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BACKGROUND: The American College of Surgeons requires continuous process improvement review to maintain trauma center verification. Paper-based systems to monitor and track performance improvement are commonly used but can be inadequate to monitor concurrent ongoing improvement effectively. OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation of an electronic process to capture and monitor performance improvement in near real time. METHODS: In 2020, a Midwestern U.S. Level I adult trauma center and a Level II pediatric trauma center's trauma programs transitioned from a paper to an electronic file-sharing system for performance improvement. We converted our primary, secondary, and tertiary review documentation into a single electronic performance improvement file stored on the institution's virtual hard drive, accessible to designated staff, allowing continuous real-time updates. RESULTS: The electronic file-sharing and monitoring process reinvigorated the team and enhanced performance improvement efforts, leading to increased efficiency through documentation and effective loop closure. Real-time monitoring allowed the trauma program to identify opportunities for improvement and enact timely action plans, including targeted performance improvement projects, department education, and ongoing training. CONCLUSION: We found that implementing an electronic file-sharing system enhanced the trauma team's ability to monitor and trend performance improvement in real time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This position paper aims to pave the way for a debate on a few under-explored, at least, perhaps even neglected, challenges we face when trying to improve building overall performance. Specifically, we suggest focusing on how the efforts to increase building energy efficiency, building safety, the home and workplace healthiness, and the comfort perceived by the users can be impaired by budget constraints, especially while operating in critical scenarios. On the one hand, restraints on capital expenditures by property owners and other investors affect the decision-making processes for the construction of new buildings or the renovation of existing ones. More beyond, rapidly developing demographic and other anthropological changes, as well as frequently occurred natural disasters, pose extra burdens on the players in the building industry and the real estate market. It has been a fact that the need to adapt to both budget constraints and challenging situations is seldom fully embedded in the studies focusing on improving building performance. Therefore, we call for attentions in research and publications to advocate for complementing the need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residency recruitment practices have undergone significant changes in the last several years. Interviews are nowconducted fully virtually leading to both positive and negative downstream effects, including decreased cost to applicants and programs, decreased time away from clinical activities, flexibility in scheduling, and increased applications for applicants and program directors. In response to these changes, the Association of Academic Physiatrists Residency and Fellowship Program Directors Council convened a workgroup consisting of program directors, program coordinators, residents, and medical students who reviewed the available literature to provide an evidence-based set of best practices for program leaders and applicants. Available data from the Association of American Medical Colleges and its relevance to future recruitment cycles are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on publications related to the use of micro- and nanofibrillated cellulose (MNFC) in papermaking applications, three sets of parameters (intrinsic and extrinsic variables, furnish composition, and degree of dispersion) were proposed. This holistic approach intends to facilitate understanding and manipulation of the main factors describing the colloidal behavior in systems comprising of MNFC, pulp fibers, and additives, which directly impact paper product performance. A preliminary techno-economic assessment showed that cost reductions driven by the addition of MNFC in paper furnishes could be as high as USD 149 per ton of fiber (up to 20% fiber reduction without adverse effects on paper's strength) depending on the cost of papermaking fibers. It was also determined that better performance in terms of strength development associated with a higher degree of MNFC fibrillation offset its high manufacturing cost. However, there is a limit from which additional fibrillation does not seem to contribute to further strength gains that can justify the increasing production cost. Further research is needed regarding raw materials, degree of fibrillation, and combination with polyelectrolytes to further explore the potential of MNFC for the reduction of weight of paper products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As acetonitrile is a widely used solvent for the chemical industry, the recovery of acetonitrile from acetonitrile wastewater is significant for both industrial cost reduction and environmental protection. In this article, a simple, low‐energy, and low‐cost strategy is proposed for the effective separation of acetonitrile from high‐concentration acetonitrile wastewater. The approach is based on a sequential combination of two steps: salt‐induced phase separation and hydrophobic filtration. The acetonitrile wastewater was first induced to split into two phases by salt, that is, the acetonitrile‐rich phase and the water‐rich phase, then the above two phases were poured into the hydrophobic filter paper funnel for the separation. It was shown that NaCl is a suitable salting‐out reagent, and that hydrophobic filter papers—obtained from modification by butyltrichlorosilane and octyltrichlorosilane were the optimal choice for hydrophobic filtration. The salt‐induced phase separation process is able to increase the volume fraction of acetonitrile in the acetonitrile‐rich phase up to 92%. The acetonitrile‐rich phase can pass through the hydrophobic filter paper, whereas the water‐rich phase was intercepted. The hydrophobic filter paper retained strong hydrophobicity and high acetonitrile‐separating capacity after 3 months storage, or upon immersion in acetonitrile‐water mixtures for 12 h, or applied for 25 consecutive separations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space Resource Utilization could reduce the mass, cost, and risks of future space activities. The many nonlinear and compounding effects mean that seemingly insignificant concept of operations choices can invalidate the conclusions of sophisticated analyses. Here we successively relax self-imposed constraints in a recent publication to demonstrate that the proximity of a market and the benefits of aerobraking cannot be omitted. • Earth Moon proximity allows a high cadence of space resource transportation. • Higher cadence allows costs to be amortized over a higher mass of delivered product. • A powerful economic advantage of the proximity of lunar resources is demonstrated. • Modifying a published model, we can show orders of magnitude reduction in costs. • Fair comparison of resource locations must incorporate multiple missions over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Exacta is the property of Exacta - Engenharia de Producao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Perinatal depression can have enduring adverse effects on women and their children and families, incurring substantial ongoing economic and personal costs. A significant proportion of the cost of perinatal depression relates to adverse impacts on the child, most likely mediated through impairment to the mother‐infant relationship. In recognition of this problem, Australia has invested in routine perinatal depression screening. Our previous research produced convergent findings suggesting that expected benefits for children have not yet been realised through perinatal depression screening. We question the potential of including a measure of personality in current perinatal depression screening for identifying maternal mental health problems and suboptimal mother‐infant relationships. This paper reviews our previous research findings within the broader context of perinatal depression screening. We propose a position, that perinatal depression screening in Australia should be redesigned to more precisely detect vulnerable mother‐infant relationships, parenting, maternal mental health, and infant psychosocial and psychological development. Practice change to appropriately target antenatal interventions may more efficiently improve both maternal and child outcomes, thereby contributing to greater efficiency and cost savings for the health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a huge excess of low-cost paper on the market and a global price erosion of manufactured product. Paper Products Limited (PPL) -- a Trinidad-based tissue paper manufacturer, was ruthlessly exposed to this changing environment. This paper reviews a strategic realignment exercise which was done to determine the root causes of project failures, and to tailor-make a project management (PM) framework to govern process improvement projects at PPL. In order to quantify historical project performance and determine the reasons for historical project failure at PPL, a four (4) phase study was initiated. Phase-1 involved the analysis of projects undertaken from 2012 to 2015 on the cost, schedule and scope variances. Phase-2 determined the root cause of project failures, Phase-3 comprised the development of a PM framework, incorporating the common processes advocated in literature and the final phase involved testing the efficacy of the framework using selected projects at PPL. Trial implementation of the customised PM framework achieved a reduction in budget, schedule and scope variation by 20%, 18% and 1%, respectively. These performance improvements were attributable to enhancements in the framework's approach to developing the risk management plan, the work breakdown structure and the stakeholder management. As validated by an executive review of the PM framework, the adoption of the framework could enhance PM practices and sustain PM performance improvements at PPL. This case study demonstrates an initiative in fostering PM practices and performance in business. The results and implications of the analyses discussed are of potential value to the field of studies. Evaluations are suggested to examine critical processes and individual steps, and future studies could validate the key elements identified for the customised PM framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper mill sludge (PMS) can be efficiently utilized to produce fuels and chemicals. However, wastewater is usually generated during the de-ashing step of the PMS for fibrous materials recovery. Per process requirements, the wastewater stream must be treated which results in an increase in the overall process production cost. Therefore, this research aims at reusing the wastewater produced during the de-ashing step as a substitute for freshwater addition during the conversion of PMS into ethanol. The advantages of this approach include reducing the amount of wastewater produced and enhancing the overall efficiency of the process. It will contribute to the circular economy of zero waste discharges. The results showed that 30% of the process wastewater can be recycled without affecting the enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol fermentation. Hence, the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated is reduced by 30% resulting in a cost reduction of 22.5%. The results also showed that wastewater recycling minimized the energy demands in the distillation and evaporation units by 1206 kJ/kg. The energy reduction is due to the increase of metals and total soluble solids in the broth stream after fermentation. This process configuration enhanced the process economy, saved energy and managed waste streams. • Reuse of wastewater in the paper mill sludge conversion. • A certain degree of recycling has no impact on the glucose yield. • Wastewater recycling reduced the energy demand of the process by 1251 kJ/kg metric tons wastewater. • Cost-saving of wastewater treatment by 22.5% when a 30% recycling degree achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, poly(para-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) paper sheets composed of PPTA fibers and PPTA fibrids filled with highly crystalline and high ratio of length to diameter potassium titanate whiskers (PTW) were investigated in view of possible employment as reinforcement and cost-reducing materials. The morphological characteristics and the role of PPTA fibrids, the influence of PTW on the mechanical properties, interfacial adhesion, and thermal stability of the PPTA paper sheets were discussed. The results showed that the ductile, flexible and rough morphological characteristics of PPTA fibrids are helpful to improve the properties of PPTA paper. PTTA fibrids strongly wrapped PTW in the PPTA paper sheet was observed, which largely enhanced the retention rate of PTW and further improved the interfacial combination. The presence of PTW improved the mechanical properties and thermal stability of PPTA paper sheets. This research demonstrated the improvement of thermal and mechanical performances of PPTA paper sheets by incorporating of PTW, suggesting a significant cost-reducing potential for the production of PPTA paper composite materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1390-1395, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry is characterized by its complex and dynamic nature, requiring efficient resource management practices for successful project execution. This systematic literature review aims to comprehensively analyze and synthesize existing research on resource management practices within the construction sector. By examining a wide array of scholarly articles, conference papers, and industry reports, this review identifies and evaluates the various methodologies, strategies, and tools employed for effective resource management in construction projects. The review encompasses an extensive analysis of key themes, including but not limited to labor management, equipment utilization, material procurement, and technological advancements in resource optimization. It delves into the challenges faced by the construction industry concerning resource allocation, skill shortages, cost control, sustainability concerns, and the impact of unforeseen disruptions. Furthermore, this review critically assesses the implications of resource management practices on project performance, encompassing aspects such as project timelines, budget adherence, quality control, and stakeholder satisfaction. The findings from this systematic review provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of resource management practices in the construction industry. Additionally, it identifies gaps in the literature and suggests areas for future research, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches and adaptive strategies to address the evolving demands and complexities within construction project management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulp and paper wastewater ozonation was tested at pilot-scale in a medium-potentiality wastewater treatment plant (143,000 population equivalent). Single wastewater lines (bleaching and process water), as well as wastewater mixture (before and after secondary biological treatment) were investigated to evaluate the best ozonation conditions. The aim of the work was to evaluate the feasibility of substituting current tertiary physicochemical treatment with an ozonation unit, reducing operating costs and improving management operations. The tests were useful to identify the ozone dosage required to achieve the desired COD abatement. Ozone effectiveness was more pronounced in process water (60% COD removal), rather than bleaching water (28% COD removal); ozone showed a significantly higher efficiency on pulp and paper wastewater mixture after biological treatment (up to 81% COD removal) rather than before biological process (46% mean COD abatement). COD removal efficiency at a dosage of 100 mg O 3 /L was comparable to existing physicochemical treatment (mean 50%); a good TSS abatement (up to 20–30 mg/L) was observed as well. Toxicity analysis revealed that ozonation treatment did not modify treated effluent toxicity characteristics (mean Daphnia Magna mortality of 23.3%). Economic analysis proved that ozonation installation cost would be 1.5–2.0 M€, for total flowrate to be treated of 1200 m3/h. Ozonation would lead to an economic saving of about 300,000 €/y compared to actual physicochemical treatment and the investment cost could be recovered in about 7 years. The proposed innovative approach, including plant analysis, pilot-ozonation tests, data regression, respirometric fractionation, toxicity and economic analysis, could be exported to other industrial wastewater treatment plants to allow an increased advanced oxidation processes diffusion. • Full-scale pulp and paper ozonation applicability was assessed with a pilot study. • Respirometry was coupled with pilot-tests, toxicity assays and economic analysis. • Wastewater mixture effectiveness was related to streams biodegradability. • Daphnia Magna toxicity in ozonated stream was comparable with secondary effluent. • An economic saving of about 300,000 €/y was estimated for full-scale operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to study the internationalisation of management accounting research in the German-speaking countries and to analyse whether researchers from these countries rely on their intellectual heritage or adapt to the conventions prevailing in the international community. Design/methodology/approach: This paper provides a research taxonomy of 273 papers published by management accounting researchers from the German-speaking countries between 2005 and 2018 in domestic and international journals with regard to topics, settings, methods, data origins and theories of these papers. The study also systematically compares these publications with the publications by international scholars as synthesised in selected prior bibliometric studies. Findings: The findings suggest that German-speaking researchers increasingly adapt to the conventions prevailing in the international management accounting literature. Indicative of this development is the crowding out of traditional core areas of German-speaking management accounting such as cost accounting by management control topics. The study also finds that German-speaking researchers increasingly rely on the research methods and theories prevailing internationally. Research limitations/implications: The paper documents considerable changes in the publications of management accounting researchers from the German-speaking countries. These changes raise the question how other national research communities internationalise and whether these processes lead to a greater homogenisation of international management accounting research, which might impair the advancement of management accounting knowledge. Originality/value: This paper provides first empirical evidence on how management accounting research conducted in the German-speaking countries has changed in the course of the internationalisation of the research community and builds an important basis for future research in other geographic settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct internal reforming (DIR) operation of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a very attractive concept for downsizing and cost reduction of SOFC systems. This study aimed to develop stable operation of a DIR-SOFC fuelled by biogas. The current-voltage (I-V) curves of 2 × 2 cm 2 planar SOFCs (anode- and electrolyte-supported cells, ASC and ESC, respectively.) were measured at 800 °C in the direct feed of a simulated biogas mixture (CH 4 /CO 2 = 1), and the flexible structured catalyst material (paper-structured catalyst (PSC)) was applied on the anode material for performance enhancement. By applying a hydrotalcite (HT)-dispersed PSC (HT-PSC), the sulfur tolerance of the SOFC in the DIR operation was remarkably improved. By the effect of the HT-PSC, for both ASC and ESC, a stable cell voltage higher than 800 mV was obtained over 200 h at 0.2 A cm −2 in the direct feed of simulated biogas under 5 ppm H 2 S poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The August 2024 issue of the PM World Journal is the 12th anniversary edition, featuring 41 new works by 55 authors from 17 different countries. The edition includes a letter to the editor discussing project controls, two interviews on AI and project management in healthcare and a large-scale rail project, ten featured papers on various topics related to program and project management, seven series articles by authors from five countries, five advisory articles offering practical advice, three commentary articles on strategy, milestones, and emotional AI, and four reports from international correspondents. The issue also includes three second editions of previously published papers, five book reviews, and recent news articles related to project management. The managing editor, David L. Pells, has over 40 years of experience in project management and is an internationally recognized leader in the field. [Extracted from the article]

The buffer allocation problem is an NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem, and it is an important design problem in manufacturing systems. The research proposed in this paper concerns a product line consisting of n unreliable machines with n − 1 buffers and a preventive maintenance policy. The focus of the research is to obtain a better trade-off between the buffer level and the preventive maintenance actions. This paper proposes a dynamic control of the buffers' level and the interval between two consecutive preventive actions. The set of the parameter of the proposed policy allows choosing the reduction in the costs or the increment of the throughput rate. A simulation model is developed to test the proposed model to the solution proposed in the literature. The proposed policy leads to better results in terms of total costs reduction keeping high production rate, while the design of a fixed level of buffer works better for lower production rates required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on Physical therapy was no inferior to partial meniscectomy for improving knee function in patients with no obstructive meniscal tears.

Copyright of HOLOS is the property of Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do norte - IFRN and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article reviews the development of digital twin and summarizes the evolution of the concept of digital twin. The key words and abstracts of 1187 relevant papers in recent 5 years are quantitatively analyzed, and 13 key nodes are obtained. Then it analyzes the content of 9 systematic review articles and summarizes 15 core contents. Then select 115 application examples from the articles. Through the above three steps, nine descriptive general characteristics of digital twin system are summarized: Entity object; Virtual object; Twinning degree; Communication; Data; Functionality; Human-computer interaction; systematicness; and Cost control. This paper will explain these features in detail and summarize the application examples of classifying each feature. This paper aims to summarize the development of digital twin in recent years and propose a description method of system characteristics according to the application scenario of digital twin and the increasingly complex situation of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serverless computing has gained significant popularity due to its scalability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of deployment. With the exponential growth of data, organizations face the challenge of efficiently processing and analyzing vast amounts of data in a serverless environment. Data pipelines play a crucial role in managing and transforming data within serverless architectures. This paper provides a taxonomy of data pipeline approaches in serverless computing. Classification is based on architectural features, data processing techniques, and workflow orchestration mechanisms, these approaches are categorized into three primary methods: heuristic-based approach, Machine learning-based approach, and framework-based approach. Furthermore, a systematic review of existing data pipeline frameworks and tools is provided, encompassing their strengths, limitations, and real-world use cases. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach, also the challenges and performance metrics that influence their effectuality have been examined. Every data pipeline approach has certain advantages and disadvantages, whether it is framework-based, heuristic-based, or machine learning-based. Each approach is suitable for specific use cases. Hence, it is crucial assess the trade-offs between complexity, performance, cost, and scalability, while selecting a data pipeline approach. In the end, the paper highlights a number of open issues and future investigations directions for data pipeline in the serverless computing, which involve scalability, fault tolerance, data real time processing, data workflow orchestration, function state management with performance and cost in the serverless computing environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]