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Assessment of Special Rubberized Concrete Types Utilizing Portable Non-Destructive Tests
Get PDFConcrete is the second most common material demanded over the world. Recently, a trending issue is the vast tracking in constructing infrastructure to ensure traffic movement and life quality. Concrete types such as self and rolled compacted concrete offer magical solutions ensuring vast infrastructure and life quality. However, these structures must be assessed using non-destructive testing methods to observe the difference between the concrete types. Several studies have used recycled waste, specifically the crumb rubber extracted from old tires, as a potential replacement for natural aggregate in concrete manufacturing. However, limited research has been devoted to nondestructive testing of produced concrete to further evaluate existing concrete elements containing crumb rubber. This study investigates the self and rolled compacted concrete in comparison with normal ones, in addition to using chopped rubber as recycled materials. This study examines the concrete manufactured destructively by evaluating its compressive, tensile, and flexural strength, in addition to impact resistance, and correlates those results with the non-destructive such as Schmit hammer and Ultrasonic Pulse (UPV) for extended utilization of the concrete produced and data publication. The results showed unique performance and a high potential for data contribution to the extensive utilization of self-compacted rubberized concrete and rolled compacted concrete
Learning experiences from an online QI fellowship programme during COVID-19 – a qualitative study
Get PDFBackground: During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, multiple aspects of everyday human existence were disrupted. In contrast, almost all levels of educational learning continued, albeit with modifications, including adaptation to virtual—or online—classroom experiences. This pedagogic transition also occurred in the National Institute of Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration Northwest London’s (NIHR ARC NWL) Improvement Leader Fellowship, an annual programme focusing on quality improvement (QI). This qualitative study aimed to understand how these changes impacted the Fellows’ learning experience.
Methods: We explored the experiences of two cohorts of programme Fellows (n=18, 2020-2021 and n=15, 2021-2022) with focus groups, analysed under a constructivist qualitative research paradigm.
Results: The two primary and four sub-themes that emerged were: Online QI learning experience (benefits and challenges) and Implementing online QI learning (facilitators and barriers). While benefits had three further sub-themes (i.e., digital flexibility, connection between learners, and respite from impact of COVID-19), challenges had four (i.e., lack of interaction, technological challenges and digital exclusion, human dimension, and digital fatigue). While the facilitators had three sub-themes (i.e., mutual and programmatic support, online resource access, and personal resilience), barriers had one (i.e., preventing implementation and lack of protected time).
Conclusion: Despite challenges to in-person ways of working, online learning generally worked for action-orientated QI learning, but changes are needed to ensure the effectiveness of future use of virtual learning for QI. Understanding the challenges of the translation of learning into action is crucial for implementation learning, gaining insight into how improvement Fellows navigated this translation when learning remotely and implementing directly in their workplace is key to understanding the evolving nature of implementation over the pandemic years and beyond
Capability as a concept in advanced practice nursing and education: a scoping review
Get PDFObjective: The objective of this review was to map the literature about the concept of capability in advanced
practice nursing education and practice to achieve greater clarity on the concept and its application.
Introduction: Advanced practice nursing roles make up a growing segment of the global nursing workforce.
Capability has been proposed as an overarching description of the attributes of advanced practice nursing roles
within complex workplace environments. Capability includes knowing how to learn, and the ability to creatively
integrate prior knowledge, skills, judgment, and experience in both new and familiar situations.
Inclusion criteria: This review looked at the literature about capability applied to advanced practice nursing in
any setting globally. We were guided by the International Council of Nurses’ definition of advanced practice
nursing, which includes nurses with both graduate education and an expanded scope of practice. Drawing from an
initial review of the literature, we used a working definition of capability, which was a combination of knowledge,
skills, experience, and competencies that enables advanced practice nurses to provide appropriate care for patients
in both known and unfamiliar clinical settings. We included literature about individual capability as a concept in any
setting related to advanced practice nursing and education.
Methods: We searched 18 electronic databases and included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods study
design methodologies, reviews, and reports. The gray literature search included policy and practice documents
from the World Health Organization, the International Council of Nursing, and websites of 48 nursing and health
organizations. Two reviewers independently completed title and abstract screening prior to full-text review and
data extraction. Conflicts were resolved via discussion or with a third reviewer. Extraction was completed by 2
reviewers using a piloted data extraction tool. Articles published in English from 1975 to the present were included.
Sources in languages other than English were not included in the review due to the difficulties in accurately
translating the concept of capability.
Results: Thirty-five sources were included in the review with publication dates from 2000 to 2023. Most sources
originated from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Sources included frameworks and
clinical guidelines, peer-reviewed articles, and gray literature. Capability was discussed in a range of settings,
including specialized clinical roles. Applications of capability in educational settings included the use of capability
frameworks to guide nurse practitioner education, nursing practice doctorates, and postgraduate nurse practitioner
training. Definitions of capability, where provided, were relatively consistent. Capability was proposed as a
distinguishing characteristic of advanced practice nursing, as a descriptor of clinical proficiency that moved beyond
competency, and as a framework that accounted for complexity in health care settings.
Conclusions: Capability was used as a concept and framework to describe advanced practice nursing within
complex practice environments that necessitate flexible approaches. Capability frameworks were applied holistically and to specific areas of practice or education, including in pre- and postgraduate advanced practice
nursing education. Strategies for teaching and learning capability focused on flexibility, student-directed learning,
and development of flexible learning pathways.
Supplemental digital content: A Norwegian-language version of this abstract of this review is available: http://
links.lww.com/SRX/A58
Keywords: capability framework; complexity; knowing how to learn; scoping review; self-efficac
Entanglements of race and migration in the (open) city: Analytical and normative tensions of the sociological imagination
Get PDFThis article considers the interface of taxonomies of race and migration crystallised through the materialities of the contemporary city in the shadow of the 7th anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire. It draws on multi-method empirical research that interrogates the notion of the open city. The article proposes that ‘entanglement’ and ‘contaminations’ of material and cultural formations confound some claims made in the name of the good city, recognising what Marilyn Strathern might describe as the recursive ‘contamination’ of normative and empirical evidence. The article argues that it is imperative to excavate the normative domain of the empirical, and curate the empirical realisation of the normative, in rethinking a truly global sociological imagination. It concludes by suggesting that one way of approaching this is through a more forensic understanding of what is taken as ‘evidence’ in social sciences that should inform an interdisciplinary urban studies
PERMEATION CHARACTERISTICS AND DURABILITY ASPECTS FOR SUSTAINABLE CONCRETE
Get PDFThis study investigates the durability indicators for sustainable concrete produced by adding both crumbed rubber and steel fibres that are removed from waste tyres to the concrete mixes. Crumb rubber was treated by submersion in sodium hydroxide and then used to partially replace 10% and 30% of fine aggregates in the concrete mix. Extracted steel fibres were added at the rate of 1% and 2% per volume of each mix. The compressive strength was recorded, and a non-destructive air permeability test was used to assess permeation characteristics of studied specimens and to correlate the results with compressive strength results. It was found that with the increase in the steel fibres percentage while keeping the rubber content constant resulted in increased compressive strength of concrete. Rubberized concrete of 10% crumb rubber and 1% steel fibres exposed to oven drying at 105°C for 12 hours exhibited an increase in compressive strength. The addition of crumb rubber and steel fibres as a partial fine aggregate replacement resulted in increasing the air permeability of the concrete to different degrees depending on the percentages used. This study showed that waste tyres extracts can be a viable, economic, and environmentally friendly method for obtaining durable and sustainable concrete
Analysis of environmental factors influencing endemic cholera risks in sub-Saharan Africa
No full textThe recurring cholera outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa are of growing concern, especially considering the potential acceleration in the global trend of larger and more lethal cholera outbreaks due to the impacts of climate change. However, there is a scarcity of evidence-based research addressing the environmental and infrastructure factors that sustain cholera recurrence in Africa. This study adopts a statistical approach to investigate over two decades of endemic cholera outbreaks and their relationship with five environmental factors: water provision, sanitation provision, raising temperatures, increased rainfall and GDP. The analysis covers thirteen of the forty-two countries in the mainland sub-Saharan region, collectively representing one-third of the region’s territory and half of its population. This breadth enables the findings to be generalised at a regional level. Results from all analyses consistently associate water provision with cholera reduction. The stratified model links increased water provision with a reduction in cholera risk that ranged from 4.2 % to 84.1 % among eight countries (out of 13 countries) as well as a reduction of such risk that ranged from 9.8 % to 68.9 % when there is increased sanitation provision, which was observed in nine countries (out of 13). These results indicate that the population's limited access to water and sanitation, as well as the rise in temperatures, are critical infrastructure and environmental factors contributing to endemic cholera and the heightened risk of outbreaks across the sub-Saharan region. Therefore, these are key areas for targeted interventions and cross-border collaboration to enhance resilience to outbreaks and lead to the end of endemic cholera in the region. However, it is important to interpret the results of this study with caution; hence, further investigation is recommended to conduct a more detailed analysis of the impact of infrastructure and environmental factors on reducing cholera risk
Revive and thrive: forgotten crops for resilient Food Systems
Get PDFSzymon Lara explores the supply chain challenges and opportunities involved in integrating neglected cultivars and forgotten landraces into modern agriculture. The discussion highlights how diversifying food production can foster sustainable and resilient food systems, enhance agrobiodiversity, and invigorate local agriculture, among other benefits
Like Cyanide Crystal. Shiny and lethal. Like the slow administration of a crystalline poison. (2024) for violoncello and harp
Get PDFCome Cristallo di Cianuro (Like Cyanide Crystal) is a recent composition by Simone Spagnolo that draws inspiration from some forms of mystery drama narrative. Specifically, it evokes those crime novels – as those by Georges Simenon or Seich? Matsumoto – in which characters, contexts and relationships are governed by a seeming tranquillity, an apparent normality that gradually becomes cloudy and tense, until it explodes in an extreme, brutal gesture. Similarly, in 'Come Cristallo di Cianuro', both cello and harp outline a seemingly vague, undefined, repetitive melodic material, gradually growing tense, until erupting in a fast, loud, highly rhythmical climax made of quasi-brutal musical gestures.
In order to broaden timbrical possibilities, the harp is prepared with some foil paper, which has to be applied to three low strings; a technique often used by Simone Spagnolo across his harp works.
Originally commissioned by harpist Giulia Rettore and cellist Leonardo Sapere, Come Cristallo di Cianuro was premiered at Rubano Arts Festival (Padua, Italy) in July 2024, and it subsequently received its French premiere at the ‘Académie Musicale de Gargiless Pierre Jamet’ in August 2024
Alcohol Misuse post Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review of Longer‑term Studies with Focus on new Onset Alcohol use Disorder and Differences Between Surgery Types
Get PDFBackground
Evidence suggests an increased risk of alcohol problems post-surgery where no problematic alcohol use was present prior to surgery which may be different across types of surgery.
Objective
To characterise the risk of new onset alcohol misuse post bariatric surgery, differences between surgeries and the impact over time.
Methods
All published studies on new and relapsing alcohol use were reviewed. Data were classed as ‘subjective’ (clinical interview, self-report questionnaires) and ‘objective’ (hospital admissions, substance misuse programmes) and further categorised by follow up time - ‘shorter-term’ (one year), ‘medium-term’ (one year to two years) and ‘long-term’ (> two years).
Results
Twenty-three of the forty-two studies included in the review reported new onset data. Nine studies reported on differences between surgery types. In those reporting objective measures, all of which were long term, RYGB carried a higher risk than SG, followed by LAGB. All but one study using subjective measures reported a small but significant number of new onset concerning alcohol use, and comparisons between surgery types had more varied results than the objective measures. Studies of substance abuse programmes found high rates of new onset cases (17–60%).
Conclusion
This systematic review provides support for the consensus guidance suggesting patients should be informed of a small but significant risk of new onset alcohol use following bariatric surgery, with the strongest evidence in the medium- to long-term and in those who have had RYGB followed by SG
A Two-Sample Examination of the Relationship Between Trait Emotional Intelligence, Burnout, and Coping Strategies in Athletes
Get PDFCompetitive sport has the potential to increase chronic stress and, hence, the risk of burnout. The aim of this paper was, first, to examine the relationship between athlete burnout and trait emotional intelligence (TEI) and, second, to look at the mediating role of coping strategies between TEI and athlete burnout. In two samples of athletes (N1 = 290; N2 = 144), we conducted correlation analyses linking dimensions of TEI with athlete burnout and found negative correlations. We then tested a structural equation model in the second sample, hypothesizing an indirect link between TEI and athlete burnout via coping strategies. Results showed a mediation effect of emotion-focused to problem-focused coping between TEI and athlete burnout. Avoidance coping showed a positive direct effect on athlete burnout. Further research should investigate effective coping strategies and clarify whether emotional intelligence training may be used to protect athletes from developing burnout