ECG HUNT, DONALD WRIGHT, JON ELLIOTT, FREDERICK HALLWORTH, RADHA NADARAJAH, JJ WATERMAN and GODFREY THOMPSON
APPROVAL of a plan for a new Birmingham Central Library was given by the City Council on July 26 1938. One world war and heaven knows how many financial stringencies later, on…
Abstract
APPROVAL of a plan for a new Birmingham Central Library was given by the City Council on July 26 1938. One world war and heaven knows how many financial stringencies later, on June 5 1970, the foundation stone of the building was laid. The new library stands adjacent to the present building and is part of the re‐development scheme for the centre of Birmingham.
Kanika Saxena, Sunita Balani and Pallavi Srivastava
This study aims to review the extant literature in pharmaceutical sector on corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability and organizational performance to explore if a…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to review the extant literature in pharmaceutical sector on corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability and organizational performance to explore if a relationship exists among these three elements.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 301 research articles were collected from online databases. A new ECG framework representing environment, community and growth was used to classify the collected literature under the three elements: CSR, sustainability and organizational performance.
Findings
Key findings under the identified categories are: A) Environment: Strict legislation and green chemistry have revolutionized the pharmaceutical sector by decreasing manufacturing costs, minimizing the environmental footprint and improving compliance with regulations. B) Community: Community goodwill and organization’s image have gained importance under the influence of external and internal stakeholders. C) Growth: A weak relationship exists between CSR and organizational performance but increases engagement in sustainability practices which has led to increased market performance. Effective integration of social and environmental goals with strategic business processes could result in long-term profits.
Originality/value
This study focuses on the extant literature to identify the significance of CSR and sustainability on the organizational performance of the pharmaceutical sector. The propositions developed in this study will help in identifying the interdependency of the aforementioned three elements opening further possibilities of in-depth sector specific studies.
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John Adie, Wayne Graham, Kerron Bromfield, Bianca Maiden, Sam Klaer and Marianne Wallis
This case study describes a community-based urgent care clinic in a general practitioner (GP) super clinic in South East Queensland.
Abstract
Purpose
This case study describes a community-based urgent care clinic in a general practitioner (GP) super clinic in South East Queensland.
Design/methodology/approach
This retrospective chart audit describes patient demographic characteristics, types of presentations and management for Sundays in 2015.
Findings
The majority of patients (97%) did not require admission to hospital or office investigations (95%) and presented with one condition (94%). Of the presentations, 66.5% were represented by 30 conditions. Most patients received a prescription (57%), some were referred to the pathology laboratory (15%) and some were referred to radiology (12%). A majority (54%) of patients presented in the first three hours. Approximately half (51%) of patients presenting were aged under 25. More females (53%) presented than males. A majority (53%) lived in the same postcode as the clinic. The three most common office tests ordered were urinalysis, electrocardiogram (ECG) and urine pregnancy test. Some patients (19%) needed procedures, and only 3% were referred to hospital.
Research limitations/implications
The study offers analysis of the client group that can be served by an urgent care clinic in a GP super clinic on a Sunday. The study provides an option for emergency department avoidance.
Originality/value
Despite calls for more research into community-based urgent care clinics, little is known in Australia about what constitutes an urgent care clinic. The study proposes a classification system for walk-in presentations to an urgent care clinic, which is comparable to emergency department presentations.
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Shokoofa Mostofi, Sohrab Kordrostami, Amir Hossein Refahi Sheikhani, Marzieh Faridi Masouleh and Soheil Shokri
This study aims to improve the detection and quantification of cardiac issues, which are a leading cause of mortality globally. By leveraging past data and using knowledge mining…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to improve the detection and quantification of cardiac issues, which are a leading cause of mortality globally. By leveraging past data and using knowledge mining strategies, this study seeks to develop a technique that could assess and predict the onset of cardiac sickness in real time. The use of a triple algorithm, combining particle swarm optimization (PSO), artificial bee colony (ABC) and support vector machine (SVM), is proposed to enhance the accuracy of predictions. The purpose is to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on cardiac disease prognosis and improve overall performance in health care.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses a knowledge-mining strategy to enhance the detection and quantification of cardiac issues. Decision trees are used to form predictions of cardiovascular disorders, and these predictions are evaluated using training data and test results. The study has also introduced a novel triple algorithm that combines three different combination processes: PSO, ABC and SVM to process and merge the data. A neural network is then used to classify the data based on these three approaches. Real data on various aspects of cardiac disease are incorporated into the simulation.
Findings
The results of this study suggest that the proposed triple algorithm, using the combination of PSO, ABC and SVM, significantly improves the accuracy of predictions for cardiac disease. By processing and merging data using the triple algorithm, the neural network was able to effectively classify the data. The incorporation of real data on various aspects of cardiac disease in the simulation further enhanced the findings. This research contributes to the existing knowledge on cardiac disease prognosis and highlights the potential of leveraging past data for strategic forecasting in the health-care sector.
Originality/value
The originality of this research lies in the development of the triple algorithm, which combines multiple data mining strategies to improve prognosis accuracy for cardiac diseases. This approach differs from existing methods by using a combination of PSO, ABC, SVM, information gain, genetic algorithms and bacterial foraging optimization with the Gray Wolf Optimizer. The proposed technique offers a novel and valuable contribution to the field, enhancing the competitive position and overall performance of businesses in the health-care sector.
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To examine the innovations of this year's Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award winners.
Abstract
Purpose
To examine the innovations of this year's Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award winners.
Design/methodology/approach
Looks at the four award finalist's innovations.
Findings
Finds that each of the finalists had secured commercial opportunities through outstanding engineering innovation.
Originality/approach
This paper presents many ideas for those innovators wishing to break down the barriers to practical application.
Details
Keywords
Mehdi Habibi, Mohammad Shakarami and Ali Asghar Khoddami
Sensor networks have found wide applications in the monitoring of environmental events such as temperature, earthquakes, fire and pollution. A major challenge with sensor network…
Abstract
Purpose
Sensor networks have found wide applications in the monitoring of environmental events such as temperature, earthquakes, fire and pollution. A major challenge with sensor network hardware is their limited available energy resource, which makes the low power design of these sensors important. This paper aims to present a low power sensor which can detect sound waveform signatures.
Design/methodology/approach
A novel mixed signal hardware is presented to correlate the received sound signal with a specific sound signal template. The architecture uses pulse width modulation and a single bit digital delay line to propagate the input signal over time and analog current multiplier units to perform template matching with low power usage.
Findings
The proposed method is evaluated for a chainsaw signature detection application in forest environments, under different supply voltage values, input signal quantization levels and also different template sample points. It is observed that an appropriate combination of these parameters can optimize the power and accuracy of the presented method.
Originality/value
The proposed mixed signal architecture allows voltage and power reduction compared with conventional methods. A network of these sensors can be used to detect sound signatures in energy limited environments. Such applications can be found in the detection of chainsaw and gunshot sounds in forests to prevent illegal logging and hunting activities.
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Hyo Jung (Julie) Chang, Mohammad Abu Nasir Rakib, Md Kamrul Hasan Foysal and Jo Woon Chong
The comfort of apparel is not only a feeling of perception but also a tangible measure. The fit and fabric of clothing can exert a perception of comfort for the wearer, whereas…
Abstract
Purpose
The comfort of apparel is not only a feeling of perception but also a tangible measure. The fit and fabric of clothing can exert a perception of comfort for the wearer, whereas actual comfort largely depends on physiological and emotional soothing. However, there is still no solid work on connecting the bridge between physiological and emotional feelings to the comfort of clothing. In this study, we have conceptualized, formulated and proven the relation between physiological and emotional parameters with clothing fit and fabric to find the true comfort of the wearer.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-method research design using physiological and emotional parameters for different fabric and fit combinations were used for this study. The physiological comfort parameters (i.e. heart rate and respiration rate) are extracted from the subjects using gold-standard clinical devices for various fit and fabric combinations. For the emotional response, a survey was conducted for the same subjects wearing all the fit and fabric combinations. Statistical analysis and modeling were performed to obtain the results.
Findings
Physiological indicators such as heart rate are closely linked with user comfort. Due to the limitations in environmental control, the physiological changes obtained did not significantly vary for different fabric and fit combinations of the clothing. However, a significant change in emotional response indicated a definite relationship between different fabric and fit types. Based on the participants’ responses, weather conditions, size of the clothing item, types of fabrics and style also influence the participants’ choice of clothing.
Originality/value
The research was conducted to discover the relation between true comfort (physiological and emotional parameters) and clothing (fit and fabric), which is unique to the field. This study closes the gap and builds up the relationship, which can help introduce clothing comfort to users in the future. The findings of this study help us understand how fabric types (natural or synthetic) and clothing fit types (loose or fitted) can affect physiological and emotional responses, which can provide the consumer with satisfactory clothing with the suitable properties needed.
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Stefania Chiappini, Alessio Mosca, Andrea Miuli, Francesco Di Carlo, Giacomo d'Andrea, Alessandra Napolitano, Monica Santangelo, Corradina Esposito, Anna Rosazza, Elena Haefele, Gilberto Di Petta, Mauro Pettorruso, Stefano L. Sensi and Giovanni Martinotti
This paper aims to investigate the role of aripiprazole once monthly as a maintenance treatment in a sample of patients with schizophrenia comorbid with alcohol and substance use…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the role of aripiprazole once monthly as a maintenance treatment in a sample of patients with schizophrenia comorbid with alcohol and substance use disorder (AUD/SUD).
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 24 Italian adult patients has been recruited and treated with aripiprazole once monthly after clinical stabilization with oral aripiprazole during May 2021 and June 2022. Clinical evaluations have been performed at the baseline (T0) and after 12 (T1) and 24 (T2) weeks.
Findings
During the study period, an improvement of both the clinical condition and general health from baseline was observed, as well as a reduction of craving for alcohol/substances. However, from T0, the number of patients who continued with this study decreased at T1 (n = 8) and then at T2 (n = 4). No serious adverse events were reported, including changes in weight, lipid/glucose metabolism, electrocardiogram and extra-pyramidal side effects.
Originality/value
Although limited by the high number of drop outs, this observational real-world study provided insights into the use of aripiprazole once monthly among a sample of patients with schizophrenia and comorbid SUD/AUD. Further studies of longer duration and on a larger sample are needed.
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Briefly reviews previous literature by the author before presenting an original 12 step system integration protocol designed to ensure the success of companies or countries in…
Abstract
Briefly reviews previous literature by the author before presenting an original 12 step system integration protocol designed to ensure the success of companies or countries in their efforts to develop and market new products. Looks at the issues from different strategic levels such as corporate, international, military and economic. Presents 31 case studies, including the success of Japan in microchips to the failure of Xerox to sell its invention of the Alto personal computer 3 years before Apple: from the success in DNA and Superconductor research to the success of Sunbeam in inventing and marketing food processors: and from the daring invention and production of atomic energy for survival to the successes of sewing machine inventor Howe in co‐operating on patents to compete in markets. Includes 306 questions and answers in order to qualify concepts introduced.
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To improve the quality of care of patients who are given parenteral medication for an episode of disturbed or violent behaviour in the context of a psychotic illness.
Abstract
Purpose
To improve the quality of care of patients who are given parenteral medication for an episode of disturbed or violent behaviour in the context of a psychotic illness.
Design/methodology/approach
Current guidelines are described, and adherence to the standards is audited, with particular emphasis on the performance of physical observations following an episode of behavioural disturbance. Comparisons are made with the findings of previous audits performed at Addenbrooke's and Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge.
Findings
The results revealed an improvement in following the guidelines whilst highlighting concerns regarding the unwarranted and potentially dangerous use of intravenous medication in these situations. The results also demonstrated a significant improvement in routine physical observations performed, following treatment of acute behavioural disturbance.
Practical implications
Careful risk management is needed when considering the safety of both patients and staff when dealing with behaviourally disturbed psychotic patients.
Originality/value
The completion of this audit cycle suggests that regular review and dissemination of guidelines, as well as conducting a comprehensive audit cycle, have led to safer prescribing and evidence based practice.