38332 research outputs found
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Lessons from the virtual delivery of Building Information Modelling modules in the COVID-19 era
Get PDFEmerging building information modelling (BIM) can be complex to teach during a regular face-to-face class schedule, and even more challenging remotely or virtually. This has been further exacerbated by the outbreak of COVID-19 whereby the adoption of virtual teaching techniques in higher education has been strongly recommended. However, since the outbreak, in December 2019, there has been a paucity of research with regards to experiences with the virtual delivery of BIM. This study explores lessons learnt in engaging students through the virtual delivery of BIM courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative data from a questionnaire and quantitative and qualitative data from the various module evaluation reports were used to inform this study. A main finding is that, despite being a technical course, BIM can still be delivered online without compromising any of its learning outcomes. In contrast to existing literature, the main contribution of this study is practical as it provides insights on methods that worked and those that can be used post-COVID-19 in delivering BIM courses. This study provides hope to prospective students, especially distance learning students, who often worry whether the technology aspects of BIM can be taught remotely. Although the study is grounded on BIM and driven by the COVID-19 context and distance learning, it has wider implications for learning and teaching in other technical disciplines and virtual learning in general. Specifically, the experiences and impacts of delivering BIM examined in this study can inform curricula design in other disciplines
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) : recommendations and guidelines for best practice
Get PDFMultiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is characterised by combined occurrence of parathyroid tumours, duodenopancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, and anterior pituitary adenomas. Some patients might also develop thymic and bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine tumours, and adrenal tumours. MEN1 is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the tumour-suppressor gene MEN1, which encodes a scaffold protein, menin. Without treatment, patients with MEN1 have high morbidity and premature mortality, which can be mitigated by early tumour detection and intervention. Identification of individuals at high risk for MEN1 can be facilitated by genetic testing of patients and their first-degree relatives, and undertaking periodic clinical, biochemical, and radiological screening in patients and MEN1 mutation carriers. However, no consensus exists regarding the optimal assessment and management of MEN1. To provide such recommendations, a multidisciplinary group was convened to undertake systematic reviews and a meta-analysis of the literature, and to use a Delphi approach for the development of consensus statements. 55 clinical recommendations were developed to guide clinicians, patients, and stakeholders about approaches for MEN1 in adults and children
Key features of successful research-related roles for nurses and midwives in out of hospital settings : a mixed methods approach
Get PDFAim
To explore the views of health care professionals involved in initiatives that have led to successful research-related roles for nurses and midwives working in community settings.
Design
A sequential mixed-methods study.
Methods
Between December 2022 and January 2023 a survey was completed by health care professionals with relevant experience of successful research-related initiatives for nurses and midwives in community settings. Survey responses were categorised into low, medium or high-priority examples of productive practice. Nineteen of the twenty responders who provided high-priority examples were interviewed between May and July 2023. The research capacity development for impact framework underpinned data collection and analysis. Data were thematically analysed using the framework method.
Results
The seven themes of the research capacity development for impact framework: leadership and sustainability, skills and confidence building, infrastructures, linkages and collaborations, ownership and responsibilities, actionable dissemination and co-production were identified as important features of successful research-related roles in community settings. A new cross-cutting theme of trust and relationships was generated. The initiation, continued growth and ambition continuum guided the development of the planning change and features of success template.
Conclusion
This study highlighted the key features that matter when planning change and developing research-related roles for nurses and midwives in community settings.
Impact
Study findings have the potential to inform policy and practice for organisations focused on developing research capacity and capability in community settings.
Reporting Method
This study adhered to the COREQ reporting guidelines.
Patient and Public Involvement
No patient or public involvement
The impact of exercise on cardiovascular parameters in postmenopausal women: A narrative review
No full textIntroduction.
Several studies indicate that regular physical activity can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure, improve endothelial function, and enhance overall cardiovascular fitness in postmenopausal women. To gain a deeper understanding, we conducted a narrative review of systematic reviews to assess the impact of exercise on cardiovascular parameters in postmenopausal women.
Method.
The literature search was conducted using the Excerpta Medica, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. We included systematic reviews investigating the effects of exercise on cardiovascular parameters in postmenopausal women, with publications considered up until December 2024.
Results.
Following the exclusion of 187 publications, three systematic reviews were selected. These reported significant exercise-induced improvements in vasomotor symptoms, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate.
Conclusion.
This narrative review revealed that exercise benefits cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women. Still, methodological limitations emphasize the need for better systematic reviews. Clinicians ought to interpret findings carefully when recommending physical exercise
Impact of alcohol strength on attitudes and decisions concerning special occasion drinking during pregnancy
Get PDFBackground.
Special occasions are a risk factor for drinking during pregnancy. This study determined the impact of alcohol strength on attitudes around, and perceived harm of, drinking in pregnancy. If perceived harm decreases with lower strength alcohol, this may promote drinking when abstinence is recommended.
Methods.
Two online ‘special occasion’ vignette studies randomised female participants to one of three drink strength conditions (11%, 7.5%, 0% alcohol beverage volume [ABV]). In the study (N = 1128), participants were asked to imagine themselves or someone else choosing to consume the beverage when pregnant. Outcome measures assessed how harmful participants thought drink choice was, and the extent to which they agreed with the drink choice.
Results.
The standard and lower strength alcohol beverages were viewed as more harmful than the alcohol-free drink (p < .001), and participants agreed with the alcohol-free drink choice more than the standard and lower strength beverages (p < .001). Perceived harm was greater when rating own hypothetical alcohol use in comparison to rating observed hypothetical alcohol use (p < .01). Participants who reported drinking in their own pregnancy rated the alcohol choices as less harmful and more agreeable than participants who had not consumed alcohol in their own pregnancies (p < .001).
Conclusions.
Perceived harm, and the ability to apply the potential harms of drinking during pregnancy to one’s own circumstances, may be crucial in reducing the risk special occasions pose to alcohol exposed pregnancies. Public health campaigns should focus on facilitating this, compassionately explaining the risk of harms across a range of drinking behaviours, while explicitly tackling the stigma and shame women may experience around this public health issue
The globalization project of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific states (OACPS)
Get PDFCybersecurity framework for smart cities : leveraging quantum cryptography and blockchain
No full textSmart cities face multiple cybersecurity threats that have arisen from the increased digitization of city infrastructure. This research seeks to develop a theoretical model that will adopt quantum cryptography and blockchain in defending interconnected city networks from emerging threats. The proposed framework is based on the integration of quantum, decentralized ledger systems, and can protect IoT infrastructure without compromising its functionality. Our approach analyzes possible
cryptographic approaches throughout different urban systems, paying special attention to data authenticity and the network’s robustness. The presented framework shows how the use of
quantum cryptographic methods integrated with the blockchain approach can form the basis for the effective protection of important urban infrastructure from the development of new
cyber threats
Street-level bureaucracy and extreme work : understanding career shock perceptions among nurses in public hospitals
Get PDFObjective: The aim of this study is to explore how extreme work conditions influence nurses’ experiences of career shock in public hospitals.
Research Methodology: This study employed a phenomenon-based approach to gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of real-world phenomena. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 nurses working in public hospitals in Egypt. Thematic analysis was applied to analyze the interview data.
Findings: The study identified three key factors contributing to nurses' perceptions of career shock under extreme work conditions: (1) Refugee-related factors (e.g., differential treatment of refugees compared to nationals, refugees as opportunities to supplement income); (2) Contextual factors (e.g., increased courtesy from nationals, rising patient numbers, demands for wage increases); and (3) Workplace factors (e.g., extended work hours, heavy job responsibilities, perceived treatment by managers). These factors were found to significantly influence nurses' perceptions of positive or negative career shocks.
Originality: This research fills a gap in the literature on human resources, public administration, and healthcare by addressing the limited empirical studies on how extreme job duties shape streetlevel bureaucrats' (nurses, in this case) perceptions of career shock, particularly in developing and non-Western contexts
Gaps and lack of harmonization in LCA of the electromobility sector : where do we stand and where could we go?
No full textPurpose.
LCA is increasingly applied to the electromobility sector, in academic and industrial literature, and in policies. While there is awareness on the existence of specific gaps and lack of harmonization in LCA of electromobility, there is however still no common understanding on these and on their relevance. This study intends to develop this common understanding and to further explore potential ways forward.
Methods.
The analysis of gaps and lack of harmonization starts from, and expands the analysis of, the extensive review of state-of-the-art academic and industrial literature, and of existing guidelines and standards, performed by Eltohamy et al. (2024). It further builds on four additional actions: (i) review of position papers; (ii) workshops, gathering LCA experts from industry and research; (iii) in-depth survey on the LCA practice of selected industrials; and (iv) iterative, document-based, approach towards common identification and analysis of gaps. This study accordingly compiles and analyzes the gaps and lack of harmonization in LCA of the electromobility sector per LCA phase. It discusses how these limits alter LCA accuracy, comparability and comprehensiveness and their associated relevance as function of the study context.
Results and discussion.
The identified gaps and lack of harmonization relate to (i) the LCA general method, and more specific rules regarding functional unit, approach to address multi-functionality, system boundaries, electricity modelling, normalization and weighting, sensitivity and uncertainty analysis, etc.; (ii) models used to support LCA, sometimes not accurately representing the real world (e.g. models for data gap filling, prospective EoL modelling, impact characterization); (iii) data, both in terms of (incomplete and imprecise) secondary datasets and of lack of primary data; and (iv) difficulties in implementation. The path forward to overcome these limitations is expected to rely firstly on research and development, particularly crucial to address actual gaps in models and data, and secondly on guidelines setting and consensus building, both key regarding harmonization of method-related issues.
Conclusions.
This study highlights, classifies and analyzes the existing gaps and lack of harmonization in LCA of the electromobility sector. It flags the key challenges and opportunities to be overcome in the path forward, e.g. regarding trade-offs in accuracy, comprehensiveness and simplicity, or alignment with comparable harmonization initiatives in sectors other than the electromobility one. We now encourage the LCA community to use this study as a blueprint towards improved practices, whether harmonization is key, such as for comparative LCAs of vehicles or parts, or of lower importance, such as in some research context