bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring usability problems of mHealth applications developed for cervical cancer: An empirical study
Authors: Razzak Md Abdur , Islam Muhammad Nazrul , Broti Tanjila , Kamal Elma Shumsun , Zahan Samia
Published: June 2023

Objectives:

Nowadays, mobile health applications are developed to raise awareness and facilitate screening and treatment of cervical cancer, while a very few studies have been conducted focusing on the measurement and assurance of usability and exploring the acceptable user experience of such applications. Usability issues become a crucial concern for such cervical-cancer-related applications because users with diverse backgrounds in terms of education, information technology literacy, and geographic reasons are required to access those applications. The objective of this research is to evaluate the usability of mobile health applications developed for cervical cancer patients.

Methods:

Two evaluation studies were conducted following the expert evaluation and a questionnaire-based user study. A total of four cervical-cancer-related applications that are focusing on the Awareness and Diagnosis theme were selected and each of the applications was evaluated by four usability experts. Then, a user study ( n = 80) based on the Goal Question Metric was conducted to reveal the usability problems of four selected applications. Finally, findings of both evaluations were aggregated and analyzed.

Results:

Both approaches showed that all applications suffer from several usability problems while “Cervical Cancer Guide” performs better and “Cervical Cancer Tracker” showed the least in performance from the usability perspective. Again, the Goal Question Metric performs noticeably better in assessing the learnability of the applications, while the analytical heuristic evaluation performs better in identifying the issues that cause user annoyance.

Conclusion:

The methodology adopted and the usability problems revealed through this study can be well utilized by the information technology professionals or user interface designers for designing, evaluating, and developing the cervical-cancer-related applications with enhanced usability and user experience.
Sharing Feelings and User Engagement on Twitter: It’s All About Me and You
Authors: Segev Elad
Published: June 2023

This study explores how the expression of feelings and the use of personal pronouns on Twitter are associated with user engagement. Unlike most previous studies which focused on the types of emotions that generate user engagement, it uses the volume-control model, which also considers the social dimension of power. Looking at the usage of pronouns, it examines the balance achieved between popular messages that target larger groups and personalized messages that target smaller groups and individuals. The findings show that there is a significant difference between the motivation to share (retweet) and to reply to a message. Users on Twitter tend to retweet messages with popular characteristics, addressing larger groups with positive feelings. On the other hand, replies were associated with more personalized messages and a greater use of negative feelings. Users with more followers and friends presented a balance between popularization and personalization techniques, as their tweets were associated with higher customization of the messages to specific groups yet avoided negative feelings.
Intelligent Technology Solutions and Banking Efficiency: The Impacts of Institutional Innovation and Consumer Participation
Authors: Liu Danping , Fang Hedan , Tang Yuanmao , Mohd Isa Salmi , Tang Jinquan
Published: June 2023

Intelligent technology solutions have revolutionized banking and enhanced the overall efficiency of financial institutions worldwide. As banks endeavor to evolve into comprehensive financial service hubs, this study examines the impact of intelligent technology solutions on the efficiency of a sample of Chinese banks and analyzes efficiency trends over time based on two vectors affecting intelligent technology (enterprise-side innovation and consumer-side co-creation). The study builds upon the parameter non-frontier method (ACF) to measure efficiency and examines intelligent technology solutions and channel usage in China from 2007 to 2017. The results indicate that intelligent innovation and consumer co-creation within intelligent channels both have significant positive impacts on banking efficiency. Moreover, these impacts have gradually surpassed traditional banking innovations and consumer participation in traditional self-service channels. In some ways, consumer participation’s positive impact on banking efficiency is even greater than banks’ institutional innovation. Notably, the relative influence of intelligent innovation and consumer participation on bank efficiency has shifted, and customer participation now occupies a more important position. Based on these findings, banks would be well advised to develop intelligent technology solutions along two paths: enhancing institutional technology and supporting consumer participation.
“We Reach to People Through Different Means”: Factors That Influence HIV Counseling and Testing Among Religious People in Lilongwe, Malawi
Authors: Banda Kamanga Tifiness Mary , Chirambo Lusungu , Valeta Martha , Nyondo-Mipando Alinane Linda
Published: June 2023

A descriptive qualitative study among 12 religious leaders and 10 members from seven different religions using in-depth interviews was conducted to explore the factors that influence HIV testing among religious people in the area of Traditional Authority Chitukula, Lilongwe district. Participants and sites were purposively selected and all interviews were recorded using a digital recorder, then transcribed and translated into English. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach. The study showed that prayer has a prominent role in the management of HIV and AIDS. The barriers to HIV testing include a belief in faith healing, the rules of a specific church, and a perception of a low risk of HIV infection among religious people. Interventions that could promote HIV testing include the implementation of HIV self-testing, mobile and or door-to-door HIV services, church-based HIV testing services, and facility-based services that are integrated with other services to preserve privacy. Religious platforms can be leveraged in the delivery of HIV testing services. The promotion of religious-based prevention interventions needs to consider the foundations and beliefs of each religion and be able to contextualize the methods which can be achieved by continuous dialogue and support from religious leaders.
Linking Competitive Intelligence, Learning Orientation and Export Performance of SMEs
Authors: Isichei Ejikeme Emmanuel , Nnia Ike , Emmauel Agbaeze Kalu , Igwe Anthony , Ibe Chukwu Benjamin , Peterside Godwin Iyuwuna Dodd
Published: June 2023

The need to account for the direct and indirect influence of competitive intelligence and learning orientation on SMEs export performance given the poor export performance of SMEs in developing economies precipitated this study. This has become relevant in view of the need to ensure that SMEs remain an engine room for economic growth and development. Hence, we collected data from a sample set of 400 employees from SMEs that engage in export activities. Structural equation model (SEM) with the aid of AMOSv27, was used in analyzing the data. The study found that competitive intelligence affects export performance of SMEs. We also found that learning orientation has a positive link to SMEs’ export performance, and it mediates the relationship between competitive intelligence and export performance, though partially. Drawing insight from the resource-based view theory, we advanced competitive intelligence as a firm intangible resource that can affect export performance, even when channeled through learning orientation. Hence, manager’s ability to first gather and analyze reliable information about its firms’ readiness comparatively to that of their competitors and creating an enabling environment that supports information sharing and willingness to alter existing practices to replicate novel information from their competitive intelligence activities are fundamental in ensuring increased export performance.
A Systematic Review of the Impact of Remote Working Referenced to the Concept of Work–Life Flow on Physical and Psychological Health
Authors: Wells John , Scheibein Florian , Pais Leonor , Rebelo dos Santos Nuno , Dalluege C.- Andreas , Czakert Jan Philipp , Berger Rita
Published: June 2023

Background:

COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of remote working in which employers’ obligations for employees’ health and well-being extended into the home. This paper reports on a systematic review of the health impacts of remote working within the context of COVID-19 and discusses the implications of these impacts for the future role of the occupational health nurse.

Method:

The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021258517) and followed the PRISMA guidelines. The review covered 2020-2021 to capture empirical studies of remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic, their physical and psychological impacts and mediating factors.

Results:

Eight hundred and thirty articles were identified. After applying the inclusion criteria, a total of 34 studies were reviewed. Most studies showed low to very low strength of evidence using the GRADE approach. A minority of studies had high strength of evidence. These focused on the reduced risk of infection and negative effects in terms of reduced physical activity, increased sedentary activity, and increased screen time.

Conclusion/Application to Practice:

The synergy of work and personal well-being with the accelerated expansion of remote working suggests a more active role in the lives of workers within the home setting on the part of occupational health nurses. That role relates to how employees organize their relationship to work and home life, promoting positive lifestyles while mitigating adverse impacts of remote working on personal well-being.
Use of the PRECEDE–PROCEED Model to Pilot an Occupational Physical Activity Intervention: Tailored Through a Community Partnership
Authors: Fetherman Debra L. , Cebrick-Grossman Joan
Published: June 2023

Background:

Healthcare and social assistance workers are at increased risk for obesity. This industry has limited access to workplace health promotion resources and reports low rates of physical activity programs for workers.

Methods:

This article describes the application of the PRECEDE–PROCEED Model (PPM) to plan, implement, and evaluate a pilot physical activity intervention, Project Move, tailored to promote occupational physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviors among female workers. Actions taken by the community-based participatory research partnership assisted in the identification of the predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors that influenced the physical activity behaviors of female workers. The resources and capacities of the partnership were leveraged to implement and evaluate the pilot intervention.

Findings:

After the 12-week intervention, the participants’ daily average steps while at work met the recommended minimum 7,000 steps/day, and the time spent sitting decreased along with positive changes in health-related psychosocial measures.

Conclusions/Application to Practice:

The PPM represents a feasible approach for community-based participatory partnerships to create a tailored intervention to address the occupational physical activity and sedentary behaviors of at-risk female healthcare and social assistance workforce.
Association of Tibial Tubercle–Trochlear Groove Distance With Risk of ACL Graft Failure
Authors: Chen Kallie J. , Lee Eric J. , Kliethermes Stephanie A. , Scerpella Tamara A.
Published: June 2023

Background:

Limited evidence suggests a positive correlation between tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance and the risk of native anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. The relationship between TT-TG distance and the risk of ACL graft failure is unknown.

Hypothesis:

TT-TG distance is independently associated with risk of ACL graft failure.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

All patients who underwent ACL revision surgery between 2010 and 2018 at a single institution were identified. A control cohort underwent primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR) between 2006 and 2015, with no evidence of graft failure at 8.1 ± 2.5 years postoperatively. Record review included anthropometrics, graft type, and estimated Tegner activity score at ≥6 months after primary ACLR. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans after native ACL tear (controls) or graft failure (revision cohort) were assessed for (1) TT-TG distance, (2) proximal tibial slopes, (3) depth of tibial plateau concavity, and (4) tunnel position (revision cohort). Associations between ACL graft failure and MRI measurements, surgical variables, and patient characteristics were evaluated with logistic regression analyses. Sensitivity analyses, excluding patients with tunnel malposition, were performed to confirm multivariable results in patients with “ideal” tunnel placement.

Results:

Participants included 153 patients who underwent revisions and 144 controls. Controls were older than the patients who underwent revision (26.6 ± 8.8 vs 20.6 ± 7.3 years; P < .001). The mean TT-TG distance and lateral posterior tibial slope (PTS) were smaller for the control group than for the revision group (TT-TG: 9.3 ± 3.9 vs 11.2 ± 4.2 mm; P < .001; lateral PTS: 6.2° ± 3.3° vs 7.2° ± 3.6°; P = .01). TT-TG distance, lateral PTS, and age were associated with risk of ACL graft failure by multivariable analysis (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.07-1.23; P < .001; OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.04-1.22; P = .004; and OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.87-0.94; P < .001, respectively). With sensitivity analyses, TT-TG distance, lateral PTS, and age at index surgery remained significantly and independently associated with ACL graft failure.

Conclusion:

Increased TT-TG distance, increased lateral PTS, and younger age are independently associated with increased odds of ACL graft failure. Patients with these characteristics may require a more comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of ACL reinjury.
New Polish Right – politeness and radicalism. A corpus analysis of Krzysztof Bosak’s (de)legitimation strategies on twitter
Authors: Kosman Marcin
Published: June 2023

The article discusses (de)legitimation strategies of Krzysztof Bosak, one of the leaders of the Confederation Liberty and Independence, a Polish coalition of right-wing movements. The success of the formation appears to be in line with that of other European (far) right-wing parties, which have become politically relevant in recent decades. Despite the Confederation’s growing position in European politics, there is a paucity of research devoted to the party. The present paper attempts to bridge the gap by focusing on Bosak’s 2020 presidential campaign and the politician’s use of Twitter. In order to investigate Bosak’s discourse in detail, corpus linguistic methods were used. As they allow the researcher to work on large samples of data, Bosak’s tweets were investigated at both qualitative and quantitative levels. The results suggest that the candidate focused on legitimizing Catholicism and conservative ideas. At the same time, he delegitimised the left and LGBT communities, framing the presidential campaign as a clash between the conservative order.
Leadership in the Eye of the Beholder
Authors: Quijada Maria Alejandra , Peterson Tim O. , Peterson Claudette
Published: June 2023

Teaching leadership presents a challenge as students come into the topic with underlying assumptions of what makes for a good or bad leader. The experiential exercise described here brings together the worlds of leadership and art to elicit the students’ implicit leadership theories. We have students look at works of art and relate them to their perception of leadership. This produces a rich discussion, and as an additional benefit, it improves students’ observational abilities which will allow them to better capture the complexities of the workplace. We discuss debriefing ideas and further assignments. The exercise has been successfully run in a face-to-face leadership class but it lends itself easily to online classes. We share the images we have collected.
Mobile Phone Innovation and Doing Business in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Asongu Simplice A.
Published: June 2023

This article assesses how knowledge diffusion modulates the effect of the mobile phone on entrepreneurship or doing business in sub-Saharan Africa. The empirical evidence is based on Generalised Method of Moments in which mobile phones are interacted with three knowledge diffusion variables, namely, education, internet penetration and scientific output. Ten variables of entrepreneurship are used. The following three main findings are established. First, the net effects from interacting mobile phones with the internet and scientific publications are negative, whereas the corresponding net impact from the interaction between mobile phones and education is positive on the cost of doing business. Second, the mobile phone interacts with education (the internet) to have a positive (negative) net effect on the time needed to construct a warehouse whereas, the corresponding interaction with the internet yields a net negative effect on the time to enforce a contract. Third, there is a positive net effect from the interaction of mobile phones with education on the time to start a business. Given the construction of the education variable, the positive net effects from education are consistent with corresponding negative net effects from the other knowledge diffusion variables.
Educational Experiences and Aspiration of Muslim Women in India: Issue and Challenges
Authors: Malik Aysha
Published: June 2023

The Indian Constitution is devoted to citizen equality and the state’s responsibility to defend, safeguard and ensure minorities’ rights in matters of language, religion and culture. The rewards of every growth process have been evenly distributed among all religious communities. Muslims, who make up the largest minority group in the nation and account for 14.2% of the total population, are particularly behind in terms of the majority of human development indices. Despite the fact that Muslims often feel underprivileged, there has not been a systematic attempt since the country’s independence to examine the situation of its religious minority. The first attempt to describe situations in the community using extensive empirical data is the report of the high-level committee on the social, economic and educational status of Muslims in India, popularly known as the Sachar Committee. It offers the framework for a well-informed discussion about Muslim situations from an equitable perspective. The present study has tried to find out the major problems faced by women who wish to pursue education at school and at higher education institutions. Overall, the major finding of the study revealed that Muslim women have faced a double disadvantage in terms of accessing educational institutions, low educational attainment and low educational quality.
Dalit Textuality and Sexuality: Narrative and Gender in Tamil Women’s Writing
Authors: Bose Arunabha
Published: June 2023

Born out of a cultural conflict and poised as the untouchable ‘other’ to the mainstream literary tradition, Dalit literature has been seen as a genre within modern Indian literature. This study is an attempt to liberate Dalit literature from home-grown nativised aesthetic modes, what Bhalchandra Nemade calls ‘Deshivad’ and to relocate it within a comparative internationalist–global frame. Using theoretical tools of narratology, feminist intersectionality and post-modernism, this study reads Bama’s Sangati (2008), Meena Kandasamy’s The Gypsy Goddess (2014) and P. Sivakami’s The Grip of Change (2015) as sophisticated aesthetic fictions (art) rather than unmediated ideological investments in Dalit experience (life).
Creating and Managing a Radically Edited Cultural Landscape: The Blue Ridge Parkway in the United States
Authors: Kapp Paul Hardin
Published: June 2023

This article explores how a contrived heritage tourism landscape was created, how its identity was marketed, and how it has influenced the culture of the contiguous region in which it resides in. During the Great Depression, the designers from the U.S. National Park Service manipulated the authenticity of the indigenous architecture and radically edited the mountain landscape in Virginia and North Carolina to create an institutionalized super-scenic motorway—the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). Spanning over four hundred miles, the BRP promotes early American mountain culture. As it approaches its centennial year of being authorized by the U.S. Congress, this recreational road continues to be a popular heritage site and supports the regional economy through heritage tourism. However, does the planning of the parkway and the management of its identity convey the region’s historic mountain culture or has it always been a created landscape for tourism that is based on a formal construct of a heritage idea, created by its designers? And for the American tourist experiencing the BRP, what is more important: the authenticity of the regional heritage or the authenticity of the contrived artefact simply put, the scenic road?
The impact of obesity on ocular hemodynamics and choroidal thickness
Authors: Tufek Melek , Nalcacioglu Pinar , Capraz Mustafa , Varol Kenan , Kaya Ahmet Turan , Aydın Nihat , Kara Caner
Published: June 2023

Background:

Obesity affects microvascular structures. The effect of obesity on the ocular vascular system can be evaluated by changes in the choroidal thickness (CT) and retrobulbar blood flow (RBF).

Objectives:

To evaluate the CT and RBF parameters in obese patients with various body mass index (BMI) values and compare these parameters with normal weight, healthy subjects.

Design:

A prospective study.

Methods:

The study included 102 eyes of 102 female patients. Patients were divided into three groups according to BMI as group 1 with a BMI of 18.5–24.99 ( n = 32), normal weight group; group 2 with a BMI of 30–34.99 ( n = 35), as obese class I; and group 3 with a BMI of 35–39.99 ( n = 35), as obese class II. The peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index, and pulsatility index values of the central retinal artery (CRA) and ophthalmic artery (OA) were evaluated with color Doppler ultrasonography. CT was measured at the subfoveal area and at 500-µm intervals nasal and temporal to the fovea up to a distance of 1500 µm by using the enhanced depth imaging technique of optical coherence tomography. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with a Goldmann applanation tonometry.

Results:

There was a significant difference in IOP values within the groups with the highest values in group 3 (17.6 ± 2.1 mmHg) and the lowest in group 1 (12.4 ± 1.7 mmHg). The CT in groups 2 and 3 was found to be statistically significantly lower than that in group 1 at all measurement points ( p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between CT at all measurement points and BMI ( p < 0.001). The mean CRA PSV, EDV, and OA EDV values were statistically significantly lower in each obese group than those values in group 1 ( p < 0.001). The OA PSV values were significantly lower in group 3 (36.5 ± 5.9 cm/s) than those in group 2 (43.8 ± 4 cm/s) and group 1 (44.6 ± 5.2 cm/s) ( p < 0.001). Also, significant associations were found between BMI and CRA PSV, CRA EDV, and OA PSV values ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Obesity may predispose to eye pathologies by changing the ocular vascular circulation.
Gender differences of fatigue in the workplace for surgeons
Authors: Merriman Jacob Thomas , Humphries James E , Ferrero Roberto , Hennessey Iain
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Previous literature identifies increased burnout in female surgeons and contributors to fatigue outside of work. However, it is not yet understood whether there are gender discrepancies of contributors to fatigue or coping mechanisms for workplace fatigue in surgeons. This study aims to identify gender differences in causes of fatigue, how fatigue occurs and any interventions/strategies that surgeons may use/know to try and mitigate the effects of fatigue.

Methods

Using an online questionnaire at a single hospital in England, the questionnaire asked whether surgeons had been subject to any contributors to fatigue at work and what contributes to their fatigue at work using a list of multiple-choice answers.

Results

97% of surgeons suffer from at least one contributor to fatigue. Females were statistically more likely to suffer from musculoskeletal injuries at work than males and more likely to suffer from mental exhaustion. Females were significantly more likely to contribute fatigue to prolonged static postures, lack of control during the shift and high levels of demand. To mitigate fatigue, females were significantly more likely to change positions whilst operating. Males were less reluctant to adopt Microbreaks during surgery to reduce musculoskeletal fatigue.

Conclusions

Our analysis identifies gender differences with coping mechanisms and the onset of fatigue. There is still a stigma attached to workplace fatigue in surgeons. Acknowledgement of these gender differences in fatigue is critical to reducing the statistical likelihood of fatigue onset in both genders. Further research should identify whether surgical operating rooms are adequately suitable for females.
Employee Perceptions of the COVID-19 Pandemic Management in Construction Sector: A Survey-Based Study of Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Showaib Ahmed , Islam Shahrin
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This article aims to signify the influences of the COVID-19 outbreak on the construction sector which resulted in project setbacks, labor shortages, work cuts, time and expense overruns, and financial uncertainty that significantly disrupted major infrastructure development programs worldwide.

Approach

In order to assess the current perception of the construction sector fighting with COVID-19, an online-based semi-structured and self-reported questionnaire survey was conducted from November 23 to November 30, 2020, involving the Project Manager, Managing Director, Project Engineer, Architect/designer, and Site Engineer. Therefore, raw data were documented (edited, sorted, and coded) by using Microsoft Excel 2019 which was later imported to IBM SPSS version 25.0 to analyze frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, ANOVA, and chi-square tests.

Findings

The majority of the respondents claimed that they have experienced financial and mental difficulties in the forms of losing their job, temporary suspension, deduction in salary, no festival bonus, delayed payment, etc. Participants demanded strict monitoring systems, sufficient medical facilities, and exact pandemic mitigation policies in both the workplace and nationwide. Furthermore, it is vital that the policy-makers should review the strategies and make the necessary adjustments to address any potential problems that arise once in a while like COVID-19.

Originality

This research will contribute to refined personnel management by analyzing the insight impacts of this pandemic prior to precarious shutoff. Policymakers will surely find it helpful enough for reviewing the current and longer-term impacts of this crisis to organize the plans and implementations regarding effective pandemic management.
Glamour Camping: A Bibliometric Study and Future Research Direction
Authors: Kumar Anil , Ahmed Waqas
Published: June 2023

The camping concept has evolved throughout time, with new segments of businesses magnetizing environmentally conscious travelers. Glamping is an abbreviation for ‘glamorous camping’, which is an emerging concept to appreciate the functionalities of camping while reducing its unpleasant aspects. The purpose of this research is to provide a bibliometric analysis of glamping. Bibliometric analysis revealed that the publication trend in the field has not swelled significantly and identified the leading authors, promising organizations, and research themes in the area. Portugal and the United States produce the most study on glamorous camping. The analysis identified four themes through keyword co-occurrence analysis. This review offers essential and meaningful information to the industry about the glamping sector. This research unveiled various market segments (e.g., couples, family-oriented tourists, and solo travelers) exhibit specific characteristics of the glamping experience. The research also ramifies and provides future research directions in the area.
Working Capital Management on the Firm’s Profitability of Steel Sector Firms in India
Authors: Garg Mahesh Chand , Singh Meentu
Published: June 2023

This study investigates the effect of working capital management (WCM) on the profitability of a sample of Indian steel companies. The analysis is based on financial data from BSE Dollex 200 steel sector firms from 2011 to 2020. The effects of WCM were determined using panel data analysis, pooled ordinary least squares (OLS), fixed effect model (FEM), and random effect model (REM). This study revealed that Inventory Conversion Period, Cash Conversion Cycle, and Accounts Payable Period significantly negatively impact the profitability of firms in the Indian steel industry.
Profiling the Australasian paramedicine tertiary academic sector and workforce: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Simpson Paul , Barr Nigel , Reid David , Boyle Malcolm , Williams Brett
Published: June 2023

Introduction

In 1994, the first Australasian paramedicine tertiary program commenced as an off-campus offering not required as an entry-to-practice qualification A quarter of a century later, university programs have proliferated with tertiary qualifications becoming mandatory to acquire Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency registration. Despite this progression, concerns have been voiced regarding student enrolment volume and sustainability of the paramedicine academic workforce. To date, a census of the sector and the workforce has not been conducted, limiting capacity for data-informed strategic planning. The aim of this study was to profile the Australasian paramedicine tertiary sector and describe the academic workforce working in it.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2022 using an online survey designed specifically for this research. The participants were discipline leaders from 19 universities or polytechnics offering entry-to-practice courses in Australia and New Zealand. Participants were asked to provide data on their course structure, organisational position, student enrolment loads and academic and non-academic staffing profiles. Simple descriptive statistics were generated to describe these data.

Results

Of the 19 eligible programs, 18 participated (response rate 90%). All but one course was at the undergraduate level; of the undergraduate courses, all but one were 3 years in duration. The academic workforce comprised 161 full-time or fractional and 727 casual paramedicine academics. Of the full-time academics, 131/161 were registered, with 45% of those holding ‘non-practicing’ status. Twenty-nine paramedicine academics (18%) had PhDs. There was 1 Professor and 10 Associate Professors, whilst 65% overall were Lecturers or Associate Lecturers.

Conclusion

This analysis represents the first description of the Australasian paramedicine tertiary sector. It reveals a diverse sector with large student enrolments and diverse course structures. The seniority of the academic workforce is skewed substantially towards lower academic levels; this shortfall in senior academics creates risk for the sector and may be symptomatic of a workforce sustainability issue.
Tribological Mechanism of Graphene and Ionic Liquid Mixed Fluid on Grinding Interface under Nanofluid Minimum Quantity Lubrication
Authors: Wang Dexiang , Zhang Yu , Zhao Qiliang , Jiang Jingliang , Liu Guoliang , Li Changhe
Published: June 2023

Graphene has superhigh thermal conductivity up to 5000 W/(m·K), extremely thin thickness, superhigh mechanical strength and nano-lamellar structure with low interlayer shear strength, making it possess great potential in minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) grinding. Meanwhile, ionic liquids (ILs) have higher thermal conductivity and better thermal stability than vegetable oils, which are frequently used as MQL grinding fluids. And ILs have extremely low vapor pressure, thereby avoiding film boiling in grinding. These excellent properties make ILs also have immense potential in MQL grinding. However, the grinding performance of graphene and ionic liquid mixed fluid under nanofluid minimum quantity lubrication (NMQL), and its tribological mechanism on abrasive grain/workpiece grinding interface, are still unclear. This research firstly evaluates the grinding performance of graphene and ionic liquid mixed nanofluids (graphene/IL nanofluids) under NMQL experimentally. The evaluation shows that graphene/IL nanofluids can further strengthen both the cooling and lubricating performances compared with MQL grinding using ILs only. The specific grinding energy and grinding force ratio can be reduced by over 40% at grinding depth of 10 μm. Workpiece machined surface roughness can be decreased by over 10%, and grinding temperature can be lowered over 50 ℃ at grinding depth of 30 μm. Aiming at the unclear tribological mechanism of graphene/IL nanofluids, molecular dynamics simulations for abrasive grain/workpiece grinding interface are performed to explore the formation mechanism of physical adsorption film. The simulations show that the grinding interface is in a boundary lubrication state. IL molecules absorb in groove-like fractures on grain wear flat face to form boundary lubrication film, and graphene nanosheets can enter into the grinding interface to further decrease the contact area between abrasive grain and workpiece. Compared with MQL grinding, the average tangential grinding force of graphene/IL nanofluids can decrease up to 10.8%. The interlayer shear effect and low interlayer shear strength of graphene nanosheets are the principal causes of enhanced lubricating performance on the grinding interface. EDS and XPS analyses are further carried out to explore the formation mechanism of chemical reaction film. The analyses show that IL base fluid happens chemical reactions with workpiece material, producing FeF2, CrF3, and BN. The fresh machined surface of workpiece is oxidized by air, producing NiO, Cr2O3 and Fe2O3. The chemical reaction film is constituted by fluorides, nitrides and oxides together. The combined action of physical adsorption film and chemical reaction film make graphene/IL nanofluids obtain excellent grinding performance.
Vegetable Oil-Based Nanolubricants in Machining: From Physicochemical Properties to Application
Authors: Zhang Xiaotian , Li Changhe , Zhou Zongming , Liu Bo , Zhang Yanbin , Yang Min , Gao Teng , Liu Mingzheng , Zhang Naiqing , Said Zafar , Sharma Shubham , Ali Hafiz Muhammad
Published: June 2023

Cutting fluid is crucial in ensuring surface quality and machining accuracy during machining. However, traditional mineral oil-based cutting fluids no longer meet modern machining’s health and environmental protection requirements. As a renewable, pollution-free alternative with excellent processing characteristics, vegetable oil has become an inevitable replacement. However, vegetable oil lacks oxidation stability, extreme pressure, and antiwear properties, which are essential for machining requirements. The physicochemical characteristics of vegetable oils and the improved methods’ application mechanism are not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the effects of viscosity, surface tension, and molecular structure of vegetable oil on cooling and lubricating properties. The mechanisms of autoxidation and high-temperature oxidation based on the molecular structure of vegetable oil are also discussed. The study further investigates the application mechanism and performance of chemical modification and antioxidant additives. The study shows that the propionic ester of methyl hydroxy-oleate obtained by epoxidation has an initial oxidation temperature of 175 ℃. The application mechanism and extreme pressure performance of conventional extreme pressure additives and nanoparticle additives were also investigated to solve the problem of insufficient oxidation resistance and extreme pressure performance of nanobiological lubricants. Finally, the study discusses the future prospects of vegetable oil for chemical modification and nanoparticle addition. The study provides theoretical guidance and technical support for the industrial application and scientific research of vegetable oil in the field of lubrication and cooling. It is expected to promote sustainable development in the manufacturing industry.
A Closed-Loop Dynamic Controller for Active Vibration Isolation Working on A Parallel Wheel-Legged Robot
Authors: Guo Fei , Wang Shoukun , Liu Daohe , Wang Junzheng
Published: June 2023

Serving the Stewart mechanism as a wheel-legged structure, the most outstanding superiority of the proposed wheel-legged hybrid robot (WLHR) is the active vibration isolation function during rolling on rugged terrain. However, it is difficult to obtain its precise dynamic model, because of the nonlinearity and uncertainty of the heavy robot. This paper presents a dynamic control framework with a decentralized structure for single wheel-leg, position tracking based on model predictive control (MPC) and adaptive impedance module from inside to outside. Through the Newton-Euler dynamic model of the Stewart mechanism, the controller first creates a predictive model by combining Newton-Raphson iteration of forward kinematic and inverse kinematic calculation of Stewart. The actuating force naturally enables each strut to stretch and retract, thereby realizing six degrees-of-freedom (6-DOFs) position-tracking for Stewart wheel-leg. The adaptive impedance control in the outermost loop adjusts environmental impedance parameters by current position and force feedback of wheel-leg along Z-axis. This adjustment allows the robot to adequately control the desired support force tracking, isolating the robot body from vibration that is generated from unknown terrain. The availability of the proposed control methodology on a physical prototype is demonstrated by tracking a Bezier curve and active vibration isolation while the robot is rolling on decelerate strips. By comparing the proportional and integral (PI) and constant impedance controllers, better performance of the proposed algorithm was operated and evaluated through displacement and force sensors internally-installed in each cylinder, as well as an inertial measurement unit (IMU) mounted on the robot body. The proposed algorithm structure significantly enhances the control accuracy and vibration isolation capacity of parallel wheel-legged robot.
Task-Oriented Topology System Synthesis of Reconfigurable Legged Mobile Lander Integrating Active and Passive Metamorphoses
Authors: Han Youcheng , Li Ziyue , Zhu Gaohan , Guo Weizhong , Yang Jianzhong , Liu Wei
Published: June 2023

To explore hostile extraterrestrial landforms and construct an engineering prototype, this paper presents the task-oriented topology system synthesis of reconfigurable legged mobile lander (ReLML) with three operation modes from adjusting, landing, to roving. Compared with our preceding works, the adjusting mode with three rotations (3R) provides a totally novel exploration approach to geometrically matching and securely arriving at complex terrains dangerous to visit currently; the landing mode is redefined by two rotations one translation (2R1T), identical with the tried-and-tested Apollo and Chang’E landers to enhance survivability via reasonable touchdown buffering motion; roving mode also utilizes 2R1T motion for good motion and force properties. The reconfigurable mechanism theory is first brought into synthesizing legged mobile lander integrating active and passive metamorphoses, composed of two types of metamorphic joints and metamorphic execution and transmission mechanisms. To reveal metamorphic principles with multiple finite motions, the finite screw theory is developed to present the procedure from unified mathematical representation, modes and source phase derivations, metamorphic joint and limb design, to final structure assembly. To identify the prototype topology, the 3D optimal selection matrix method is proposed considering three operation modes, five evaluation criteria, and two topological subsystems. Finally, simulation verifies the whole task implementation process to ensure the reasonability of design.
Point-of-care pancreatic stone protein measurement in critically ill COVID-19 patients
Authors: Melegari Gabriele , Giuliani Enrico , Di Pietro Giulia , Alberti Francesco , Campitiello Mattia , Bertellini Elisabetta ,   Consortium, Rosa Alessandra , Pioda Arianna , Battaglia Paolo , Quarto Maddalena , Ferri Enrico , Barbieri Alberto
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Pancreatic stone protein (PSP) is a novel biomarker that is reported to be increased in pneumonia and acute conditions. The primary aim of this study was to prospectively study plasma levels of PSP in a COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) population to determine how well PSP performed as a marker of mortality in comparison to other plasma biomarkers, such as C reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT).

Methods

We collected clinical data and blood samples from COVID-19 ICU patients at the time of admission (T0), 72 h later (T1), five days later (T2), and finally, seven days later. The PSP plasma level was measured with a point-of-care system; PCT and CRP levels were measured simultaneously with laboratory tests. The inclusion criteria were being a critical COVID-19 ICU patient requiring ventilatory mechanical assistance.

Results

We enrolled 21 patients and evaluated 80 blood samples; we found an increase in PSP plasma levels according to mixed model analysis over time (p < 0.001), with higher levels found in the nonsurvivor population (p < 0.001). Plasma PSP levels achieved a statistically significant result in terms of the AUROC, with a value higher than 0.7 at T0, T1, T2, and T3. The overall AUROC of PSP was 0.8271 (CI (0.73–0.93),p < 0.001). These results were not observed for CRP and PCT.

Conclusion

These first results suggest the potential advantages of monitoring PSP plasma levels through point-of-care technology, which could be useful in the absence of a specific COVID-19 biomarker. Additional data are needed to confirm these results.

Graphical Abstract
Screening for undiagnosed atrial fibrillation using a single-lead electrocardiogram at primary care visits: patient uptake and practitioner perspectives from the VITAL-AF trial
Authors: Atlas Steven J. , Ashburner Jeffrey M. , Chang Yuchiao , Borowsky Leila H. , Ellinor Patrick T. , McManus David D. , Lubitz Steven A. , Singer Daniel E.
Published: June 2023

Background

Screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) is appealing because AF is common, when undiagnosed may increase stroke risk, and stroke is preventable with anticoagulants. This study assessed patient and primary care practitioner (PCP) acceptability of screening for AF using a 30-s single-lead electrocardiogram (SL-ECG) during outpatient visits.

Methods

Secondary analyses of a cluster randomized trial. All patients ≥ 65 years old without prevalent AF seen during a 1-year period and their PCPs. Screening using a SL-ECG was performed by medical assistants during check-in at 8 intervention sites among verbally consenting patients. PCPs were notified of “possible AF” results; management was left to their discretion. Control practices continued with usual care. Following the trial, PCPs were surveyed about AF screening. Outcomes included screening uptake and results, and PCP preferences for screening.

Results

Fifteen thousand three hundred ninety three patients were seen in intervention practices (mean age 73.9 years old, 59.7% female). Screening occurred at 78% of 38,502 individual encounters, and 91% of patients completed ≥ 1 screening. The positive predictive value of a “Possible AF” result (4.7% of SL-ECG tracings) at an encounter prior to a new AF diagnosis was 9.5%. Same-day 12-lead ECGs were slightly more frequent among intervention (7.0%) than control (6.2%) encounters (p = 0.07). Among the 208 PCPs completing a survey (73.6%; 78.9% intervention, 67.7% control), most favored screening for AF (87.2% vs. 83.6%, respectively), though SL-ECG screening was favored by intervention PCPs (86%) while control PCPs favored pulse palpation (65%). Both groups were less certain if AF screening should be done outside of office visits with patch monitors (47% unsure) or consumer devices (54% unsure).

Conclusions

Though the benefits and harms of screening for AF remain uncertain, most older patients underwent screening and PCPs were able to manage SL-ECG results, supporting the feasibility of routine primary care screening. PCPs exposed to a SL-ECG device preferred it over pulse palpation. PCPs were largely uncertain about AF screening done outside of practice visits.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03515057. Registered May 3, 2018.
Comparison of two ferritin assay platforms to assess their level of agreement in measuring serum and plasma ferritin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Majoni Sandawana William , Nelson Jane , Graham Jessica , Abeyaratne Asanga , Fernandes David Kiran , Cherian Sajiv , Rathnayake Geetha , Ashford Jenna , Hocking Lynn , Cain Heather , McFarlane Robert , Lawton Paul Damian , Barzi Federica , Taylor Sean , Cass Alan
Published: June 2023

Background

Ferritin levels are used to make decisions on therapy of iron deficiency in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hyperferritinaemia, common among patients with CKD from the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia, makes use of ferritin levels as per clinical guidelines challenging.

No gold standard assay exists for measuring ferritin levels. Significant variability between results from different assays creates challenges for clinical decision-making regarding iron therapy. In the NT, different laboratories use different methods. In 2018, Territory Pathology changed the assay from Abbott ARCHITECT i1000 (AA) to Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Vitros 7600 (OCD). This was during the planning of the INtravenous iron polymaltose for First Nations Australian patients with high FERRitin levels on haemodialysis (INFERR) clinical trial. The trial design was based on AA assay ferritin levels. We compared the two assays’ level of agreement in measuring ferritin levels in CKD patients.

Methods

Samples from INFERR clinical trial participants were analysed. Other samples from patients whose testing were completed the same day on OCD analyzers and run within 24 h on AA analyzers were added to ensure wide range of ferritin levels, adding statistical strength to the comparison. Ferritin levels from both assays were compared using Pearson’s correlation, Bland–Altman, Deming and Passing-Bablok regression analyses. Differences between sample types, plasma and serum were assessed.

Results

Sixty-eight and 111 (179) samples from different patients from Central Australia and Top End of Australia, respectively, were analyzed separately and in combination. The ferritin levels ranged from 3.1 µg/L to 3354 µg/L and 3 µg/L to 2170 µg/L for AA and OCD assays respectively. Using Bland–Altman, Deming and Passing-Bablok regression methods for comparison, ferritin results were consistently 36% to 44% higher with AA than OCD assays. The bias was up to 49%. AA ferritin results were the same in serum and plasma. However, OCD ferritin results were 5% higher in serum than plasma.

Conclusions

When making clinical decisions, using ferritin results from the same assay in patients with CKD is critical. If the assay is changed, it is essential to assess agreement between results from the new and old assays. Further studies to harmonize ferritin assays are required.