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Perceptions of Australian osteopaths on the use of telehealth for patient care: Barriers and enablers for implementation
No full textBackground: Telehealth is increasingly becoming a significant strategy for the delivery of healthcare in Australia in a wide range of professions. Recent physical distancing requirements were a catalyst for professions such as osteopathy (where the dominant care model is manual therapy) to make significant changes to adapt their approach for telehealth platforms. Objective: To explore the perceptions of Australian osteopaths’ use of telehealth for patient care, and the associated barriers and enablers of its implementation. Methods: The Theoretical Domains Framework informed the development of semi-structured interviews which were conducted with osteopaths. Transcriptions were analysed thematically. Results: Nine osteopaths participated in semi-structured interviews. They described their beliefs about osteopathy and the challenge telehealth has posed to their professional identity as healthcare providers. Osteopaths described uses ranging from simply staying connected with patients, through to innovative ways to assess and teach patients how to self-treat and self-manage their conditions. Conclusion: Enablers for the use of telehealth by participating osteopaths were face-to-face practice restrictions imposed during the pandemic lockdown and acknowledgement of the potential for telehealth to offer convenient and beneficial care, particularly for patients with limited access. Participating osteopaths who saw their value and self-worth as healthcare providers of manual therapy, and a lack of training in telehealth platforms, were major barriers to its uptake in osteopathic practice
Optical efficiency of parabolic troughs with a secondary flat reflector; effects of non-ideal primary mirrors
No full textSecondary flat receivers enhance concentration of parabolic trough collectors with cylindrical receivers. An increase of 70 % was possible for commercial primary mirrors while allowing the optical efficiency to be less sensitive to misalignments. Including the secondary flat reflector close to a parabolic-trough receiver may, however, reduce the optical efficiency of the trough due to the shadow projected. In this work ray-tracing simulations were conducted to compare the optical efficiency and the misalignment sensitivity of the standard absorber and its secondary flat reflector variation. In some cases, the required dimensions for the secondary flat reflector would make it a non-realistic solution due to the impossibility of encapsulating it within a glass cover. To overcome this issue, a truncated version of the secondary mirror is proposed and evaluated. A truncated secondary flat reflector will decrease the deleterious effects of the shading, enhancing concentration further but changing the tolerance to misalignments of the troughs. Analysis of two benchmark primary mirrors shows a worst-case scenario of optical efficiency reductions less than 3.5 and 2 %, with concentration increases of 20 and 80 % respectively. The reduction on absorber size offsets the lower optical efficiency by the reduction of radiation losses, especially for high-temperature applications
Protein fortification in oat flour gel using various dairy protein ingredients: An evaluation of textural and pasting properties
No full textThe effects of dairy ingredient substitution including whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey lactalbumin concentrate (WLAC) and skim milk powder (SMP) on functional properties of oat flour were investigated. Pasting analysis revealed that adding dairy ingredients at low substitution concentrations (5% and 10%) weaken the gel strength. WPC and WLAC resulted in increased hot paste stability compared to SMP as indicated by results obtained from a rapid visco analyser (RVA). Textural analysis suggested that WPC and SMP resulted in more elastic gels in comparison with WLAC, whereas WLAC reduced the elasticity of gel owing to the high denaturation resistance of α-lactalbumin
Political uncertainty and commonality in liquidity
No full textWe examine whether political uncertainty affects commonality in liquidity worldwide. Using national elections as a proxy for political uncertainty across 40 countries over 2000–2019, we document a positive effect of political uncertainty on commonality in liquidity. This effect is stronger for firms with greater institutional ownership but weaker for those headquartered in countries with greater checks and balances and government stability, more market-friendly incumbent governments, and better institutional structures. Our findings support both the demand- and supply-side sources of liquidity as channels through which political uncertainty affects commonality in liquidity
Nonlinear free vibration analysis of ionic liquid enhanced soft composite membrane
No full textDue to their electromechanical coupling properties, ionic liquid (IL)-enhanced dielectric elastomer composites are promising for applications in soft robotics and implantable actuators. However, their structural vibration behaviors subjected to electric fields remain unclear. This work investigates the nonlinear vibration of IL-enhanced soft composite (ILESC) membranes subjected to electric loading through theoretical modeling and numerical simulation. The effective properties of ILESC membrane are determined by a developed micromechanical model considering the physical mechanisms as involved. Governing equations for the nonlinear vibration of a pre-stretched circular membrane made of ionic liquid/poly (dimethylsiloxane) (IL/PDMS) are established, which are solved by Taylor series expansion (TSE) and differential quadrature (DQ) methods. The developed model and numerical results are verified by comparing present results to existing studies and finite element analysis. The influences of the size of the membrane, the direct current (DC) voltage and alternating current (AC) frequency of the electric field, and the attributes of the IL fillers and matrix on the nonlinear vibration of the structure are investigated. The voltage-induced nonlinearity is highly sensitive to the content, size and shape of the IL fillers. The performances of the structure within various AC frequency bands can be tuned by changing the geometry of the IL fillers as well as the surface charge density of the matrix. This study aims to provide guidelines for predicting and optimizing the structural behaviors of ILESC membranes, accelerating their applications in engineering demanding flexibility and voltage-dependent responses
Glass transition considerations on the oxidation rate of linolenic acid in high solid gelatin/polydextrose systems
No full textReducing the susceptibility of lipids to the oxidation process remains essential in food processing. In this regard, the present work assesses the role of vitrification in condensed gelatin/polydextrose systems on the oxidation of entrapped linolenic acid. The polymer based matrix was crosslinked with genipin at distinct levels to manipulate the physicochemical properties and glass transition phenomena. The former was assessed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The latter was followed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and small deformation dynamic oscillation in-shear. Hydroperoxide (ROOH) analysis was chosen as an expedient means of monitoring lipid oxidation, which it was performed over an extensive range of temperature (−10 to 50°C) and time (up to 3 days). ROOH development was assayed during the initiation, propagation and termination phase. Data modelling revealed a sigmoidal pattern of ROOH accumulation throughout the entire stage of lipid oxidation. Rate constants obtained in the initiation and propagation phase of oxidation demonstrate that the mechanical glass transition temperature is a critical parameter for the preservation of lipid components in high solid materials
Data-driven irrigation scheduling increases the crop water use efficiency of Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines
No full textIn the context of water management in agriculture, irrigation scheduling is critically important as it optimises water application to crops and can also target specific production goals. However, there is no consensus on the ideal irrigation scheduling strategy regarding crop water use efficiency (WUEc). In a premium Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in Coonawarra, South Australia, over three growing seasons, irrigation scheduling strategies based on experience or historical knowledge (‘GROW’ treatment) were compared to data-driven strategies including crop evapotranspiration, and plant and soil water status thresholds to evaluate their effects on leaf- and vine-level WUEs. A final treatment, GROW + , that doubled the GROW level of irrigation was also evaluated in the third season. The WUE metrics were determined at the leaf, vine, and fruit scales as intrinsic WUE (WUEi), crop WUE (WUEc), and carbon isotope ratio (δ13C), respectively. Furthermore, the irrigation strategies were evaluated in the background of two contrasting soil types: Terra Rossa (light clay, well-drained) and Rendzina (heavier clay, poorly drained). Seasonal soil and vine water status, leaf gas exchange, and light interception were measured, and yield components and pruning weights were obtained following harvest. The amount of seasonal irrigation water based on the data-driven strategies was up to 65% lower across both soil types compared with the GROW or GROW + approaches. WUEi and δ13C were largely similar between treatments. However, for vines grown on Terra Rossa soil, little to no yield penalty was observed when data-driven irrigation scheduling was applied, in addition to increased WUEc values of up to 41%. It can be concluded that irrigation scheduling decisions based on data were superior to the conventional irrigation scheduling method on account of reducing irrigation water volume and increasing WUE, particularly in Terra Rossa soils
Self-driven high-performance broadband photodetector based on WSe2 nano-speckles
No full textLong-term exposure to visible or infrared light may have harmful biological consequences, such as erythema, that can damage the cornea and retina. Additionally, trapped infrared light contributes to climate change on a global scale. Self-driven broadband photodetectors, which do not need an auxiliary battery and function in a multiband region of the electromagnetic spectrum, can be the solution to monitor such radiation. Though two-dimensional (2D) materials offer excellent optoelectronic characteristics, these materials still need to be fully explored to fabricate high-performance self-driven broadband photodetector. The study proposes nano-speckles like WSe2-based self-driven photodetection that operate in a broad spectral range from vis to NIR. The developed device exhibits 2.1 mAW−1 high responsivity at 860 nm illumination at zero bias (self-driven mode). Also, at zero bias a responsivity of 1.09 mAW−1 for 532 nm light illumination and 1.05 mAW−1 for 625 nm light illumination was obtained. Further, the device shows ultra-high responsivity of 1.2 × 104 mAW−1 and a very high external quantum efficiency of 2.84 × 103% with low noise equivalent power 3.27 × 10−13 WHz−1/2 at 860 nm light illumination under photoconductive mode. This report provides a promising simple synthesis method for fabricating a self-driven photodetection device that covers vis to NIR range with high sensitivity for future optoelectronic applications
Detection and extinguishment approaches for municipal solid waste landfill fires: A mini review
No full textMunicipal solid waste (MSW) management is getting more attention in the present scenario. Even though various technologies like incineration, gasification, pyrolysis and waste-to-energy plants have been developed, landfills are still the major disposal option for MSW management. MSW at landfill creates issues that are highlighted at a global level like the fire at Deonar dumping site in Mumbai, India was visible and captured by the space satellites, leading to environmental pollution. Detection and extinguishment of landfill fires at surface and sub-surface in their early stages are the major concern. Thermal imaging camera can be used to know solar radiation effect by identifying the hotspots during the day and the night time for understanding aerobic degradation effect on the surface fire. Sub-surface gas concentrations and its combinations affecting the temperature gradient can be studied for a better understanding of sub-surface fires in their early stages. The use of class ‘A’ foams with water, which reduces the surface tension of water, can be carried out for landfill fire extinguishment. The application of water in the form of water fog will extract a large amount of heat and block the availability of oxygen for the fire. This mini review presents the sources of fuel, heat, oxidant for landfill fire and its development process, associated pollution on air, water, land and human health due to landfill fire and methods for its extinguishment possibilities
Cultural policy between television and digital platforms: the case of SVOD regulation in Australia
No full textAs subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services enter new markets, they become subject to national laws and regulations. This incorporation into national governance is driven by various priorities that include cultural diversity, censorship, and local protectionism. In this article, we provide a critical analysis of the attempted process of SVOD policy-making in Australia, where the entry of services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ has prompted much concern about the future of local content production and distribution. Focusing on the years 2017 to 2022, under the former centre-right Liberal/National coalition government, we excavate the origins and outcomes of a protracted ‘harmonisation’ process that ultimately prioritised the interests of national commercial broadcasters. We also show how SVOD production incentives came to be preferenced over catalog quotas as a mechanism for cultural policy. In this way, our analysis explores how one mid-sized, English-speaking nation initially grappled with the challenges inherent in regulating global platforms, amidst a charged public debate about the future of local screen content