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Trust and employment protection legislation
Get PDFYesWe examine the role of generalized social trust in substituting for employment protection legislation. Using foreign direct investment from the US to a sample of OECD countries, we find that trust diminishes the importance of formal employment regulations in investment attractiveness
Current approaches to soft contact lens handling training - Global perspectives
Get PDFYesAll neophyte contact lens wearers require training on how to handle contact lenses. Currently, almost no published information exists describing the most common approaches used by those involved in such training in soft contact lens wearers. This study aimed to gather information on the approaches taken by those conducting this training worldwide.
An online survey was created in English and translated to Spanish and distributed internationally via social media, conference attendees, and professional contacts. The anonymous survey included information on workplace setting of respondents, information about the typical approaches used for application and removal of soft contact lenses, length of the appointment, and success rate with their approach. Survey responses were received between May 2021 and April 2022.
A total of 511 individuals completed the survey and responses were received from 31 countries with 48.7% from the UK. The most common approach taught for application was to have the patient hold the upper eyelashes (84.7%) and to hold the lower eyelid with the same hand as the lens (89.4%). Lenses were applied directly to the cornea by 57.7% of the respondents. The most common approach taught for lens removal was to drag the lens inferiorly from the cornea prior to removal (49.3%). Most respondents did not use videos to aid the teaching appointment (62.0%); however, they felt that their approach was successful in most cases (90). Application and removal training sessions lasted a median of 30 min and contact lenses were typically dispensed after the instructor witnessing successful application and removal three times.
Various methods are adopted globally for training of application and removal of soft contact lenses, with many advising a patient-specific approach is required for success. The results of this survey provide novel insights into soft contact lens handling training in clinical practice.British & Irish University and College Contact Lens Educators (BUCCLE) receives sponsorship from CooperVision, Alcon, Bausch + Lomb and Johnson and Johnson. No specific grant was received for this study, and no sponsors had any input or involvement within this project. Nery Garcia-Porta is supported financially by a Maria Zambrano contract at USC under the grants call for the requalification of the Spanish university system 2021–2023, funded by the European Union—Next Generation EU
A curved single-layer FSS design for gain improvement of a compact size CPW-fed UWB monopole antenna
Get PDFYesA Novel design of a curved single-layered frequency selective surface with an 11 × 11 array of a 13 × 13 mm-sized unit cell has been merged with a miniaturized, CPW-fed ultra-wideband monopole of dimensions (20 × 25 mm2) for gain enhancement. The suggested prototype, crafted on an FR-4 dielectric substrate and demonstrates a very broad bandwidth starting from 2.66 to 17.98 GHz (148%), which covers the entire UWB frequency band. The combined antenna-curved FSS reflector shows a very important gain improvement from 0.2–5.4 dB to 8.8–14.9 dB, having a peak gain increase of 10 dB at 10.6 GHz. Basic design features were studied and discussed through simulations, yielding promising results The proposed structure can be used in UWB and GPR applications.A Novel design of a curved single-layered frequency selective surface with an 11 × 11 array of a 13 × 13 mm-sized unit cell has been merged with a miniaturized, CPW-fed ultra-wideband monopole of dimensions (20 × 25 mm2) for gain enhancement. The suggested prototype, crafted on an FR-4 dielectric substrate and demonstrates a very broad bandwidth starting from 2.66 to 17.98 GHz (148%), which covers the entire UWB frequency band. The combined antenna-curved FSS reflector shows a very important gain improvement from 0.2-5.4 dB to 8.8-14.9 dB, having a peak gain increase of 10 dB at 10.6 GHz. Basic design features were studied and discussed through simulations, yielding promising results The proposed structure can be used in UWB and GPR applications
A comprehensive review on carbon dioxide sequestration methods
Get PDFYesCapturing and storing CO2 (CCS) was once regarded as a significant, urgent, and necessary option for reducing the emissions of CO2 from coal and oil and gas industries and mitigating the serious impacts of CO2 on the atmosphere and the environment. This recognition came about as a result of extensive research conducted in the past. The CCS cycle comes to a close with the last phase of CO2 storage, which is accomplished primarily by the adsorption of CO2 in the ocean and injection of CO2 subsurface reservoir formation, in addition to the formation of limestone via the process of CO2 reactivity with reservoir formation minerals through injectivities. CCS is the last stage in the carbon capture and storage (CCS) cycle and is accomplished chiefly via oceanic and subterranean geological sequestration, as well as mineral carbonation. The injection of supercritical CO2 into geological formations disrupts the sub-surface's existing physical and chemical conditions; changes can occur in the pore fluid pressure, temperature state, chemical reactivity, and stress distribution of the reservoir rock. This paper aims at advancing our current knowledge in CO2 injection and storage systems, particularly CO2 storage methods and the challenges encountered during the implementation of each method and analyses on how key uncertainties in CCS can be reduced. CCS sites are essentially unified systems; yet, given the scientific context, these storage systems are typically split during scientific investigations based on the physics and spatial scales involved. Separating the physics by using the chosen system as a boundary condition is a strategy that works effectively for a wide variety of physical applications. Unfortunately, the separation technique does not accurately capture the behaviour of the larger important system in the case of water and gas flow in porous media. This is due to the complexity of geological subsurface systems, which prevents the approach from being able to effectively capture the behaviour of the larger relevant system. This consequently gives rise to different CCS technology with different applications, costs and social and environmental impacts. The findings of this study can help improve the ability to select a suitable CCS application method and can further improve the efficiency of greenhouse gas emissions and their environmental impact, promoting the process sustainability and helping to tackle some of the most important issues that human being is currently accounting global climate change. Though this technology has already had large-scale development for the last decade, some issues and uncertainties are identified. Special attention was focused on the basic findings achieved in CO2 storage operational projects to date. The study has demonstrated that though a number of CCS technologies have been researched and implemented to date, choosing a suitable and acceptable CCS technology is still daunting in terms of its technological application, cost effectiveness and socio-environmental acceptance
Experiences of newly registered nurses transitioning from nursing student to registered nurse: a qualitative systematic review
No full textNoThis is a summary of See et al.1
Newly registered nurses experience high levels of emotional exhaustion, stress and burnout, with high attrition rates in the first-year post-qualification.
The purpose of this review was to consolidate the available evidence on the experiences of newly registered nurses transitioning from the role of student nurse to that of registered nurse
Supramolecular chemistry enables vat photopolymerization 3D printing of novel water-soluble tablets
Get PDFYesVat photopolymerization has garnered interest from pharmaceutical researchers for the fabrication of personalised medicines, especially for drugs that require high precision dosing or are heat labile. However, the 3D printed structures created thus far have been insoluble, limiting printable dosage forms to sustained-release systems or drug-eluting medical devices which do not require dissolution of the printed matrix. Resins that produce water-soluble structures will enable more versatile drug release profiles and expand potential applications. To achieve this, instead of employing cross-linking chemistry to fabricate matrices, supramolecular chemistry may be used to impart dynamic interaction between polymer chains. In this study, water-soluble drug-loaded printlets (3D printed tablets) are fabricated via digital light processing (DLP) 3DP for the first time. Six formulations with varying ratios of an electrolyte acrylate
Effect of myopia management contact lens design on accommodative microfluctuations and eye movements during reading
Get PDFYesBackground: Soft contact lenses have been developed and licensed for reducing myopia progression. These lenses
have different designs, such as extended depth of focus (EDOF) and dual focus (DF). In this prospective, doublemasked, cross-over study, different lens designs were investigated to see whether these had impact on accommodative microfluctuations and eye movements during reading.
Methods: Participants were fitted with three lenses in a randomised order; a single vision (SV) design (Omafilcon
A2; Proclear), a DF design (Omafilcon A2; MiSight), and an EDOF lens design (Etafilcon A; NaturalVue),.
Accommodative microfluctuations were measured at 25 cm for at least 60s in each lens, using a Shin-Nippon
SRW-5000 autorefractor adapted to continuously record accommodation at 22Hz. Eye movement data was
collected with the Thomson Clinical Eye Tracker incorporating a Tobii Eye bar. Eye movements include fixations
per row, fixations per minute, mean regressions per row, total number of regressions, and total rightward saccades. Accommodation data was analysed using power spectrum analysis. Differences between the lenses were
compared using a related sample two-way Friedman test.
Results: Twenty-three participants (18–29 years) were recruited to take part. The average mean spherical error
was − 2.65D ± 1.42DS, with an average age of 23.4 ± 3.5 years. No significant difference for accommodative
microfluctuations was found. Significant differences were found for fixations per row (P = 0.03), fixations per
minute (P = 0.008), mean regressions per row (P = 0.002), and total number of regressions (P = 0.002), but not
total rightward saccades (P = 0.10). Post-hoc analysis indicated the EDOF lens results were significantly different
from the other lenses, with more regressive eye movements observed.
Conclusions: Regressive saccades appear to increase when wearing EDOF lens designs, which may impact visual
comfort. Further studies in children, over a longer period of adaptation are necessary to assess the potential
impact of this finding on daily reading activities in children.This project was supported by the British Contact Lens Association Summer Studentship Award (recipient Muskaan Hussain)
"I think taking herbal medicine first can help prevent. If it doesn't work, then can take start taking the medication given by the doctors." Patients' perceptions towards hypertension in Fiji
Get PDFYesHypertension remains a public health challenge worldwide however, the prevention, detection, treatment and management of this condition are not highly prioritized. Health knowledge has an important impact on individual's health. The ability to actively participate in screening, diagnosis and management of hypertension are influenced by patient's knowledge of hypertension. To understand why hypertension is so difficult to control, it may be of benefit to gain an understanding of the patient's perspective. Hence, the aim of the study is to explore the perceptions of patients on prevention and diagnosis of hypertension in Fiji.
The study used a qualitative method approach. The study was conducted at the four purposively selected health centers in the Lautoka/ Yasawa medical subdivision. A purposive sampling was used which included all the patients who attended the SOPD, age more than 18 years and above, diagnosed with hypertension for 6 months or more and attended clinic at one of the 4 selected health centers. Semi-structured open-ended interview guide were used to collect data among patients through in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used manually to analyze the data using four steps that is immersion in the data, coding the data, creating categories and identifying themes / subthemes.
Twenty-five SOPD patients took part in the in-depth interview and the responses were grouped into two themes. The themes emerged included hypertension knowledge and diagnosis of hypertension in a closed family and self. Subthemes derived from the hypertension knowledge were measures of awareness, hypertension aetiology, risk perception, origin of information and concept of prevention. Sub themes derived from the diagnosis of hypertension in a closed family were perception when first diagnosed, hypertension in relation and hypertension impact. Patients' knowledge on etiologies and risk factors of hypertension were generally poor. Majority of the participants learnt about hypertension in hospitals and few over radios and television. Diagnosis in a closed family triggered worrisome, fear and fright on some patients.
Majority of the patients have less knowledge about various risk factors of hypertension. Worrisome, fearful, frightful, frustration and sadness were some of the reactions and emotions highlighted by the patients. It is important to design culturally tailored interventions that address the psychological and behavioral needs of the patients. Recommendation to conduct further studies to understand the perception of hypertension among the general public
Climate Litigation in South Africa and Nigeria: Legal Opportunities and Gender Perspectives
Get PDFYesThis chapter explores climate change cases from South Africa and Nigeria through a legal opportunity structures (LOS) lens. Understanding the effects of LOS is critical for sustaining climate litigation momentum across countries. Further, the academic literature on climate litigation hardly covers gender issues, even though women’s vulnerability to adverse climate change impacts and limited access to resources for adaptation are widely acknowledged. The receptivity of the existing LOS to women’s unique experiences affects their ability to engage in climate litigation and prospects for accessing climate justice through the courts. The chapter, therefore, undertakes a gender-sensitive analysis of the relevant literature, laws and decisions of courts from South Africa and Nigeria to conceptualize the LOS for climate litigation
Identifying the Health Concerns of Pregnant British Pakistani Women Living in Deprived Areas: A Qualitative Study
Get PDFYesPregnant British Pakistani women have disproportionately poorer health than the wider population. Bradford has a strong Pakistani presence and a wide range of public health problems including high levels of gestational diabetes, high obesity rates and a high infant mortality rate, which is highest for babies of Pakistani origin. For women to be healthy, we need to know what concerns they have about their health so they can be addressed appropriately. The aim of this study, therefore, was to explore the health concerns of pregnant British Pakistani women living in deprived areas.
Methods
Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 pregnant Pakistani women in a hospital setting. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results
Pakistani women identified safety issues, barriers to undertaking physical activity in the areas where they live, concerns surrounding exercising during pregnancy and cultural and religious constraints that prevented them from engaging in physical activity. They reported issues around food, concerns around a lack of culturally appropriate diet information, the cost of unhealthy food locally, and the lack of healthy food options in their residences. Women were unsure on where to obtain health promotion information and reported a lack of access in obtaining that information. Language barriers in accessing health promotion information were further reported as a concern.
Discussion
Researchers, midwives, health providers, local authority and policy makers interested in improving the health of pregnant Pakistani women may use these findings to develop further research and interventions to improve the poor health of this population.National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Yorkshire and Humber [NIHR200166]; UK Prevention Research Partnership (UKPRP) [MR/S037527/1], the NIHR Clinical Research Network; and NIHR ARC Yorkshire and Humbe