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‘See what you feel’: The impact of visual scale distance in haptic-to-visual crossmodal matching
Get PDFTwo experiments were conducted to explore the impact of the distance of a visual scale employed in the crossmodal matching method dubbed See What You Feel (SWYF) used to study the Uznadze haptic aftereffect. Previous studies reported that SWYF leads to a general underestimation of out-of-sight handheld spheres, which seems to increase with visual scale distance. Experiment 1 tested the effect of visual scale distance in haptic-to-visual crossmodal matching. A 19-step visual scale, made of actual 3D spheres (diameters ranging from 2.0 to 5.6 cm), was set at one of three possible distances (30, 160, 290 cm); participants’ task was to find the matching visual spheres for four out-of-sight handheld test spheres (diameters 3.0, 3.8, 4.6, 5.0 cm). Results confirmed the underestimation effect and only partially confirmed the role of scale distance. Experiment 2 investigated the role of scale distance in a visual-to-visual matching task in which the same visual scale was employed, set at one of three distances (37, 160, 290 cm). Participants’ task was to find a match for the same four test stimuli. Results showed no statistical difference between matched and actual sphere sizes with distance 37 cm; underestimations were observed with the far distances, thus reflecting overestimations of scale sphere sizes. Results from both experiments allow us to conclude that the underestimation effect observed with SWYF is a general feature of haptic-to-visual crossmodal matching, and that the SWYF method is a valuable tool for measuring haptic size perception with handheld stimuli when the visual scale is set at a visually comfortable peripersonal distance
OTFS: A Potential Waveform for Space–Air–Ground Integrated Networks in 6G and Beyond
Get PDF6G is expected to provide ubiquitous connectivity, particularly in remote and inaccessible environments, by integrating satellite and aerial networks with existing terrestrial networks, forming Space–Air–Ground Integrated Networks (SAGINs). These networks, comprising satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and high-speed terrestrial networks, introduce severe Doppler effects due to high mobility. Traditional modulation techniques like Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) struggle to maintain reliable communication under such conditions. This paper investigates Orthogonal Time Frequency Space (OTFS) modulation as a robust alternative for high-mobility scenarios in SAGINs. Using 6G exploration library in MATLAB, this study compares the bit error rate (BER) performance of OTFS and OFDM under static and multipath channels with varying mobility scenarios from 20 km/h to 2000 km/h, and varying modulation orders (BPSK, QPSK, and 8-PSK). The results indicate that OTFS significantly outperforms OFDM, while maintaining signal integrity under extreme mobility conditions. OTFS modulates information symbols in the delay–Doppler domain, demonstrating a strong robustness against Doppler shifts and delay spreads. This makes it particularly suitable for high-mobility applications such as satellites, UAVs, and high-speed terrestrial networks. Conversely, while OFDM remains effective in static and low-mobility environments, it struggles with severe Doppler effects, common in the proposed SAGINs. These findings reinforce OTFS as a promising modulation technique for SAGINs in 6G and beyond
Tracking sediment transport through Miage Glacier, Italy, using a Lagrangian approach with luminescence rock surface burial dating of englacial clasts
Get PDFConstraining the timescales of sediment transport by glacier systems is important for understanding the processes controlling sediment dynamics within glacierized catchments, and because the accumulation of supraglacial sediment influences glacier response to climate change. However, glacial sediment transport can be difficult to observe; sediment can be transported englacially, subglacially, supraglacially or at the ice margins, and may be stored temporarily on headwall slopes or within moraines before being (re-)entrained and transported by glacier ice. This study is a proof of concept of the use of luminescence rock surface burial dating to establish rates of englacial sediment transport. Our novel approach combines luminescence rock surface burial dating of englacial clasts with an ice-flow model that includes Lagrangian particle tracking to quantify rates of sediment transport through the Miage Glacier catchment in the Italian Alps. Luminescence rock surface burial ages for seven samples embedded in the near-surface ice in the ablation area range from 0.0 ± 1.0 to 4.7 ± 0.3 ka and are consistent with the ice-flow model results. Our results show that the transport durations of individual clasts vary by an order of magnitude, implying rapid clast transport near the glacier surface and longer transport histories for clasts transported lower in the ice column. In some cases, clasts were stored on the headwalls or within ice-marginal moraines for several thousand years before being englacially transported. The results illustrate the different routes by which glaciers transport sediment and provide the first direct measurements of englacial sediment transport duration
Young people’s experiences of vaping in their community: a co-created study between embedded researchers and local authority public health practitioners.
Get PDFAim:
This qualitative study aimed to investigate how young people understand vaping among their peers to directly inform practice within a Local Authority (LA) public health team in the North of England.
Method:
The study was undertaken using a co-creation model of qualitative research between LA practitioners and Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) embedded researchers. The study team collaboratively planned and collected data and analysed findings. Four focus groups were held with 17 young people aged between 13 and 23 years between May and August 2024. Participants were recruited from communities with reported high electronic cigarette (vape) use. Data analysis was informed by Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis approach.
Results:
Results suggest the importance of friendship groups, social media, mental wellbeing and family in the prevalence of youth vaping, alongside the accessibility and appeal of flavours, colours, and brands of vapes. Young people identified a lack of clear information and guidance about vapes with a mixed understanding of legal frameworks. They made valuable suggestions including specialist advisors within schools, increased regulation of the accessibility and promotion of vapes, and further information about health harms.
Conclusions:
This study supports existing findings about the appeal of vapes to young people. The findings also add important knowledge about experiences of young people from a range of backgrounds where vaping has been identified as more prevalent locally and which mirrors health inequality data. Findings also highlight lack of awareness of legal frameworks and health harms of vaping products. Young people’s suggestions on support to reduce vaping point towards several policy and practice interventions for use in LA settings, including providing accurate and clear information on vape harms, enhancing support services and reducing vape access and appeal
Exploring the nexus of institutional factors and regulatory focus in driving platform-based servitization and circular economy adoption
Get PDFAlthough digitalization has garnered considerable attention in service management literature, integrating a platform-based approach to boost circular economy (CE) practices remains relatively underexplored. Grounded in the institutional-based theory and regulatory focus theory, this paper investigates how institutional-level factors and regulatory focus (RF) foster platform-based servitization (PBS), driving CE practices in business firms. Using data drawn from a paper-based survey of 390 managers from 143 service firms in China, this study used the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique to analyze the data. The findings reveal that metaverse, network collaboration, and environmental disclosure significantly and positively impact fostering PBS. PBS, in turn, acts as a mediator, potentially influencing the implementation of CE practices in business firms. Further, promotion-RF positively moderates the relationship between fostering PBS in business firms and implementing CE practices, whereas preventive-RF negatively moderates this relationship. These findings provide actionable recommendations for managers and industry practitioners to formulate business strategies that fully harness the potential of promoting PBS and CE beyond purely technological benefits
Upskilling Rheumatology Occupational Therapists in Work Rehabilitation: An Evaluation of a Job Retention Vocational Rehabilitation Training Course (the Workwell Trial)
Get PDFObjectives: The objectives were to assess current job retention vocational rehabilitation (JRVR) services for employed individuals with inflammatory arthritis (IA) in rheumatology therapy departments interested in participating in the Workwell trial. Additionally, to modify a JRVR training course to support therapists in delivering JRVR and to evaluate changes in therapists’ knowledge, confidence, and ability following the training. Methods: This was a mixed‐methods study. Current work services were explored with lead therapists through a cross‐sectional survey about their work rehabilitation service; and one‐to‐one interviews. Feedback from previous course attendees and trainers informed modifications to the training course. Participating therapists completed mailed questionnaires pre‐and post‐training. Results: Lead therapists from 28 interested departments reported providing JRVR to a median of 7 patients per month (IQR 3–12) for an average of 60 min (IQR 41.25–90). Nine therapists participated in pre‐trial interviews, with themes highlighting variability in referrals, the use of work assessment tools, and advice on ergonomic adjustments. The training course was shortened from three to 2 days by incorporating a pre‐training self‐study pack and reducing lecture time, while increasing practical content such as work assessment demonstrations and extended workshops. Following the training, 32 therapists showed significant improvements in their knowledge and confidence in delivering JRVR (p Discussion: The need for training in work assessment and delivery of complex JRVR was identified. The therapist training course provided was favourably received. Post‐training, therapists’ ability to assess and plan complex JRVR improved. Trial Registration: WORKWELL Trial: ISRCTN: 61762297; Clinical Trials.Gov: NCT0394278
Metabolic Health Screening in Physical Therapist Private Practice in Australia: A Feasibility Study.
Get PDFNoncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Physical therapists working in private practice have an opportunity to embed health screening in their practice to support chronic disease prevention. However, it is not known if it is feasible to conduct health screenings in physical therapist private practice settings. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of physical therapists conducting client health screening with point-of-care testing. This was a feasibility study, comprising of in-depth interviews and descriptive quantitative data. The health screenings took place in physical therapist private practices in Australia. The 1-to-1 interviews were conducted via phone, video conference, or face-to-face, according to participant preference. Two hundred and thirty adult clients participated in a health screen at a physical therapist practice. Follow-up interviews were completed with 20 clients and 8 physical therapists. Clients had a 30-minute health screen that included collection of self-reported physical activity and dietary intake and physical examination of metabolic risk factors including waist circumference, blood pressure, and point-of-care testing of cholesterol and glucose. Using interpretative description methods and inductive thematic analysis, themes were identified from the interviews and then mapped deductively onto feasibility domains of acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, and integration. Three themes were identified. Clients perceived screening as convenient and comfortable; provided important health information; and could be part of usual physical therapy. Physical therapists saw health screening as a valuable add-on service and beneficial for client management but were uncertain about future integration. Incorporating health screening into private practice physical therapist services is feasible and valued by clients but physical therapists were unsure how they could integrate this into their practice/business. Physical therapists working in private practice need additional training to incorporate health screening into their practice. Concurrently, funding models need to support this by prioritizing investment in health promotion and disease prevention
Predicting Economic, Social, and Cultural Benefits of Event Tourism in Smaller Cities: A Supply-Side Perspective
Get PDFThis study identifies the perceived economic, social, and cultural benefits of events in smaller UK cities, which have hitherto been neglected given the focus on large cities. It also adopts a multidestination perspective to address the call to widen research into event impacts away from single-event case studies. The article applies a cross-sectional approach to survey 111 city event managers and analyze their opinions on the event tourism antecedents contributing to perceived economic, social, and cultural benefits. The study’s theoretical contribution relates to the identification of five significant antecedents of economic benefits, three significant antecedents of social benefits, and one significant antecedent of cultural benefits. The article also outlines the practical implications of the findings to inform representatives of smaller cities seeking to use events to secure this range of benefits and develop a more strategic orientation
Homogenised, Pasteurised, and Recognisable: Empowering Children to Decentre the Dominance of Standard English Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
No full textExploring the skills prioritised in the assessment of students pursuing adult nursing, post-Covid: A qualitative analysis
Get PDFAim
To explore comments made by registered nurse practice assessors during the clinical assessment of students pursuing adult nursing.
Background
Student nurses are entering a workforce that has changed professional and educational nursing practice systems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Limited placement learning during lockdowns reduced opportunities for students to practise clinical skills in person. However, the current state of practice assessment for students pursuing adult nursing, particularly post-COVID, has yet to be explored.
Design
Qualitative content analysis.
Methods
Data were collected from the online assessment documentation of second-year BSc students pursuing adult nursing. A qualitative content analysis was performed to analyse comments made by qualified adult nurses who are positioned as clinical practice assessors for students pursuing adult nursing. COREQ reporting guidelines were followed.
Results
Two main themes were identified: (1) task-focussed competencies and (2) relational aspects of care. Task-focussed competencies included ‘technically complex physical health skills’ with an emphasis on specialist clinical interventions and procedures. Relational aspects of care included values-based attributes such as compassion and empathy. However, relational aspects of care were noted less frequently. Comments related to communication skills and values-based care were less diverse than those relating to technical tasks and the language used was perfunctory.
Conclusion
Adult nursing assessments emphasise technical, task-focused competencies, with less attention given to relational skills like compassion and communication. To address this gap, nursing education must better integrate relational and technical competencies, enhancing patient care and supporting nurses' mental health and wellbeing for a more holistic post-pandemic nursing practice.
Implications for Practice
Results suggest an increased focus on the development of relational skills is needed for students pursuing adult nursing.
Patient or Public Contribution
No patient or public contribution