30793 research outputs found
Sort by
Multi-task learning mixture density network for interval estimation of the remaining useful life of rolling element bearings
Get PDFData availability: The authors would like to thank Intelligent Maintenance Systems, University of Cincinnati for their public data.Existing remaining useful life (RUL) predictions of rolling element bearings have the following shortcomings. 1) Model-driven methods typically employ a sole model for processing the data of an individual, making it challenging to accommodate the variety of degradation behaviors and susceptible to abnormal interference. 2) Data-driven methods place greater emphasis on training data, and in reality, it can be challenging to acquire comprehensive data covering the lifecycle. 3) Many studies fail to give adequate attention to the assessment of RUL uncertainty. This paper proposes a multi-task learning mixture density network (MTL-MDN) method to address these issues. Firstly, the peak-of-Histogram (PoHG) is extracted and served as the novel health indicators. Secondly, multi-task learning dictionaries are constructed based on the evolution law of PoHG, thus combining both model-driven and data-driven strategies. Finally, a multi-task learning strategy is proposed with mixture density networks. It effectively accomplishes the collaborative learning objective of numerous degradation samples in the regression problem and accomplishes the uncertainty assessment of RUL. After analyzing the experimental and real-world degradation data of rolling element bearings throughout their lifecycle, and comparing it to other modern RUL prediction methods, it becomes evident that the proposed MTL-MDN method offers superior prediction accuracy and robustness.This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 12172290 and 52250410345
Scoping review of free evidence summary sources available online, relevant to occupational therapists working with children/youth, and families
Get PDFSupplementary materials: The supplementary materials for this article can be found online at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJOT-11-2023-0024/full/html#supplementary-tab .Purpose:
Evidence-based practice is a professional standard for occupational therapists, but limited time, resources and knowledge challenge its implementation. This study aims to identify what free evidence summary sources (FESS) can be found through a simple online search, related to child/youth interventions surrounding cerebral palsy (CP), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental coordination disorder (DCD), mental health or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (MH/ADHD). Evidence summaries share research in concise, time-efficient manners.
Design/methodology/approach:
An internet-based scoping review was conducted between February 2022 and July 2022, using Google, and known evidence summary producers. Evidence summaries meeting the inclusion criteria were located and catalogued. Type of agency, target audiences, purpose and distribution of evidence summaries related to diagnosis were identified for each FESS.
Findings:
Ten FESS were found, which produced 113 intervention-focused evidence summaries within the past 10 years. These FESS were aimed at a variety of target audiences: service providers, service users, parents/families, researchers and commissioners, and were produced primarily by non-profit/charity organisations (6 of 10) who were trying to fill a gap in evidence. Forty-eight evidence summaries were related to ASD, 34 to CP, 29 to MH/ADHD and two to DCD.
Originality/value:
A catalogue of FESS that exist online was produced, to support evidence-based practice for paediatric occupational therapists with limited resources, and may support improved health promotion and informed decision-making for service users. No consistent framework for FESS evidence summaries exists at this time.This research was completed in partial fulfilment of MSc (preregistration) Occupational Therapy and received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors
A Bibliometric Review of Customer Engagement in the International Domain: Reviewing the Past and the Present
Get PDFThis study addresses/examines how the conceptual structure of customer engagement in the international context has changed since its emergence. These layers of analysis will assist researchers to uncover the historical basis, and identify the changes in the knowledge structure of customer engagement research in the international business domain. Our bibliometric analysis included 151 customer engagement articles. We employed cluster visualization (VOS) along with text mining to classify the most important and informative research in customer engagement in the international context
Sports-related concussion not associated with long-term cognitive or behavioural deficits: the PROTECT-TBI study
Get PDFData availability statement:
Data are available upon reasonable request. Applications for the PROTECT data can be made through the following website: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/dementia-research/research/protect/ .Supplementary Data is available online at: https://jnnp.bmj.com/highwire/filestream/224115/field_highwire_adjunct_files/0/jnnp-2024-334039supp001_data_supplement.pdf .Background: The cognitive effects of sports-related concussion (SRC) have been the subject of vigorous debate but there has been little research into long-term outcomes in non-athlete populations.
Methods: This cohort study of UK community-dwelling adults (aged 50–90 years) was conducted between November 2015 and November 2020, with up to 4 years annual follow-up (n=15 214). Lifetime history of concussions was collected at baseline using the Brain Injury Screening Questionnaire. The first analysis grouped participants by type of concussion (no concussion, only SRC, only non-SRC (nSRC), mixed concussions (both SRC and nSRC)) and the second grouped the participants by number (0, 1, 2 or 3+ SRC or nSRC). Mixed models were used to assess the effect of concussion on outcomes including four cognitive domains and one behavioural measure (Mild Behavioural Impairment-C).
Results: Analysis of the included participants (24% male, mean age=64) at baseline found that the SRC group had significantly better working memory (B=0.113, 95% CI 0.038, 0.188) and verbal reasoning (B=0.199, 95% CI 0.092, 0.306) compared with those without concussion. Those who had suffered one SRC had significantly better verbal reasoning (B=0.111, 95% CI 0.031, 0.19) and attention (B=0.115, 95% CI 0.028, 0.203) compared with those with no SRC at baseline. Those with 3+ nSRCs had significantly worse processing speed (B=−0.082, 95% CI −0.144 to –0.019) and attention (B=−0.156, 95% CI −0.248 to –0.063). Those with 3+ nSRCs had a significantly worse trajectory of verbal reasoning with increasing age (B=−0.088, 95% CI −0.149 to –0.026).
ConclusionsL Compared with those reporting no previous concussions, those with SRC had no cognitive or behavioural deficits and seemed to perform better in some tasks. As indicated by previous studies, sports participation may confer long-term cognitive benefits.This paper represents an independent research part funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Exeter Biomedical Research Centre (Grant ID NIHR203320) and Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (Grant ID NIHR203318). This research was also supported by the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula
A Conceptual Approach to Agent-Based Modelling of Coping Mechanisms in Climate-Driven Flooding in Bangladesh
Get PDFBangladesh stands as a prime example of a nation exceptionally vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Its low-lying coastal and deltaic landscape predisposes it to frequent flooding, a challenge exacerbated by a significant portion of its population grappling with poverty. The country is already experiencing the impacts of climate change, including more frequent and severe flooding that has led to the displacement of millions of people and has intensified existing social and economic challenges. Despite these formidable challenges, Bangladesh has also emerged as a global leader in climate resilience and preparedness, having made significant progress in reducing cyclone-related deaths and protecting its population from the consequences of climate change. Notably, non-governmental organisations, like our partners Save the Children, are keen to explore how they can support the most vulnerable communities by establishing the efficacy of current coping strategies for sustained resilience against climate change. To facilitate this, we are in the process of creating an agent-based model that examines the coping mechanisms adopted in response to climate-induced flooding in Bangladesh. This paper presents the initial phase of developing a multiscale conceptual model tailored to understanding this complex situation
From Golan to Gaza: A photo essay
Get PDFA collection of images within the special Issue of the Syrian Studies Association Bulletin, volume 28, no. 1, 2024, 'Syria and the 2023-2024 War in Gaza', available online at: https://www.syrianstudiesassociation.org/ssa-bulletin .A photographic journey in Golan's history of occupation and resistance published in the Special Issue: Syria and the 2023-2024 War in GazaDruze Heritage Foundation, London (project title: Lives across divides: Ethnographic stories from the Golan Heights)
Measuring paw preferences in dogs, cats and rats: Design requirements and innovations in methodology
Get PDFData availability statement: This is a technical paper, and no new data is reported, therefore a data availability statement is not applicable.Studying behavioural lateralization in animals holds great potential for answering important questions in laterality research and clinical neuroscience. However, comparative research encounters challenges in reliability and validity, requiring new approaches and innovative designs to overcome. Although validated tests exist for some species, there is yet no standard test to compare lateralized manual behaviours between individuals, populations, and animal species. One of the main reasons is that different fine-motor abilities and postures must be considered for each species. Given that pawedness/handedness is a universal marker for behavioural lateralization across species, this article focuses on three commonly investigated species in laterality research: dogs, cats, and rats. We will present six apparatuses (two for dogs, three for cats, and one for rats) that enable an accurate assessment of paw preference. Design requirements and specifications such as zoometric fit for different body sizes and ages, reliability, robustness of the material, maintenance during and after testing, and animal welfare are extremely important when designing a new apparatus. Given that the study of behavioural lateralization yields crucial insights into animal welfare, laterality research, and clinical neuroscience, we aim to provide a solution to these challenges by presenting design requirements and innovations in methodology across species.The dog part of this study was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) 1001 grant (no: 118O445). Author Sevim Isparta was supported by the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBITAK) through 2214-A International Research Fellowship Program for PhD Students and 2211/A General Domestic Doctorate Scholarship Program. Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu
Apprenticeships as pathway to care careers: Ethical challenges and opportunities for professions
Get PDFEditorial
The Challenges Experienced by ICU Nurses in Kuwait during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFBackground:
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, with intensive care unit (ICU) nurses at the forefront of patient care. To date, there is limited evidence into ICU nurses'experiences of the pandemic in Kuwait.
Research question/aims/objectives:
To elucidate the challenges faced by ICU nurses in Kuwait during the pandemic, by considering two research questions: “What contributed to intensified pressure for the ICU nurses?” and “How were the nurses affected?”.
Research design:
This was a qualitative study which utilised semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted between January 2021 and June 2022 with ICU nurses who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were analysed using Charmaz's grounded theory methodology.
Participants and research context:
25 nurses from three ICUs in Kuwait.
Ethical considerations:
The study was approved by the University Ethics Committee and by the Ministry of Health in Kuwait.
Findings/Results:
The analysis identified two themes (the factors contributing to intensified pressure in the ICU, and the impact on the nurses) and seven sub-themes. The pressure in the ICU intensified due to the rise in the number of patients, staff shortages, and the requirement to adhere to unrealistic new procedures for infection control. Restricted and cancelled leave, as well as impaired autonomy at work, impeded the nurses’ ability to recover from stress. The heightened stress also contributed to a worsening in interpersonal relationships between the nurses and their colleagues. The nurses’ care was compromised by these challenges, leading to moral distress and a range of mental health symptoms (e.g., stress, anxiety, emotional exhaustion).
Conclusions:
The study accords with other research conducted during the pandemic in revealing a significant mental health toll among healthcare workers during the pandemic. The stressors were similar to those which have been reported in other studies, although there were also context-specific effects relating to the environment of the ICU and the Kuwaiti context.No external funding
Data sources:
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Open Research Online? Become a CORE Member to access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard! 👇