Modular integrated construction (MiC) is now widely adopted by industry and governments. However, its fragile and delicate logistics are still a concern for impeding project performance. MiC logistic operations involve rigorous multimode transportation, loading-unloading, and stacking during storage. Such processes may induce latent and intrinsic damage to the module. This damage causes safety hazards during assembly and deteriorates the module\'s structural health during the building use phase. Also, additional inspection and repairs before assembly cause uncertainties and can delay the whole supply chain. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the module\'s structural response during MiC logistics and the building use phase is vital. An IoT-based multi-sensing system is developed, integrating an accelerometer, gyroscope, and strain sensors to measure the module\'s structural response. The compact, portable, wireless sensing devices are designed to be easily installed on modules during the logistics and building use phases. The system is tested and calibrated to ensure its accuracy and efficiency. Then, a detailed field experiment is demonstrated to assess the damage, safety, and structural health during MiC logistic operations. The demonstrated damage assessment methods highlight the application for decision-makers to identify the module\'s structural condition before it arrives on site and proactively avoid any supply chain disruption. The developed sensing system is directly helpful for the industry in monitoring MiC logistics and module structural health during the use phase. The system enables the researchers to investigate and improve logistic strategies and module design by accessing detailed insights into the dynamics of MiC logistic operations.

This paper reports a case study in which an improvement in nursing work was achieved through the introduction of a traceability system compatible with radio-frequency identification (RFID) and bar codes for the management of medical materials. In verifying the RFID-based system in an operating room, the work time was reduced to approximately one-tenth of that of barcode reading. In the catheterization laboratory, a system consisting of a cartel management system utilizing bar codes and an RFID-compatible inventory management cabinet was introduced. The system eliminates the need to cut and paste packages onto vouchers after the cases are completed and digitizes the data sent to the medical affairs department for secure billing. We are implementing this system at many facilities, and, in addition to improving the work of nurses, we are taking new steps to improve hospital management through data linkage.

Human performance in the rail freight yard has been identified as a source of risk for rail freight operations. This is both within the yard itself, and also with train preparation issues leading to incidents on the network. The rail freight yard is an area that has received limited research attention. Over 30 hours of observations were conducted at five major freight yards in Great Britain, along with 30 interviews of rail freight ground staff. Task models, human performance factors and potential solutions that were further explored in a workshop with freight personnel. This analysis led to an understanding of freight yard activities, the impact of freight yard design and environment, and the role external pressures on freight yard performance including upstream planning. The implications are discussed for both current freight operations, and for future technology and process change within the rail freight sector.
Human performance in the rail freight yard is critical to safety and performance, but receives little research attention. A structured study included observations in the yard, interviews with ground staff, and a validation workshop. Results include task models, influencing factors, potential solutions and implications for future technology and process change.

This paper evaluates GHG emissions and energy usage in \"short\" and \"long\" cold chains for oranges, table grapes, and apples transported from South Africa to a retail store in Scotland. Novel formulae assess energy usage and emissions based on cold chain duration. \"Short\" chains show carbon footprints between 0.87 and 1.28 kg CO2e/kg of saleable fruit, contrasting starkly with extended cold chains. Extending storage durations increases emissions; a one-month extension results in 24-27 % emissions for oranges and grapes and 16 % for apples. Six months of CA storage of apples increases emissions by 96 % compared to \"short\" cold chains. Energy consumption follows a similar trend as emissions. This research informs policymakers and consumers, emphasising the need for sustainable and \"short\" cold chains. This is also the first paper that comprehensively assesses both the energy requirements and emissions outputs in a fruit supply chain based on the combined transport and storage duration of the cold chain from tree to retail markets.

There is a need to transition from conventional (on-site) clinical trials (CTs) to trials conducted within the comfort of a patient\'s home or community (decentralized CT) through e-consent, remote data monitoring, and telemedicine consults. This shift in trial procedures will positively impact recruitment rates, compliance and participant retention, protocol deviations, and delays or missed visits. Home nursing in CTs (HNCTs) will be an important component of this decentralization effort. A few limitations may impact the implementation of HNCT in India. In this regard, the workstream conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with experts from diverse domains of CT conduct (researchers from academia and industry, clinicians, investigators, nursing staff, patient research advocates, institutional ethics committee, or institutional review board members, legal experts, and trial participants) to collect their understanding, perspectives, and the ground realities about HNCTs in India. The current review puts forth the key areas that would facilitate the establishment of HNCTs in India and provides recommendations for the same.

Polystyrene is a staple plastic in the packaging and insulation market. Despite its good recyclability, the willingness of PS recycling remains low, largely due to the high recycling cost and limited profitability. This review examines the research progresses, gaps, and challenges in areas that affect the recycling costs, including but not limited to logistics, packaging design, and policymaking. We critically evaluate the recent developments in upcycling strategies, and we particularly focus on tandem and hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) upcycling strategies. We conclude that future upcycling studies should focus on not only reaction chemistry and mechanisms but also economic viability of the processes. The goal of this review is to stimulate the development of innovative recycling strategies with low recycling costs and high economic output values. We hope to stimulate the economic and technological momentum of PS recycling towards a sustainable and circular economy.

BACKGROUND: Cold static donor lung preservation at 10°C appears to be a promising method to safely extend the cold ischemic time (CIT) and improve lung transplant (LTx) logistics.
METHODS: LTx from November 2021 to February 2023 were included in this single institution, prospective, non-randomized study comparing prolonged preservation at 10°C versus standard preservation on ice. The inclusion criteria for 10°C preservation were suitable grafts for LTx without any donor retrieval concerns.
METHODS: primary graft dysfunction (PGD) grade-3 at 72-h. Secondary endpoints: clinical outcomes, cytokine profile and logistical impact.
RESULTS: Thirty-three out of fifty-seven cases were preserved at 10°C. Donor and recipient characteristics were similar across the groups. Total preservation times (h:min) were longer (p<0.001) in the 10°C group [1st lung: median 12:09 (IQR 9:23-13:29); 2nd: 14:24 (12:00-16:20)] vs. standard group [1st lung: median 5:47 (IQR 5:18-6:40); 2nd: 7:15 (6:33-7:40)]. PGD grade-3 at 72-h was 9.4% in 10°C group vs. 12.5% in standard group (p=0.440). Length of mechanical ventilation (MV), ICU and hospital stays were similar in both groups. Thirty and ninety-day mortality rates were 0% in 10°C group (vs. 4.2% in standard group). IL-8 concentration was significantly higher 6-h post-LTx in the standard group (p=0.025) and IL-10 concentration was increased 72-h post-LTx in the 10°C group (p=0.045).
CONCLUSIONS: Preservation at 10°C may represent a safe and feasible strategy to intentionally prolong the CIT. In our center, extending the CIT at 10°C may allow for semi-elective LTx and improve logistics with similar outcomes compared to the current standard preservation on ice.

Packed red blood cell transfusions are integral to the care of the critically and chronically ill patient, but require careful storage and a large, coordinated network to ensure their integrity during distribution and administration. Auditing a Transfusion Medicine service can be challenging due to the complexity of this network. Process mining is an analytical technique that allows for the identification of high-efficiency pathways through a network, as well as areas of challenge for targeted innovation. Here, we detail a case study of an efficiency audit of the Transfusion Medicine service of the Nova Scotia Health Administration Central Zone using process mining, across a period encompassing years prior to, during, and after the acute COVID-19 pandemic. Service efficiency from a product wastage perspective was consistently demonstrated at benchmarks near globally published optima. Furthermore, we detail key areas of continued challenge in product wastage, and suggest potential strategies for further targeted optimization.

The COVID-19 vaccination process in Colombia has been a major challenge not only in terms of public health but also in terms of supply chain management and logistics processes. To support the monitoring of these processes and associated decision-making, a dashboard was designed in Google Data Studio focused on analyzing the progress of COVID-19 vaccination and its logistics efficiency. This article describes the design and implementation of the dashboard using a design science approach and discusses the main lessons learned. During its development, four major challenges were identified: the search for and availability of data sources, the definition and standardization of metrics, the extraction of data in different formats; and finally, the validation of the metrics. Despite these challenges, the dashboard became a source of information for different stakeholders in the Colombian COVID-19 vaccination network, facilitating the monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs), supporting decision-making, and policy evaluation. This reaffirms the importance of having open information to generate knowledge for both public and private entities as well as for the public. The main contribution of this work is the definition and standardization of the KPIs and it is therefore expected that this experience will serve as an insightful input for designing mass vaccination strategies.

As outsourcing ventures become more complex, opportunities for synergies and efficiencies increase, but also create longer and more fragmented supply chains which could have disastrous consequences, particularly in a healthcare context. This study investigates the implications of outsourcing on healthcare supply chains by comparing two alternatives: outsourcing from public-to-private and outsourcing from public-to-public. A conceptual framework, adapted from previous literature, has been employed to provide a comprehensive overview of the phenomenon and consider the implications of logistics and procurement outsourcing on the healthcare supply chain structure and performance. The study presents a European cross-country comparison, analysing both the National Health Service (NHS) outsourcing in England (public-to-private outsourcing) and the Regional Health Service (RHS) outsourcing in the Tuscany region (Italy) (public-to-public outsourcing). Specificities and commonalities of the two outsourcing experiences provide suggestions for managers and policy-makers and enhance the current knowledge of outsourcing in the public healthcare sector.