conclusion, the research contributes valuable insights to the global discourse on balancing economic growth with ecological preservation in the ecologically vital Yellow River Basin, highlighting how the integration of biomechanical and biological principles can enhance both ecological safeguarding and low-carbon transformation strategies.

An innovative practical roadmap for optimal control strategies in malware propagation through the integration of RL with MPC

While there has been considerable research into optimal control formulations for mitigating cyber threats, a significant gap persists between the theoretical and numerical insights derived from such research and the practical implementation of these optimal mitigation strategies in real-time scenarios. This paper introduces a multifaceted approach to enhance and optimize optimal control strategies by seamlessly integrating reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms with model predictive control (MPC) techniques for the purpose of malware propagation control. Optimal control is a critical aspect of various domains, ranging from industrial processes and robotics to epidemiological modeling and cybersecurity. The traditional approaches to optimal control, particularly open-loop strategies, have limitations in adapting to dynamic and uncertain environments. This paper addresses these limitations by proposing a novel roadmap that leverages RL algorithms to fine-tune and adapt MPC parameters within the context of malware propagation containment. In sum, this practical roadmap is anticipated to serve as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners engaged in the development of cybersecurity solutions.

Development of an Online, Asynchronous Community Engagement Course for Master of Public Health Students: Theoretical and Practical Considerations

Community engagement is the cornerstone of public health and should be a central part of graduate education in the field. The growing popularity of online graduate education requires instructors and programs to carefully craft community engagement curricula in new ways that leverage opportunities and mitigate challenges presented by remote learning. This article offers a theoretical and practical roadmap for developing and implementing an effective community engagement course that encompasses both research and practical applications. It offers a review of learning theories that course designers may leverage in their work as well as real-world lessons learned from implementation of such a course in a Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited program.

Social life cycle sustainability assessment of dried tomato products based on material and process selection through multi-criteria decision making.

Tomatoes are a significant product of the Mediterranean region and a crucial component of the Mediterranean diet. The formulation of dried tomato products enriched with proteins and bioactive compounds could be a strategic approach to promote adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Six different novel tomato products were analyzed using different protein enrichment sources (pea proteins and leaf proteins) and drying technologies (hot-air dryer, microwave vacuum dryer, and conventional dryer). The novelty of this approach lies in combining product-specific criteria with global societal factors across their life cycles. Using 21 criteria and an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) survey of experts, the social sustainability score for each product was determined through a multi-criteria assessment. The tomato product's life cycles have minimal regional impacts on unemployment, access to drinking water, sanitation, or excessive working hours. However, they affect discrimination, migrant labor, children's education, and access to hospital beds significantly. The study identified nutritional quality as the top criterion, with the most sustainable design being a tomato bar enriched with pea protein and processed using microwave vacuum drying. The study revealed that integrating sensory and nutrient compounds into social sustainability assessments improves food sustainability and provides a practical roadmap for social life cycle assessments of food products. It emphasized the importance of considering global social issues when reformulating Mediterranean products to ensure long-term adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Incorporating social factors into sustainability scores can also enhance the effectiveness of product information for conscious customers. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Job roles for digital twinning building construction processes. Introducing the digital twin manager position

Digital Twins (DT) holds the potential to enhance management and monitoring in the construction sector by means of an interconnected information environment. Although DT theoretical frameworks have been proposed and numerous literature reviews conducted, real-world demo cases showing requirements and challenges are yet limited. These existing frameworks lack of grounded verification on real scenarios to identify essential roles and skills for effective knowledge transfer. This paper contributes to bridge these gaps by harvesting the knowledge of twinning a real-world office building. Key takeaways include a general mind map and two complementary workflows for DT generation and operation for building construction processes. The information pipeline from data collection to decision-making is described and required skills and roles are identified along this data journey. An identification of the emerging role of DT Managers is presented, a vital yet underexplored position in current construction literature. The presented practical roadmap paves the way for increasing maturity on DTs and for promoting their industry adoption.

Call to action for acute myocardial infarction in women: international multi-disciplinary practical roadmap.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among women, and the incidence among younger women has shown the greatest increase over the last decades, in particular for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Moreover, the prognosis of women post-AMI is poor when compared with men of similar ages. Since the 1990s, an abundant literature has highlighted the existing differences between sexes with regard to presentation, burden, and impact of traditional risk factors and of risk factors pertaining predominantly to women, the perception of risk by women and men, and the pathophysiological causations, their treatment, and prognosis. These data that have been accumulated over recent years highlight several targets for improvement. The objective of this collaborative work is to define the actions required to reverse the growing incidence of AMI in women and improve the patient pathway and care, as well as the prognosis. We aim to provide practical toolkits for different health professionals involved in the care of women, so that each step, from cardiovascular risk assessment to symptom recognition, to the AMI pathway and rehabilitation, thus facilitating that from prevention to intervention of AMI, can be optimized.

The AI and Big Data Equitable Transformation Theory (ABETT): A Pathway to Inclusive Development and Technological Empowerment

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technology has created new potential for economic growth, social development, and creativity. However, their incorporation into local economies presents issues regarding ethical governance, skill development, access to infrastructure, and equitable benefit sharing. This paper presents the AI and Big Data Equitable Transformation Theory (ABETT), a comprehensive framework for guiding the responsible and inclusive use of AI and big data in various scenarios. The ABETT model has six basic constructs: policy and ethical governance, skills development and education, scalable and equitable infrastructure access, collaborative innovation and knowledge exchange, sustainable AI and data for development, and economic growth and competitiveness. The ABETT framework was created, validated, and enhanced using a qualitative research design that included a systematic literature assessment, expert interviews, and case study analysis. The results support the model's relevance and applicability, illustrating how its elements work together to generate ethical and sustainable technological innovation. Comparisons with previous theories show that ABETT adds value by proposing a comprehensive and customizable pathway for AI and big data adoption that emphasizes collaboration, equity, and sustainability. The paper discusses the model's policy and practical implications, limitations, and future research recommendations. ABETT provides a practical roadmap for stakeholders who want to use AI and big data to promote inclusive growth, sustainable development, and equitable technical advancement.

Holistic AI-Enhanced Marketing Framework Theory: Bridging Human Creativity and AI for Ethical Marketing

The Holistic AI-Enhanced Marketing Framework Theory (HAEMF) presents a holistic paradigm that combines AI capabilities with human creativity, ethics, inclusivity, transparency, and security to improve user acceptance of AI-enhanced marketing techniques. To address shortcomings in existing technological acceptance models, HAEMF incorporates constructs such as perceived creativity and emotional resonance, ethical transparency and trust, inclusivity and bias mitigation, cybersecurity and data privacy, and digital inclusivity and accessibility. These structures operate together in a balanced framework to ensure that AI-powered marketing is efficient, data-driven, and consistent with human values and ethical norms. The model's qualitative study reveals that transparent and inclusive AI methods, human emotional intelligence, and ethical monitoring dramatically improve user engagement and trust. HAEMF's adaptable, cross-sector approach serves as a road map for practitioners looking to implement AI in marketing responsibly, balancing technological innovation with ethical considerations and user-centric experiences, ultimately leading to greater acceptance of AI-enhanced marketing practices.

Practical Guide to Implementing AI in Telestroke Networks

Stroke systems of care have been developed over many decades. Much of this process refinement has been driven by the need to evaluate for thrombolytic use in acute stroke, or by the ever-changing landscape of thrombectomy. With the development of reliable artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, the use of AI in stroke pathways has become widely utilized. Systems of care have pivoted to incorporate this technology to optimize the systems of stroke care to improve patient outcome. Telestroke networks have exponentially increased over the past two decades and have become a standard process within the overall stroke care pathway. Various uses of AI are incorporated into many telestroke networks, though assessing how to implement these technologies into the telestroke landscape, and operational guidelines for their incorporation, have been limited. In this article, we aim to discuss the use of AI in telestroke workflows, specifically with emphasis on different platforms, technology and infrastructure requirements, operational/clinical workflow considerations, and use within transfer processes. Our aim is to provide a practical roadmap with the AI tools currently used in telestroke, and detail the critical factors which may come into play during implementation, deployment, and clinical use of this rapidly expanding tool in telestroke.

Navigating challenges: leveraging Brisbane Port's success for Kolkata Port's sustainability

ABSTRACT This paper proposes a policy for the sustainable operation of Kolkata Port drawing lessons from Brisbane Port. The paper analyses the operational challenges of Kolkata Port, the successful case of Brisbane Port and formulates policy based on comparison. The analysis suggests upstream restoration projects, river boundary maintenance and modernisation of dredging activities for port operations. Also, it emphasises efficient sediment disposal methods and eco-friendly practices. The policy suggestions in this paper provide a practical roadmap for Kolkata Port Trust and other stakeholders to improve port operations. Implementation of these will lead to better navigation, cost reduction and environmental benefits. This paper contributes original thought by synthesising lessons from the Brisbane Port case study and applying them to Kolkata Port. The policy suggestions are tailored to address the unique challenges of riverine ports like Kolkata.

IgE-Mediated Cannabis Allergy and Cross-Reactivity Syndromes: A Roadmap for Correct Diagnosis and Management.

With increased access and decriminalization of cannabis use, cases of IgE-dependent cannabis allergy (CA) and cross-reactivity syndromes have been increasingly reported. However, the exact prevalence of cannabis allergy and associated cross-reactive food syndromes (CAFS) remains unknown and is likely to be underestimated due to a lack of awareness and insufficient knowledge of the subject among health care professionals. Therefore, this practical roadmap aims to familiarize the reader with the early recognition and correct management of IgE-dependent cannabis-related allergies. In order to understand the mechanisms underlying these cross-reactivity syndromes and to enable personalized diagnosis and management, special attention is given to the molecular diagnosis of cannabis-related allergies. The predominant signs and symptoms of CA are rhinoconjunctivitis and contact urticaria/angioedema. However, CA can also present as a life-threatening condition. In addition, many patients with CA also have distinct cross-reactivity syndromes, mainly involving fruits, vegetables, nuts and cereals. At present, five allergenic components of Cannabis sativa (Can s); Can s 2 (profilin), Can s 3 (a non-specific lipid protein), Can s 4 (oxygen-evolving enhancer protein 2 oxygen), Can s 5 (the Bet v 1 homologue) and Can s 7 (thaumatin-like protein) have been characterized and indexed in the WHO International Union of Immunological Sciences (IUIS) allergen database. However, neither of them is currently readily available for diagnosis, which generally starts by testing crude extracts of native allergens. The road to a clear understanding of CA and the associated cross-reactive food syndromes (CAFS) is still long and winding, but well worth further exploration.

Requirements and Barriers for Human-Centered SMEs.

With the advantages of new technologies and rising demand from customers, it is necessary to improve the manufacturing process. This necessity was recognized by the industry; therefore, the concept of Industry 4.0 has been implemented in various areas of manufacturing and services. The backbone and main aspect of Industry 4.0 is digitalization and the implementation of technologies into processes. While this concept helps manufacturers with the modernization and optimization of many attributes of the processes, Industry 5.0 takes a step further and brings importance to the human factor of industry practice, together with sustainability and resilience. The concept of Industry 5.0 contributes to the idea of creating a sustainable, prosperous, and human-friendly environment within companies. The main focus of the article is to analyze the existing literature regarding what is missing from the successful implementation of human centricity into industry practice, namely in small and medium-sized factories (SMEs). These findings are then presented in the form of requirements and barriers for the implementation of human centricity into SME factories, which can serve as guidelines for implementing human-centered manufacturing using axiomatic design theory in SMEs, which can serve as a roadmap for practitioners.

Bridging the gap: sustainable development goals as catalysts for change in accounting education and society

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to argue for a transformative shift towards an inclusive and socially responsible framework in accounting education. Integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into accounting curricula can help accountants contribute positively towards the goals’ aim. This represents not merely an educational reform but a call to action to forge a path that empowers accounting students to be technically proficient and socially conscious graduates who act as change agents working towards the public interest.Design/methodology/approachThis study challenges the technical focus of accounting, conceptualising it as a multidimensional technical, social and moral practice, transcending traditional boundaries to address complex societal issues. This paper is primarily discursive, using autoethnography through presenting vignettes written by four female accounting educators across three geographical regions. These first-person narratives foster a sense of interconnectedness and shared responsibility within the accounting community, reflecting a collective commitment to integrating SDGs into accounting education. By sharing personal experiences, the authors invite readers to engage in reflective pedagogy and contribute to shaping a better world through accounting education.FindingsThe transformative potential of purposefully incorporating SDGs into accounting education is not just a theoretical concept. The vignettes in this study provide concrete evidence of how this integration can shape future accountants into socially conscious professionals driven by ethics, equity and environmental responsibility. Our collective reflection underscores the importance of collaboration and continuous learning in aligning accounting education with the SDGs, offering a hopeful vision for the future of this field.Originality/valueThis study builds on existing literature to encourage communication, curriculum development, collaborative teaching approaches, experiential learning opportunities, ongoing evaluation and community dialogue on reshaping accounting education by giving a rare insight into what and how people teach and from what broader motivations. It offers a practical roadmap for educators to integrate SDGs into their teaching.

Weathering the storm: examining how organisations navigate the sea of cybersecurity regulations

ABSTRACT Governments around the world routinely regulate the activities of private enterprises to guide the behaviour of individuals and organisations towards acceptable norms. This holds true in a cybersecurity context. However, practitioners report that cybersecurity regulations are often out of date and compliance is confusing, expensive, and time consuming. As a result, organisational leaders are often uncertain about the practicalities of adopting and implementing the various rules, which can lead to trickle-down effects on the robustness of lower-level cybersecurity controls and compliance activities. In this research, we aim to clarify how cybersecurity regulations are operationalised in organisations, as well as reveal the compliance and performance consequences of cybersecurity regulations. To do so, we interviewed 22 senior leaders with expertise in cybersecurity regulations. Our analysis reveals 7 distinct themes (i.e., concept groupings) that are ordered within four phases (i.e., temporal stages), which we use to create the Institutional Cybersecurity Regulations Model (ICRM). The results provide a holistic view of the cybersecurity regulations process in organisations that can serve to clarify current theory relationships and inform future research. As well, the ICRM can provide a practical roadmap for managers to navigate regulatory cybersecurity challenges in their own companies.

Enhancing Solar Power Plant Location Selection Through Multicriteria Decision-Making with the Analytic Hierarchy Process

Renewable energy, particularly solar power, is clean, cost-effective, and virtually limitless, making it an essential source of energy for developing countries. In the Kurdistan region, however, dependence on fossil fuels remains high, with 85 percent of electricity generated from these sources, whereas solar power contributes less than 1 percent. This study addresses this disparity by employing Boolean logical analytical hierarchy process techniques and a comprehensive set of criteria encompassing technical, ecological, and economic factors to identify suitable sites for solar power plants in Duhok Governorate. The results indicate that 68.5 percent of the governorate’s area is deemed suitable for solar power station construction, with the most promising zone comprising 132.2 km2 and capable of generating more than 8,000 megawatts of solar energy. Notably, most suitable areas are concentrated in the south and southwest, particularly in the districts of Bardarash, Shekhan, and Semel. This study paves the way for a significant shift toward renewable energy in northern Iraq. Identifying vast suitable areas for solar power plants offers a practical roadmap to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, provide a clean energy source, and enable a large-scale solar power project. This study empowers policymakers, energy companies, and investors to make informed decisions toward realizing this renewable energy potential, ultimately transforming the energy landscape in northern Iraq.

A Practical Roadmap to Learning from Demonstration for Robotic Manipulators in Manufacturing

This paper provides a structured and practical roadmap for practitioners to integrate learning from demonstration (LfD) into manufacturing tasks, with a specific focus on industrial manipulators. Motivated by the paradigm shift from mass production to mass customization, it is crucial to have an easy-to-follow roadmap for practitioners with moderate expertise, to transform existing robotic processes to customizable LfD-based solutions. To realize this transformation, we devise the key questions of “What to Demonstrate”, “How to Demonstrate”, “How to Learn”, and “How to Refine”. To follow through these questions, our comprehensive guide offers a questionnaire-style approach, highlighting key steps from problem definition to solution refinement. This paper equips both researchers and industry professionals with actionable insights to deploy LfD-based solutions effectively. By tailoring the refinement criteria to manufacturing settings, this paper addresses related challenges and strategies for enhancing LfD performance in manufacturing contexts.

Comprehensive Understanding of Elemental Doping and Substitution of Ni‐Rich Cathode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries via In Situ Operando Analyses

This review explores the challenges and advancements in the development of high‐energy lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), particularly focusing on the electrochemical and structural stability of Ni‐rich cathode materials. Despite their potential to increase the energy density of LIBs, these cathode materials encounter issues such as irreversible phase transitions and structural degradation during cycling, which ultimately affect their electrochemical performance. Elemental doping/substitution has emerged as promising strategies to address these challenges. However, the precise mechanisms underlying their performance enhancement remain unclear. The objective is to elucidate the complex reaction mechanisms triggered by doping and substitution in Ni‐rich cathode materials by employing in situ operando analyses to uncover their effects on electrochemical behavior and structural integrity during cycling. This comprehensive investigation aims to clarify the roles of elemental dopants or substituents in the crystal structures of Ni‐rich cathode materials, thereby offering valuable insights for the structural engineering of cathode materials in high‐energy LIBs. By elucidating these intricate mechanisms, this review provides a practical roadmap for future research and significantly contributes to LIB technology by guiding material design and optimization strategies in the development of advanced LIBs.

Transportation Mode Choice and Sustainability

This study conducted in Bandung Regency delves into the factors influencing the choice of transportation modes for tourists and provides practical insights. Specifically, the research examines the influence of park-and-ride security, travel time savings, and travel costs on the selection of private vehicles and shuttle buses. The findings emphasize the importance of sustainable transportation facilities and efficient public transport services, offering a practical roadmap for addressing transportation needs for tourists in Bandung Regency. With a focus on the park-and-ride concept, this research identifies and analyzes the factors influencing mode choice between private vehicles and public transportation. The study was conducted in Ciwidey, a natural tourism area in Bandung Regency, which offers diverse attractions such as nature-based tourism, ancient sites, culinary experiences, and water tourism. The findings of this research aim to contribute to the improvement of sustainable transportation and mobility choices for tourists while alleviating traffic congestion and environmental impact in Bandung Regency's tourism areas.