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Combined balance and brisk walking training to improve motor and non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson disease : abridged secondary publication
No full textParkinson disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with motor and non-motor symptoms that lead to functional disability and reduced quality of life. harmacological intervention is the mainstay management for motor symptoms, but its effects on most non-motor symptoms remain limited. Aerobic exercise can improve physical functions and motor symptoms in patients with PD. Combinations of balance, gait, and aerobic exercises can improve mobility, fatigue, anxiety, and sleep problems.1,2 We compared a combined balance and brisk walking (BBW) exercise programme with a flexibility and strengthening exercise programme in terms of improvement in motor and non-motor symptoms among people with PD
Calming effects of repetition in music for children with sensory sensitivities : findings from two experimental studies
No full textSensory sensitivity and anxiety are often experienced by neurodivergent children. Repetitive physical actions are a common way to self-regulate and reduce anxiety, yet stigma attached to these actions can discourage people with sensory sensitivities from participating in public events such as concerts. Children with sensory sensitivities therefore often miss out on the social benefits of attending live concerts. This paper reports the results of two studies (for each N = 20) investigating whether the predictability/level of internal repetition in classical music can be calming for Australian children aged 5–14 with sensory sensitivities. Study 1 utilized a one-on-one laboratory setting with live piano performance (two low repetition pieces, two high repetition pieces), whereas Study 2 used a group performance setting with a live cello performance (one low repetition piece, one high repetition piece). Proxy measures of anxiety and engagement were completed by parents/carers in both studies, and facial expressions and finger oximeter measures were also captured in Study 1. Across the two studies both music types had a calming effect compared to baseline, with Study 2 also indicating significantly higher interest, involvement, and enjoyment levels for high repetition music. These findings have implications for the use of music for children with sensory sensitivities in arts programming and therapeutic contexts
Leadership in nursing and clinical practice
No full textThis chapter considers the issue of leadership, offering some detailed insights into transformational leadership and emotional intelligence. This will include some case studies and some examples of straightforward approaches that you can draw upon to help you become a better nurse leader, regardless of your role and your level of experience in the area where you find yourself working. That is, nursing leadership is not synonymous with nursing management and all nurses are faced with the reality of being a leader
Circular economy business model in the construction industry : a systematic review
No full textThe construction business environment is becoming competitive and intense, and Business Models (BMs) are receiving considerable attention as potential sources of sustainable survival and growth. Converse to the Linear Economy (LE) model that industry follows, the Circular Economy (CE) model has the potential to create a sustainable construction industry while also creating a sustainable business environment in construction organisations. Nevertheless, in traditional BMs, value is often concentrated on the financial value for the stakeholders; in the Circular Economy Business Model (CEBM), value is seen more broadly by considering a comprehensive range of value chain partners, the environment, and society. Hence, implementing the CE in the construction industry requires reforms in each value chain. Thus, the aim of this paper is to develop a conceptual model for construction organisations' adoption of CEBM for their organisations. To accomplish this aim, the objectives of this paper are twofold: (i) to define the concept of CEBM and (ii) to map a conceptual Circular Economy Business Model Canvas (CEBMC) that is applicable in the construction organisational context. This research adopted a systematic document review, including a content analysis of selected papers. This study contributes significantly by proposing a CEBMC where construction organisations can successfully transform their businesses from linear to circular environments
Evaluation of antenatal simulation-based learning on satisfaction and self-confidence levels among Thai undergraduate nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic : a mixed-method study
No full textBackground: During the COVID-19 pandemic, simulation-based learning (SBL) serves as an alternative teaching strategy for nursing students facing restricted access to antenatal clinical practicum. However, the factors predicting nursing students’ satisfaction, self-confidence, and their learning experiences remain unclear. Objective: To identify factors predict satisfaction and self-confidence and explore the learning experiences of antenatal SBL. Methods: A Mixed methods research of the cross-sectional study design and descriptive qualitative research was conducted. A total of 100 third year nursing students who finished the Maternity-Newborn Nursing and Midwifery Practice course using antenatal simulation-based learning were invited to complete the online questionnaires. A total of seven questionnaires were administered, including a demographic questionnaire, the Attitude Scale toward Simulation-Based Education (SBE), the Professional Identity Scale for Nursing Students, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Evaluation of Teaching Competencies Scale, the Simulation Design Scale: Student Version, and the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning. The 20 nursing students who completed survey were asked to participate a qualitative focus group discussion. Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate predictors, while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: The quantitative results showed high levels of satisfaction (mean = 20.55, SD = 3.17) and self-confidence (mean = 32.44, SD = 4.76) after completing the antenatal SBL. In regression analysis, attitude toward SBE (Beta = 0.473, t = 5.376, p < 0.001) and attitude toward antenatal care simulation design (Beta = 0.338, t = 2.611, p < 0.011) were significantly associated with a high level of satisfaction with antenatal SBL, which accounted for 44.0% of the variance explained in satisfaction. Only attitude toward SBE was significantly associated with a high level of self-confidence in antenatal SBL (Beta = 0.331, t = 3.773, p < 0.001), which accounted for 45.0% of the variance explained in self-confidence. The qualitative results generated four themes: (1) positive attitude toward antenatal simulation; (2) turning reassurance into confidence; (3) I am really happy to learn; and (4) being a good nurse motivates and stresses me. Conclusions: Antenatal SBL is an effective teaching strategy that can support nursing students to build clinical confidence. Creating a positive learning environment allows students to have a positive attitude and experience with simulations
Trends of mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure among adults in Shenzhen, China, 1997–2018 : findings from three rounds of the population-based survey
No full textObjective To quantify the trends in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) among adults in Shenzhen from 1997 to 2018. Design Cross-sectional study. Settings The data were collected from all districts in Shenzhen, China in the years of 1997, 2009 and 2018 by multistage cluster sampling procedure. Participants Participants were residents aged 18–69 years in Shenzhen, China. A total of 26 621 people were included: 8266 people in 1997, 8599 people in 2009 and 9756 people in 2018. Primary and secondary outcome measures All participants were surveyed about their sociodemographic and lifestyle information. BP was measured by trained physicians using a mercury sphygmomanometer. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP of at least 140 mm Hg and diastolic BP of at least 90 mm Hg, self-reported use of antihypertensive medications or both. Hypertension control was defined as systolic BP values of less than 140 mm Hg and diastolic BP values of less than 90 mm Hg. Result Age-adjusted mean systolic BP increased from 117±16 mm Hg to 123±15 mm Hg (p<0.001) in males, and from 113±18 mm Hg to 115±16 mm Hg (p<0.001) in females from 1997 to 2018. Diastolic BP among males increased from 75 mm Hg (SD=11) to 79 mm Hg (SD=11) and increased from 71 mm Hg (SD=10) to 73 mm Hg (SD=10) among females between 1997 and 2018 (p<0.001). Rate of hypertension rose rapidly from 17.71% (95% CI: 16.60% to 18.90%) in 2009 to 24.01% (95% CI: 22.84% to 25.22%) in 2018 among males (p<0.001), whereas the prevalence among females remained stable at around 13.5% (p=0.98). Both awareness and treatment rates of hypertension among males and females showed a decreased trend between 2009 and 2018, while no significant changes were observed for control rates. Conclusions The mean systolic BP and diastolic BP among adults in Shenzhen increased from 1997 to 2018, and no improvements in hypertension awareness, treatment and control rates were found
[In Press] How and why do people with chronic low back pain modify their physical activity? : a mixed‐methods survey
No full textBackground: This study investigated the impact of Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) on individuals' physical activity (PA) behaviours, specifically, how they modify, cease, or continue PA when experiencing CLBP. The primary aim was to explore the relationship between CLBP and PA and how this is influenced in different contexts (e.g., necessity of a task). Methods: A mixed‐methods survey was administered to 220 participants, including self‐reported outcomes, and capturing responses to three distinct questions related to PA and CLBP. The data was analysed via a content analysis. Results: The findings revealed that individuals with CLBP are most likely to modify PA in work‐related contexts and least likely to cease it in the same setting. Housework emerged as the most common domain for cessation of PA, while work/ study activities were predominantly continued. Reasons for these trends were typically task‐based rather than health or enjoyment based and influenced by the perceived necessity of the task in question. Conclusion: The study highlights the role of occupational and educational settings in individual responses to CLBP. The findings also highlight a gap in public awareness regarding effective CLBP management strategies, emphasising the need for increased education and awareness programs
The future property workforce : challenges and opportunities for property professionals in the changing landscape
No full textThe rapid advancement of technology has revolutionised how we live and work, posing challenges and opportunities for various professions, including the property and construction workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the pace of change. Therefore, in this study, we examined the future property workforce and the required skills for Property Industry 4.0 by conducting semi-structured interviews with property leaders. The findings suggest that digitisation and automation are reshaping the property workforce, including those working in development and construction, necessitating efforts to bridge the gap between graduates’ technology proficiency and practical application. Moreover, calls for proactive regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) use in the property sector highlight the need for regulator and professional body involvement. This study also shows the challenges and opportunities for property professionals with an increased focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters and the challenges of balancing global expansion with local adaptability due to globalisation. Furthermore, this work highlights a concerning decline in communication skills among graduates, which is partly attributed to the pandemic. Collaborative efforts between universities and industry are essential to cultivate these vital skills among future property professionals. The implications of this study are also discussed
[In Press] Expected idiosyncratic entropy
No full textPurpose - We propose a risk factor for idiosyncratic entropy and explore the relationship between this factor and expected stock returns. Design/methodology/approach - We estimate a cross-sectional model of expected entropy that uses several common risk factors to predict idiosyncratic entropy. Findings - We find a negative relationship between expected idiosyncratic entropy and returns. Specifically, the Carhart alpha of a low expected entropy portfolio exceeds the alpha of a high expected entropy portfolio by −2.37% per month. We also find a negative and significant price of expected idiosyncratic entropy risk using the Fama-MacBeth cross-sectional regressions. Interestingly, expected entropy helps us explain the idiosyncratic volatility puzzle that stocks with high idiosyncratic volatility earn low expected returns. Originality/value - We propose a risk factor of idiosyncratic entropy and explore the relationship between this factor and expected stock returns. Interestingly, expected entropy helps us explain the idiosyncratic volatility puzzle that stocks with high idiosyncratic volatility earn low expected returns
[In Press] Teaching to address overdiagnosis
No full textOverdiagnosis is a concept that presents both opportunities and challenges in medical education. Overdiagnosis can be considered the detection or labelling of a condition that was never going to cause harm, or the application of a diagnostic label to ordinary life experiences. Multiple drivers to overdiagnosis have been identified and health professionals are one of the drivers. Doctors, in particular, play a critical role in making diagnoses, meaning they are an integral part of any pathway, leading to overdiagnosis. While including overdiagnosis in a medical curriculum has been suggested, there is no agreement about what ought to be taught. This lack of consensus is a reflection of the lack of clarity about overdiagnosis in general. An understanding of the terminology can be useful before considering the place of overdiagnosis within medical curriculum (table 1). Preventing overdiagnosis is a key step in reducing many of the potential harms of low-value care