34711 research outputs found
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Formulating high-performance coatings
No full textLooking to master the art and science of modern coatings formulation? This textbook is your ultimate guide to understanding the complex world of coatings technology. From achieving stable color effects to ensuring robust corrosion protection, the book dives deep into the chemical and physical principles that define the performance of coating systems. It offers a clear and structured approach to understanding the role of individual components, their interactions, and how production and application processes shape the final properties.
Whether you’re an experienced formulation expert, or a newcomer eager to navigate this fascinating field, this resource provides valuable insights, practical examples, and strategies to tackle common challenges. Students will appreciate its solid foundation, while industry professionals can explore innovative approaches to enhance product quality.
With this book, you’ll not only expand your knowledge but also gain practical tools to control coating properties, avoid mistakes, and correct defects. Step into the world of modern coatings formulation and take your expertise to the next level
2025 photonics for agrifood roadmap : towards a sustainable and healthier planet
No full textPhotonics technologies play a crucial role in driving technological advancements within the agrifood industry, aiming to deliver a sustainable food and agriculture, and offering healthy, nutritious and safe food for all of us. Particularly, optical sensors and imaging systems, together with machine-learning processing and advanced lighting, play a pivotal role in monitoring crop and soil health with unprecedented precision, while safeguarding the food supply chain. This roadmap aims to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art photonics technologies benefitting agrifood applications, including a view on their current limitations, challenges and future potential, while addressing practical case studies. Future trends towards multimodal sensors and sensor fusion, artificial intelligence and digital twins, miniaturization and controlled farming are highlighted. The revolutionizing capabilities of the photonics technologies are indicated, inspiring future applications and developments, and paving the way towards optimized resource utilization, increased crop yields, stopping land degradation and reduction of food waste
Interprofessional training ward : impact on students, facilitators, and patients
No full textInterprofessional Training Wards (IPTWs) have become a future-oriented, effective form of interprofessional (IP) education. This paper focuses on the quantitative pre-post analysis of a mixed-methods evaluation study to assess the impact of 3-to-4-week placements on the first IPTW in Switzerland on students, facilitators, and patients. Outcomes for students and facilitators were measured using the University of the West of England Interprofessional Questionnaire (UWE-IP) for communication and teamwork skills as well as attitudes to collaborative learning and working, and the Fragebogen zur Arbeit im Team (FAT) to address team-development. Moreover, patient satisfaction was assessed, using a self-developed questionnaire. 63 students, 31 facilitators and 91 patients placed on the IPTW between 2018 and 2022 were included into the study, along with 71 healthcare professionals and 50 patients of the control-wards. UWE-IP and FAT were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test for pre-post-IPTW comparison and Kruskal–Wallis independent sample test for differences between post-IPTW and post-control. Mann-Whitney U-test was applied to determine differences in patient satisfaction between IPTW and control-ward. Statistically significant positive effects were seen pre-post IPTW for students and facilitators for two subscales of UWE-IP (Communication & Teamwork, and IP Relationship), as well as for FAT, with effect size up to r = 0.681. Control-ward staff scored significantly lower than post-IPTW participants on two UWE-IP subscales (IP Learning, and IP Relationship) and on FAT. Patient satisfaction exhibited non-significant difference across IPTWs and controls. In conclusion, IPTW-placement benefited students’ and facilitators’ interprofessional teamwork skills, while keeping patient satisfaction high
How to successfully implement phishing awareness training in organizations : a technology adoption perspective
No full textPhishing awareness training (PAT) is crucial for protecting organizations against such attacks. While most debate focuses on innovative approaches or the effectiveness of training, organizational aspects of PAT adoption are often overlooked. Success in implementing new technology depends greatly on organizational factors, making understanding their influence on PAT adoption essential. This paper examines PAT adoption using the technology organization environment (TOE) framework, a standard model in technology adoption studies. Key organizational factors in Switzerland were identified through a literature review and expert interviews, including staff traits, behavior, reporting procedures, norms, policies, and ethics. Technological factors such as integration, personalization, and training content are also critical, while legal regulations and external support are essential from an environmental perspective. These factors are mapped to adoption phases to guide practitioners and researchers regarding the risks and opportunities at each stage of PAT adoption
(Nachhaltige) Finanzkompetenz bei Finanzexpertinnen und Finanzexperten : eine Studie zur Einordnung der Financial und Sustainable Finance Literacy von Finanzfachleuten in der Schweiz
No full textUntersuchungen zur finanziellen Allgemeinbildung der breiten Gesellschaft gibt es viele. Doch wie steht es um die Financial und Sustainable Finance Literacy der Finanzexpertinnen und Finanzexperten? Der vorliegende Artikel geht dieser Frage anhand einer Studie nach und zeigt die Wichtigkeit der nachhaltigen Finanzkompetenz von Finanzfachleuten im Kontext auf
Experiences of nursing staff in Swiss-German nursing homes with constipation management : a qualitative-descriptive study
No full textAbstract: Despite existing guidelines for constipation management, constipation remains a prevalent issue among older individuals in long-term care facilities. The aim of this qualitative study was to provide an overview of nursing constipation management and the associated challenges in Swiss-German nursing homes. From September to December 2022, 51 nursing staff from 20 nursing homes were surveyed online, using literature-based open questions. Using a content analysis approach, four categories were identified in relation to constipation management: Assessment of Constipation and Risks; Prevention and treatment process; Challenges and influencing factors; Impact of constipation. Data analysis revealed that nurses perceive the management of constipation to be extremely challenging, highlighting difficulties arising from limited resources, expertise, few physician visits, and prioritization demands of daily practice. Successful constipation management requires regular training of nursing staff to raise awareness of existing guidelines and screening tools, as well as the optimization of structural conditions for implementation
The metabolome of Sphingobium chinhatense IP26 exposed to chlorinated paraffins : efficient data analysis with RASER
No full textThe universe of possible chloro-paraffin (CP) structures is a complex one. Even the world of short-chain CPs (SCCPs) is large, containing thousands of constitutional isomers and stereoisomers. We investigated a technical SCCP mixture (Hordalub 80, Vantage Leuna, mCl = 56%) and found 33 CP-homologues in this material with carbon- (nC) and chlorine-numbers (nCl) varying from 10 to 13 and 4–12, respectively. In addition, 27 chloro-olefins (COs) and 18 chloro-diolefins (CdiOs) could be detected with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS, R > 100′000). Respective mass spectra were processed with the R-based automated spectra evaluation routine (RASER). The SCCP mixture was then exposed to Sphingobium chinhatense IP26, which have been isolated and cultivated from a strain found in a chemical dumpsite in Chinhat, Lucknow, India. After exposure for 6 days, additional signals corresponding to hydroxylated and olefinic metabolites were observed in respective mass spectra. RASER was adapted to identify and read-out these metabolite signals too. S. chinhatense expressed the enzymes LinA and LinB. LinA, a dehydrohalogenase (17.3 kDa), is catalyzing the elimination of HCl, converting paraffinic to olefinic material (C(H)–C(X) to Cdouble bondC). LinB, a dehalohydroxylase (32 kDa), transforms halides to alcohols (C-X to C–OH). Both enzymes were active and we identified 9 different metabolite classes. We found mono- (CP-ols), di- (CP-diols), tri- (CP-triols) and some tetra-hydroxylated CPs (CP-tetraols). In addition to the chloro-olefins and chloro-diolefins, we also observed mono- (CO-ols) and di-hydroxylated olefins (CO-diols) and hydroxylated diolefins (CdiO-ols). In other words, the exposure of 33 SCCP homologues to S. chinhatense resulted in a metabolome with 176 metabolites including 27 COs, 18 CdiOs, 72 mono-to tetra-hydroxylated CPs, 23 CO-ols and 19 CO-diols and 17 CdiO-ols. The qualitative characterization based on HR-MS and chromatographic retention times confirmed the formation of these phase-I metabolites, which can now be searched for in other materials and environmental samples
The next evolution of CX delighters in an airport
No full textThe panel explores the next evolution of 'CX delighters' within the airport food and beverage ecosystem, presenting key takeaways from extensive research conducted across select US airports and highlighting elements that can transform routine dining into memorable experiences. Insights reveal how airports can enhance customer journeys through personalized digital touchpoints like pre-trip menu previews and real-time updates, and showcase opportunities for using AI technologies, such as digital avatars, to provide tailored recommendations, anticipate traveler needs and create seamless, engaging interactions that drive loyalty and elevate the travel experience