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LEAP Online - Get behind the wheel
No full textWhat is the context/ focus of your presentation, and what is its relevance? Launched in 2017, LEAP Online is an interactive digital resource that supports the promotion of student learning development and information literacy at the University of Bolton. This workshop will focus on the value and impact of LEAP Online’s approach to: blended learning, student support, applied research and supporting staff. Specifically, it will highlight how LEAP Online has fostered collaboration to design and implement new topics to support the diverse makeup of the University of Bolton population and wider community. LEAP Online is continuing to evolve and badge data, together with student feedback, demonstrates its value and how it is embedded in the student journey and the University’s learning and teaching strategy.What did you do? The LEAP Online team have, and continue to, foster positive relationships across the University and wider community to develop content and meet the needs of students.What were the research or activity results / outcomes? Using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis, this workshop will share badge statistics and feedback to demonstrate how learning analytics can evidence the impact of the support available in LEAP Online to the student learning goals.What are the main points to take forward in relation to your chosen theme and student success? LEAP Online is continuing to evolve and there are high aspirations to develop innovative and engaging content for all University students. It is firmly believed that success is measured in the provision of: consistent, inclusive, high-quality learning development content and resources, which are appropriate for the University’s multi-disciplinary boundaries. To that end, the development of LEAP Online should be collaborative and involve the whole University to help ensure student success
The Bolton Review: Issue 7: Sunlight and Cider
No full textThe Bolton Review is a student-led creative magazine from the University of Bolton. It showcases some of the best work from Bolton’s up-and-coming: students and staff from all areas and all levels of the University buildings and other schools in the area
Assessment of dynamic swarm heterogeneous clustering in cognitive radio sensor networks
No full textPlethora of optimization algorithms have been created to determine the most energy efficient transmission mode, allowing for lower power consumption during transmission over shorter distances while minimising interference from Primary Users (PUs). According to the Improved Cooperative Clustering Algorithm (ICCA), it performs superior spectrum sensing across groups of multi-users when compared to any other method currently available in terms of sensing inaccuracy, power savings and convergence time than any other method currently available. The proposed ICCA algorithm is employed in this research study to find the optimal number of clusters based on their connectivity, as well as the most energy-efficient distributed cluster-based sensing technique available. In this research, a large number of randomly chosen Secondary Users (SUs) and Primary Users (PUs) are investigated for potential implementation opportunities. Therefore, as compared to the present optimization strategies, the proposed ICCA algorithm enhanced the convergence speed by integrating the multi-user clustered communication into a single communication channel. Experimental results revealed that the new ICCA algorithm reduced node power by 9.646 percent as compared to traditional ways when comparing the novel algorithm to conventional approaches.In a similar vein, as compared to the prior methodologies, the ICCA algorithm reduced the average node power of SUs by 24.23 percent on average. When the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) is decreased to values below 2dB, the likelihood of detection improves dramatically, as seen in Figure 1. ICCA has a low false alarm rate when compared to other existing optimization algorithms for direct detection, and the proposed method outperforms them all. In accordance with the findings of the simulations, the proposed ICCA technique effectively addresses multimodal optimization difficulties and optimises network capacity performance in wireless networks. A detailed discussion of SS applications for the Internet of Things and Wireless Sensor Networks, both of which are based on CR, is provided. There is also a thorough discussion of the most recent advancements in Spectrum Sensing as a Service, in which the Internet of Things or Wireless Sensor Networks may play an important part in feeding the CR network with spectrum sensing data, as well as the future of spectrum sensing. The use of CR for the Fifth Generation and beyond, as well as its potential application in frequency allocation, are also discussed.. In order to stay up with the advancement of communication technology, SS should give additional features, such as the capacity to investigate different available channels and accessible space for transmission, in order to remain competitive.On the basis of current and prospective techniques in wireless communications, we highlight crucial future research paths and difficulty spots in signal processing for cognitive radio, as well as potential solutions (SS-CR)
Flame retardants for epoxy resins: Application-related challenges and solutions
No full textOwing to their high versatility from chemical and processing perspectives and hence their capability of being tailored for required properties, epoxy resins are used in a wide range of applications ranging from general use to high performing materials. Most of the applications though also require conformation to certain specified fire safety regulations. The flammability (and other properties) of cured epoxy resins depend on the type of resin, curing agent and curing process used, which have been highlighted in this article. The focus of the review though is on the type of flame retardants required to achieve certain levels of flame retardancy. There are numerous research articles and reviews dealing with flame retardancy of epoxy resins in the open literature and it is beyond the scope of this review to cover them all, hence only selected representative papers are discussed here, while references to previous reviews are provided that cover additional work. Different flame retardants and their chemically modified/synthesized variants developed by various researchers have been critically reviewed in terms of their flame retardant efficiency relative to their commonly used/ commercially available counterparts. The issues related to their suitability in terms of processability and performance in certain applications have also been discussed
Using vital signs to place acutely ill patients quickly and easily into clinically helpful pathophysiologic categories. Derivation and validation of eight pathophysiologic categories in two distinct patient populations of acutely ill patients
No full textBackgroundEarly warning scores reliably identify patients at risk of imminent death, but do not provide insight into what may be wrong with the patient and what to do about it.Objectives To explore if the shock index (SI), pulse pressure (PP) and ROX index can place acutely ill medical patients in pathophysiologic categories that could indicate the interventions required.Methods A retrospective post-hoc analysis of previously obtained and reported clinical data on 45,784 acutely ill medical patients admitted to a major regional referral Canadian hospital between 2005 and 2010 and validated on 107,546 emergency admissions to four Dutch hospitals between 2017 and 2022.Results SI, PP and ROX values divided patients into eight mutually exclusive physiologic categories. Mortality was highest in patient-categories that included a ROX index 0.7 had the highest mortality and accounted for 40% of deaths within 24-hours of admission, whereas patients with a PP ≥42 mmHg, SI ≤0.7 and ROX ≥22 had the lowest risk of death. These results were the same in both the Canadian and Dutch patient cohorts.Conclusion SI, PP and ROX values can place acutely ill medical patients into eight mutually exclusive pathophysiologic categories with different mortality rates. Future studies will assess the interventions needed by these categories and their value in guiding treatment and disposition decisions
Nurse staffing levels within acute care: results of a national day of care survey
No full textIntroduction: The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient safety is well recognised. Inadequate provision of nursing staff is associated with increased medical error, as well as higher morbidity and mortality. Defining what constitutes safe nurse staffing levels is complex. A range of guidance and planning tools are available to inform staffing decisions. The Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) recommend a ‘nurse-to-bed‘ ratio of greater than 1:6. Whether this standard accurately reflects the pattern and intensity of work on the Acute Medical Unit (AMU) is unclear.Methods: Nurse staffing levels in AMUs were explored using the Society for Acute Medicine Benchmarking Audit 2019 (SAMBA19). Data from 122 acute hospitals were analysed. Nurse-to-bed ratios were calculated and compared.Estimates of the total nursing time available within the acute care system were compared to estimates of the time required to perform nursing activities.Results: The total number of AMU beds across all 122units was 4997. The mean daytime nurse-to-bed ratio was 1:4.3 and the mean night time nurse-to-bed ratio was 1:5.2. The SAM standard of a nurse to bed ratio of greater than 1:6 was achieved in 99units (81.9%) during daytime hours and achieved by 74units (60.6%) at night.The estimated time required to deliver direct clinical care was 35,698h. A deficit of 4128h (11.5% of time required) was estimated, representing the time difference between the total number of nursing hours available with current staffing and the estimated time needed for direct clinical care across all participating units.Conclusion: This UK-wide study suggests a significant proportion of AMUs do not meet the recommenced SAM staffing levels, particularly at night. A difference was observed between the total number of nursing hours within the acute care system and the estimated time required to perform direct nursing activities. This suggests a workforce shortage of nurses within acute care at the system level
SVBE: searchable and verifiable blockchain-based electronic medical records system
No full textCentral management of electronic medical systems faces a major challenge because it requires trust in a single entity that cannot effectively protect files from unauthorized access or attacks. This challenge makes it difficult to provide some services in central electronic medical systems, such as file search and verification, although they are needed. This gap motivated us to develop a system based on blockchain that has several characteristics: decentralization, security, anonymity, immutability, and tamper-proof. The proposed system provides several services: storage, verification, and search. The system consists of a smart contract that connects to a decentralized user application through which users can transact with the system. In addition, the system uses an interplanetary file system (IPFS) and cloud computing to store patients’ data and files. Experimental results and system security analysis show that the system performs search and verification tasks securely and quickly through the network
Teacher preparation in Scotland, 1872–1920
No full textThis chapter examines the inauguration of the university study of Education in Scotland and its relation to teacher education in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The chapter outlines moves to establish Education as a disciplinary field in higher education and the junctures at which this movement aligns with and is in tension with concurrent moves to advance teaching as a profession. Academisation and professionalisation are the twin poles of this debate. This is not a parochial or obsolete debate. The place of teacher preparation in higher education has been the focus of sustained discussion across Anglophone nations. Three examples – the inauguration of chairs and lectureships, the governance of teacher education and deliberation on the content and purpose of a degree in Education – are used to help explain the apparent paradox between the historic place of education in Scottish culture and identity and the relatively recent full involvement of Scotland's universities in the professional preparation of teachers. Investigating the activities of the first academic community of educationists in Scotland may help to understand continuing struggles over jurisdiction and authority in this contested and yet neglected field
Measuring relationships between self-compassion, compassion fatigue, burnout and well-being in student counsellors and student cognitive behavioural psychotherapists: a quantitative survey
No full textBackground - Prolonged deficiency in self-care strategies puts counsellors and psychotherapists at risk of burnout and compassion fatigue.Aim - To measure associations between self-compassion, compassion fatigue, well-being and burnout in student counsellors and student cognitive behavioural psychotherapists.Method - A quantitative survey using four validated data collection instruments: (1) Professional Quality of Life Scale; (2) Self-Compassion Scale; (3) short Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale; (4) Compassion For Others scale, was used to measure relationships between self-compassion, compassion fatigue, well-being and burnout.Participants - A mixed sample of student counsellors and student cognitive behavioural psychotherapists (n = 54) in their final year of study.Results - This preliminary study shows that student counsellors and student cognitive behavioural psychotherapists who reported high on measures of self-compassion and well-being also reported less compassion fatigue and burnout.Implications for practice - Compassion fatigue and burnout are found in many modern-day, highly stressful healthcare professions. The practice of self-compassion could help student practitioners manage these symptoms and subsequently improve their professional quality of life
Achieving sustainability by rectifying challenges in IoT based smart cities
No full textIt has become mandatory for traditional cities to be converted into smart cities for the benefit of giving citizens a better lifestyle. The large amounts of people migrating towards smart cities has increased the requirements of a sustainable smart city with the assistance of cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as active sensors and smartphones. When implementing these cloud applications that are IoT-based, there are several challenges including security and privacy of data in the devices, and satisfaction with the smart services provided. Previous research done revealed that the primary challenge was privacy and security, while current research emphasizes on the security of the smart devices, and the awareness and satisfaction of customers with them. In this paper, we used a qualitative and quantitative approach to attain sustainability. Under the qualitative analysis, we proposed a 5-Layer Smart City framework based on IoT, making use of various technologies such as fog computing, Artificial Intelligence, edge computing, Machine Learning, actuators, cloud computing, Deep Learning, sensors, etc. In the quantitative analysis, we carried out a smart city survey to gather knowledge about the citizens’ level of satisfaction and awareness. The study was carried out on a minimal scale because of limited resources and time; however, it still provides a possible solution to the issues encountered