Nurses’ Perceptions of a Novel Health Information Technology: A Qualitative Study in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a novel health information technology (HIT), a large customizable interactive monitor (LCIM), implemented in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Specifically, we explored nurses’ perceptions of this novel HIT application and its perceived effect on family engagement. We used a qualitative research design to collect and analyze data from 55 PICU nurses in seven focus groups. A trained moderator followed a semi-structured discussion guide with questions related to perceptions, attitudes, and care team interactions with the LCIM. Groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded using content analysis procedure. Six major themes emerged from the nurse focus groups, which include familiarity and use routines, positive perceptions with the LCIM, negative perceptions with the LCIM, privacy, training, and suggestions for improvement. Insights into nurses’ perceptions of the LCIM have the potential to improve family-centered care.     

Effect of roll gap change of oval pass on interfacial slip of workpiece and roll pressure in round-oval-round pass rolling sequence

This paper presents a study of the effect of varying the roll gap of oval pass in round-oval-round pass sequence on the interfacial slip of workpiece, entrance and exit velocities, stresses and roll load that the workpiece experiences during rolling, by applying analytical method, finite element simulation and verification through hot bar rolling tests. The results have shown that the roll gap variation of oval pass affects the interfacial slip of workpiece along the groove contact and the specific roll pressure. The optimum conditions in terms of minimum interfacial slip and minimum specific roll pressure, which might influence the maximum groove life, is obtained when the subsequent round pass is completely filled.     

The under-representation of women in information technology and computing in the Middle East: A perspective from Jordan

This paper presents the results of a study on the participation of women in computing and information technology (IT) in Jordan. It investigates the percentages of women at all levels of education—from the secondary level through the graduate level—and their participation in the IT workforce. Women in Jordan are still under-represented in the computing and IT fields, and my study explores possible reasons for the under-representation and what can be done to increase women's participation. Despite the fact that the worldwide participation of women in computing has been declining steadily to very low levels, that is not the case in Jordan. This study found that the percentage of Jordanian women in the IT field is rising and far exceeds that of women in the U.S. and Canada. Indeed, increasing women's participation in computing in Jordan is vital to the economy and to the country's sustainable development.     

The Change of Structural,Optical and Thermal Properties of a PVDF/PVC Blend Containing ZnO Nanoparticles

Nanocomposites consisting of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blend containing zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were prepared. The changes of the structural, optical and thermal properties of the PVDF/PVC blend before and after addition of ZnO were studied. The shift of intensity in IR bands suggested an interaction and compatibility between the blend and ZnO. The structural properties, crystallinity and grain size of the samples were studied using X-ray diffraction. The average grain size was approximately 16 nm confirmed by TEM observations. The X-ray peak positions of ZnO in doped samples were located in the same positions as those of pure ZnO indicating the crystal structure of ZnO was not altered by its incorporation into PVDF/PVC. The estimated values of the optical energy gap from UV/Vis spectra for indirect transition decrease with increasing ZnO due to charge transfer between PVDF/PVC and ZnO nanoparticles. The thermogravimetric analysis curves showed nearly identical behaviors for all samples. Samples that contained ZnO exhibited less weight loss compared to the pure blend attributed to crosslinking formation between the blend and ZnO. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed that ZnO was uniformly distributed inside PVDF/PVC polymeric matrices and was superimposed on an amorphous background.     

Toward the ultimate goal of tritium self-sufficiency: Technical issues and requirements imposed on ARIES advanced power plants

Due to the lack of external tritium sources, all fusion power plants must demonstrate a closed tritium fuel cycle. The tritium breeding ratio (TBR) must exceed unity by a certain margin. The key question is: how large is this margin and how high should the calculated TBR be? The TBR requirement is design and breeder-dependent and evolves with time. At present, the ARIES requirement is 1.1 for the calculated overall TBR of LiPb systems. The Net TBR during plant operation could be around 1.01. The difference accounts for deficiencies in the design elements (nuclear data evaluation, neutronics code validation, and 3D modeling tools). Such a low Net TBR of 1.01 is potentially achievable in advanced designs employing advanced physics and technology. A dedicated R&D effort will reduce the difference between the calculated TBR and Net TBR. A generic breeding issue encountered in all fusion designs is whether any fusion design will over-breed or under-breed during plant operation. To achieve the required Net TBR with sufficient precision, an online control of tritium breeding is highly recommended for all fusion designs. This can easily be achieved for liquid breeders through online adjustment of Li enrichment.     

Synthesis of a 188Re-HEDP complex using carrier-free 188Re and a study of its stability and biological distribution

Labeling of disodium dihydrogen 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonate (HEDP) with ¹⁸⁸Re was studied. Stannous chloride was used as a reducing agent for the reduction of ¹⁸⁸ReO₄⁻. The dependence of the yield of ¹⁸⁸Re-HEDP complex upon the HEDP concentration, tin(II) content, reaction time, amount of antioxidant, pH, reaction temperature, and presence of carrier was examined. The optimum conditions ensuring high labeling yield of ¹⁸⁸Re-HEDP complex (91.0% with carrier-free Re and 96.5% with carrier-added Re) are as follows: 15 mg of HEDP, 2 mg of Sn(II), 4 mg of ascorbic acid, pH 1.2, 100°C, 10 min. The amount of the carrier added is 200 μg of KReO₄. The ¹⁸⁸Re-HEDP complex prepared at 100°C is more stable than that prepared at 30°C, and the carrier-added ¹⁸⁸Re-HEDP complex is more stable than the no-carrier-added complex.     

Hydrogenation of aromatics on modified platinum–alumina catalysts

Using a pulsed-micro catalytic reactor benzene and toluene were hydrogenated to cyclohexane and methylcyclohexane, respectively, in a temperature range 50–250°C. Modified catalysts containing 0.35% Pt–Al₂O₃ were investigated. Modification was carried out via (a) introducing a second metal (Ir, Rh, Re and U) and (b) fluorination and chlorination with different halogen contents of 1,3 and 6 wt%. The study revealed that (1) all catalysts show good catalytic activities in the temperature range 125–150°C, except Rh catalyst which is very active even at room temperature, (2) introducing either Ir or Re enhances Pt activity, while U inhibits this activity, (3) halogenation promotes the catalyst activity and (4) alkyl-substitution enhanced aromatic ring hydrogenation.