Systematic Approach Research Articles

Systematic Computational Approaches on Biosorption of Fluoride on Chitin: Crossover from Conventional to Short and Strong Hydrogen Bonds

Systematic Computational Approaches on Biosorption of Fluoride on Chitin: Crossover from Conventional to Short and Strong Hydrogen Bonds

RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY (RSM) AS A TOOL IN PHARMACEUTICAL FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT

Response surface methodology (RSM) serves as a valuable tool in pharmaceutical formulation development, facilitating the optimization of drug formulations by systematically exploring the effects of multiple variables on desired responses. This methodology involves the design of experiments to generate mathematical models that predict the relationship between formulation parameters and critical quality attributes. By utilizing statistical techniques such as factorial design, central composite design, and Box-Behnken design, RSM enables the identification of optimal formulation conditions while minimizing the number of experimental trials. Across iterative experimentation and model refinement, RSM assists in understanding the complex interactions between formulation components, process variables, and product characteristics. In this review, we discuss the application of RSM in pharmaceutical formulation studies, highlighting its efficacy in optimizing drug delivery systems, enhancing product stability, and ensuring quality control. In addition, we explore recent advancements in RSM-driven approaches, including its integration with computational modeling and artificial intelligence techniques for enhanced formulation design and process optimization. Overall, RSM offers a systematic and efficient approach for developing robust pharmaceutical formulations, thereby accelerating the drug development process and improving therapeutic outcomes.

Effects of a structured, family-supported, and patient-centred advance care planning on end-of-life decision making among palliative care patients and their family members: protocol of a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundAdvance care planning (ACP) is a well-recognized quality indicator for palliative care. Despite two decades of effort, previous studies showed that ACP-related documentation and end-of-life discussion rates remain low for palliative care patients. Although ACP is about self-determination and autonomy, studies consistently show the importance of family involvement in adult patient’s medical decision-making. Yet, research on ACP interventions with structured components targeting family member remained limited. The current study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured, family-supported, patient-centred ACP programme for adult palliative care patients and their families.MethodsThis is a 2-arm parallel group randomized controlled trial with follow-ups at 6 and 12 months. One hundred and seventy eligible palliative care patients and their families are planned to be recruited from three hospitals, and randomized to either a structured, family-supported, patient-centred ACP programme (ACP-Family) or usual ACP care (ACP-UC) arm. The ACP-Family intervention consists of 2 sessions. The primary outcome is family’s prediction accuracy of patient’s treatment preferences at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include proportions of new ACP documentations and family-reported perception of whether the patient’s end-of-life (EOL) care preference was respected; patient’s decisional conflict; quality of communication; family’s decision-making confidence; family’s anxiety and depression; and patients’ and family members’ satisfaction of the intervention. Outcomes of the two groups will be compared using regressions and linear mixed-effects models.DiscussionThis study will provide rigorous scientific evidence on the effectiveness of a structured and well-design family-supported, patient-centred ACP programme for adult palliative care patients and their family members in the hospital setting. If the ACP-Family proves to be effective, it will provide a structured and systematic approach to facilitate ACP discussions involving family members. This will respond to local needs and inform international ACP practice.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05935540.

Crystallographic insights into lipid-membrane protein interactions in microbial rhodopsins

The primary goal of our work is to provide structural insights into the influence of the hydrophobic lipid environment on the membrane proteins (MPs) structure and function. Our work will not cover the well-studied hydrophobic mismatch between the lipid bilayer and MPs. Instead, we will focus on the less-studied direct molecular interactions of lipids with the hydrophobic surfaces of MPs. To visualize the first layer of amphiphiles surrounding MPs and analyze their interaction with the proteins, we use the available highest-quality crystallographic structures of microbial rhodopsins. The results of the structure-based analysis allowed us to formulate the hypothetical concept of the role of the nearest layer of the lipids as an integral part of the MPs that are important for their structure and function. We then discuss how the lipid-MPs interaction is influenced by exogenous hydrophobic molecules, noble gases, which can compete with lipids for the surface of MPs and can be used in the systematic approach to verify the proposed concept experimentally. Finally, we raise the problems of currently available structural data that should be overcome to obtain a more profound picture of the lipid-MP interactions.

The experience of weight gain during and after breast cancer treatment: a qualitative study.

After breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, the majority of women will gain weight. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of weight management among Australian women with breast cancer. This is a secondary analysis of data from a qualitative study evaluating the feasibility of novel interventions for weight management after breast cancer. Participants were recruited via email invitation from a breast cancer consumer organization and breast cancer centre in Australia. Eligible participants had received treatment for breast cancer, and were fluent in English. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis with the constant comparison method. Thirty-seven women provided data in five focus groups and one semi-structured interview. Four themes were identified: Timing, milestones and turning points; Making sense of the journey; Factors leading to weight gain; and Information and health professional support. Varying trajectories of weight gain were described, the most common being gradual or fluctuating weight gain. Weight gain was attributed to a number of related factors including becoming postmenopausal, and the impact of treatment effects. Achieving a sense of autonomy and agency assisted with weight management. An overall lack of information and support relating to weight management was highlighted. There is a need for a coordinated and systematic approach to weight management after breast cancer. Further research on the role of supportive care and systems-level support is warranted to mitigate the significant public health burden of excess weight after breast cancer treatment.

Leveraging the Power of Storytelling to Encourage and Empower Children towards Strong Passwords

With the increasing use of computer and smartphones by children, their online safety has been of major concern due to their limited security knowledge and skills. User authentication is pivotal for their security protection, where a body of work focused on children's password practices. The insights from these studies highlight children's lack of awareness and skills in creating a strong password. However, there is a dearth in existing literature to understand the scopes of designs for encouraging and empowering children towards strong passwords. As we begin to address this gap, we leveraged the power of storytelling to foster user attachment, encouragement, and empowerment. To this end, we adopted a systematic approach through a series of studies. First, a focus group session with three experts whose research primarily focuses on children contributed to build the narrative of a story, followed by a participatory design study with 20 children (aged between 8 and 12) to understand their preferences and perceptions of design components for the visual depiction of that narrative. The insights from focus group and participatory design led to the design of 'Story', a digital storytelling based design representing password advice for children. We also created the baseline designs and compared them with Story in a within-subject survey with 44 children aged between 8 and 12. The findings from our study unpack the efficacy of storytelling, leading us to offer guidelines for future research in these directions.

Combining quality improvement and critical care training: Evaluating an ICU CPR training programme quality improvement initiative at the National Hospital in Tanzania

BackgroundThe United Republic of Tanzania has had a 41.4% mortality rate in the intensive care unit. In Tanzania, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has implemented quality improvement (QI),...

A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Objective: This study aims to comprehensively review digital entrepreneurship (DE) research, identifying key themes, trends, and future research directions. Theoretical Framework: The review draws upon frameworks including entrepreneurial ecosystem theory, digital platform theory, and theories of entrepreneurial intention formation to understand DE dynamics. Method: A systematic and bibliometric analysis of 276 English-language articles published between 2000 and 2023 from the Scopus database was conducted. VOSviewer software analyzed publication trends, keywords, and citations. Results and Discussion: DE research has significantly grown, particularly in the last five years. Five thematic clusters emerged: DE ecosystems, cultivating digital entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship in the digital economy, exploring new frontiers, and sustainable, competitive digital enterprises. The study highlights influential works and emerging areas such as digital platforms, entrepreneurial intention, and DE education. The discussion contextualizes these findings within the theoretical frameworks and their implications. Research Implications: This research provides valuable insights for researchers, educators, and policymakers. It emphasizes the need for further research on the impact of digital technologies on entrepreneurial ecosystems, individual entrepreneurial intentions, and the role of education in fostering DE. Originality/Value: This study contributes by offering a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of DE research, identifying knowledge gaps, and proposing a future research agenda. The systematic approach utilizing bibliometric techniques provides a robust analysis of the DE literature, enhancing understanding of this evolving field.

Global Optimization of Molybdenum Subnanoclusters on Graphene: A Consistent Approach toward Catalytic Applications.

The development of novel subnanometer clusters (SNCs) catalysts with superior catalytic performance depends on the precise control of clusters' atomistic sizes, shapes, and accurate deposition onto surfaces. The intrinsic complexity of the adsorption process complicates the ability to achieve an atomistic understanding of the most relevant structure-reactivity relationships hampering the rational design of novel catalytic materials. In most cases, existing computational approaches rely on just a few structures to draw conclusions on clusters' reactivity thereby neglecting the complexity of the existing energy landscapes thus leading to insufficient sampling and, most likely, unreliable predictions. Moreover, modeling of the actual experimental procedure that is responsible for the deposition of SNCs on surfaces is often not done even though in some cases this procedure may enhance the significance of certain (e.g., metastable) adsorption geometries. This study proposes a novel systematic approach that utilizes global search techniques, specifically, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) method, in conjunction with ab initio calculations, to simulate all stages in the beam experiments, from predicting the most relevant SNCs structures in the beam and on a surface, to their reactivity. To illustrate the main steps of our approach, we consider the deposition of Molybdenum SNC of 6 Mo atoms on a free-standing graphene surface, as well as their catalytic properties with respect to the CO molecule dissociation reaction. Even though our calculations are not exhaustive and serve only to produce an illustration of the method, they are still able to provide insight into the complicated energy landscape of Mo SNCs on graphene demonstrating the catalytic activity of Mo SNCs and the importance of performing statistical sampling of available configurations. This study establishes a reliable procedure for performing theoretical rational design predictions.

Health services research in acute pain medicine : Where do we come from in Germany?

Up to the early 2000s the need for optimization in the treatment of acute pain in hospitals was highlighted. Only afew successes were achieved in the optimization process. As the acute pain care in Germany remained persistently unsatisfactory, the first health services research projects in pain medicine were initiated. These were intended to achieve improvements in patient care. To illustrate the beginnings of health services research in the field of pain medicine in Germany the research projects "Pain-free hospital" and "Action alliance pain-free City of Münster" as well as the certification initiative Certkom are described. An analysis of the current state of pain care for patients and interdisciplinary pain management, the derivation of optimization measures, their implementation and subsequent evaluation were carried out in all the projects presented in the sense of acomplex intervention. All the projects could achieve improvements in patient care through asystematic survey of the current situation, targeted planning and the introduction of optimization measures. Corresponding evaluations could demonstrate these results. The systematic approach in the projects with the collation of scientific data in real-life care has achieved optimization in acute pain management. The foundations were laid for further healthcare research in pain treatment in Germany; however, the projects also revealed limitations in the inclusion of vulnerable patient groups.

ADEQUATE ASSESSMENT OF COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES THROUGH PORTER’S DIAMOND. APPLICATION TO BULGARIAN NON-FERROUS METALLURGY

The topics of competitive advantages and competitive strategies of the enterprise in the wine sector are becoming more and more relevant these days, given the fact that most enterprises operate under conditions of high competition and minimal amount of resources. Competitive advantages and competitive strategies are precisely one of the main processes that make the enterprise profitable, successful and profitable. The main objective of the present paper is to examine the importance of competitive advantages and competitive strategies for the metallurgical enterprise. An adequate assessment of competitive advantages through Porter’s Diamond Model involves analyzing the four key elements - factor conditions, demand conditions, related and supporting industries, and firm strategy, structure, and rivalry - along with the roles of government and chance. Applying this model to Bulgarian non-ferrous metallurgy, which includes industries producing metals like aluminum, copper, zinc, and lead, can help to assess the competitive position of the sector in the global and European markets. The main research methods used in the development are content analysis, comparison method, intuitive and systematic approach, analysis and synthesis method.

Accurately measuring slowly propagating flame speeds: Application to ammonia/air flames

Environmental concerns have driven the development of alternative fuels and refrigerant working fluids with low global warming potential. Ammonia (NH3) is a potential zero-carbon fuel, while hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) like R-32 and R-1234yf are being adopted as refrigerants. When mixed with air, these compounds can sustain slowly propagating flames with laminar flame speeds less than 10 cm/s. Unlike typical hydrocarbon-fueled flames, these slow flames are influenced by buoyancy-induced flow and radiation heat loss. In this study, we experimentally investigate the flame speeds of NH3/air mixtures using the constant-pressure spherically expanding flame method, while circumventing gravity-induced natural convection, and account for radiation-induced inward flow. To mitigate buoyant convection, a low-cost drop tower was built and used to study slow spherically expanding flames in free fall. A computational model (SRADIF) is utilized that combines thermodynamic equilibrium and finite rate optically thin limit radiation heat loss calculations to estimate the inward flow. The developed methodology is utilized to investigate slowly propagating NH3/air flames over a range of equivalence ratios. A systematic approach was undertaken to understand and quantify the errors that could arise when deriving the laminar flame speed. It was found that attempting to study slowly propagating flames in a static configuration, as opposed to in free fall, results in large differences in flame dynamics and subsequently all derived quantities. It is necessary to study slowly propagating flames in free-fall. Additionally, using experimental data that has not been corrected for radiation-induced flow leads to large errors in all derived quantities. Furthermore, direct comparisons of experimental measurements and detailed flame simulations are found to be necessary to determine if existing extrapolation approaches are applicable to these slowly propagating flames, which are challenging to study.

The Impact of Education Management Systems on the Success of Implementing Islamic Curriculum in Indonesian Higher Education Institutions

Islamic education is equally important in a Muslim's life as any other level of education. To assess the successful inclusion of Islamic education in Indonesian higher education institutes, this study looked into the successful execution of the Islamic education curriculum via the education management system. The study used a qualitative research approach, with higher education institutes inside Indonesia's demographic boundaries being investigated and data collected. Semi-structured interviews were used to obtain data from higher authorities and administrative workers who interact with the Islamic curriculum in higher education establishments. The data was analysed using thematic analysis, which resulted in various themes indicating several potential constructs that defined the successful implementation of the Islamic education curriculum, such as systematic approaches, cultural alignment, structured decision making, agile response systems, and so on. The contributions, limits, and future ideas are discussed in the peripheral portions of the study.

Implementing multilingual pedagogy in Finnish ECEC groups – from monolingual practices towards more systematic approaches

Implementing multilingual pedagogy in Finnish ECEC groups – from monolingual practices towards more systematic approaches

Eliminating Scraps in Refrigerator Door Sealing—A Six Sigma Case Study

This paper applies the Six Sigma method to an investigation and analysis of the factors contributing to sealing problems encountered in a refrigerated appliance model. By adopting a rigorous and systematic approach, the Six Sigma method relies on the use of advanced statistical and analytical tools to minimize variability and optimize processes. By utilizing the Six Sigma methodology, this work not only identifies and remedies sealing-related problems, but also contributes to a robust and efficient manufacturing process. The proposed methodology adopts the DMAIC approach and its associated tools to evaluate the impact of waste on the production process. This study aims to demonstrate how the DMAIC approach can effectively assist the company in minimizing scrap. Furthermore, detailed recommendations regarding the application and implementation of DMAIC tools are provided, enabling the company to thoroughly assess its existing processes. These insights will empower the company to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies for ongoing enhancement and operational excellence.

A Review of the Nutritional Composition, Storage Challenges, Processing Technology and Widespread Use of Bamboo Shoots

Bamboo shoots, as the young bamboo stems, are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, as well as many bioactive substances beneficial to health, and are gaining in importance worldwide as a healthy food and dietary supplement. However, fresh bamboo shoots lignify rapidly after harvesting and contain cyanogenic glycosides, limiting the safe and healthy consumption of bamboo shoots. To this end, based on the changes in nutritional composition and the physiological properties of fresh and post-harvest bamboo shoots, factors affecting the preservation of post-harvest bamboo shoots are emphasized, including a series of physical and chemical regimes and various processing methods for post-harvest preservation. Furthermore, a systematic biorefinery approach for using bamboo shoot processing residue to prepare value-added products is also discussed. Finally, the article also discusses issues related to sustainable development, safeguarding food security, and addressing potential health impacts in order to provide a scientific basis for researchers to further develop and increase the added value of bamboo shoots.

Capabilities toward adoption of outcome-based contracts

PurposeManufacturing enterprises have started to offer the “outcome” derived from machines with the help of outcome-based contracts (OBCs). Offering OBCs leads to benefits such as increased revenues, stronger customer relationships and sustainability. However, implementing OBCs requires critical capabilities. Existing literature has focused on identifying these necessary capabilities, but the prioritization and interrelationships among them remain unexplored. This study aims to address this gap.Design/methodology/approachOur study employs a hybrid analytical hierarchy process and interpretative structural modeling approach to prioritize and map interrelationships among OBC-related capabilities within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).FindingsThe findings highlight the importance of digitalization capabilities such as data privacy and security, remote monitoring, and data analytics; and organizational and governance capabilities, including quantifying, controlling, and monitoring risks, teamwork, and leadership, are highlighted.Research limitations/implicationsWe quantitatively prioritize OBC capabilities and establish their level-wise structural interrelationships, which will facilitate a more effective and efficient implementation of OBCs. Due to the emergent nature of OBCs, our study could identify just one SME case company meeting our selection criteria.Originality/valueExisting OBC literature focusses on the design of OBCs in large companies. Similarly, earlier capability-related OBC literature is oriented toward identifying the OBC capabilities to perform specific functions. However, in the current study, we propose a systematic decision-making approach that comprehensively prioritizes and identifies the interrelationships among the capabilities necessary to provide OBCs, thus complementing the existing scientific literature on OBCs. In addition, we focus on SMEs, that have specific limitations and characteristics.

Defluoridation of Groundwater Using Low-cost Adsorbents

Excessive fluoride in groundwater poses significant health risks to millions of people worldwide, necessitating effective and accessible defluoridation methods. This study investigates the use of column filtration for removing fluoride from groundwater. The study employs a systematic approach to evaluate the performance of different adsorbent materials in a fixed-bed column setup. Various materials were tested as adsorbents in column, including Brick powder, Neem leaf powder, Lime, Sawdust, and Vetiver. The research examines the effects of key operational parameters such as bed depth, flow rate, and initial fluoride concentration on the overall removal efficiency. Experiments were conducted using groundwater to assess the method's effectiveness. Results indicated that column filtration can effectively reduce fluoride concentrations to below the World Health Organization's recommended limit of 1.5 mg/L. This report contributes to the development of efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions for groundwater defluoridation. All adsorbents used were inexpensive materials, available easily in nature and locally at village or rural level. Some of the adsorbents were very effective in removal of fluoride ion and can be used as defluoridating agents but they impart color and turbidity to the groundwater. Among all the adsorbents used, Vetiver demonstrated higher removal efficiency of 78% followed up by limestone 77% removal but hindered by its precipitation. Sawdust and brick powder were also efficient up to a certain extent of 72% and 69% respectively in adsorbing fluoride ions. Neem leaves powder was found to be least effective in adsorbing showing about 50% removal efficiency.

Методический фреймворк как средство проектирования образовательных продуктов

Frameworks are one of the most relevant tools for designing educational products today. Despite the various sources devoted to the definition of the framework, it should be noted that there is no unified understanding of this concept. In the Russian educational field, the framework is used as a tool for solving various kinds of tasks. The working concept of a "Methodological framework" is to define it as a ready-made methodological tool that allows you to systematically solve highly specialized tasks in the design of educational products. The paper describes the stages of designing a methodological framework, which includes the following steps: preparatory, basic and final. Research objectives to be solved: to formulate the concept of a methodological framework for use in the design of an educational product; to give a comparative characteristic between a methodological framework and a methodological recommendation; to describe the main elements of a methodological framework taking into account a systematic approach; to demonstrate the results and advantages of using a methodological framework. The article describes the experience of implementing a methodological framework within the framework of the "Creative Workshop Framlab" in the format of a telegram group with more than 455 participants. The conclusions made make it possible to contribute to the practice of using a methodological framework for designing educational products, as well as to the development of domestic pedagogical design.

Systematic Approach to Prevent Code Vulnerabilities using CI/CD Pipelines

This paper discusses a systematic approach to integrating Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Software Composition Analysis (SCA), Code Coverage, and Code Quality Checks into Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines. Modern CI/CD pipelines accelerate software delivery but introduce significant security and quality challenges. By incorporating SAST and SCA for security testing, along with code coverage and quality checks, organizations can prevent code vulnerabilities and ensure the maintainability and reliability of their applications. This approach helps development teams shift security and quality controls left, catching issues early in the development lifecycle. Keywords — CI/CD, DevSecOps, Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Software Composition Analysis (SCA), Code Coverage, Code Quality, Vulnerability