Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Applying an E-Learning framework to explore learner nurses’ and nurse educators’ perceptions about technology platforms in nursing
Background Technological platforms provide online support systems for teaching and learning colleges and universities. However, some colleges seem to be not benefiting from these online support systems. The current paper explores the use of technological platforms in nursing education colleges by incorporating the e-learning Context Design Delivery and Outcomes (el-CDDO) framework to demonstrate the benefit of applying the technological platforms. The e-learning Context Design Delivery and Outcomes (el-CDDO) framework has been applied and is beneficial in non-nursing disciplines; however, there has been little scholarly attention paid to the use of this framework to support the delivery of information and communication technology (ICT) platforms in nursing education. Aim To adopt the el-CDDO framework in exploring the perceptions of learner nurses and nurse educators about information and communication technology platforms at the Limpopo College of Nursing. Method The exploratory-descriptive qualitative research design was adopted to explore the perceptions of learner nurses and nurse educators regarding ICT platforms that support teaching, learning, and assessment in the colleges of nursing within Limpopo Province. Focus group discussions were held with purposively selected learner nurses and nurse educators to collect qualitative data. Thematic qualitative data analysis was used to make sense of collected data according to the five dimensions of the el-CDDO framework. Results Six dimensions of the framework highlighted the perceptions of learner nurses and nurse educators about the use of ICT platforms. The perceptions are summarised as the learning context, benefits, enabling and barriers as influencing factors. Benefits include enhanced skills, knowledge, and quick thinking necessary for academic progress and patient care. Enabling factors include the willingness of learner nurses and nurse educators to use ICT platforms. Barriers include insufficient training on ICT platforms, lack of a structured ICT-integrated curriculum, and inadequate ICT skills among lecturers. Conclusion The el-CDDO framework proved effective in exploring the perceptions of learner nurses and nurse educators about the use of ICT platforms in nursing education institutions. We recommend using the framework to assess the state of ICT platforms in nursing education institutions.
Microglial depletion increases aggrecan and hyaluronan levels in the diffuse and aggregated extracellular matrix of the mouse brain
Correction: Comparing methods to classify admitted patients with SARS-CoV-2 as admitted for COVID-19 versus with incidental SARS-CoV-2: A cohort study
Effect of multimedia education on anxiety and pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a Solomon four-group randomized controlled trial
Microsoft quantum-computing claim still lacks evidence: physicists are dubious
Diaphragm excursion and thickness in patients with chronic low back pain with and without lumbar instability
Development and validation of risk prediction models for permanent hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma
An approach to the improvement of dissolution rate of inclusion complex of vat red 13 with β-cyclodextrin
Abstract The dissolution rate of hydrophobic dyes like Vat Red 13 poses a significant challenge in Vat dyeing processes due to their poor solubility in aqueous media. This study explores the formation and characterization of an inclusion complex between Vat Red 13 (VR13) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) to enhance its dissolution rate. The solid inclusion complex is prepared using two distinct techniques: physical mixture, and encapsulation by adopting a molar ratio 1:1. The enhancement of inclusion complex solubility in the liquid state was examined using the UV-Vis absorption spectrum values. The solid inclusion complex was characterized using transmission electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, and contact angle analysis. Results demonstrated a significant increase of absorption as well as obvious solubility of β-CD/VR13 compared to conventional VR13. The enhanced dissolution rate can be attributed to the encapsulation of VR13 into the hydrophobic cavity of β-cyclodextrin, which facilitates better interaction with the solvent. Moreover, the disruption of its crystalline structure, which led to the generation of more amorphous regions. The β-CD/VR13 inclusion complex minimized the amount of reducing agent needed by approximately 75% and sped up the vat dyeing process on viscose fabric. This approach offers a promising solution for improving the dyeing efficiency of Vat dyes in textile applications.
Evolution algorithm with adaptive genetic operator and dynamic scoring mechanism for large-scale sparse many-objective optimization
Association between burnout and working motivation among rehabilitation doctors: a multicentre cross-sectional study in China
Robust resolution improvement of 3D UTE-MR angiogram of normal vasculatures using super-resolution convolutional neural network
Identifying influential spreaders based on improving communication transmission model and network structure
Opportunities for physical activity in the school environment and their association with physical activity and sedentary behavior in Brazilian adolescents
Digital twin syncing for autonomous surface vessels using reinforcement learning and nonlinear model predictive control
Abstract Current control systems for autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) often disregard model uncertainties and the need to adapt dynamically to varying model parameters. This limitation hinders their ability to ensure reliable performance under complex and frequently changing maritime conditions, highlighting the need for more adaptive and robust approaches. Therefore, this study introduces an innovative approach that integrates deep reinforcement learning (DRL) with nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) to optimize the control performance and model parameters of ASVs. The primary objective is to ensure that the digital twin of the ASV remains continuously synchronized with its physical counterpart, thereby enhancing the accuracy, reliability, and adaptability of the digital twin in representing the vessel under complex and dynamic maritime conditions. Leveraging the capabilities of digital twins, agents can be trained in safety-critical applications within a risk-free virtual environment, minimizing the hazards associated with real-world experimentation. The DRL framework optimizes NMPC by tuning its parameters for peak performance and identifying unknown model parameters in real-time, ensuring precise and dependable vessel control. Extensive simulations confirm the effectiveness of this approach in improving the safety, efficiency, and reliability of ASVs. The proposed methods address critical challenges in ASV control by enhancing reliability and adaptability under dynamic conditions, providing a foundation for future advancements in autonomous maritime navigation and control system development.
Comparison of asymmetric and symmetric offset ablation in myopic astigmatism patients
Investigation of the hydraulic and thermal characteristics of a double concentric tubes with an inner twisted spiral tube
Abstract The characteristics of heat transfer and fluid flow of twisted spiral tubes with different pitches and depths have been investigated experimentally with respect to a conventional tube (smooth tube) as a particular reference. The effects of the twisted spiral pitch ratios, S/D hy , depth ratios, H/D hy , Reynolds number and flow arrangement on the thermal performance of a twisted spiral tube heat exchanger are investigated. Three twisted spiral tubes with different pitches, S, of 3.9, 5.2 and 8.2 mm corresponding to twisted spiral pitch ratios, S/D hy , of 0.278, 0.372 and 0.586; besides three twisted spiral tubes at different depths, H, of 0.6, 0.95, and 1.15 mm corresponding to twisted spiral height ratio, H/D hy , of 0.043, 0.068 and 0.082 are experimentally examined in this study. The Reynolds number, Re, ranges in both inner tube side and annular side are 5000–50,000 and 1400–10,400, respectively. The results revealed that the twisted spiral pitch ratios S/D hy of the 0.278achieved an enhancement of Nu by 38% compare to the smooth tube with a corresponding increase of 33.2% in the f. Also, the twisted spiral depths ratios, H/D hy , of 0.082 achieved higher Nu by 44.9%, compared to the smooth tube with a corresponding increase of 36.4% in the f. The thermal performance criteria reached 1.93 and 2.03 at S/D hy of 0.278 and H/D hy of 0.082, respectively. New correlations to expect Nu c and f c were predicted.