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“Are we criminals?” – everyday racialisation in temporary asylum accommodation
Get PDFThis paper critically examines the placement of people seeking asylum in temporary accommodation during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is based on a 14-month collaborative ethnography conducted between 2020 and 2022 with asylum seeking individuals in Glasgow. While moves to temporary accommodation were framed by state authorities and private firms as providing a ‘safe environment’ from Covid-19, we show how these relocations amounted to a racialised process which constructed our participants as ‘undeserving’ and ‘unworthy’ of protection and care during a period of crisis. Our analysis highlights how this racialisation took place not only on a policy level but also in practice through everyday encounters with private provider staff. Advancing the literature on asylum housing and dispersal through new theoretical and empirical contributions, we argue that the rise of temporary forms of asylum accommodation can be understood as constitutive of racial modes of belonging within a regime of differential humanity
Critical assessment of medical devices on reliability, replacement prioritization and maintenance strategy criterion: Case study of Malaysian hospitals
Get PDFThe Biomedical Engineering Maintenance Services (BEMS) is a comprehensive maintenance program that ensures the safety and reliability of medical devices. Significant and crucial devices are identified and prioritized for best practice prior to the equipment life cycle to mitigate functional problems, alarmed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) underlying the modernization agenda. A model of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) to prioritize medical devices according to their criticality is presented in this paper, with the utilization of quality function deployment (QFD) and fuzzy logic in the development of the model through a quantitative survey of experts from all regions in Malaysia. As a result, a customized version of the Asset Criticality Assessment (ACA) is developed and is recommended for use in more than 144 Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals. Subsequently, real data of four selected devices are pulled from the Asset and Services Information System (ASIS) to demonstrate a relevant and comparable end-result using the QFD and fuzzy logic. In essence, the key contribution of the customized ACA model is that it assesses a promising evaluation with a broader range on both the performance of medical devices and the appropriate asset replacement choices. This leads to an effective maintenance strategy for each device and the modernization of reliability computation metrics
Modelling inter-individual variability in acute and adaptive responses to interval training: insights into exercise intensity normalisation
Get PDFPurpose: To investigate the influence of exercise intensity normalisation on intra- and inter-individual acute and adaptive responses to an interval training programme. Methods: Nineteen cyclists were split in two groups differing (only) in how exercise intensity was normalised: 80% of the maximal work rate achieved in an incremental test (%W˙max) vs. maximal sustainable work rate in a self-paced interval training session (%W˙max-SP). Testing duplicates were conducted before and after an initial control phase, during the training intervention, and at the end, enabling the estimation of inter-individual variability in adaptive responses devoid of intra-individual variability. Results: Due to premature exhaustion, the median training completion rate was 88.8% for the %W˙max group, but 100% for the %W˙max-SP the group. Ratings of perceived exertion and heart rates were not sensitive to how intensity was normalised, manifesting similar inter-individual variability, although intra-individual variability was minimised for the %W˙max-SP group. Amongst six adaptive response variables, there was evidence of individual response for only maximal oxygen uptake (standard deviation: 0.027 L·min−1·week−1) and self-paced interval training performance (standard deviation: 1.451 W·week−1). However, inter-individual variability magnitudes were similar between groups. Average adaptive responses were also similar between groups across all variables. Conclusions: To normalise completion rates of interval training, %W˙max-SP should be used to prescribe relative intensity. However, the variability in adaptive responses to training may not reflect how exercise intensity is normalised, underlining the complexity of the exercise dose–adaptation relationship. True inter-individual variability in adaptive responses cannot always be identified when intra-individual variability is accounted for
Technological evolution and societal shifts
No full textAs we navigate an era marked by rapid technological evolution and societal shifts, the role of education systems is increasingly under scrutiny. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has not only intensified existing challenges but also presented unique opportunities for reform. This paper explores the intersection of technology and education, emphasizing the urgent need to prepare students for a future where both opportunities and uncertainties are magnified by technological advancements. The traditional model of education, largely unchanged for centuries, is proving inadequate in equipping students with the necessary skills and knowledge for the 21st century. The pandemic has highlighted the critical role of technology in education, propelling schools worldwide into remote learning scenarios almost overnight. This sudden shift has sparked a broader conversation about the potential of technology to transform educational paradigms. From personalized learning environments to global digital classrooms, technology offers unprecedented opportunities to tailor education to individual needs and global contexts. However, the integration of technology in education is not merely a logistical or pedagogical challenge; it is fundamentally a call to rethink the very purpose and methods of education. This paper argues for a comprehensive reevaluation of educational systems, advocating for a transition from traditional, standardized approaches to more dynamic, student-centered learning frameworks that leverage technological tools to enhance learning outcomes and engagement
Pilgrimage in the COVID-19 Era: Uncovering Supply Side Challenges and Opportunities in Media Representations
Get PDFPilgrimage travel, a common practice across major religions, has historically exhibited remarkable resilience to global crises, owing to the unwavering conviction of its followers. However, the COVID-19 pandemic marked a significant departure from this trend, disrupting pilgrimage tourism, unlike any event since World War II. Despite extensive research on the pandemic’s impact on tourism, limited attention has been directed towards understanding its specific effects on pilgrimage travel. This study seeks to address this gap by examining the challenges and opportunities faced by pilgrimage tourism suppliers in the aftermath of COVID-19. To obtain a comprehensive global perspective, we collected and analysed one hundred and fifty media articles from thirty countries. The thematic analysis of these articles revealed eight challenges and four opportunities encountered by pilgrimage tourism suppliers during the pandemic. These findings not only highlight the distinctive struggles within the pilgrimage sector but also provide broader insights into the implications for the tourism industry at large. By exploring the intricacies of COVID-19’s impact on pilgrimage tourism, this research contributes valuable knowledge to guide strategies for resilience and recovery in this durable yet vulnerable sector
A Transformer-Based Network With Feature Complementary Fusion for Crack Defect Detection
No full textPavement crack detection poses a formidable challenge due to the intricate texture structures of cracks and the complex environmental settings in which they are situated. In recent years, the advancement of deep learning techniques has prompted a surge in the utilization of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based methods for pavement crack detection. While CNNs have exhibited remarkable results in crack detection tasks, they primarily excel at capturing local details with limited receptive fields, which can be insufficient for grasping global contextual information. Given the intricate nature of crack textures, it becomes imperative to leverage both global and local features for accurate detection. To address this issue, a transformer-based network with feature complementary fusion, refer to TFCF-Net, is introduced, which amalgamates Transformer and CNN architectures. Proposed TFCF-Net model prioritizes the Transformer branch for feature encoding, considering its strength in extracting global features, while the CNN branch is set as auxiliary encoding branch, which plays a complementary role for local feature extraction. Proposed TFCF-Net operates by utilizing global features as a foundation and iteratively refining them using local features, thus facilitating precise crack detection. This design enables proposed network to comprehensively capture both global and local information while judiciously fusing these two types of information based on the distinctive characteristics of cracks. To ensure effective fusion of global and local information, an Information Complementary Fusion (ICF) module is presented, which could efficiently merge the outputs of both encoding branches. To further optimize the fused information, a multi-dimensional attention (MA) module is proposed to embed into the, which enhances the model’s ability to capture long-range dependencies by optimizing information from multiple dimensions. Additionally, to improve the quality of input features on the decoding side, a multi-dimensional attention feature representation (MAFR) module is proposed, which expands the receptive field of the deepest semantic information, enabling the extraction of multi-scale feature representations. This paper rigorously evaluate proposed TFCF-Net against state-of-the-art (SOTA) models using three publicly available pavement crack datasets. Experimental results unequivocally demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed TFCF-Net
Patient and public understanding of antimicrobial resistance: a systematic review and meta-ethnography
Get PDFObjectives: To further develop an understanding of laypeople’s (adult patients and public) beliefs and attitudes toward antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by developing a conceptual model derived from identifying and synthesizing primary qualitative research. Methods: A systematic search of 12 electronic databases, including CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed and Web of Science to identify qualitative primary studies exploring patient and public understanding of AMR published between 2012 and 2022. Included studies were quality appraised and synthesized using Noblit and Hare’s meta-ethnographic approach and reported using eMERGe guidance. Results: Thirteen papers reporting 12 qualitative studies were synthesized. Studies reported data from 466 participants aged 18–90 years. Five themes were identified from these original studies: the responsible patient; when words become meaningless; patient–prescriber relationship; past experience drives antibiotic use; and reframing public perception. These themes supported the development of a conceptual model that illustrates the tension between two different assumptions, that is, how can antibiotics be used for the collective good whilst balancing the immediate needs of individual patients. Conclusions: Findings suggest that AMR is a distinct ethical issue and should not be viewed purely as a prescribing problem. The meta-ethnography-generated conceptual model illustrates many factors affecting the public’s perception of AMR. These include laypeople’s own knowledge, beliefs and attitudes around antibiotic use, the relationship with the healthcare provider and the wider context, including the overwhelming influence of the media and public health campaigns. Future research is needed to explore effective health messaging strategies to increase laypeople’s baseline awareness of AMR as a public threat
From self-reports to observations: Unraveling digital billboard influence on drivers
No full textThe objective of this current study was to evaluate the impact of digital billboards (DBs) on self-reported and observed driving behavior, given their established association with distracted driving. This investigation focused on driver behavior in Iran using a dual-pronged approach. Initially, self-reported driving behavior was analyzed using a Driving Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ), which was completed online by 453 drivers. The factor analysis of the questionnaire data emphasized the significant role of DBs in generating driving errors, lapses, unintentional violations, and intentional violations. The DBQ questions exhibited a clear factor structure, demonstrating high factor loadings and satisfactory internal stability. The findings indicated that advertising signages notably influenced drivers' behavior, particularly in instances of neglecting the behavior of the leading vehicle's driver (Lapse), disregarding pedestrian crossings (Error), disregarding red lights (Intentional violation), and overtaking without considering traffic flow behind (Unintentional violation). Subsequently, participants engaged in an Instrumented Vehicle Study (IVS) to explore observed driver behavior when encountering DBs (899 samples). Four factors were identified as significantly influencing the likelihood of driver distraction: the driver's crash history, time of day, driver's age, and road type. A logistic regression analysis was conducted using the IVS data, revealing that drivers with prior crash experience approached DBs with 8.8 times more caution than those without such a history. Moreover, young adults were 8.25 times more susceptible to distraction from DBs compared to their older counterparts. Notably, the findings suggested that drivers were nearly four times more prone to distraction at night compared to daytime. Additionally, drivers were twice as likely to be distracted at intersections compared to other road types. The outcomes of this study can offer insights for policy interventions regarding the content and placement of DBs, aiming to minimize their impact on road safety while still enabling advertisers to target their intended audience
Social Determinants and Patient Characteristics Predict Cardiac Rehabilitation Uptake and Adherence
No full textBackgroundCardiac rehabilitation is a well-established, evidence-based method to support secondary prevention and is recommended in acute coronary syndrome guidelines internationally. Despite this and systematic approaches to improve uptake, rates remain between 25-46% in Australia. Patient factors identified as influential include age, smoking status, diagnosis, depression and gender, however exercise-limiting factors (obesity and mobility limiting condition) and sociodemographic factors (education and English fluency) are rarely examined.AimTo determine the influence of health and social determinants on cardiac rehabilitation attendance.MethodsA secondary analyses of the MyHeartMate trial participants (n=394) admitted for coronary heart disease. Cardiac rehabilitation is self-reported at 6-months, body mass index measured as recommended, clinical data from the medical record. Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were used to determine independent associates of uptake and attendance.ResultsParticipants were aged mean 61 (SD=11) years, 81% male; 274 completing the parent study and 184(46.9%) attended cardiac rehabilitation for a mean 9.65 (SD=5.98) sessions.After adjusting for all factors included in the analyses, native English speakers (OR 2.06, 95%CI 1.02,4.16) were more likely to take up cardiac rehabilitation and patients with higher BMI (OR .94, 95%CI .89,.99) were less likely. Women attended fewer sessions than men (β=-2.471, 95%CI -4.83, -0.11), whereas those with at least one exercise limiting condition attended more sessions (β=3.93, 95%CI 1.27,6.6).ConclusionAdditional support and adaptation of cardiac rehabilitation services are required to attract patients with less English fluency and obesity and to support women’s continued attendance
Experiences and perspectives of adults on using opioids for pain management in the postoperative period: A scoping review
No full textBACKGROUND Opioids play an important role in peri-operative pain management. However, opioid use is challenging for healthcare practitioners and patients because of concerns related to opioid crises, addiction and side effects.OBJECTIVE This review aimed to identify and synthesise the existing evidence related to adults’ experiences of opioid use in postoperative pain management.DESIGN Systematic scoping review of qualitative studies. Inductive content analysis and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) were applied to analyse and report the findings and to identify unexplored gaps in the literature.DATA SOURCES Ovid MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Embase, CINAHL (EBSCO), Cochrane Library and Google Scholar.ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA All qualitative and mixed-method studies, in English, that not only used a qualitative approach that explored adults’ opinions or concerns about opioids and/or opioid reduction, and adults’ experience related to opioid use for postoperative pain control, including satisfaction, but also aspects of overall quality of a person's life (physical, mental and social well being).RESULTS Ten studies were included; nine were qualitative (n = 9) and one used mixed methods. The studies were primarily conducted in Europe and North America. Concerns about opioid dependence, adverse effects, stigmatisation, gender roles, trust and shared decision-making between clinicians and patients appeared repeatedly throughout the studies. The TDF analysis showed that many peri-operative factors formed people's perceptions and experiences of opioids, driven by the following eight domains: Knowledge, Emotion, Beliefs about consequences, Beliefs about capabilities, Self-confidence, Environmental Context and Resources, Social influences and Decision Processes/Goals. Adults have diverse pain management goals, which can be categorised as proactive and positive goals, such as individualised pain management care, as well as avoidance goals, aimed at sidestepping issues such as addiction and opioid-related side effects.CONCLUSION It is desirable to understand the complexity of adults’ experiences of pain management especially with opioid use and to support adults in achieving their pain management goals by implementing an individualised approach, effective communication and patient–clinician relationships. However, there is a dearth of studies that examine patients’ experiences of postoperative opioid use and their involvement in opioid usage decision-making. A summary is provided regarding adults’ experiences of peri-operative opioid use, which may inform future researchers, healthcare providers and guideline development by considering these factors when improving patient care and experiences
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