38869 research outputs found
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Simulation of long train dynamics with the consideration of wheel-rail contact
No full textCole, CR ORCiD: 0000-0001-8840-7136; Spiryagin, M ORCiD: 0000-0003-1197-898X; Wu, Q ORCiD: 0000-0001-9407-5617Classical train simulation is the domain of low Degree-of-Freedom simulators such as Longitudinal Train Simulators. These systems execute quickly, at faster than real-time rates and provide accurate results for a limited application space. For the computationally fast computer reason they are not only used in engineering analysis but have also been integrated into onboard vehicle computers for live train state information. With computer power ever increasing, most recently from the explosion of multi-core computing, the constraints of the past are no longer as restrictive. Through the use of parallel computing, multibody vehicle simulation modelling of wheel-rail contact has been introduced into the train simulation field. Current implementations of this hybridized approach still run significantly slower than real-time. This paper investigates the issues surrounding the use of this simulation methodology in hard real-time systems such as those required for real-time train simulation in onboard vehicle computers and provides some approaches for further computational enhancement. The initial findings demonstrate the benefit of a parallel scheme for multi-body train simulation
A person-centred approach to assessing the renal system
No full textDwyer, TA ORCiD: 0000-0001-8408-7956The Functions of the renal system (also called the urinary system) are to regulate and maintain body fluids and electrolyte balance, to filter metabolic wastes from the blood stream to reabsorb needed substances and water into the bloodstream and to eliminate metabolic wastes and water as urine
Feeling states of people experiencing depression, anxiety, or comorbid depression and anxiety symptoms during a multi-day charity cycling ride: An ecological momentary assessment study
No full textRebar, A ORCiD: 0000-0003-3164-993X; Stanton, R ORCiD: 0000-0002-6684-5087Objective: Regular exercise has substantial benefits for mental health. The way people feel during exercise impacts motivation. This study investigated whether experiencing depression, anxiety or comorbid depression and anxiety symptoms impacted feeling state responses throughout a charity cycling ride. Design: To achieve this aim, we conducted an ecological momentary assessment study of feeling states (via Pleasant and Negative Affect Schedule items) across a multi-day cause-based cycling event. Method: Multivariate and univariate generalized linear mixed models was applied to test how affective and self-conscious emotional experiences changed across time and whether feeling state change differed between people experiencing depression, anxiety, or comorbid depression and anxiety symptoms. Results: For people experiencing depression symptoms, positive feelings decreased and negative feelings increased throughout the event. People experiencing anxiety symptoms had initially elevated negative feeling states that decreased across the event. For people experiencing comorbid depression and anxiety symptoms, changes in pride mirrored that of people experiencing only depression symptoms (decrease from initially high levels); whereas changes in guilt mirrored that of people experiencing only anxiety symptoms (initially high levels that decreased throughout event). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that depression and anxiety symptoms put people at risk for having negative affective and emotional experiences during exercise events and that these effects are further complicated when depression and anxiety symptoms co-occur. Exercise events and interventions must consider how to mitigate the potentially demotivating impacts that negative affective judgments can have on motivation for future exercise participation of people experiencing depression and/or anxiety symptoms. © 2019 Elsevier Lt
A theoretical framework for risk–cost-optimized maintenance strategy for structures
No full textThis paper presents a theoretical framework for developing a risk–cost optimised maintenance strategy for structures during their whole service life. A time-dependent reliability method is employed to determine the probability of structural failure and a generic form of stochastic model is developed for structural responses. To facilitate practical application of the proposed framework, a general algorithm is developed and programmed in a user-friendly manner. The merit of the proposed framework is that, in predicting when, where and what maintenance is required for the structure, all structural components and multi-failure modes are considered. It is found in the paper that, to ensure the safe and serviceable operation of the structure as a whole, some components need maintenance multiple times for different failure modes, whilst other components need “do nothing”. It is also found that ignorance of correlation amongst structural components and failure modes would underestimate the risk of structural failures in longer term and that the components with higher cost of structural failures require more maintenance actions. The paper concludes that the proposed framework can equip structural engineers, operators and asset managers with a tool for developing a risk–cost optimal maintenance strategy for structures under their management. © 2019, Iran University of Science and Technology
An MDP-based energy efficient and delay aware handover algorithm
No full textIslam, N ORCiD: 0000-0002-5469-8104This paper presents a novel energy efficient and delay aware handover decision policy based on Markov decision process (MDP) for a two-tier (macro-femto) wireless network. We propose a novel reward function and formulate a novel transition probability matrix to be used in MDP in order to take optimal handover decision. Simulation results reveal that, compared to other competitive handover policies, the proposed policy can significantly reduce the power consumption as well as handover delay at the mobile terminals
Investigating collective mindfulness in mining: A prospective study in high-reliability organizations
No full textKlockner, KD ORCiD: 0000-0003-1981-7515Mining is an important contributor to the social and economic fabric of our society. However, it continues to be regarded as one of the most dangerous industries. Compared to manufacturing, mining is more complex, which can pose additional challenges for mining and safety managers in terms of achieving sustainable safety outcomes. More advanced approaches are required. This paper first discusses the state of mining safety in Australia, followed by an examination of some of the complexities that characterizes the industry. It then introduces High-reliability organizations and Collective mindfulness as an advanced organizational safety management strategy that can be used to achieve sustainable safety improvement. A pragmatist research framework and two organizational theories follow this, which can be used to inform further research in these fields. The paper concludes with a research proposition which can be used to empirically investigate these concepts in mining organizations. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Facilitating an early career transition pathway to community nursing: A Delphi policy study
No full textHarvey, CL ORCiD: 0000-0001-9016-8840; Hegney, DG ORCiD: 0000-0003-1267-1760; Tsai, LP ORCiD: 0000-0003-2368-4145Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Aim: To further develop and validate a new model of the early career transition pathway in the speciality of community nursing. Design: Delphi policy approach, guided by a previous systematic review and semi-structured interviews. Methods: Four rounds of an expert panel (N = 19). Rounds one, two and four were questionnaires consisting of a combination of closed (Likert response) and open-ended questions. Round three comprised of a focus group conducted using virtual meeting technology. Results: The final model demonstrated reliable and valid measures. There were deficiencies in “pre-entry”—where the marketing of community nursing was negligible and the support around orientation informal and minimal, mainly due to tight budgetary concerns. Community practice holds a whole new dimension for nurses transitioning from acute care as the concept of “knowing your community” took time and support—time to be accepted reciprocally and develop a sense of belonging to the community. © 2019 The Authors
The efficacy of twelve early warning systems for potential use in regional medical facilities in Queensland, Australia
No full textBrowne, M ORCiD: 0000-0002-2668-6229; Dwyer, TA ORCiD: 0000-0001-8408-7956; Le Lagadec, MD ORCiD: 0000-0003-0114-8552Aim: Early warning system (EWS) validation studies are conducted predominantly in tertiary metropolitan facilities and are not necessarily applicable to regional hospitals. This study evaluates 12 EWSs for use in regional subcritical hospitals. Method: This is a retrospective case–control study of patients who experienced severe adverse events (SAEs) in two regional private hospitals. Vital signs collected over 72 h preceding the SAE were applied to 12 EWSs representing three classes of EWSs. The EWS area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, specificity, and number of alerts were calculated. Results: Data from 159 index and 172 control patients showed no significant differences in demographics, length of stay, and level of comorbidities. Only half of index patients achieved a medical emergency alert threshold score. On average, index patients triggered alerts 20.06 (22.67) hours preceding the SAE and alerted 2.25 (3.87) times over 72 h. The AUROC ranged from 0.628 to 0.747, with a single-parameter EWS having the lowest AUROC and an aggregated weighted EWS, the highest. The sensitivity of the EWS ranges from 0.359 to 0.692. The specificity was greater than 0.9 for all the EWSs tested. Conclusions: Based on the EWS sensitivity and AUROC, there is a lack of conclusive evidence of the efficacy of the 12 EWSs tested. However, because the adoption of the EWS in Australian hospitals is mandatory, the implementation of an aggregated weighted EWS, such as Compass, should be considered in subcritical regional private hospitals. Given that only half of SAE achieved an EWS medical alert threshold score, it is important that good clinical judgement be used with EWS. © 2019 Australian College of Critical Care Nurses Lt
Exploring the impact of assessment on medical students’ learning
No full textPreston, RG ORCiD: 0000-0003-4700-1521What and how students learn depend largely on how they think they will be assessed. This study aimed to explore medical students’ perception of the value of assessment and feedback on their learning, and how this relates to their examination performance. A mixed methods research design was adopted in which a questionnaire was developed and administered to the students to gain their perceptions of assessments. Perceptions were further explored in focus group discussions. Survey findings were correlated with students’ performance data and academic coordinators’ perceptions. Students’ perceptions of the level of difficulty of different assessments mirrored their performance in examinations, with an improvement observed in clinical assessments as students progressed through their degree. Students recognised that feedback is important to allow improvements and seek more timely, better quality and personalised feedback. Academic coordinators identified that some of the students’ suggestions are more realistic than others. Students had a positive attitude towards assessment, but emphasised the need for educators to highlight the relevance of assessment to clinical practice. © 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
Integrating healthcare services for Indigenous Australian students at boarding schools: A mixed-methods sequential explanatory study
No full textBenveniste, TC ORCiD: 0000-0002-7189-5118; Langham, EM ORCiD: 0000-0002-1824-5108; Mccalman, JR ORCiD: 0000-0002-3022-3980Introduction: Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian adolescents from remote communities attend boarding schools, and require healthcare to be integrated between home communities and schools. This study explored these students’ health status, healthcare service use and satisfaction.
Methods: A two-phased mixed-methods explanatory design was implemented. 32 Indigenous primary and 188 secondary boarding school students were asked their health status, psychological distress, use of healthcare services in community and boarding school, and service satisfaction. Results were fed back to students, parents and community members, and education and healthcare staff to elicit further explanation and interpretation.
Results: In the previous year, 75% of primary and 81% of secondary school students visited a doctor, and 12% visited a mental healthcare service. 94% of secondary students were satisfied with community services; 91% with school-based services. Four related themes were: 1) Over or under servicing 2) Continuity of healthcare; 3) “When behaviours are normalised, there’s no acknowledgement”; and 4) Identifying effective healthcare integration models.
Discussion and conclusion: Despite high levels of service use and satisfaction, schools could play a greater role in facilitating access to school-based and coordination with community healthcare services. Further research is needed to identify students’ expectations and effective healthcare models