Primary Function Research Articles

Significant Microbial Pathogenesis Perspective of Biliary Diseases.

This review explores various biliary tract diseases caused by different organisms, in-cluding cholelithiasis, hepatolithiasis, and choledocholithiasis. The biliary tract's primary func-tions include collecting, storing, concentrating, and delivering bile juice produced by the liver. Neurohormonal systems involving the vagus and splanchnic nerves, alongside cholecystokinin, regulate gallbladder movement during fasting and digestion. Under normal conditions, bile acids play a crucial role, with approximately 95% being reabsorbed by the intestinal epithelium and returned to the liver via the portal vein system. The liver, often hailed as a miracle worker, de-toxifies, purifies, and regenerates, performing essential functions in the body. Recent research indicates that the gallbladder, akin to the intestine, harbors a diverse microbiota. Additionally, the biliary mucosa features chemical, mechanical, and immunological barriers that promote im-munological tolerance. Hepatotoxicity remains a significant global health concern and a leading cause of mortality. Providing clear and accurate information on liver toxicity is critical, especially in the context of medication safety and public health. By refining these elements, this review can effectively convey the complexity and importance of biliary tract diseases and liver function in health and disease contexts.

Microfiltration Membrane Pore Functionalization with Primary and Quaternary Amines for PFAS Remediation: Capture, Regeneration, and Reuse.

The widespread production and use of multi-fluorinated carbon-based substances for a variety of purposes has contributed to the contamination of the global water supply in recent decades. Conventional wastewater treatment can reduce contaminants to acceptable levels, but the concentrated retentate stream is still a burden to the environment. A selective anion-exchange membrane capable of capture and controlled release could further concentrate necessary contaminants, making their eventual degradation or long-term storage easier. To this end, commercial microfiltration membranes were modified using pore functionalization to incorporate an anion-exchange moiety within the membrane matrix. This functionalization was performed with primary and quaternary amine-containing polymer networks ranging from weak to strong basic residues. Membrane loading ranged from 0.22 to 0.85 mmol/g membrane and 0.97 to 3.4 mmol/g membrane for quaternary and primary functionalization, respectively. Modified membranes exhibited a range of water permeances within approximately 45-131 LMH/bar. The removal of PFASs from aqueous streams was analyzed for both "long-chain" and "short-chain" analytes, perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorobutyric acid, respectively. Synthesized membranes demonstrated as high as 90% rejection of perfluorooctanoic acid and 50-80% rejection of perfluorobutyric acid after 30% permeate recovery. Regenerated membranes maintained the capture performance for three cycles of continuous operation. The efficiency of capture and reuse can be improved through the consideration of charge density, water flux, and influent contaminant concentration. This process is not limited by the substrate and, thus, is able to be implemented on other platforms. This research advances a versatile membrane platform for environmentally relevant applications that seek to help increase the global availability of safe drinking water.

Testing the human superorganism approach tomorality.

Current theories in moral psychology do not agree about the kinds and range of offenses that people should moralize. In this study, a new approach to defining the moral domain, Human Superorganism Theory (HSoT), is presented and tested. HSoT proposes that the primary function of moral action is the suppression of cheaters in the unusually large societies recently established by our species (i.e., human 'superorganisms'). It suggests that a broad range of moral concerns exist beyond traditional notions of harm and fairness, including actions that inhibit functions such as group-level social control, physical and social structuring, reproduction, communication, signaling and memory. Roughly 80,000 respondents completed a web-based experiment hosted by the British Broadcasting Corporation, which elicited a suite of responses to characteristics of a set of 33 short scenarios representing the areas identified by the HSoT perspective. Results indicate that all 13 superorganism functions are moralized, while violations of scenarios falling outside this area (social customs and individual decisions) are not. Several hypotheses derived specifically from HSoT were also supported. Given this evidence, we believe this new approach to defining a broader moral domain has implications for fields ranging from psychology to legal theory.

Hybrid uncertainty approach for management of energy storage-embedded soft open points in distribution grids

Energy storage-embedded soft open point (ESOP) is an innovative electronic device that incorporates energy storage capabilities and is designed to interconnect two or three neighboring distribution feeders. Its primary functions include active power control, reactive power compensation, and grid voltage regulation. On the other hand, distribution grids have been equipped with other distributed energy resources (DERs) such as smart PV inverters, renewable energy sources (solar and wind), and so on. Therefore, this article proposes a novel management scheme for the mentioned devices in distribution grids based on a convex formulation to take powerful solvers like CPLEX into account. Since there are a set of uncertainties associated with the model, including renewable resources, loads, and market price, a hybrid framework is developed based on the unscented transformation (UT) method and information gap decision theory (IGDT). In other words, the uncertainties of renewable resources and loads are captured by the UT method which could provide a correlation among uncertain parameters, while the IGDT method is employed to model the uncertainty associated with the market price. The hybridization of these methods assists in reducing the discrepancy between the actual and predicted values of uncertain parameters. The model is applied to a 33-bus grid, considering various case studies. The proposed method results in a substantial operational cost reduction of approximately 26.82 %. Additionally, it ensures a flatter voltage profile across the network, with the minimum voltage reaching 0.985 p.u.

An Exploration of Sensor-Based Target Localization for Automated Driving

With the continuous advancement of artificial intelligence and meas-urement technology, autonomous driving technology has emerged as a significant challenge for human research. Autonomous driving, as a crucial aspect facilitating convenience in human life, demands substan-tial technological advancements. Target localization stands as a pivotal element in the perception layer of autonomous driving technology. This paper provides a detailed overview of fundamental techniques and sce-narios associated with target localization in autonomous driving. It co-vers aspects such as ultrasonic sensors, visual sensors, LIDAR, and comprehensively summarizes research and applications in autonomous driving technology. Specifically, the author emphasizes the application of sensors in reverse radar systems. Furthermore, the author provides a detailed description of the basic operations of a reverse radar through simulation and emulation using Keil and Proteus software. The author conducted extensive data collection and analysis during the simulation experiments, validating that the simulated circuit can achieve the prima-ry functions of a reverse radar. Finally, the author offers an analysis and outlook on future research in the field of autonomous driving.

How does orthotic walker boot design influence lower limb and trunk function during gait?

Background: Undesirable lower limb gait deviations have previously been reported when wearing orthotic walker boots; therefore, there is a need to optimize orthotic walker boot designs to facilitate normal gait. Objective: This study explored the biomechanical effects of 2 designs of orthotic walker boot on the lower limb and trunk compared with usual footwear. Study design: A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to evaluate selected kinematic and kinetic variables under different walking conditions. Methods: Sixteen healthy participants walked in 3 conditions using: Walker A (Airselect Elite, Enovis), Walker B (Townsend XLR8 Series Walker, Thuasne, France), and a usual shoe. A 10-camera motion analysis system and 4 force plates were used to collect kinematic and kinetic data. Results: Gait speed was significantly slower in both orthotic walker boots, and there was significantly decreased ankle range of motion, which is their primary function. Significant deviations in normal knee and hip kinematics and kinetics, shank-to-vertical angle, and pelvic and trunk movements were noted with both walker boots, with the greatest deviations from the shoe condition observed in Walker B. Recline and incline shank angular velocities showed the greatest differences in Walker B, which could be associated with adverse knee joint moments and a significantly greater perceived ease of walking in Walker A. Conclusions: Orthotic walker boot design significantly affects walking mechanics. Orthotic walkers with greater forefoot rocker profiles and inclined vertical shank angles may at least partly mitigate known gait deviations when wearing orthotic walkers.

PRACTICAL ASPECT OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT FOR WOUND-HEALING PATIENTS : A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: The skin is the largest organ system whose primary function is to serve as a barrier to protect the body against foreign microbes and noxious substances. Skin integrity and function require macro and micronutrients for cell turnover to maintain homeostasis, and support new growth, and repair, especially in the event of injury or decreased integrity. Wound healing is an important focus of care across all settings, not limited to any particular condition or age group. Achieving optimal healing requires an understanding of nutritional requirements, and these need to be adapted to the setting and incorporated into a care plan. The aim: The aim of this study to show about practical aspect of nutritional support for wound healing patients. Methods: By the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020, this study was able to show that it met all of the requirements. This search approach, publications that came out between 2014 and 2024 were taken into account. Several different online reference sources, like Pubmed, SagePub, and Google Scholar were used to do this. It was decided not to take into account review pieces, works that had already been published, or works that were only half done. Result: In the PubMed databasethe results of our search get 40 articles, whereas the results of our search on SagePub get 448 articles, on Google Scholar 4060 articles. Records remove before screening are 3376, so we get 1172 articles fos screening. After we screened based on record exclude, we compiled a total of 10 papers. We included five research that met the criteria. Conclusion: Nutrition is influential in wound healing, and some key nutrients extend their benefits to aesthetic outcomes. Several studies have shown associations between nutritional deficits and suboptimal wound healing outcomes. However, the current corpus of evidence remains rather generalized.

Application of a new chitosan derivative for adsorption of copper (II) and oxyanions of chromium (VI)

This study describes the synthesis of a new bioadsorbent from chitosan using ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride (EDTAD) as a modifying agent and its successful application for removal of a cationic ion (copper (II) (Cu2+)) and oxyanions of chromium (VI) (Cr6+) from single-component aqueous systems. The new multifunctionalised chitosan derivative (C1) was produced through chemical modification of the primary hydroxyl function of chitosan with EDTAD to introduce carboxylic and tertiary amine functional groups, maintaining the secondary amines on the chitosan surface. Such a transformation was important not only to increase the adsorptive potential of chitosan but also to allow C1 to be used in acidic media, thus solving the problem of solubility of most chitosan derivatives. C1 was characterised by spectroscopic methods. The effects of solution pH, contact time and initial solute concentration on the removal of copper (II) and chromium (VI) by C1 were investigated in aqueous solutions. C1 showed an experimental maximum adsorption capacity of 106 mg/g for copper (II) and 194 mg/g for chromium (VI).

The morphometric parameters of the biceps brachii: cadaveric study.

The biceps brachii (BB) is a fusiform muscle comprising of two muscular bellies located in the anterior compartment of the arm. Its primary function includes elbow flexion and forearm supination. The study aimed to examine the morphometric parameters of the BB in adult cadaveric specimens. This dissection-based study examined the anatomy of the BB in 40 arms taken from 20 Thiel embalmed European cadavers, including 13 males with an average age of 81 years and seven females with an average age of 84 years. The investigation included an observational inspection of the BB morphology and collected 19 parameters, comprising the lengths and widths of the short and long head tendons and muscle bellies. The observation analysis showed that the anatomy of the BB consisted mainly of two muscle bellies: a short head and a long head. An additional third humeral head, originating from the anteromedial aspect of the mid of the humerus and inserted into the common biceps tendon, was observed in four (10%) specimens. The average lengths of the short head and long head were 35.98 ± 3.44cm and 38.90 ± 3.40cm, respectively. There was no difference in the BB parameters according to the arm sides. However, the male specimens showed greater BB parameters than the female specimens. The short head had a greater muscle belly, while the long head had a longer origin and insertion tendons. The BB parameters were correlated positively with the humerus length.

Airway Stents in Interventional Pulmonology

Airway stents, first developed in the 1980s, have become fundamental in managing a multitude of airway pathologies and complications within the field of interventional pulmonology. The primary function of an airway stent is to re-establish airway patency and integrity when obstruction, stenosis, anastomotic dehiscence, or fistulae develop as a result of various malignant or benign conditions. Nevertheless, airway stents are foreign bodies that can result in complications. In this review article, we will discuss airway stents and their ongoing role in the management of several malignant and benign diseases. We will describe indications for airway stenting and review the elements that must be taken into consideration for optimal patient and stent selection. Given the prevalence of data regarding therapeutic bronchoscopy and airway stenting in malignant airway obstruction, much of the discussion in this review will focus on stent placement for that indication. We will also review the data as it pertains to safety, efficacy, and complications after stent placement, and conclude with a discussion of the future applications and research avenues related to airway stents.

Breast size in lactating women and the content of macronutrients in human milk.

Although the primary function of a woman's breast is milk synthesis, only a few studies have evaluated the relationship between breast size and human milk composition, showing equivocal results. This study aims to test if breast size during fully established lactation is related to energy density and content of macronutrients in human milk. Mothers of healthy, born-on-term infants at stage III of lactogenesis (N = 137) provided breast milk samples. Milk composition was analyzed using midinfrared transmission spectroscopy. The breast size index was calculated by dividing the breast by the circumference below the breast. Stepwise forward linear regression showed a negative association between breast size index and lactose concentration in breast milk (β = -.242, p = .003). The final model, which includes breast size index, feeding frequency, and maternal energy intake together explained around 13% of the variance in breast milk lactose content (R2 adj = .126, p < .001). No statistically significant relationship was found between breast size index and milk's energy density, protein, and fat content. This is the first study that shows a negative relationship between breast size during fully established lactation and lactose concentration in milk in a large sample size. No relationship between other macronutrients and breast size indicates that large breast size is not necessary for adequate milk production; however, it may contribute to an altered lactose concentration.

Contraception for antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus (according to the recommendations of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology/American College of Rheumatology, EULAR/ACR)

Maintaining and strengthening the health of the population is one of the primary functions of society. Inadequate understanding of the importance of contraception by the medical community and its application by society can lead to the population’s reproductive health becoming compromised. Basic knowledge of effective and safe contraceptive methods is important for every rheumatologist, as reproductive health affects both the general condition of patients and the course of the main rheumatic diseases (RH). This is particularly true for patients with antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) positivity, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The presence of aPL/APS, as well as the activity of SLE, are the main factors determining the choice of contraceptive method and the risk of hormonal contraception in patients with RH. Meanwhile, the use of appropriate (highly effective and safe) contraceptive therapy in this category of patients allows not only to plan the birth of a child, but also to avoid unwanted pregnancy in cases of disease activity, the use of embryotoxic and teratogenic drugs, as well as to carry out optimal treatment of concomitant pathology, which the supervising rheumatologist should be well aware of. This publication is devoted to the consideration of the main issues of contraception in the most “vulnerable” category of patients with RH – with positive aPL, APS and SLE.

Advancing Graduate Academic English Teaching: Analyzing Lexical Bundles in Photonics Research Article Abstracts

This study presents a streamlined approach to assembling a list of commonly used English phrases from abstracts in top photonics journals, aimed at enhancing academic English writing courses for graduate students. The process involved compiling a corpus of 400 recently published abstracts from leading journals in the field. Subsequently, a corpus analysis tool was employed to identify and assess lexical bundles, which are a type of formulaic language, for their educational significance and communication functions. The result is a refined list of lexical bundles, each correlated with its primary function in academic discourse. This research offers a straightforward and efficient method for developing a discipline-specific vocabulary for academic English writing instruction at the graduate level.

The activation impact of lactobacillus-derived extracellular vesicles on lipopolysaccharide-induced microglial cell

Perioperative neurocognitive dysfunction (PND) emerges as a common postoperative complication among elderly patients. Currently, the mechanism of PND remains unclear, but there exists a tendency to believe that inflammation plays a significant role in PND. Alterations in the abundance of intestinal microbiota can increase the permeability of the intestinal mucosal barrier and incite extraintestinal inflammatory responses. Metabolites from these microbiota can be absorbed by the intestinal mucosa into the bloodstream, exerting influence upon the central nervous system (CNS). Lactobacillus (Lac), serving as an intestinal probiotic bacterium, possesses the capacity to modulate emotional behavior and cognitive functions. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are recognized as novel therapeutic carriers for targeted delivery to regulate physiology and pathogenesis. While the mechanism governing the primary function of Lac-EVs in the CNS remains uncertain. Therefore, we established an in vitro neuroinflammation model to induce PND and then treated the mice with Lac-EVs to observe the effect of these EVs on neuroinflammation, particularly on microglial (MG) polarization. Our research unveils that Lac-EVs reduced inflammation induced by LPS in microglia and the activation of related proteins, including the mRNA expression of M1 labeled protein (iNOS). Moreover, the mRNA expression of M2-labeled protein (Arg1) increased. In addition, flow cytometry revealed that the ratio of M1/M2 microglia also changed significantly. Therefore, Lac-EVs promoted the differentiation of M2 microglia by inducing the preferential expression of specific markers related to M2 macrophages and inflammation. In terms of inflammatory cytokine expression, Lac-EVs decreased the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) and increased IL-10 production after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Therefore, Lac-EVs induce the activation of M2 microglial cells without inducing cellular harm in vitro, and they demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects against lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation. This finding suggested that it is an effective anti-inflammatory strategy for alleviating inflammation-driven PNDs.

A Study of the Effects of Historical Block Context on Soundscape Perception

This study aims to explore the influence of spatial functional differences on the overall relationship between soundscape and visual landscape in the context of historical blocks and then propose design guidelines for audiovisual elements. Audiovisual stimulus materials were collected from 11 representative locations in typical urban historical blocks along the southeast coast of China and classified into residential, cultural leisure, and commercial spaces based on their primary function, activity, and visual environment characteristics. An evaluation environment was created in the laboratory using virtual reality technology, and a subjective evaluation questionnaire was administered to 71 volunteers regarding the perception of audiovisual elements and the evaluation of the overall environment. Structural equation modeling was used to elucidate the relationships between sound source perception, soundscape perception, visual landscape satisfaction, and overall harmony of the environment and to compare the effects of functional differences at different locations on the overall relationships. The results show significant differences in the types of perceived sound sources at different functional locations, which makes the sound sources affecting soundscape perception and visual landscape satisfaction different. Residential space is mainly affected by artificial sound and mechanical noise; in cultural and leisure spaces, all three types of sound sources have a significant impact, and only natural sound has enhanced subjective perception; the impact of artificial sound in commercial space is crucial. In addition, visual landscape satisfaction should be prioritized over soundscape pleasure to enhance the overall harmony of the environment. In residential and commercial spaces, reducing artificial and mechanical noise can effectively enhance the harmony of the environment; in cultural and leisure areas, reducing artificial sounds and increasing natural sounds or historical landscape elements can enhance the overall harmony of the environment. The results of this paper provide empirical evidence for understanding the overall relationship between soundscape factors in urban contexts and suggest that place function should be considered an important context when designing soundscapes.

Sustainability Evaluation of Plant-Based Beverages and Semi-Skimmed Milk Incorporating Nutrients, Market Prices, and Environmental Costs

Developing a reliable method to compare food sustainability is gaining traction, with efforts like those by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This research aims to contribute to a comprehensive scientific comparison of food categories based on CO2 emissions linked not to weight but to their primary function: nutrient availability and uptake in the consumer’s body. The study utilizes a multi-criteria evaluation for sustainability, incorporating the Nutrient Rich Food (NRF) score, protein digestibility, and essential amino acid content. A case study compares one serving of semi-skimmed milk (SSM) with various plant-based beverages (oat, soy, rice, coconut, and almond), considering their carbon footprints in relation to nutrient content and environmental costs. The analysis integrates protein quality through essential amino acid proportion and digestibility. Findings reveal that achieving an NRF11.3 score of 50 requires more servings of unfortified plant-based beverages than semi-skimmed milk, resulting in higher carbon footprints, except for soy drink. However, when considering emerging farm management measures, semi-skimmed and soy drinks show comparable carbon footprints for a given NRF score. Fortified plant-based beverages (soy, oat, and almond) exhibit lower footprints relative to the calculated NRF scores. Yet, when converting carbon footprints to euros using the European Union Emissions Trading System and adding them to retail prices per kilogram, semi-skimmed milk emerges as the option with the lowest “societal costs” (environment and consumer costs). The research underscores that understanding a food product’s nutritional value requires more than knowledge of its composition; uptake into the body maintenance and potential synergistic effects of other components in the food matrix play crucial roles.

The Impact of SLC2A8 RNA Interference on Glucose Uptake and the Transcriptome of Human Trophoblast Cells.

While glucose is the primary fuel for fetal growth, the placenta utilizes the majority of glucose taken up from the maternal circulation. Of the facilitative glucose transporters in the placenta, SLC2A8 (GLUT8) is thought to primarily function as an intracellular glucose transporter; however, its function in trophoblast cells has not been determined. To gain insight into the function of SLC2A8 in the placenta, lentiviral-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) was performed in the human first-trimester trophoblast cell line ACH-3P. Non-targeting sequence controls (NTS RNAi; n = 4) and SLC2A8 RNAi (n = 4) infected ACH-3P cells were compared. A 79% reduction in SLC2A8 mRNA concentration was associated with an 11% reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in ACH-3P glucose uptake. NTS RNAi and SLC2A8 RNAi ACH-3P mRNA were subjected to RNAseq, identifying 1525 transcripts that were differentially expressed (|log2FC| > 1 and adjusted p-value < 0.05), with 273 transcripts derived from protein-coding genes, and the change in 10 of these mRNAs was validated by real-time qPCR. Additionally, there were 147 differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs. Functional analyses revealed differentially expressed genes involved in various metabolic pathways associated with cellular respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, and ATP synthesis. Collectively, these data indicate that SLC2A8 deficiency may impact placental uptake of glucose, but that its likely primary function in trophoblast cells is to support cellular respiration. Since the placenta oxidizes the majority of the glucose it takes up to support its own metabolic needs, impairment of SLC2A8 function could set the stage for functional placental insufficiency.

How murine neutrophils are hijacked within the microenvironment of pancreatic cancer.

Discoveries made in the past decades have brought out that, in addition to their classical primary defensive functions against infections, polymorphonuclear neutrophils play key effector roles not only in chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases but also in cancer. In addition, depending on their differentiation/activation status and/or on the physiological or pathological microenvironment in which they reside, neutrophils have been shown to behave as highly plastic cells, able to acquire new phenotypes/functional states. All these features are well manifested in cancer and modulated during tumor progression. Herein, we discuss intriguing data by Lai Ng's group that have shed light on the origin and development of terminally differentiated, proangiogenic, tumor-associated neutrophils, facilitating tumor growth in a murine orthotopic model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. These findings help to progress toward the ambitious goal of selectively targeting only the skewed pathological neutrophil populations present within the tumor microenvironment.

Stimulating VAPB-PTPIP51 ER-mitochondria tethering corrects FTD/ALS mutant TDP43 linked Ca2+ and synaptic defects

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are clinically linked major neurodegenerative diseases. Notably, TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP43) accumulations are hallmark pathologies of FTD/ALS and mutations in the gene encoding TDP43 cause familial FTD/ALS. There are no cures for FTD/ALS. FTD/ALS display damage to a broad range of physiological functions, many of which are regulated by signaling between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. This signaling is mediated by the VAPB-PTPIP51 tethering proteins that serve to recruit regions of ER to the mitochondrial surface so as to facilitate inter-organelle communications. Several studies have now shown that disrupted ER-mitochondria signaling including breaking of the VAPB-PTPIP51 tethers are features of FTD/ALS and that for TDP43 and other familial genetic FTD/ALS insults, this involves activation of glycogen kinase-3β (GSK3β). Such findings have prompted suggestions that correcting damage to ER-mitochondria signaling and the VAPB-PTPIP51 interaction may be broadly therapeutic. Here we provide evidence to support this notion. We show that overexpression of VAPB or PTPIP51 to enhance ER-mitochondria signaling corrects mutant TDP43 induced damage to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor delivery of Ca2+ to mitochondria which is a primary function of the VAPB-PTPIP51 tethers, and to synaptic function. Moreover, we show that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), an FDA approved drug linked to FTD/ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases therapy and whose precise therapeutic target is unclear, corrects TDP43 linked damage to the VAPB-PTPIP51 interaction. We also show that this effect involves inhibition of TDP43 mediated activation of GSK3β. Thus, correcting damage to the VAPB-PTPIP51 tethers may have therapeutic value for FTD/ALS and other age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Importance to establish and deploy technical management processes to support organizations: A case study

Due to today’s intense competition and rapid changes in the market, organizations must concentrate on their process management to improve their effectiveness to be able to respond quickly. Studies have shown that organizations are not necessarily even aware of the current primary function of technical management (TM) because their internal procedures are not currently modeled. This results in a lack of efficiency in terms of how businesses operate in organizations. This study aims to create internal procedure manuals for the technical support function of a case company and considers how to pinpoint areas for process improvement. Since TM is a part of the case company internally, it has not been able to update its internal procedure charts to reflect this, so cannot show its current roles in the surrounding organization. The methodology of this study is separated into two stages: modeling swim lane diagrams describing the existing state (as-is) of TM processes and then conducting semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders to ascertain their expectations and suggestions for change. Thematic analysis of the interview data and performing a comparison with the current procedure charts are used to determine whether or not TM’s procedures can be strengthened to better assist the surrounding organization. The study concludes that further actions are needed to clarify the role of TM in ways other than in the sub-process task level in the procedure charts of the case company. In addition, TM could conduct further analysis to optimize the case company’s business processes to achieve maximum benefit in the future.