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Quantifying the coupling coordination effect between the prefabricated building industry and its external comprehensive environment in China
No full textRapid urbanization poses significant challenges for upgrading traditional construction mode to industrialization in China. The prefabricated construction industry has emerged as a crucial trend for future industry reform. However, as an innovative construction mode, its coupling coordination phenomenon with the external comprehensive environment is still unclear. To clarify its interaction relationships, this study aims to quantitatively evaluate the level of coupling coordination between the prefabricated building industry and its external comprehensive environment (P & E systems). Based on the panel data from 31 provincial-level administrative regions of China in 2019, an integrated entropy-variation coefficient method was adopted to establish a comprehensive P & E assessment (CPEA) indicators system with weights. A coupling coordination degree assessment (CCDA) model was subsequently developed to assess the internal interaction between the P & E systems quantitatively. Results show 1) The nationwide prefabricated industry development and its external comprehensive environment were not optimistic, except for Jiangsu. 2) The coupling coordination degrees (Ts) gradually decreased from coastal to central and inland regions. 3) The primary driver of prefabricated building industry growth has been the foundations of traditional construction industries, with substantial untapped potential for technological advancements and policy. This study not only riches the comprehensive assessment system of coupling coordination between the prefabricated building industry and its external environment, but also offers valuable insights for formulating phased and sustainable strategic objectives for its industrial development in the future
The sustainability of midwifery group practice : a across-sectional study of midwives and managers
No full textProblem: Although there is robust evidence for the benefits of midwifery group practice (MGP) caseload care, there are limited opportunities for women to access this model in Australia. There is also limited knowledge on how to sustain these services. Background: MGP can benefit childbearing women and babies and improve satisfaction for women and midwives. However, sustainability of the model is challenging. While MGPs are often supported and celebrated, in Australia some services have closed, while others struggle to adequately staff MGPs. Aim: To investigate midwives and managers opinions on the management, culture, and sustainability of MGP. Methods: A national survey of MGP midwives and managers was distributed (2021 and 2022). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. Results: A total of 579 midwives and 90 managers completed the survey. The findings suggest that many MGPs do not support new graduates and students to work in MGP. Over half (59.8%) the participants (midwives and managers) reported that the women and families were the best aspect about working in MGP, while 44.3% said the effects on midwives’ lifestyle and families were the worst aspect. Discussion: The relationship with women remains the major motivator for providing MGP care. However, work-life imbalance is a deterrent, exacerbated by staffing shortages. Staffing might be improved by adequate renumeration, strengthening orientation, and attracting new graduates and students through experience in MGP. Conclusions: There is a need to attract midwives to MGP and improve work-life balance and sustainability
Electrodermal and central measures of the tonic orienting reflex (OR)
No full textSokolov described both phasic and tonic aspects of the Orienting Reflex (OR), but subsequent research and theory development has focussed primarily on the phasic OR at the expense of the tonic OR. The present study used prestimulus skin conductance level (SCL) during a dishabituation paradigm to model the tonic OR, examining its amplitude patterning over repeated standard stimulus presentations and a change stimulus. We expected sensitisation (increased amplitude) following the initial and change trials, and habituation (decrement) over the intervening trials. Prestimulus EEG alpha level was explored as a potential central measure of the tonic OR (as an inverse correlate), examining its pattern over stimulus repetition and change in relation to the SCL model. We presented a habituation series of innocuous auditory stimuli to two groups (each N = 20) at different ISIs (Long 13–15 s and Short 5–7 s) and recorded electrodermal and EEG data during two counterbalanced conditions; Indifferent: no task requirements; Significant: silent counting. Across groups and conditions, prestimulus SCLs and alpha amplitudes generally showed the expected trials patterns, confirming our main hypotheses. Findings have important implications for including the assessment of Sokolov's tonic OR in modelling central and autonomic nervous system interactions of fundamental attention and learning processes
[In Press] MRSA infection, re-infection and clinical outcomes in diabetic foot infections
No full textThe aim was to investigate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) incidence, conversion and outcomes in diabetic foot infections (DFIs). This is a pooled patient-level analysis of combined data sets from two randomised clinical trials including 219 patients admitted to the hospital with moderate or severe DFIs. Intraoperative bone and tissue cultures identified bacterial pathogens. We identified pathogens at index infections and subsequent re-infections. We identified MRSA conversion (MSSA to MRSA) in re-infections. MRSA incidence in index infections was 10.5%, with no difference between soft tissue infections (STIs) and osteomyelitis (OM). MRSA conversion occurred in 7.7% of the re-infections in patients who initially had MSSA in their cultures. Patients with re-infection were 2.2 times more likely to have MRSA compared to the first infection (10.5% vs. 25.8%, relative risk [RR] = 2.2, p = 0.001). Patients with MRSA had longer antibiotic treatment during the 1-year follow-up, compared to other pathogens (other 49.8 ± 34.7 days, MRSA 65.3 ± 41.5 days, p = 0.04). Furthermore, there were no differences in healing, time to heal, length of stay, re-infection, amputation, re-ulceration, re-admission, surgery after discharge and amputation after discharge compared to other pathogens. The incidence of MRSA at the index was 10.5% with no difference in STI and OM. MRSA incidence was 25.8% in re-infections. The RR of having MRSA was 2.2 times higher in re-infections. Patients with MRSA used more antibiotics during the 1-year follow-up. Furthermore, there were no differences in clinical outcomes compared to other bacterial pathogens
[In Press] Sliding mode control with time-varying sliding surface for linear uncertain impulsive systems
No full textThis paper presents a new sliding mode control (SMC) design method for linear uncertain impulsive systems, where the sliding function is designed to be linear with a time-varying projection matrix. When the time-varying projection matrix satisfies a so-called continuity condition, the sliding function is continuous along the state trajectories, which will facilitate the analysis and design of SMC laws. To obtain a tractable design algorithm on the time-varying projection matrix, a regular form is introduced for the representation of the considered impulsive system. Within this framework, the projection matrix is represented as a piecewise time-varying form based on a partition on the impulse intervals, which can be determined by finite constant gain matrices. Then, a piecewise Lyapunov function associated with the partition is constructed to analyze the stability of the reduced-order sliding dynamics. By this means, the solvability condition for the desired sliding function is obtained by solving a convex optimization problem. Finally, a numerical example which considers four types of impulses is provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed design scheme
A 3D-printed portable episcopic coaxial illumination device for fingermark enhancement at crime scenes
No full textCrime scene investigators have limited non-destructive optical techniques available for use at scenes for fingermark enhancement on flat and reflective surfaces, such as glass, metal and plastic. If standard optical techniques, such as diffused reflection photography, fail, investigators are generally left to employ destructive techniques, including the application of fingerprint powders or chemical reagents. Episcopic Coaxial Illumination (ECI) is an alternate optical technique for flat, reflective surfaces that produces a contrasting dark fingermark impression against a light background without the need for physical or chemical treatments. ECI is a common technique employed in laboratory settings and, although commercial portable ECI devices have recently become available, they are not designed for use with generic photographic equipment that is carried by crime scene officers as part of their standard kit. This research developed a portable and cost-effective ECI device that is 3D-printed and can be attached to any camera lens. The portable ECI (pECI) device was evaluated in a proof-of-concept, pseudo-operational environment, where the pECI was compared to conventional diffused reflection photography by photographing latent fingermarks and white powdered fingermarks. Overall, the pECI was able to record the same or more ridge detail compared to conventional diffused reflection photography on a range of pseudo-operational subs rates. The pECI device therefore shows promise for enhancing fingermarks on no-porous surfaces at crime scenes and should be considered alongside routine diffused reflection enhancement. The developed pECI device can not only be used at routine crime scenes, but also in a laboratory environment, allowing flexibility in operation
State ownership and green innovation : the moderating role of digitalization
No full textClimate change and digital transformation have significant effects on all aspects of society. With the increasing importance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that represent governments’ stand to respond to environmental challenges, this study investigates how state ownership affects green innovation and how digital transformation factors play a role at both the firm level and the provincial level. Based on the data analysis of Chinese listed firms between 2008 and 2021, we find that state ownership hinders green innovation. However, with a high degree of digital transformation at the firm level and digital innovation capability at the province level, the state ownership and green innovation relationship can be weakened. Overall, this study advances both green innovation and SOE innovation literature by bridging state ownership, green innovation, and digital-related factors. We advocate government and SOE managers to invest more in digital transformation and improve their digital capabilities for better green innovation output
Searching for homogeneous regions in regional flood frequency analysis for Southeast Australia
No full textStudy region: Southeast Australia Study focus: This study examines identification of homogeneous regions for regional flood frequency analysis (RFFA) using 201 gauged catchments and applying principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. Quantile regression technique (QRT) is applied to develop prediction equations. Leave-one-out (LOO) validation is used to evaluate the accuracy of the developed prediction equations. New hydrologic insights for the region: For the regions formed based on PCA and cluster analysis, the Hosking and Wallis’ heterogeneity (H1) statistics are found to vary in the range of 11.55–24.52, and 5.11–26.27, respectively. The assumed regions are highly heterogeneous as H1 values are much higher than 1.00. The median of absolute relative error values associated with the developed prediction equations for the assumed regions are found to vary in the range of 17–62 %, which are comparable to similar RFFA studies. PCA and cluster analysis do not deliver sufficiently homogeneous regions in southeast Australia. The degree of heterogeneity of a region has little effect on the relative accuracy of flood quantile estimates. The findings of this study will assist to update RFFA technique in Australian Rainfall and Runoff (national guideline)
Use and effectiveness of the arts for enhancing healthcare students' empathy skills : a mixed methods systematic review.
No full textObjective: To identify, critically appraise and synthesise evidence of the use and effectiveness of the arts for enhancing pre-registration/prelicensure healthcare students ' empathy skills. Design: A systematic review of mixed methods literature. Data sources: A search of six electronic databases was conducted. Review methods: Articles describing English language, peer -reviewed, primary research studies reporting empathy as an outcome of an arts -based intervention with pre-registration/prelicensure healthcare students (years 1 -7) and published between 2000 and 2024 were eligible for inclusion. The JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis guided the review and a convergent segregated methodology was used to synthesise the results. Methodological rigour of included studies was examined using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results: Twenty studies from 12 countries described the use of the arts to develop empathy, with visual arts being the most common approach (n = 8). Other modalities included film, drama, digital stories, literature, creative writing, music, poetry, photography and dance. Studies included nursing, medicine and dental, pharmacy and/or health sciences students. Ten studies used quantitative methods, three qualitative, and seven used mixed methods designs. Of the studies that presented pre -post outcome measures, nine reported significant gains in empathy scores at post-test and two reported non -significant gains in empathy. In eight studies, empathy scores demonstrated a significant intervention effect with effect sizes ranging from moderate ( d = 0.52) to large ( d = 1.19). Findings from qualitative studies revealed that arts pedagogies support students to better understand the perspectives of people with a lived experience of suffering but that these approaches are sometimes perceived negatively by students. Conclusions: Arts interventions generally have a positive effect on healthcare students ' empathy levels and enable a nuanced conceptual understanding of empathy. Arts modalities used as a stimulus for active learning and supported with facilitated group -based discussion and/or reflection, tend to be most effective
Quantifying area-level physical activity offerings in social context : a novel concept that goes beyond walkability and access to open spaces
No full textBackground: Social support is a crucial factor influencing the sustainability of physical activity (PA). This proof-of-concept study presents the development of a Social Physical Activity Index for Area (SPAIFA) an indicator reflecting opportunities for individuals to actively participate as part of a group within which opportunities for social interaction can be developed. Methods: Six government councils in the state of New South Wales, Australia, were selected encompassing 174 suburbs. Using 2 search engines’ map tools, we identified PA venues for each suburb (eg, park, studios, etc). To enumerate activities per suburb, we used (1) venue websites, (2) New South Wales Office of Sport website, (3) national websites of grassroots PA for nonorganized activity (eg, parkrun, meetup, etc), and (4) social media. The database was linked to the suburb demographic profile, the area disadvantage score, walkability and open space scores, and the proportion of insufficiently active residents. Spatial analysis techniques were used to identify SPAIFA clusters. Results: SPAIFA councils’ average was 9.9 activities per 10,000 people (ranging from 6.6/10,000 to 16.2/10,000). SPAIFA-Old (ie, activities specific to older adults) varied significantly (ranging from 11.7/10,000 to 0.8/10,000 seniors). Disadvantaged areas and a high proportion of insufficiently active residents were associated with being classified as low SPAIFA (P < .01). Three clusters of low SPAIFA were identified, and 17 high-risk areas where low SPAIFA was compounded by poor environmental support. Conclusions: SPAIFA can be used by councils and policymakers as an indicator for monitoring and intervening in areas where natural and/or urban design is not conducive for PA