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Bedroom Feng Shui practices have been criticized as myth over the years but in fact having its scientific origin that is not purely superstitious. This paper aims to examine whether the architects' design practice for bedroom interior arrangement is concurring with the recommended bedroom Feng Shui practices. The study has successfully interviewed 16 architects from diverse backgrounds to avoid bias, seeking their design perspectives in bedroom interior configuration. Subsequently, the interviewees submitted sketches of ideal bedroom layout based on their expertise, with pre-set requirements. Data from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using mixed method approach. In agreement with our expectations, majority of the interviewees have matching thoughts that “bed arrangement” is the primary consideration in bedroom interior configuration. Most of the design outputs were highly attached to favorable Feng Shui conditions. The overall findings implied that bedroom Feng Shui is not merely superstitious but most components are practical design references for architects from diverse backgrounds.

The purpose of this work was to develop a model for estimating “dry” and “wet” thermal resistance of bedding during use. The model takes into account proportions of the body covered by different bedding arrangements, and the effects of an infants sleep position and method of tucking on thickness, thermal resistance and heat loss. Predictions of thermal resistance using various published formulae are compared with those from this study.

The aim of this work was to validate the Wilson and Laing theoretical mathematical model for estimating the intrinsic “dry” thermal resistance of upper‐bedding, and compare the two‐dimensional models commonly used to estimate the “dry” thermal resistance of bedding in use, with the actual intrinsic “dry” thermal resistance measured using an infant thermal manikin. The Wilson and Laing model was the only model used adequately to estimate the intrinsic “dry” thermal used resistance of materials arranged over the infant thermal manikin. Estimation of intrinsic “dry” thermal resistance of bedding during use is not adequate using two‐dimensional models. Further investigation into the relationship between thermal resistance, conditions of use, and SIDS using the Wilson and Laing model is recommended.

The rate and volume of air exchanged between the bed microclimate and the ambient environment determines in part how much heat is lost from the human body. This study investigated the ventilatory characteristics of infant over‐bedding to determine whether different combinations of bedding items (i.e. sheets, blankets, duvets) and types of tucking (i.e. loosely, firmly and swaddled/firmly tucked) affected microclimate ventilation. Microclimate volumes and air exchange rates were determined and used to calculate the ventilation indices. The presence of a duvet in the bedding combination resulted in lower ventilation indices than when bedding did not include a duvet. The type and combination of blankets did not significantly affect ventilation indices. The type of tucking had a significant effect on ventilation indices only when the assembly did not include a duvet.

This paper analyses the role of bed managers and the processes involved in admission, stay, transfer and discharge of patients in the hospital setting. The paper seeks to begin a discussion of the difficulties entailed in the allocation of beds within the context of confined resources. This is achieved by: a review of the somewhat sparse literature on bed management and associated issues; the development of frameworks of analysis with regard to what bed managers do and the information used to support the bed management function; and an explication of results from fieldwork. This is followed by a discussion of the scope of responsibility and career role of the bed manager as well as the potential and problems of bed data. Contacts with others investigating this field and other trusts indicate that the situation in Greater Manchester may be typical of most areas.

The purpose of this study is to determine the temperature ratings of infant bedding.

Mathematical models were developed for predicting temperature ratings of infant bedding for all age groups based on the thermal balance equation. These models were validated by the published physiological data and the baby manikin tests. The air temperature was compared with the predicted temperature rating, and the skin temperature of infant or baby manikin was used to explain the validation results.

The models had higher prediction accuracy, especially for the infant bedding with uniformly distributed thermal insulation. The results showed that an increase of 1 clo in thermal insulation caused a decrease of 4.2–6.0 °C in temperature rating. The slope of the model reduced with the increasing month-age, indicating that an older infant had a lower temperature rating than a younger infant.

Suggestions were given for caregivers that younger infants ought to be covered with more bedding than adults; however, older infants were expected to require less bedding.

The outcomes provided scientific guidelines on the selection of bedding for infants at a particular room temperature to ensure the health and safety of infants.

The use of telecare with appropriate domiciliary care packages may provide the means to manage many of the risks associated with the increasing number of older people who wish to continue to live independently in their own homes. Those who become especially frail or disabled can retain their independence and quality of life if their homes are made ‘smart’. This paper discusses the range of services that are available, or under development, for the prototype ‘MIDAS’ (Modular Intelligent Domiciliary Alarm System) telecare system, which enable traditional community alarm, telecare and assistive technologies to be used in an integrated and intelligent fashion. A range of services that allow autonomous operation within the home (and hence increase the perceived independence of a client by decreasing the reliance on a response centre operator) known as ‘HAMISH’ may be used. It offers a wider range of cost‐effective services of relevance to both the individual, and to society, in different types of home environment including dispersed housing and new sheltered housing schemes.

The steady growth in the number of British people covered by private health insurance and the associated growth in hospital beds in private facilities, prompted a study of the perceived differences between NHS and private health care facilities. The data were collected via a detailed questionnaire which was eventually completed by 196 respondents, of whom 162 were not covered by private health insurance. The items featured in the questionnaire were , to some extent, based on the work of previous researchers, this work being reviewed here . However, the topics included also reflected earlier research which had been focused on patient satisfaction with their hospital stay. In addition other names were developed on the basis of a series of interviews. The eventual questionnaire features 72 items and this paper is concerned with the first 48 of these which, in addition to soliciting differential assessments of aspects of the two different environments, also sought an assessment of the importance attached to that topic. The results presented here show not only the simple response patterns, but also the results of a factor analysis which identified six readily interpretable factors. The scores on these six factors were found to differ significantly between groups of respondents.

This paper aims to investigate the curling behaviour of selective laser sintered polyamide/glass bead composites with changes in material compositions, part bed temperature, powder base thickness, laser power and layer cooling time.

The Taguchi parameter design method (design of experiments, DOE) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique were applied in the investigation to determine the optimal process parameter settings.

The results of statistical analysis and ANOVA provided evidence for the effectiveness of filler content and its surface treatment on reducing the amount of curling.

Warping and curling phenomena is one of several aspects of this work that can be pursued further. The present investigation could be expanded to explore other fillers and interface adhesion using other modifiers. Experiments could be conducted with other complicated geometries, various sizes, different positions and locations to widen the knowledge base of geometric accuracy of selective laser sintering process.

This experimental work is beneficial for materials development and accuracy characterisation in rapid manufacturing techniques. The experimental techniques adopted are readily transferable to virtually any material system used in rapid manufacturing.

Although many materials have been developed, there is still a need for research into new materials. This work demonstrates that it is possible to improve the geometric accuracy of selective laser sintered components from glass bead- filled polyamide 12 and achieve near-zero curling by adding rigid multiphase-coated particle to the material system.

This study aims to develop a practical methodology to identify possible areas of improvements as well as exploring how to improve the health-care staff flow within a selected department in a hospital.

It focuses on showing how to properly study and analyze the health-care services and processes practiced at a selected department within a hospital. For this, several techniques like non-value-adding activities, time motion study, spaghetti diagram, layout analysis, etc. are used.

To test the proposed methodology, a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a hospital in Oman was considered as a case study. The study revealed that this unit has several potential improvements capabilities. Further, this study also discussed possible areas of improvements of this case unit and suggested how such improvements can be implemented.

Several possible improvements are suggested and are discussed with the hospital authority, which can be clarified as the re-layout of the NICU rooms, reorganization of the store to improve the staff flow, increase the work efficiency, introduction of Help Us Support Healing policy, etc., which can enhance the entire operational system at the studied NICU.