Budgeting—An Innovative Approach

Air pollution and population health related to it is one of the main issues in Sarajevo in the past few years, especially in the winter time. Reason for that is combustion of coal, oil fuel and other harmful emissions that leads to creation of air pollutants such are: particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NOx), and creation of Ozone (O3). This study addressed the question regarding possible solutions for improvement of air quality by removing NOx emitted from the cars in the particular area of urban core of Marijin Dvor in Sarajevo using innovative architecture approach. Basic principle introduced by this paper considered outdoor application of TiO2 coating, in accordance with previously conducted studies. First part of research was conducted by snowball research method which was used for accumulation of similar research material, while later study was completed using mixed method research design with explanatory research method which provided analyses, comparison and calculation of expected outcomes of applied innovative solutions as a mean to reduce pollution. These innovative approaches were implemented as coatings of TiO2 on elevations and paved areas next to the main road. Total area covered by TiO2 was 15 778 m2. Results strongly indicate that usage of TiO2 coating as innovative approach reduced the amount of NOx emitted by cars per year by 52, 39%. This amount of NOx removed after treatment indicates that method proposed in this study was very effective and suggests that this study can contribute to further analyses and lead to possible implementation in the future.

Summary form only given. This presentation describes an effort in progress to transition an innovative teaching approach from one university setting to another. The innovative approach, developed at the United States Air Force Academy, resulted from a unique funding opportunity to team instructors, educational developers and content experts. The development started with nearly a clean sheet. Its setting was to be a combined statics and mechanics of materials course, the first engineering course taken by those students. The goal of the activity was to improve motivation and retention of entering engineering students, while also improving students' subject matter abilities and retention.

In recent years, many business education programs have focused on the development of competences, instead of knowledge transfer. For this reason, various innovative training approaches were adopted, including educational simulations. The increasing availability of the simulation resources also contributes to the proliferation of simulation in business education curricula. The chapter presents how the simulations were introduced in a Master degree program on Project Management, in project planning and controlling module. The Master program has a blended-learning approach, which nicely fits to the simulation requirements. The simulations are based on an agent-based model of the project resource leveling process, part of the project planning and scheduling topic. The authors made several evaluations of the students’ results before and after the simulations. The main conclusion of the experiment is that the educational simulations improve the competence development process, only if they are properly designed and performed.

Energy storage microsystems composed of thin-film devices (supercapacitors and batteries) have attracted attention to ensure autonomy of complex devices for wearable microelectronics. Recently, flexible systems have been investigated as deformation and integration of rigid micropower sources cannot be achieved.1-5 The technological challenge is to design energy storage devices showing high electrochemical performance with advanced mechanical properties to prevent crack issues during electrochemical and mechanical tests. But in simple flexible micropower sources, the strains experienced by the active materials during bending usually remain well below the typical levels required leading to multiple fractures and subsequent loss of electrical contact.In this work,the fabrication of microstructured electrodes based on micropillars supported on serpentine interconnects have been achieved by laser patterning technique. Morphological and chemical characterizations confirm the formation of independent micropillars while preserving the underlying current collector. We show that unlike compact and continuous electrode thin-films, vertical micropillar structures supported on serpentines can be stretched up to 70% without structural damaging owing to the presence of empty spaces that can prevent the formation of cracks and the electrode delamination. The present approach based on the fabrication of microstructured electrodes supported on serpentine interconnects can be extended to a wide range of materials, which opens promising perspectives for the conception of truly stretchable devices such as stretchable micro-batteries.6 This innovative approach has been used to fabricate a flexible micro-battery for powering a smart contact lens7 and garments. The innovative micro battery approach relies on two flexible substrates assembling consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) supporting 1 cm2 surface area disk of LNMO and LTO serpentine electrodes separated by a gel polymer electrolyte.Interestingly, the micro battery shows in the first reversible cycle a charge and discharge areal capacities of 1.22 mAh·cm−2 and 1.196 mAh·cm−2, respectively. The coulombic efficiency for the first reversible cycle corresponds to 96.17%. Regarding the cycling performance, the LTO/ polymer/LNMO micro battery has been assessed at fast kinetics for 30 cycles. The micro battery delivers 73.5 µAh.cm-2 at 6C, 47 µAh·cm−2 at 12C and 32 µAh·cm−2 at 20C with a remarkable stability.

Using an innovative approach, we identified research priorities in palliative care to guide future research initiatives. We searched 7 databases (2005-2012) for review articles published on the topics of palliative and hospice-end-of-life care. The identified research recommendations (n = 648) fell into 2 distinct categories: (1) ways to improve methodological approaches and (2) specific topic areas in need of future study. The most commonly cited priority within the theme of methodological approaches was the need for enhanced rigor. Specific topics in need of future study included perspectives and needs of patients, relatives, and providers; underrepresented populations; decision-making; cost-effectiveness; provider education; spirituality; service use; and interdisciplinary approaches to delivering palliative care. This review underscores the need for additional research on specific topics and methodologically rigorous research to inform health policy and practice.

The purpose of the study. Exploration of a major milestone in the development of small towns. Presenting the role of education through the example of the agricultural vocational school in Somogyszentimre, a settlement attached to Kadarkút. Applied methods. The analysis of literature ranges from a review of education policy to factors driving the development of small towns. The study heavily relies on archival research instrumental in shedding light on the everyday life of the educational institution, and the identification of factors demonstrating a unique and innovative approach. The biographies of individuals affiliated to the institution have provided an equally valuable contribution. Outcomes. The dominance of agriculture has permeated the socio-economic history of small towns in Somogy county in all spheres of existence. Small town economies and societies were greatly enriched by their commercial and industrial functions (industrial plants), the right to hold fairs, and educational institutions connected to agriculture. The educational institution by virtue of its students, teaching staff, owners and patrons was a major trigger of development in small towns. Agricultural vocational schools besides providing theoretical training also familiarised students with novel and innovative practical approaches. This type of approach was embraced by small town farmers, generating an innovative, development-oriented vision that still characterises the majority of small towns in Somogy county today.

The lecture presents the innovative and creative approach implemented in the academic CEEPUS network BG-1103-06-2122 in order to make the network viable, especially with the COVID 19 obstacles to mobility. The main innovations implemented in the network are: Event-based approach and implementation of the innovative Flexible course; Joint doctoral program with an innovative — network-wide joint co-tutorship and co-supervision; Innovative platform for e-management of the academic network IMA-NET; Innovative ways of cooperation with Business partners of the network. The lecture describes these innovations, providing quantitative and qualitative measures and illustrating the implementation, probation, feedback and survey results from the IMA-NET platform. Plans for the academic year 2022/2023 will be discussed.

Successful percutaneous management of hypothenar hammer syndrome with thrombosuction and catheter-directed intra-arterial thrombolysis

VDEPT: An enzyme/prodrug gene therapy approach for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

Driving factors for having visibility of sustainability contents in university degree titles

Innovative approaches reaching underserved and rural communities to improve epilepsy care: A review of the methodology of the Connectors Project

Innovative processes to desulfate the Paradox Valley brine

AimsThe aim of this review is to systematically investigate simulation in psychiatry to enable the evidence based introduction of psychiatry simulation into the undergraduate curriculum at the University of Liverpool.BackgroundTransformations in the structure of psychiatric delivery and reductions in funding to mental health care have limited the availability of direct patient clinical experiences for medical students. Experiential learning through simulation can be utilised as a powerful pedagogical tool and provide exposure to a broad range of psychopathology.Although psychiatric skills and knowledge are gained from the current University of Liverpool undergraduate curriculum, there is no specific well-designed psychiatry simulation.MethodThe author searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases for studies that met the inclusion criteria. Search terms included ‘simulation (psychiatry or ‘mental health’). Studies were also searched using snowballing via citation tracking within the databases.Inclusion criteria comprised studies of an educational intervention that involved simulation. The intervention had to be utilised within the field of psychiatric teaching.ResultThe literature review illustrated the dearth of studies analysing role-playing (RP) and/or simulated patients (SP) in psychiatry with it typically encountered as part of the more general communication skills curriculum. Studies analysing SP and RPs demonstrate how they build on the social context of learning alongside drawing on a range of educational theories, including experiential learning. However, studies show that well-designed simulation training should encompass more facets of learning to be transformative, specifically reflecting upon ones experiences alongside understanding and interpreting this new knowledge, allowing it to guide future actions and change practice.Studies analysing virtual-reality in psychiatry are limited but demonstrate significant improvements in students’ acquisition of key psychiatric skills and exposure to psychopathology. More studies are needed to evaluate the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of virtual-reality over more traditional methods.Despite the increase in simulation teaching within psychiatry, and the expansion of innovative simulation approaches in other specialties, there was limited use of novel approaches found within the studies analysing psychiatric simulation. There were studies evaluating novel approaches to psychiatry simulation outside of the undergraduate curriculum.ConclusionWhilst there are barriers to overcome in simulation training, these are primarily logistical and are clearly outweighed by the educational gain demonstrated throughout this review. Simulation training in psychiatry has often remained limited to traditional communication-oriented scenarios using RP or SP. A greater emphasis on furthering the advancement and integration of more innovative approaches into psychiatric undergraduate teaching is needed.

PurposeThe paper aims to address regulators, enforcers and the academy, presenting reflections on some research‐driven innovative approaches, strategies and tools in the fight against financial and economic crime, with reference to some instances of concrete application deriving from the Italian FIU's experience and know‐how.Design/methodology/approachThe paper focuses on the need for a systemic approach both in considering the problems of the regulatory/operational apparatus for combating financial crime (including evaluation issues) and in identifying solutions devised to improve such apparatus and its results. This approach cannot be detached from a methodological attitude based on synergies between the various parts involved.FindingsIn the light of such systemic approach, new perspectives and innovative ideas are put forward with reference to some major topics of the strategies for combating financial crime. These refer to themes such as measuring AML/CTF costs and benefits, bridging regulatory and professional frontiers, modelling and monitoring the status of the financial system and the behaviour therein, developing prevention tools, integrating interdisciplinary knowledge, and profiting from research.Research limitations/implicationsA systemic approach in understanding and fighting financial crime and its complex issues implies pooling together knowledge and expertise gathered under different complementary disciplines. This may provide information on the manifold sides and tinges of the phenomenon. By the same token, it is essential to take into consideration the systemic effects that specific action undertaken by the authorities may entail due to the subsequent reactions from other parts in the system.Practical implicationsData provided by the system offer a privileged practical basis in order to model the system's structure and understand its dynamics and its reactions to endogenous and exogenous impulses.Originality/valueThe paper explores themes and issues to which the international community is becoming increasingly sensitive, and which would certainly benefit from innovative vision and approach. The ideas and solutions expressed surely need further development, test and discussion, but they are bound to become part of the most significant prospective challenges in the combat against economic and financial crime.

Simple SummaryColorectal cancer remains a major health problem worldwide, with high prevalence and mortality rates. Innovative approaches and advanced therapeutic anticancer strategies need to be developed. In this frame, the aim of the present study was to assess the potential of biogenic selenium nanoparticles, produced by a probiotic microorganism, to induce apoptotic and immunogenic cell death in colon cancer cell lines. The findings of the present study confirmed that treatment of colon cancer cell lines with selenium nanoparticles induced pro-apoptotic and immunogenic cell death markers (indicating immunogenic cell death) and highlighted their potential to provide an efficient strategy for destroying tumour cells not only directly by apoptotic cell death, but also indirectly through enhanced immunogenicity.Colorectal cancer is a health problem with high mortality rates and prevalence. Thus, innovative treatment approaches need to be developed. Biogenic nanoparticles are nanomaterials that can be synthesised in biological systems and, compared to chemically synthesised nanoparticles, have better bioavailability while being more cost-effective, eco-friendlier, and less toxic. In our previous studies, the probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 was used to synthesise selenium nanoparticles (SeNps), which were shown to inhibit colon cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Herein, we have further investigated SeNps’ pro-apoptotic activity and their ability to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) in colon cancer cells. The SeNps’ effect on Caco-2 cells growth was examined along with their potential to induce caspase activation. Moreover, the expression of typical pro-apoptotic and ICD markers were examined in SeNps-treated HT29 and CT26 cells by flow cytometry, Western blot, ELISA and fluorescence microscopy. Elevated caspase-3 activation and surface phosphatyldoserine, that subsided upon co-incubation with a pan-caspase inhibitor, were detected in SeNps-treated cells. Furthermore, nanoparticles induced modulation of the expression of various apoptosis-related proteins. We also report the detection of biomarkers involved in ICD, namely the translocation of calreticulin and ERp57, the release of HMGB1 and ATP, and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines from SeNps-treated cells. Moreover, RAW246.7 macrophages exhibited a higher rate of phagocytosis against treated CT26 when compared to control cells. Taken together, our findings indicate that treatment with SeNps might be an efficient strategy to destroy tumour cells by inducing apoptotic cell death and triggering immune responses.