16168 research outputs found
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Enhancing hospital services: achieving high quality under resource constraints /
No full textObjectives:This research aims to enhance the quality of hospital services by utilizing Quality Function Deployment (QFD) with a novel Multi-Dimensional House of Quality (MD-HOQ) approach. This method integrates Service Quality (SERVQUAL) analysis and considers resource constraints, such as financial and workforce limitations, to select and prioritize technical requirements effectively. Methods:The proposed MD-HOQ approach was applied to a private hospital in Tehran, Iran. Data were gathered from a sample of 8 experts and a sample of 386 patients, using 2 in-depth interviews and 4 questionnaires. The process included identifying hospital sections and determining their importance using the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Patients’ needs in each section were then identified and weighted through SERVQUAL analysis. Subsequently, technical requirements to meet these needs were listed and weighted using MD-HOQ. A mathematical model was employed to determine the optimal set of technical requirements under resource constraints. Results:Application of the MD-HOQ approach resulted in the identification of 50 patient needs across 5 hospital sections. Additionally, 40 technical requirements were identified. The highest implementation priorities were assigned to “training practitioners and nurses,” “improving the staff’s sense of responsibility,” and “using experienced specialists, physicians, and surgeons.” Conclusions:The integrated QFD approach, utilizing MD-HOQ and SERVQUAL analysis, provides a comprehensive framework for hospital managers to prioritize technical requirements effectively. By considering resource constraints and the gap between patient expectations and perceptions, this method ensures that resources are allocated to the most impactful technical requirements, leading to improved patient satisfaction and better overall hospital service quality. This approach not only enhances the quality of hospital services but also ensures efficient utilization of resources, ultimately benefiting patient satisfaction
Numerical assessment of localized damage in pipe-on-wall impact under pipe whip failure conditions /
No full textHigh-pressure pipelines in nuclear power plants (NPPs) are prone to structural failures, and the study of their failure behavior is essential to analyze and minimize damage to the surrounding structures and components. The prediction of the extent of damage is also a key parameter when designing the surrounding structures. This prediction holds significant importance, since a substantial number of NPPs globally are approaching the 60-year mark in their operational lifespan. Consequently, it becomes imperative to formulate sophisticated methodologies for assessing damage behavior of structures and components under dynamic loading conditions with a more realistic representation of the behavior. This study investigates the damage response resulting from the pipe whip phenomenon in high-pressure pipelines of nuclear power plants through numerical simulations that incorporate damage models for both concrete and steel. The proposed modeling approach was also verified with the results of a ballistics impact study. The finite element modeling (FEM) of the pipe-on-wall-impact (POWI) scenario using ABAQUS helps to implement the damage models of Johnson–Cook (J–C) and Cowper–Symonds (C–S) to steel and the Concrete Damaged Plasticity (CDP) model to concrete using a damage-based approach to determine the extent of damage and failure possibilities. The maximum stresses of the pipe attained 450 MPa for the C–S model and 387 MPa for the J–C model, with the C–S model predicting higher stresses due to its high strain rate sensitivity at extreme loads. By incorporating the damage parameters for the POWI model, a better understanding of the mechanical behavior under impact conditions can be attained
Concluding remarks on the three key topics: power dynamics, training and education, and trust in science /
No full textMitigating acrylamide formation using agrifood waste materials: a concise review /
No full textAcrylamide is a toxic compound that occurs in thermally processed foods. Food waste valorisation is a common trend that alleviates the environmental burden by upcycling agricultural waste into higher-value materials. In this perspective, this review examined the potential of using agricultural waste to reduce acrylamide in food products, and the eventual challenges. Emphasis was placed on the mechanisms of mitigation of acrylamide using agrifood waste materials, recovery of valuable compounds from agrifood waste, practical applications in the food sector, potential challenges, and economic and environmental implications. Agrifood-sourced materials, such as antioxidants, dietary fibre (DF), pH modulators, and asparaginase, have been widely used to reduce acrylamide in heat-processed food products. Citrus waste is commonly used as a predominant material for acrylamide mitigation food products. Several factors such as concentration, composition of food and extract, and processing technique and conditions affect the efficiency of waste material in minimising and mitigating acrylamide formation
Application of innovative artificial intelligence methods to detect flat feet in children /
No full textThis study examined the potential of artificial intelligence tools for detecting pediatric flatfoot pathology. We would like to emphasize that there is very little research in this area and we would like to point out that this is a relevant and very important topic in medicine. First, the base flow was used: a pre-trained “backbone” on the ImageNet platform. In this study, this term is used to describe the feature extraction part of a convolutional network. A standardized pre-processing with pruning and augmentation was performed, and a three-stage training schedule (stages 1, 2 and 3), average and maximum aggregation at the subject level and the addition of light test time were proposed. Eight different model architectures were used. From stage 2 onwards, all models were trained on feet. Three-dimensional photographs with real flatfoot shapes, from flatfoot stages I to III, were used. The most validated model was displayed in accurate AUROC plots with estimated average and maximum aggregation values with standard deviation. The research and calculations conducted demonstrate the possibility of applying artificial intelligence in the field of orthopedics
Microbial hydrogen production from depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs: evidence from field investigations and lab experiments /
No full textThe study explores microbial Hydrogen (H₂) production in depleted hydrocarbon fields through field investigation and controlled experimental analyses (microbial process) using in-situ microbes, which thrive in thermophilic anerobic conditions of the hydrocarbon reservoirs. Gas and brine samples from various wells revealed H₂ presence in the range of 2–20 %, indicating microbial H₂ production potential in depleted hydrocarbon fields. Brine samples were characterized for their geochemical properties. Metabarcoding identified Clostridium as the most efficient H₂ producer, with other microbes including Hydrogenophaga, Desulfovibrio, Geobacter, and Thermomicrobium. In laboratory experiments, microbial cultures produced considerable hydrogen when grown in an anaerobic basal medium (ABM) enriched with 10 % v/v brine and 1 % v/v oil. The addition of oil significantly improved both the growth of the microbes and their hydrogen yield, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms of microbial hydrogen generation in hydrocarbon reservoirs
Visibility and reachability of interwar modernism (Kaunas case) /
No full textThis article presents a novel methodology for assessing the visibility and reachability of cultural heritage objects within urban structures, tested through a pilot study in Kaunas New Town (Naujamiestis), Lithuania. While heritage protection policies usually emphasize architectural composition, details, and external visual protection zones, interior urban views and functional spatial dynamics remain underexplored. Building upon Space Syntax theory and John Peponis’s concepts of distributive and correlative situational codes, this study integrates detailed visibility analysis with graph-based accessibility modeling. Visibility was quantified through a raster-based viewshed analysis of building footprints and street-based observation points, producing a normalized visibility index. Reachability was examined using a new graph indicator based on the ratio of reachable polygon area to perimeter (A2/P), further weighted by the area of adjacent buildings to reflect the potential for urban activity. Validation against independent datasets (population, companies, and points of interest) confirmed the superior explanatory power of the proposed indicator over traditional centralities. By combining visibility and reachability in a bivariate matrix, the model provides insights into heritage objects’ dual roles as landmarks, everyday hubs, or hidden sites, and offers predictive capacity for evaluating urban transformations and planning interventions
The respiratory motion management impacts in lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) /
No full textThis investigation covers a randomized study, which compares Planning Target Volume (PTV) differences between the three strategies of radiotherapy treatment for a lung tumour. All patients’ treatment plans were grouped into three categories: SBRT with respiratory control and non-SBRT with and without breath monitoring. The research outcome shows a noticeable tendency that breath control minimizes PTV. Additionally, the SBRT technique stands out as a significant method, which could be applied for difficult malignancies
Dosimetric impact of interfractional organ variations in cervical cancer IMRT: a CBCT-based replanning study /
No full textInterfractional variations of bladder and rectum volumes remain a major challenge in cervical cancer IMRT, as small margins make target coverage highly sensitive to anatomical changes. In this work, CBCT-based replanning was performed for ten patients (98 scans) to assess the dosimetric effects of such variations. It was found that CTV coverage decreased significantly (median V98%: 99.5% → 96.4%), while bladder and rectal doses increased with unstable filling patterns. Strong correlations were observed between bladder/rectal changes and dosimetric outcomes. Based on these findings, institutional protocols were developed for regional patient population, standardizing bladder volumes (120–150 cc) and rectal diameters (≤4.5–5.0 cm) to improve treatment consistency
Development of a Heritage Life Cycle Assessment (H-LCA) framework: integrating sustainability metrics and cultural preservation in heritage buildings /
No full textThis study explores the integration of sustainability in heritage buildings, focusing on the unique challenges posed by traditional construction methods and materials. Using eight heritage buildings from Strovolos, Cyprus, as case studies, the research evaluates their environmental performance through a tailored Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). These buildings, spanning from the Ottoman era to the mid-20th century, represent diverse architectural styles and traditional materials, such as adobe, stone, and lime plaster. The methodology encompasses three components: the development of a Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) for primary materials, a gap analysis of the European Commission’s Level(s) framework, and proposals for adapting the framework to heritage-specific needs. The LCI evaluates cradle-to-gate processes, revealing the minimal environmental impact of non-industrialized, traditional methods. However, the absence of standardized indicators for heritage materials highlights the limitations of conventional LCA approaches. Initial findings underscore the inherent sustainability of traditional materials due to their local sourcing and low embodied energy. The gap analysis identifies deficiencies in the Level(s) framework for assessing heritage buildings, such as the lack of indicators for cultural value and restoration energy impacts. Proposed adaptations include new metrics addressing these gaps, offering a comprehensive approach to balancing sustainability with heritage preservation