Real Benefits Research Articles

E.163 1945 "Emergency Standard Specification for Dwellinghouse Construction" – a forgotten ancestor

The outbreak of World War II led to a focus on the most efficient use of materials within New Zealand. In 1944 the New Zealand Standards Council was requested to develop an "Emergency Standard Specification for Dwellinghouse Construction." Unlike NZSS 95 "New Zealand Standard Model Building By‐Law" which was limited to structural stability, public health and other council‐controlled issues, this new specification (NZSS E.163) could deal with materials and construction methods. Published in January 1945, only two copies appear extant – a partial copy in Wellington City Archives and a full copy in Auckland City Archives, although the Committee minutes are held in Archives New Zealand. As well as dealing with house construction (foundations, concrete work, carpentry, etc.) it deals with internal finishing (solid‐ and fibrous‐plaster, terrazzo, painting and paperhanging, etc.) and services (plumbing, drainage and electrical). E.163 was promoted as being of real benefit to occupants (owners or tenants) as they could be assured as to "essential considerations relating to materials, workmanship, and design" – placing quality, not speed at the heart of the then Government's actions. The paper compares the requirements of E.163 with the relevant parts of NZSS95, as well as exploring its relationship to NZS 3604 "Code of Practice for Light Timber Frame Buildings Not Requiring Specific Design" and modern model specifications.

Do culinary competitions have any real benefit?

Do culinary competitions have any real benefit?

Development And Countermeasures of Carbon Finance in The Construction Industry Under the Background of The Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality

Under the background of the carbon emission peaking and carbon neutrality and the trend of global emission reduction, how to deeply meet China’s “3060” carbon target is an important proposition for the development of various industries. As a typical high-carbon emitting traditional industry, China's construction industry has a particularly high demand for energy efficiency and carbon reduction. This paper comprehensively examines a number of papers to explore the issue of the impact of carbon finance on the development of decarbonisation in the construction industry from the current situation, distinguishing between the practical problems posed by each of the influencing factors. This paper delves into the challenges and countermeasures faced by the construction industry itself, the market, and the government in the development of carbon finance. It further explores the carbon finance development model throughout the entire lifecycle of the construction industry. In line with the inherent needs of low-carbon development in the construction industry while promoting the realisation of win-win long-term benefits in terms of both economic and environmental benefits.

PENINGKATAN MUTU DAN EFISIENSI PELAYANAN KESEHATAN MELALUI IMPLEMENTASI REKAM MEDIS ELEKTRONIK DI RUMAH SAKIT HASTA HUSADA

Implementation of electronic medical records (RME) in hospitals has become an important step in improving the quality and efficiency of health services. Hasta Husada Hospital has adopted this system, but still faces various challenges. This study aims to analyze and evaluate improving the quality and efficiency of health services through the implementation of electronic medical records (RME) at Hasta Husada Hospital. This research uses a qualitative approach. The research results show that RME provides significant benefits, including fast and accurate access to patient data, increased work efficiency, and reduced medical errors. Although most users feel comfortable using RME after training, there are still complaints about the system interface needing to be simplified. User attitudes were generally positive towards RME after seeing real benefits, despite initial resistance. Implementation of the Hospital Management Information System (SIMRS) has shown mixed results, with some units having fully transitioned to RME and others still in the transition stage.

The decision-making process to consume sustainable food

An in-depth understanding of consumers’ decision-making in the sustainable food consumption is a crucial prerequisite for effective environmental, social and governance (ESG) management. The heuristic-systematic (HS) model appears to be useful for deepening our understanding of it. This study examines consumer (i.e., 600 Millennials and Generation Z (MZ) consumers in the middle-income class) reaction to the HS stimuli in the green domain. With eco-friendly eggs and plant-based eggs in the experiments, the MANOVA results showed that overall, S outperformed H in many aspects, but it was important to deliver real benefits that people can feel more closely everyday life.

Effect of topical gentamicin in preventing surgical site infection in elective incisional hernia repair in a randomized controlled trial

Surgical site infection (SSI) continues to be a common complication of surgery. The real benefit of using topical antibiotics for the prevention of SSI in abdominal hernia repair surgery is still unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of topical gentamicin in SSI prophylaxis in incisional hernia repair with mesh. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients undergoing open incisional hernia repair. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: in the gentamicin group, each layer of the abdominal wall was irrigated with gentamicin solution before wound closure, and in the saline solution group (placebo), each layer of the abdominal wall was irrigated with normal saline solution. The incidence of SSI and other surgical site complications was compared between both groups, and the presence of adverse effects with the use of topical gentamicin. Data from 146 patients were included for analysis: 74 in the gentamicin group and 72 in the saline solution group. SSI was observed in six patients (8.1%) in the gentamicin group and eight patients (11.1%) in the saline solution group, with no significant differences (p = 0.538) between both groups. No statistically significant differences were observed in the presentation of seroma, hematoma, and surgical wound dehiscence between both groups. No adverse effects were reported from topical application of gentamicin. In this clinical trial, the use of topical gentamicin in incisional hernia repair with mesh did not significantly reduce the incidence of SSI. EU Clinical Trials Register: EudraCT 2018-001860-45 (04/07/2019).

Putting the costs and benefits of carbon capture and storage into perspective: a multi-sector to multi-product analysis

Abstract Carbon dioxide capture, transport, and storage (CCS) is essential in achieving the net-zero target. Despite this increasing recognition, current CCS deployments are far behind targeted ambitions. A key reason is that CCS is often perceived as too expensive. While assessments of the costs of CCS have traditionally looked at impact at the plant level, the present study seeks to understand the costs and environmental benefits that will be passed to consumers via end-products and services. In particular, nine end-products/services (bridge construction, electricity from onshore wind power, electricity from offshore wind power, transport of a container via ship, a magazine, the production and transport of an avocado, a beer can, waste treatment via waste-to-energy, and long-distance air travel) connected to ten potential areas of application for CCS (cement production, iron and steel production, oil and gas production, natural gas processing, refining, ship propulsion engines, pulp and paper production, urea production, waste-to-energy, and direct air capture). The evaluations highlight that significant emission reductions (beyond 50%) could be achieved at marginal costs for end-users in six end-products/services: bridge construction, electricity from onshore wind power, electricity from offshore wind power, transport by ship, magazine, and waste treatment. Moderate emission reductions (between 11 and 37%) could be achieved in two cases at virtually no cost (increase below 1%): beer can and avocado production. Finally, only the case of using direct air capture to compensate for emissions from air travel was found to raise the cost for end-users significantly. Although more research is still needed in this area, this work broadens our understanding of the real cost and benefits of CCS and provides useful insights for decision-makers and society.

Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dalam Pembentukan dan Pengelolaan Bank Sampah dan Limbah Minyak Jelantah di RW 03 Kelurahan Medokan Semampir Kecamatan Sukolilo Kota Surabaya

Community empowerment in the formation and management of waste banks and used cooking oil waste in RW 03, Medokan Semampir Village, Sukolilo District, Surabaya City, aims to increase community awareness and participation in protecting the environment. This program was initiated as a response to the problem of solid and liquid waste which is often ignored, even though it has the potential to be managed into a resource with economic value. Through the waste bank, residents are involved in the process of managing household waste, sorting organic and inorganic waste, and utilizing it into valuable or recyclable items. Meanwhile, for used cooking oil waste, collection and education are carried out regarding the negative impacts of careless disposal of oil on the environment, as well as its use as raw material for biodiesel or other environmentally friendly products. The community empowerment approach is carried out through outreach, training and mentoring by the driving team. This program not only aims to improve the environment, but also opens up economic opportunities for local communities through a savings system from the sale of collected waste and used cooking oil. The results of this activity show an increase in environmental awareness among the community, as well as real economic benefits felt by the residents of RW 03.

TANGGUNG JAWAB NEGARA ATAS PELINDUNGAN OBJEK SIPIL PADA KONFLIK BERSENJATA BERDASARKAN PRINSIP PROPORSIONALITAS DALAM HUKUM HUMANITER INTERNASIONAL

In IHL, there is the principle of proportionality, namely in the case of carrying out an attack, both the means and the method, the damage that will be suffered by the civilian population or civilian objects must be proportional in nature and not excessive in relation to the acquisition of real and direct military benefits that can be predicted as a result of the attack on military targets. But in reality, in an armed conflict, there must be many victims, both from those who participate and those who do not participate in the war, and cause damage to civilian objects, either intentionally or unintentionally. Therefore, the research problem is how the act of attacking civilian objects in armed conflict based on the principle of proportionality; and how the state's responsibility for the protection of civilian objects in armed conflict based on the principle of proportionality. The results of the research concluded that (1) During armed conflict, it is still necessary to fulfill the principles and provisions in IHL, one of which is the principle of proportionality based on Article 57 paragraph (2) (a) (i to iii) of Additional Protocol I, 1977. The party that will carry out the attack has the obligation to gather information in advance before and at the time of the attack in order to know that the target to be attacked is a military target, not a civilian object. Then take all precautions in choosing the means and methods of attack, so that the damage to be suffered by the civilian population or civilian objects is proportionate and not excessive in relation to the acquisition of real and direct military advantage; (2) In the event of an attack on civilian objects in armed conflict, the attacking state must be responsible for all internationally wrongful acts, which result in damage and loss. This is stipulated in ARSIWA 2001, Article 2. In IAC, the 1907 Hague Convention IV, Article 3; the 1949 Geneva Conventions, namely Article 51 of Geneva Convention I, Article 52 of Geneva Convention II, Article 131 of Geneva Convention III, and Article 148 of Geneva Convention IV, 1949; Additional Protocol I, 1977, Article 91 apply. In NIAC, Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions 1949 applies.

Low-carbon agricultural technologies improve forage and feed production in the Caatinga biome, Brazil: Characteristics, comparison, effects of climate change, resilience, local development, and food security

Adjustments in Brazilian livestock are necessary to minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, since the largest source of methane comes from ruminants’ enteric fermentation, and of carbon from deforestation. Low-carbon agriculture technologies (LCAT) contribute to mitigating these emissions and this study evaluates the role of these technologies on ruminant forage production in Caatinga. A Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threats analysis was used to elucidate the main features, followed by an Analytic Hierarchical Process, ranking the LCAT, and a risk analysis. Integrated Crop-Livestock-Forest System (ICLFS) is the most recommended technology, followed by Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and Recovery of Degraded Areas with Pastures (RDA-P). The results can aid in the choice of the LCAT to be implemented by the smallholder in Caatinga, demonstrating the need to strengthen rural technical assistance, so that there is a real benefit to the producer and the environment.

Principle-based decision-making: realising benefits in a scaled agile environment

PurposeThis paper examines the conflict between rule-based and principle-based approaches to benefits realisation in agile projects. It proposes a principle-based framework as a more effective alternative, aligned with the iterative and adaptive nature of agile methodologies.Design/methodology/approachThe research utilises semi-structured interviews to gather qualitative data from professionals experienced in agile projects. Causal loop diagrams are employed to illustrate the relationships between identified principles. The study identifies 12 key principles essential for agile benefits realisation, with a particular focus on visibility and consequence management.FindingsThe study finds that a principle-based approach to benefits realisation is more compatible with agile methodologies compared to a rule-based approach. The flexibility of principle-based decision-making allows for continuous adaptation and improvement, aligning with the dynamic and iterative nature of agile projects. The principles of visibility and consequence management emerge as critical factors in successfully realising benefits in an agile environment.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are based on qualitative data from a limited number of interviews, which may not be generalisable across all agile projects. Further research with a larger sample size and diverse project types is recommended to validate and refine the proposed principles.Practical implicationsAgile teams and project managers can leverage the identified principles to enhance their decision-making processes and improve benefits realisation outcomes. Adopting a principle-based approach can lead to more flexible, responsive and effective project management practices.Social implicationsBy promoting more adaptive and responsive project management practices, the adoption of a principle-based approach can contribute to greater satisfaction and collaboration among project stakeholders, leading to more successful project outcomes.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by highlighting the limitations of rule-based approaches in agile contexts and proposing a principle-based framework for benefits realisation. The identification of specific principles and their interrelationships provides a novel perspective and practical guidance for agile practitioners.

The real impacts of third-party certification on green bond issuances: Evidence from the Chinese green bond market

This study examines the real effects of third-party certification on green bond issuance by Chinese listed firms over the period 2016–2022. Our findings reveal that the issuance of certified (non-certified) green bonds results in favourable (non-significant or even negative) stock market reactions in both the short and long term, indicating that third-party certification adds value for stock investors. In addition, we analyse the underlying mechanisms that drive the value creation of third-party certification in green bond issuance. We find that third-party certification effectively reduces information asymmetries between firms and investors, induces firms to genuinely prioritise sustainable practices and improves firms' environmental performance, leading to increases in investor demand and firm value. Our further analysis reveals that third-party certification helps green bond issuers attract long-term investors, increases analyst coverage and induces positive opinions from the regulator on firm disclosure. Overall, this study documents that third-party certification of green bond issuers can generate real economic and environmental benefits for issuers.

Organizational Factors Driving the Realization of Digital Health Transformation Benefits from Health Service Managers: A Qualitative Study.

Healthcare is experiencing a global period of profound transformation, and digital health shows the promise of dispensing innovative and contemporary service models. However, changes are required to improve the capabilities of health managers in driving successful digital transformation. This paper aims to explore the organizational barriers that health service managers have encountered when realizing the benefits of a digitally transforming environment. This is part of a larger research study exploring digital competencies for health service managers, with the findings from focus group discussions providing a baseline from which to address the organizational improvements and changes in system capabilities required to assist in realizing the benefits of digital health transformation. The study is qualitative in nature. It employs focus group discussions to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences and views of health service managers and identify the benefits and barriers that managers have experienced in introducing digital health in their workplace. Barriers encountered in realizing digital health benefits in the workplace were evidenced across five major themes: (1) change resistance and usage, (2) trust and uniformity, (3) resourcing and procurement, (4) digital literacy, and (5) siloed systems. Findings from this study demonstrate that in driving the realization of digital health transformation benefits, health service managers need organizational and system-wide efforts to support managing in the digital health context. The key identified barriers experienced by health service managers include facing human and technical challenges with system adoption and the governance of data-driven decision-making in the digital context. The importance of digital transformation in healthcare is evident and will increasingly become a necessity for organizational survival and success. This study adds important insights into the organizational barriers that health service managers have encountered when realizing the benefits resulting from digital transformation. Addressing these barriers requires macro-, meso- and micro-level system investments. These benefits are enhanced by enabling factors critical for digital health adoption that have been described in key categories involving health system related: (1) policy and system, (2) organizational structure and processes, and human resource management, and (3) people factors. The importance of ensuring the organizational factors driving the realization of benefits in a digitally transforming environment is also addressed and capitalized upon for health service managers.

Navigating Ethical Dilemmas: The Role of AI in Supply Chain Decision-Making

Current times in which supply chains are increasingly viewed as being uncouth in the practice of their operations call for the integration of AI to thereby solve ethical dilemmas within such chains. This paper delves into the role played by AI to navigate ethical dilemmas in supply chains, thereby discussing its ability to resolve challenges such as labor rights, environmental sustainability, and responsible sourcing. Through this literature review, the current research is able to draw on existing work on AI applications within the supply chain and highlight gaps concerning ethical implications. The paper illustrates the real benefits and challenges surrounding the application of these technologies through case studies of those organizations which successfully implement AI-driven tools for ethical decision-making. The framework proposed should, therefore, bring about actionable recommendations to the business on attaining such a balance between operational efficiency and ethical responsibility. Lessons contained in the overall suggest the necessary use of AI to construct a more transparent and accountable supply chain landscape but lead to a more sustainable and ethically sound business landscape

Meningkatkan Potensi Kampung Wisata Pengolahan Susu Samar sebagai Destinasi Wisata Digital melalui Pemanfaatan Aset MOOC

The aim of this community service is to develop the Samar Milk Processing Tourism Village as a digital tourism destination through the use of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) assets. This implementation focuses on efforts to utilize MOOCs as an important tool to improve education, development and marketing of dairy farming-based tourist destinations in Samar Village through the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) method. Media expert validation results show an approval level of 89.5% for the concept of using MOOCs in marketing tourist destinations. Meanwhile, the material expert validation results reached an agreement level of 92.5%, indicating that this approach was received positively by experts in the field of milk processing. Furthermore, the implementation of this activity also recorded a significant increase in the learning outcomes of participants who took part in the MOOC related to the dairy industry. This confirms that the use of MOOCs in digital tourism destination-based education and training can provide real benefits. Keywords: MOOC; Asset; Tourism; Digital; Samar’s Milk

Pre-extubation Dexamethasone: Does It Merely Muffle Stridor or Provide Real Benefit for Mechanically Ventilated Children?

Pre-extubation Dexamethasone: Does It Merely Muffle Stridor or Provide Real Benefit for Mechanically Ventilated Children?

The Benefits of China Funds During Globalization and in a New World Order

Examining data from their inception in the 1990s to 2022, we find that both China mutual funds and China exchange-traded funds (ETFs) outperformed their benchmarks, the S&P 500 index fund and SPY, before the global financial crisis starting in the summer of 2007 but underperformed afterward. We show that the real benefits of China funds in the post-crisis period since May 2009 lie in their hedge effect against U.S. stock market downturns. Current policies in both countries indicate the emergence of a new world order of selective segregation in some sensitive sectors but a continuous trading partnership because each country needs the other. For example, China needs computer chips from the United States, whereas the United States needs key chip-making minerals from China. Paradoxically, this new world order creates growth opportunities in both countries, which is conducive to investing in China funds and makes it necessary for China funds to invest directly in Chinese shares to better serve the U.S. investors.

Healthy urban blue space design: Exploring the associations of blue space quality with recreational running and cycling using crowdsourced data

Urban blue space offers substantial health benefits by encouraging population physical activity. Despite much evidence on the nature-health nexus, the relationship between blue space and recreational exercises remains under-studied, limiting the realisation of health benefits in blue space design. Using crowdsourced data, including volunteered geographic information and street view image data, this study investigates the associations of blue space quality with recreational running and cycling in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Results show that recreational exercise levels on street segments vary based on the blue space type and design. Compared to inland canals and rivers, small-scale recreational waterbodies are more conducive to running but not cycling, while both activities tend to cluster around the Nieuwe Maas River. Interestingly, the Water View Index shows a general negative association with both activities after adjusting for the blue space type. Besides the waterbody characteristics, eye-level environmental factors, including higher Green View Index, lower building density, more diverse land use, greater connected street network and fewer traffic elements, are associated with more running and cycling exercises. Results for visual complexity and neighbourhood population composition are mixed depending on the exercise type. These findings are further translated into spatial design patterns for developing exercise-supportive and health-promoting blue spaces.

Multiple System Atrophy: Pathology, Pathogenesis, and Path Forward.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by autonomic failure and motor impairment. The hallmark pathologic finding in MSA is widespread oligodendroglial cytoplasmic inclusions rich in aggregated α-synuclein (αSyn). MSA is widely held to be an oligodendroglial synucleinopathy, and we outline lines of evidence to support this assertion, including the presence of early myelin loss. We consider emerging data that support the possibility of neuronal or immune dysfunction as primary drivers of MSA. These hypotheses are placed in the context of a major recent discovery that αSyn is conformationally distinct in MSA versus other synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease. We outline emerging techniques in epidemiology, genetics, and molecular pathology that will shed more light on this mysterious disease. We anticipate a future in which cutting-edge developments in personalized disease modeling, including with pluripotent stem cells, bridge mechanistic developments at the bench and real benefits at the bedside.

Exploring Outcome-driven Innovation for the Responsible Design of Electric Two-wheelers

Amidst a technology push for electric mobility, the societal implementation of new e-mobility innovations is multi-layered and warrants a user-centered view. This study explores how the application of the outcome-driven innovation method (ODI) can be extended to e-mobility and inform a more responsible design of electric two-wheeler product and service development. By means of discovering electric two-wheelers’ possible weak spots and potentials using outcome-driven innovation with citizens, their unmet requirements can be better addressed. The results suggest several innovation potentials which could better facilitate users in getting certain jobs done, such as developing a more lightweight vehicle design. Additionally, the diverse needs of users can be transformed into real customer benefits through the subsequent integration of additional vehicle functionalities, such as complementing human machine interfaces or wearables. By employing outcome-driven innovation as a deliberative and inclusive means of creating value and by being receptive to citizen feedback, ODI has the potential to make a meaningful stride in enhancing the ‘responsible’ nature of innovation.