Policy-driven EU Research Networks: Impact on the Greek S&T System

This paper focuses on the impact of EU-funded collaborative research networks at a national level using a combined method approach, social network analysis and in-depth case study work. First, it examines the participation intensity and role of the Greek organizations in the research network established through the Information Society Technologies priority of the European Community’s 4th, 5th and 6th Framework Programmes. Furthermore, it attempts to assess the impact of the IST research network on the diffusion and deployment of innovation in Greece. Some interesting results with significant policy implications arise: a) Greece exhibits high participation intensity in the EU-funded IST network, b) there are Greek organizations that have assumed an influential role in the network through time, in addition, they are also critical to the connectivity of the more peripheral Greek actors to the IST network, c) the value of the network, lies for the most part in indirect or ‘behavioural’ effects than in immediate project outputs measured in terms of commercialized products or services, d) however, while the knowledge obtained through the network assists organizations to gain better understanding of the market and identify future deployment opportunities this is not always possible due to the lack of sufficient infrastructure and national policies to support market introduction.

Training of Crisis Mappers and Map Production from Multi-sensor Data: Vernazza Case Study (Cinque Terre National Park, Italy)

This aim of paper is to presents the development of a multidisciplinary project carried out by the cooperation between Politecnico di Torino and ITHACA (Information Technology for Humanitarian Assistance, Cooperation and Action). The goal of the project was the training in geospatial data acquiring and processing for students attending Architecture and Engineering Courses, in order to start up a team of "volunteer mappers". Indeed, the project is aimed to document the environmental and built heritage subject to disaster; the purpose is to improve the capabilities of the actors involved in the activities connected in geospatial data collection, integration and sharing. The proposed area for testing the training activities is the Cinque Terre National Park, registered in the World Heritage List since 1997. The area was affected by flood on the 25th of October 2011. According to other international experiences, the group is expected to be active after emergencies in order to upgrade maps, using data acquired by typical geomatic methods and techniques such as terrestrial and aerial Lidar, close-range and aerial photogrammetry, topographic and GNSS instruments etc.; or by non conventional systems and instruments such us UAV, mobile mapping etc. The ultimate goal is to implement a WebGIS platform to share all the data collected with local authorities and the Civil Protectio

Water Quality Trading and Offset Initiatives in the U.S.: A Comprehensive Survey

This document summarizes water quality trading and offset initiatives in the United States, including state-wide policies and recent proposals. The following format was used to present information on each program. We attempted to have each program summary reviewed by at least one contact person for program accuracy. In the cases where this review occurred, we added the statement "Reviewed by.." at the end of the case summary

Transforming failure into success through organisational learning: An analysis of a manufacturing information system

This paper describes the idiosyncracies of a case study company, through highlighting issues and problems experienced during their attempts to evaluate, implement and realise the holistic implications of a manufacturing information system. Although the Information System (IS) was operational for a period of time, it was eventually deemed a failure. The reason for this was that a range of human and organisational factors prevented the organisation from embracing the full impact of the system. The eventual success of their information system was realised through a bespoke implementation, based upon a traditional systems development lifecycle that indirectly addressed learning issues following the earlier failed deployment. The paper highlights key issues relating to business success and failure, and then contrasts them alongside the presented case study. In doing so, the authors conclude by proposing methods through which manufacturing information systems can be transformed for business success. This is described achievable through both a realisation in the positioning of the organisation relative to technology management, and the related mapping of human and technological constructs that support information systems related succes

Quality by Design Procedure for Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: An Integrated Flowsheet Model Approach

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is crucial to global healthcare and requires a higher, more consistent level of quality than any other industry. Yet, the traditional pharmaceutical batch manufacturing has remained largely unchanged in the last fifty years due to high R&D costs, shorter patent durations, and regulatory uncertainty. This has led regulatory bodies to promote modernization of manufacturing process to continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing (CPM) by introducing new methodologies including quality by design, design space, and process analytical technology (PAT). This represents a shift away from the traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing way of thinking towards a risk based approach that promotes increased product and process knowledge through a data-rich environment. While both literature and regulatory bodies acknowledge the need for modernization, manufacturers have been slow to modernize due to uncertainty and lack of confidence in the applications of these methodologies. This paper aims to describe the current applications of QbD principles in literature and the current regulatory environment to identify gaps in literature through leveraging regulatory guidelines and CPM literature. To aid in closing the gap between QbD theory and QbD application, a QbD algorithm for CPM using an integrated flowsheet models is also developed and analyzed. This will help to increase manufacturing confidence in CPM by providing answers to questions about the CPM business case, applications of QbD tools, process validation and sensitivity, and process and equipment characteristics. An integrated flowsheet model will aid in the decision-making process and process optimization, breaking away from ex silico methods extensively covered in literature

Lean Dissertation Writing Process (LDWP)

Dissertação de mestrado em Industrial EngineeringThis dissertation delves into applying Lean management principles to the dissertation writing process (DWP), considering that research can be seen as a business, incurring costs, and generating waste. Lean management, a philosophy originating from the manufacturing sector, is explored to enhance research efficiency and productivity. The scientific objective is to create a framework for integrating lean principles into the dissertation writing process (DWP), tailored to researchers' needs. Three research questions are formulated to address common challenges in DWP, the potential of lean management to overcome these challenges, and the stages required for successful lean implementation. The study uses a qualitative research methodology to gather and analyze data on applying lean principles in DWP, resulting in a conceptual framework. The findings suggest that lean concepts, such as waste reduction, value stream mapping, and continuous improvement, can significantly improve the efficiency of DWP. Lean methodologies promote disciplined project management, aiding researchers in setting goals, tracking progress, and addressing bottlenecks. It is emphasized that lean approaches should be adapted to specific research environments and personal preferences. The research questions show that researchers often struggle with difficulties related to time allocation, work arrangement, and personal impediments. While Lean management can reduce some of these issues, it may not comprehensively address factors such as psychological barriers. This dissertation offers a Lean framework that guides researchers throughout the DWP, from goal setting to a comprehensive roadmap, enabling more effective process navigation. In conclusion, integrating lean principles into DWP can enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and the overall quality of dissertation writing. While not a one-size-fits-all solution, lean methodologies provide a valuable foundation for improvement, benefiting both individual researchers and the academic community.Esta dissertação explora a aplicação de princípios Lean Management no processo de escrita de uma dissertação (DWP), considerando que a fase da pesquisa pode ser vista como um negócio, visto que pode incurrer em custos e gerar desperdício. Lean Management, é uma filosofia que surgiu do setor industrial e é explorada para aprimorar a eficiência e produtividade da pesquisa. O objetivo científico é a criação de um framework para a integração de princípios Lean no processo de escrita de dissertação (DWP), adaptado às necessidades específicas dos investigadores. Três questões de pesquisa são formuladas para abordar desafios comuns no DWP, o potencial de Lean Management para superar esses desafios e as etapas necessárias para uma implementação Lean bem-sucedida. O estudo utiliza uma metodologia de pesquisa qualitativa para obter e analisar dados sobre a aplicação dos princípios Lean no DWP, resultando num framework conceptual. As descobertas sugerem que os conceitos Lean, como a redução de desperdício, o mapeamento do fluxo de valor e a melhoria contínua, podem melhorar significativamente a eficiência do DWP. Deste modo, as metodologias Lean promovem uma gestão de projetos disciplinada, que auxília os investigadores na definição de objetivos, no acompanhamento do progresso e identificação de bottlenecks. Além disso, é importante destacar que as abordagens Lean devem ser adaptadas a ambientes de pesquisa específicos e preferências pessoais. As questões de pesquisa mostraram que os investigadores frequentemente enfrentam dificuldades relacionadas à alocação de tempo, organização do trabalho e questões pessoais. Embora a gestão Lean possa reduzir alguns destes problemas, pode não abordar barreiras psicológicas. Desse modo, esta dissertação oferece um framework Lean que pode orientar os investigadores ao longo do DWP, desde a definição de metas até um plano abrangente, possibilitando uma navegação mais eficaz no processo. Em conclusão, a integração dos princípios Lean no DWP pode aprimorar a eficiência, eficácia e a qualidade geral da escrita de dissertações. Embora não seja uma solução única para todos, as metodologias Lean fornecem uma base valiosa para a melhoria, beneficiando tanto os investigadores individuais quanto a comunidade académica

An Exploratory Study of Patient Falls

Debate continues between the contribution of education level and clinical expertise in the nursing practice environment. Research suggests a link between Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) nurses and positive patient outcomes such as lower mortality, decreased falls, and fewer medication errors. Purpose: To examine if there a negative correlation between patient falls and the level of nurse education at an urban hospital located in Midwest Illinois during the years 2010-2014? Methods: A retrospective crosssectional cohort analysis was conducted using data from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) from the years 2010-2014. Sample: Inpatients aged ≥ 18 years who experienced a unintentional sudden descent, with or without injury that resulted in the patient striking the floor or object and occurred on inpatient nursing units. Results: The regression model was constructed with annual patient falls as the dependent variable and formal education and a log transformed variable for percentage of certified nurses as the independent variables. The model overall is a good fit, F (2,22) = 9.014, p = .001, adj. R2 = .40. Conclusion: Annual patient falls will decrease by increasing the number of nurses with baccalaureate degrees and/or certifications from a professional nursing board-governing body