Resource Practices Research Articles

Evolution and impact of a dedicated ultrasound clinic on clinical rheumatology practice at an academic medical center

BackgroundRheumatologic ultrasonography (RhUS) has grown in scope and application over the past 20 years. While many studies have shown the benefits of RhUS, few have investigated the efficacy of a dedicated clinic. This study explores the impact of a dedicated ultrasound clinic on patients and rheumatologists at an academic medical center (AMC). MethodsWe analyzed claims data for patient visits, X-rays (XR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and RhUS from an AMC with an established RhUS clinic, alongside two affiliated community medical practices (CMPs) without RhUS. We also analyzed RhUS clinic records on referral indication, procedures, results, and follow-up treatment changes. Pre- and post-RhUS visit patient surveys and referring physician (RP) surveys assessed experience and impact of the RhUS clinic. ResultsFrom 2018 to 2021, referrals to the RhUS clinic substantially increased. In parallel, XR and MRI orders changed by −76 % and −43 % respectively, compared with 163 % and −24 % at CMPs. Discordance between RP pre-RhUS assessments and RhUS results were common. Patient surveys showed RhUS led to increased disease understanding and impacted thoughts and decisions about their therapy. RPs found utility in RhUS across a range of indications and were confident with RhUS results. ConclusionsThese findings suggest a dedicated RhUS clinic can be a valuable resource in clinical rheumatology practice. Implementation of a RhUS clinic at this AMC spurred rapid adoption of RhUS into clinical decision-making with notable benefits for patients and physicians alike. This may serve as a model for implementation of similar clinics at other institutions.

Zero-valent iron to advance anaerobic membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment and reuse: A critical review

Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) have been widely applied for wastewater treatment and resource recovery, but face several technical challenges, such as unstable methane (CH4) production, limited contaminant removal, and membrane fouling. Zero-valent iron (ZVI) can be a potential additive to improve AnMBRs performance by regulating anaerobic reaction conditions, electron transfer modes and microbial community structure. Thus, this review critically evaluated the role of ZVI to advance AnMBRs performance for wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Key physicochemical characteristics of ZVI were analyzed to highlight its potential for AnMBRs enhancement. The performance of ZVI and its modification to assist AnMBRs, regarding CH4 production, contaminant removal and membrane fouling, were discussed. Furthermore, future perspectives to the development of ZVI-assisted AnMBRs toward industrial application for practical wastewater treatment and resource recovery were provided.

A Classroom Practice and Assessment Resource for Dental Clinical Treatment Planning.

Dental students' opportunities to practice clinical treatment planning prior to the clinical experience are often limited. This resource permits students to practice treatment planning in the classroom and allows the instructor to efficiently provide feedback to a large number of students. I developed a computer-based treatment plan worksheet (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or Qualtrics) consisting of four sequence steps and a list of Common Dental Terminology (CDT) codes. I implemented this educational activity in the Case Management and Treatment Planning course (second year, spring quarter). The course included 10 weekly sessions of 1 hour each. I gave students a practice case at the beginning of the course. They submitted comprehensive sequenced treatment plans as assignments using the Qualtrics treatment plan worksheet 2 days after the interdisciplinary treatment planning didactic session. In the subsequent debrief session, I discussed the case with the entire class and focused on themes observed from the students' performance on the assignments. I graded all students' submissions (n = 87) using CDT codes both with and without consideration of sequence steps and observed variations in students' performance. Many students (n = 36, 41%) opted to give feedback through an anonymous survey, with 88%-96% of them agreeing or strongly agreeing that the educational activity allowed them to practice, demonstrate their knowledge, and improve their skills in treatment planning. This computer-based worksheet lets students practice clinical treatment planning in the classroom and allows the instructor to effectively assess a large number of students' assignments.

The Moral Dimensions of Family Caregiving for Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Qualitative Study

Background. Family caregivers in charge of patients with advanced cancer play an essential role. The psychosocial cost of these caregiving activities has been studied, and psychosocial interventions have been developed to improve the quality of life of family caregivers. A deeper understanding of caregivers’ burden is essential in order to enhance the benefits of these interventions. The aim of this study was to explore the socioeconomic and cultural factors responsible for shaping the complex personal experience of family caregiving and to analyse the moral dimensions of the caring experience so as to understand its effects on family caregivers more clearly. Materials and Methods. A qualitative study based on in-depth interviews was conducted with patients with advanced cancer (n = 20) and their family caregivers (n = 19) from 2017 to 2020. These interviews were analysed using an inductive approach and an iterative procedure. A thematic analysis was then performed using Tronto’s “ethic of care” framework in order to identify the various levels of responsibility and the relationships and effects involved. Results. Providing patients with advanced cancer with informal care is highly valuable work requiring various moral qualities, including attentiveness, responsibility, competence, and responsiveness. The mental load resulting from the moral aspects of care results from the cumulative effects of carers’ attentiveness and the responsibilities they have taken on. Conclusion. The present findings could guide healthcare professionals to develop best practice resources and guidelines in order to alleviate the hitherto underestimated effects of caring and promote a coordinated public health approach addressing the needs of caregivers. These efforts are particularly important as contemporary health policies tend to promote the shift from inpatient to outpatient treatment, which increases the importance of informal caregiving and the burden involved.

Pelatihan Budidaya Tanaman Sistem Hidroponik (BTSH) di SMA Maarif Lawang

The lack of land at SMA Maarif Lawang affects the availability of students' practical resources in biology lessons, especially regarding plant growth and development. The agreement between the service team and SMA Maarif Lawang is that training activities must be carried out on hydroponic system plant cultivation (hspc) at SMA Maarif Lawang as a source of student practicum. The service method is carried out in 4 stages such as observation, planning, implementation, and evaluation. The implementation took place at SMA Maarif Lawang with participants from students who were in intra-school student organizations. The instruments for collecting service data use observation sheets and participant enthusiasm questionnaires. The data analysis technique was carried out using descriptive analysis. The results of the service activities showed that it was very helpful for SMA Maarif Lawang in providing practical resources for students in biology lessons and making students aware of the importance of greening in the school environment. It can be concluded that service activities run smoothly and meet achievement targets.

Insights into the plant growth promotion properties of bacterial endophytes isolated from Alternanthera philoxeroides and Eichhornia crassipes from Bellandur lake, India

The presence of macrophytes such as Alternanthera philoxeroides and Eichhornia crassipes in Bellandur Lake, India, has been observed despite the high pollution levels. Our research aims to explore the potential role of endophytes in promoting the growth of these macrophytes in such heavily contaminated environments. In current study, we isolated 20 endophytic bacteria from various parts of A. philoxeroides (12) and E. crassipes (8) plants, including shoots, roots, leaves, and flowers. We found that a significant proportion of endophytes from A. philoxeroides (42 %) and E. crassipes (25 %) produced more than 100 µg/mL of indole acetic acid (IAA). Similarly, the majority of the isolates possessed other plant growth promoting traits like ammonia production, nitrogen fixation, phosphate and potassium solubilization, siderophore production, and ACC deaminase production. Many of these isolates demonstrated extracellular enzyme production and halotolerance properties. We identified Acinetobacter soli ON529869 and Bacillus licheniformis ON506048 as the most effective plant growth promoters among the isolates, which also displayed antifungal properties against Fusarium solani and Cladosporium tenuissimum in vitro. Furthermore, greenhouse trials using these two endophytes revealed their significant plant growth promotion abilities in Amaranthus viridis. The pigment indices were evaluated using CI-710 Leaf Spectrometer. In conclusion, our findings provide compelling evidence for exploring the endophytic microbiomes of macrophytes in polluted areas for sustainable agriculture and bioprospecting of unique traits. This research could lead to the discovery of new and valuable resources for agricultural practices and other applications.

Development of E-modules as a Learning Resource for Prayer Practice

Background. This research is motivated by the rapid development of increasingly sophisticated technology in the era of globalization, so educators are also required to have IT skills that can support learning and make teaching materials more creative and innovative. Purpose. But at SMPN 1 Bungursari in learning Islamic Religious Education still does not utilize the sophistication of technology that is available. This research is a development research consisting of three stages, namely. Method. the definition stage (define), the design stage (design) and the development stage (develop). This research instrument uses validation sheets and questionnaires. The module was validated by three validators, namely one media lecturer, one Islamic religious education lecturer, and one Islamic religious education teacher. At the stage of practicality and effectiveness of e-modules as a learning resource for prayer practice, it was tested on 26 students of class VII SMPN 1 Bungursari. Results. Based on the results of data analysis that has been done, it can be concluded as follows: (1) The results of validation of e-modules as a learning resource for prayer practice material developed for class VII SMPN 1 Bungursari are valid with a percentage of 85.3%. Conclusion. The results of the trial of the practicality of the e-module as a learning resource for prayer practice material developed showed the results of teacher practicality of 90.2% and student practicality of 85.4% with a very practical category that can be used in the learning process.

Law Librarians Leading Law Schools Through Transformative Change: Integrating Doctrine and Diversity

Law librarians are leaders and changemakers, even if our contributions are sometimes quieter and less visible than those of other law-school faculty and administrators. We are also experts in presenting information in an easy-to-understand way. Making information accessible is so fundamental to our profession that “save the time of the reader” is one of Ranganathan’s laws. This article is about how one group of (mostly) law librarians created a practical resource for law professors on how to re-think the standard US first-year law school curriculum to be more inclusive of elements of diversity, social justice, inclusion, and equity. Drawing on the experiences of the editors, this article will show how law librarians can be, and are, important partners within the law school community for DEI work.

Enhancement of a probiotics practice reference database for healthcare professionals

A probiotics practice reference database (https://bit.ly/sg-probiotics-ref) compiling probiotic products and clinical evidence on probiotics’ efficacy was previously developed to help healthcare professionals (HCPs) in making appropriate probiotic recommendations. This database has been enhanced and updated to contain published clinical studies after 2019 and probiotic products from multiple retail stores. A further 275 study excerpts and 304 products were newly added, thus resulting in the updated database containing a total of 859 study excerpts, 753 products and 5708 product-study links. The database was also enhanced with new features to improve search flexibility. A pilot evaluation of the database among 25 hospital and community pharmacists showed that the majority agreed that the database provided complete, comprehensive and relevant information on probiotic products and indications (72–92%), was useful and applicable to local practice (64–88%) and was user-friendly (92–100%). In addition, most indicated that they would recommend the database to others and continue to use it for probiotics information (96% each). Our findings showed potential in the database being used as an evidence-based resource for HCPs practice. Future work will aim to expand on and validate the database content, as well as evaluate its application among other groups of HCPs.

Info-NAS: A Computer Program for the Calculation of Intensive Care Unit Nurse Workload.

The purpose of this study was to design an algorithm that allows automatic calculation of nursing workload in intensive care units, based on the Nursing Activities Score scale, through a computer program. Three methodological steps were used: (1) Delphi method (group of experts); (2) identification of the correspondence: Nursing Activities Score items-variables in the EHR, namely, standardized terminology, laboratory values, and prescriptions; and (3) weighting of variables independently by a group of experts. Finally, the algorithm of the computer program was tested. The results showed an algorithm that calculates the nursing workload in an ICU. The calculation is objective and automatic through the EHRs. This study shows the feasibility of the algorithm as a rapid and objective strategy to quantify adequate nurse staffing in intensive care units. Moreover, it provides nurses with a practical resource for the correct completion of records and is thus an incentive to maintain or improve their quality.

Implementing Evidence‐Based Design to Improve Adherence in Self‐Administered Treatment Technology

A low level of treatment adherence is one of the challenges facing the UK's healthcare system. An estimated 30% to 50% of patients with chronic diseases fail to adhere to prescribed medical interventions. While medical technology provides an opportunity to overcome existing challenges, poor adherence blurs this opportunity by reducing the intervention's positive impact. The spread of the Covid pandemic dramatically increased the pressure on healthcare systems and highlighted the urgency to address the low adherence problem. Various studies have investigated the underlying factors behind low adherence. However, two main gaps were identified: 1) lack of adherence frameworks that consider self‐administered treatment technology, and 2) lack of a practical mechanism to help companies consider adherence factors during the design and development of the technology.This paper introduces the development of an Adherence Framework for self‐administered treatment technology and a design‐focused adherence canvas used as a practical resource for companies to consider during the design process. Adherence factor data from literature and case studies were triangulated to an eDelphi study used to develop the adherence framework. The presented adherence canvas and Adherence Framework allow companies to consider adherence during the design of self‐administered treatment technology.

The relationship between career satisfaction and organizational commitment: evidence from the Kuwaiti banking sector

Purpose Grounded in social cognitive career theory (SCCT), this study aims to examine the influence of contextual factors on the relationship between career satisfaction and organizational commitment, within the banking sector in Kuwait. Design/methodology/approach This study used a cross-sectional design analyzing a self-report questionnaire (N = 278). Findings This study investigates affective, normative and continuance commitment in relation to career satisfaction, within the banking sector in Kuwait. Findings indicate a positive relationship between career satisfaction and all of affective, normative and continuance commitment; although the relationship that appears to be the strongest is between career satisfaction and normative commitment. Research limitations/implications The single site, cross-sectional approach is a limitation. The data were collected before the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research into career satisfaction and organizational commitment in different sectors is necessary and a replication of this study in a post-COVID context would also be valuable. Practical implications Human resource development (HRD) policies in contexts such as Kuwait should prioritize career progression initiatives to enhance career satisfaction and contribute to increased organizational commitment. More attention is necessary to organizational HRD career planning and development policies and processes. Effective line manager development programs to equip managers to provide feedback and constructive performance management are recommended, as is the organizational provision of career counseling and guidance to support career development policies and processes. Originality/value This study combines the use of established constructs with an SCCT theoretical lends to contribute new theorization of the relationship between career satisfaction and organizational commitment in non-Western cultural contexts. It challenges assumptions in current theorization of the relationship between career satisfaction and commitment that privilege affective commitment over other dimensions.

Practical Considerations for Instrumental Acoustic and Aerodynamic Assessment of Voice: Discussion Points From an Open Forum of Clinicians

Purpose: The purpose of this clinical focus article is to summarize a community discussion about the practical implementation of recommended vocal function measures by practicing speech-language pathologists specializing in the treatment of voice and upper airway disorders, review common barriers and challenges to implementation, and suggest opportunities for further education and discussion. Method: An online discussion was held with members of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Special Interest Group (SIG) 3 to facilitate discussion regarding participants' experiences implementing vocal function assessment (acoustic and aerodynamic assessment) in their practice settings. The discussion was based on the expert panel consensus paper by Patel et al. (2018), which provided recommendations for a minimum core set of vocal function measures. Results: Discussion topics included standardization methods, environmental factors, preferred hardware and software, tasks and measures, interpretation, and infection control. Participants reported that the recommendations of the consensus paper provide a useful guideline for obtaining a core set of reliable and valid measures. They also reported facing barriers in meeting these recommendations due to varying practice settings and resources. Conclusions: Variations in instrumental assessment may arise due to differences in clinic models, testing environments, accessible equipment, allotted time, and clinician opinion. During the discussion, participants emphasized the need for further education and discussion on the implementation of vocal function assessment, particularly regarding adaptations for different clinical models, low-cost and low-tech alternatives, synthesis of findings, and the relevance of additional or omitted measures in specific situations. To address these concerns, it is recommended that the SIG 3 community delve deeper into this topic, open additional discussion about various topics cited as barriers to vocal function assessment implementation, and create ongoing educational opportunities for clinicians, especially for those who lack access to a voice-specialized clinical fellowship program or mentorship by a specialized clinical expert.

Searching for and making genetic connections: recommendations for practice from donor conceived adults in the UK

Research questionWhat are the support needs of donor conceived individuals who are searching for or open to matching with genetic connections? DesignA total of 88 donor conceived adults in the UK participated in an online survey open between January and August 2022. Participants were asked about their level of awareness of current resource provision, recommendations for resources to support the process of searching for genetic connections, and recommendations for resources to support with feelings about searching for or being found by genetic connections. ResultsParticipants were found to have varying levels of awareness of the resources available to them, with 39% describing themselves as aware, 41% as partly aware and 20% as unaware. Their recommendations for practical and emotional resources also varied. The most recommended resources for practical support were DNA testing and changes to UK law. The most recommended resources for emotional support were counselling and peer and other support groups. ConclusionsThe impact of legal and technological changes such as direct-to-consumer DNA testing and the legal transition to identifiable donation may be felt by donor conceived individuals irrespective of their year of birth. The wishes of donor conceived individuals for different support resources should be borne in mind by practitioners, regulatory bodies, and policy makers going forward.

Conservative Kidney Management Practice Patterns and Resources in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of CKDopps (Chronic Kidney Disease Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study) Data

Conservative kidney management (CKM) is a viable treatment option for many patients with chronic kidney disease. However, CKM practices and resources in the United States are not well described. We undertook this study to gain a better understanding of factors influencing uptake of CKM by describing: (1) characteristics of patients who choose CKM, (2) provider practice patterns relevant to CKM, and (3) CKM resources available to providers. Cross-sectional study. This study is a cross-sectional analysis of data from US nephrology clinics enrolled in the chronic kidney disease Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (CKDopps) collected between 2014 and 2020. Data for this study includes chart-abstracted characteristics of patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate≤30mL/min/1.73m2 (n=1018) and available information on whether a decision had been made to pursue CKM at the time of kidney failure, patient(n=407) reports of discussions about forgoing dialysis, and provider (n=26) responses about CKM delivery and available resources in their health systems. Descriptive statistics were used to report patient demographics, clinical information, provider demographics, and clinic characteristics. Among data from 1018 patients, 68 (7%) were recorded as planning for CKM. These patients were older, had more comorbidities, and were more likely to require assistance with transfers. Of the 407 patient surveys, 18% reported a conversation about forgoing dialysis with their nephrologist. A majority of providers felt comfortable discussing CKM; however, no clinics had a dedicated clinic or protocol for CKM. Inconsistent survey terminology and unlinked patient and provider responses. Few patients reported discussion of forgoing dialysis with their providers and even fewer anticipated a choice of CKM on reaching kidney failure. Most providers were comfortable discussing CKM, but practiced in clinics that lacked dedicated resources. Further research is needed to improve the implementation of a CKM pathway. For older comorbid adults with kidney failure, conservative kidney management (CKM) can be an appropriate treatment choice. CKM is a holistic approach with treatment goals of maximizing quality of life and preventing progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) without initiation of dialysis. We investigated US CKM practices and found that among 1018 people with CKD, only 7% were planning for CKM. Of 407 surveyed patients, 18% reported a conversation with their provider about forgoing dialysis. In contrast, most providers felt comfortable discussing CKM; however, none reported working in an environment with a dedicated CKM clinic or protocol. Our data show the need for further CKM education in the United States as well as dedicated resources for its delivery.

45 New eBook resource: the supportive memory guide—empowering you with practical tips and useful technologies

Abstract Background Part of the mPower programme (a Dementia Initiative in CHO 1) was to explore and create digital resources for People Living with Dementia and support community services. One of the projects led by senior Occupational Therapists in collaboration with HSE eHealth was the development of a practical resource eBook with education, practical advice and helpful assistive technologies. The aim was to create a digital resource that provides practical information and advice for People Living with Dementia, empowering them to make positive changes. Methods The eBook project commenced in January of 2022, the Occupational Therapists and the digital designer met twice monthly online to collaboratively develop relevant and practical content and advice covering key areas in dementia and daily living. The team provided a focus on assistive technologies and created short explanatory videos. The OTs researched and provided information on relevant apps for smart technology devices that support engagement and brain stimulation. The eBook was reviewed by the National Dementia Office, HSE digital and communications as well as Occupational Therapists and a focus group of People Living with Dementia which provided positive and helpful feedback. Results The eBook was completed and launched in February 2023 and covers a wide area of topics with practical advice to help people manage the impact dementia has on their daily engagement in activities and occupations. Assistive technologies, compensatory techniques, modifying activities, downloads and more are provided in the eBook. The topics covered include: Routines & Habits, Scheduling & Planning, Supportive Home Environments, Managing Medication, Simple Home Technologies, Smart Home Technologies, Smart Phones, Keeping Active & Engaged, and Links & Resources. Conclusion This eBook will be a valuable resource for People Living with Dementia and their families. It will be an additional tool for healthcare professionals in a time where waiting lists are high and where is some areas specialist services are limited.

Exploring VA presence in groundwater of densely populated livestock farming watersheds: Sources, seasonal dynamics and geospatial relationships

Antibiotics are an indispensable component of the livestock industry and are released into the environment through various pathways during livestock rearing processes. Among various environmental mediums, groundwater holds significant importance as it serves as a crucial resource for potable water supply and agricultural practices. However, the persistent use of antibiotic-contaminated groundwater can lead to prolonged exposure to these agents in human and ecological systems, thereby engendering serious apprehensions, including the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Therefore, in this study, the concentration of antibiotics in groundwater within densely populated livestock farming areas was analyzed using UHPLC-q-orbitrap HRMS combined with online solid-phase extraction. The measured cumulative concentrations of antibiotics in the groundwater samples collected from the surveyed areas ranged from 15.8 ng L─1 to 1530.0 ng L─1. The residual antibiotics obtained from the surveyed region exhibited significant seasonal variation, with higher concentrations observed during summer. This seasonal pattern is attributed to the combined effects of agricultural activities and climatic factors. The concentrations of antibiotics in the investigated area demonstrated associations between the composition of livestock species and the density of livestock farming facilities. Specifically, veterinary-specific antibiotics (sulfaquinoxaline [SQX] and clopidol [CLO]), commonly employed in poultry farming, were found to be more prominent in the area with a high concentration of poultry farming facilities. In regions characterized by a dense poultry farm presence, the highest concentrations of SQX and CLO were founded at 135.7 ng L─1 and 178.6 ng L─1, respectively. In contrast, areas without any farms exhibited lower concentrations, measuring 39.9 ng L─1 for SQX and 10.1 ng L─1 for CLO. Similarly, antibiotics primarily used in swine farming showed a strong correlation with the presence of large-scale swine farming operations. In the case of sulfamethazine, which is commonly used in pig farming, concentrations exceeding 500 ng L─1 were observed in groundwater samples collected near large-scale swine farming facilities. These observations suggest that antibiotics are introduced into groundwater through the discharge of wastewater and excreta from livestock farming facilities. Consequently, this study establishes that regional variations in antibiotic concentrations within groundwater are influenced by factors such as local usage patterns, the scale and types of livestock farming, and the prevailing climatic conditions. In order to elucidate the precise associations between multiple sources of contamination, including livestock farming facilities, and to enhance our understanding of their spatial correlations, there appears to be a need for research focused on spatial correlation analysis.

Development of an evidence-based aphasia therapy implementation tool: an international survey of speech pathologists’ access to and use of aphasia therapy resources

ABSTRACT Background Speech and language therapy can reduce the level of impairment and disability caused by aphasia (Brady et al., 2016). Selecting a therapy can be challenging for clinicians who may struggle to stay abreast of the best evidence to support therapy selection (Rose et al., 2014). Once a therapy is selected, accessing relevant resources is a significant barrier to implementation (Shrubsole et al., 2019). The Aphasia Therapy Finder (ATF) is proposed to be an online repository of therapy resources designed to aid selection of evidence-based aphasia therapies and to bridge the evidence-practice gap in aphasia rehabilitation. Aims In this study, we aimed to explore speech pathologists’ selection and use of aphasia therapy approaches, and access to aphasia therapy resources in clinical practice. We further aimed to explore speech pathologists’ perspectives on the proposed ATF. Methods & Procedures A cross-sectional, mixed-methods, survey design was employed. A 22-item web-based survey was developed and disseminated to speech pathologists via professional networks internationally. Data analyses included descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis. Outcomes & Results Eligible responses from 176 speech pathologists across 19 countries were included in the analyses (86.3% completion rate). Speech pathologists reported using a range of therapy approaches (n = 43) in aphasia rehabilitation, consistent with previous findings (Rose et al., 2014). Information regarding new therapy approaches was predominantly obtained from academic sources including conferences, research literature, and professional development workshops. Speech pathologists placed high importance on research evidence when selecting therapy approaches. Resource limitations, including time and budget constraints, were identified as key barriers to implementing evidence-based aphasia therapy approaches in clinical practice. There was strong support for development of the ATF; 91.7% of respondents indicated they would use it in clinical practice. Recency of research, equity of access with the inclusion of linguistically and culturally diverse resources, and usability of resources were identified as priorities when developing the ATF. Conclusions While speech pathologists report using a range of aphasia therapy approaches in clinical practice and consider research evidence when selecting therapy approaches, resource limitations continue to present a barrier to the implementation of evidence-based practice. The development of the ATF may support the translation of research evidence into clinical practice.

Information asymmetry in the graph model of conflict resolution and its application to the sustainable water resource utilization conflict in Niangziguan Springs Basin

With the increasing consumption of global water resources, research on sustainable water resource utilization has become a topic of urgent interest. Despite the promulgation of policies and laws on the protection of water resources, the sustainable utilization and development of water resources in China are still far from reaching their initially established targets. This is partly explained by real-life conflicts that arise, in which different decision makers (DMs) possess different levels of professional knowledge, social status, and even power in contexts where the parties’ ability to leverage information varies greatly. Sustainable water resource utilization conflicts between the government and factories exemplify the impact of this information asymmetry on the relationship between DMs for the purposes of conflict resolution. In this paper, it is assumed that if one DM in a conflict has more information, their information advantage will affect the policy formation of the other DM. Thus, to analyze and resolve relevant problems, the concept of information asymmetry between two DMs is integrated into the basic structure of the graph model for conflict resolution (GMCR). According to the mathematical expression of the information asymmetry preferences of DMs, a set of information asymmetry stability definitions can be introduced to determine the stable state for each DM. The sustainable water resource utilization conflict in Niangziguan Springs Basin is used as an exemplar to confirm the effectiveness and correctness of the proposed method. Stability analysis shows that when the government implements strict environmental policies by leveraging more information, factories should adjust their preference relations to follow the rules and regulations to protect water resource in practice. Finally, comprehensive sustainable utilization and development of natural resource mechanisms must be implemented not only for these factories but also for other industries in China.

Analysis of the German tidal energy resource


 
 
 A transformation of the energy sector towards a low-emission power generation is needed to mitigate global warming and fight the current climate crisis. In recent years, tidal energy technology has matured and shows potential to balance Europe’s future power grid. While reviews of the tidal energy resource exist for a number of European countries, the potential of tidal energy along the German North Sea coast is overlooked so far. This review closes this gap and provides a first analysis of the German tidal energy resource. Germany’s North Sea coast is characterised by comparatively low current velocities and shallow waters. Using available data from the EasyGSH-DB North Sea Model, Germany’s practical tidal energy resource is estimated at 66.6 GWHy−1, under strong restrictions, excluding the most energetic sites in the estuaries of Elbe, Weser, and Ems. Based on the results, future work for a more detailed analysis is suggested.