Digital Commons Network^™

Review Of Detection Limits For Various Techniques For Bacterial Detection In Food Samples, Xinyi Zhao Nanolab Research Centre, Abhijnan Bhat, Christine O’Connor School Of Food Science And Environmental Health, James Curtin Faculty Of Engineering And Built Environment, Baljit Singh, Micra Biodiagnostics Technology Gateway And Health, Engineering & Materials Sciences (Hems) Research Hub, Furong Tian Nanolab Research Centre

Articles

Foodborne illnesses can be infectious and dangerous, and most of them are caused by bacteria. Some common food-related bacteria species exist widely in nature and pose a serious threat to both humans and animals; they can cause poisoning, diseases, disabilities and even death. Rapid, reliable and cost-effective methods for bacterial detection are of paramount importance in food safety and environmental monitoring. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) and electrochemical methods have been widely used in food safety and environmental monitoring. In this paper, the recent developments (2013–2023) covering PCR, LFIA and electrochemical methods for various bacterial species …

Racial Preferences In Employment After Students For Fair Admissions V. Harvard, Michael Yelnosky

Law Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Loot Boxes May Exploit Gamers, But Their Sale Does Not Constitute Unlawful Gambling, John J. Chung

Law Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Fatigue Reporting In Hellenic Skies: Attitudes, Barriers And Insights From Military, Commercial And General Aviation Pilots, Panagiotis Kioulepoglou, Katerina M. David, Vassilios Nikolaidis, Ilias Makris

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Fatigue has long been a concern in aviation, especially today, with the ever-increasing traffic volume, pilot shortage, and operations that often disrupt the body’s natural biological rhythms. Despite the implementation of sophisticated fatigue reporting schemes, aviation organizations still face challenges, as many studies indicate that pilots often encounter barriers to effectively report their fatigue. As relevant research in Greece was scarce, the main objective of this study was to explore Greek pilots' attitudes towards fatigue reporting, identify the most significant barriers, and recommend mitigation measures based on the participants' perspectives. To that end, 18 semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed …

Just Culture In Aviation: A Metaphorical Study On Aircraft Maintenance Students, Ramazan Çoban, Cengiz Mesut Bükeç

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Just Culture, a sub-dimension of safety culture, has been a prominent and debated topic in aviation safety in recent years. Just culture signifies a work environment where employees are motivated to provide essential safety-related information, but a clear distinction must be made between acceptable and unacceptable behaviours. The aim of this study is to examine the fundamental characteristics of just culture in the aviation sector. The phenomenology method, one of the qualitative research designs, has been adopted in the study. Purposeful sampling was used in the selection of participants, with the sample consisting of 78 students studying in the aircraft …

Addressing Empty Space Myopia To Enable Deep Space Travel With Extended Reality Auditory Biofeedback, Ethan Waisberg, Joshua Ong, Nasif Zaman, Phani Paladugu, Sharif Amit Kamran, Bruce Markovitz, Andrew G. Lee, Alireza Tavakkoli

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Empty space myopia is a phenomenon that has been observed in pilots when flying in the open sky. Previous research has been conducted to develop training biofeedback devices to help pilot visual accommodation in empty skies. During future long-duration spaceflight, astronauts may also experience empty space myopia due to prolonged periods of time in vast space. Extended reality is a relatively novel technology that has emerged as a powerful tool for tracking ocular movements. Extended reality with auditory feedback may serve as a low-cost, easily applicable method to improve ciliary muscle control and vision during long-duration spaceflight to combat empty …

Justifying The Cost Of Implementing Contactless Travel In Non-Primary Airports: A European Perspective, Sumeet Hassan Anwar Mr., Humna Asad Miss

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the aviation industry faces an unprecedented push towards digital transformation. This paper delves into the economic, operational, and safety imperatives of implementing contactless travel solutions in Europe's non-primary airports. By juxtaposing the substantial upfront costs against the long-term operational savings and improved passenger experience, the study presents a compelling financial justification for such investments. Drawing on case studies and current trends, the research demonstrates that, despite initial expenditures, the adoption of contactless technology is a prudent strategy that aligns with evolving consumer preferences and the heightened need for efficiency and safety. The paper …

Passenger Preferences For Ultra Long Haul Flights Vs. Connecting Flights: A Comparative Study Between Asia And Europe, Sumeet Hassan Anwar Mr., Humna Asad Miss

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

This study looks at passenger preferences in air travel, specifically ultra-long-haul and connecting flights, utilizing a comparative lens between Asia and Europe. It investigates how economic conditions, cultural differences, and regional infrastructure affect flight choices. According to the findings, Asian travelers prefer connecting flights that use hub-and-spoke networks because they are more affordable, whereas European tourists choose direct flights for time efficiency. Furthermore, the interaction between purchasing power and travel intent has a major impact on flight preferences, with business travelers favoring full-service carriers and leisure travelers preferring low-cost options. Cultural factors also influence these decisions, altering airline loyalty, service …

The Value Addition Of National Civil Aviation Policy Implementation To Airport Development In Nigeria: A Qualitative Assessment, Salisu Ojonemi Paul Phd, Prof. Chikelue Ofuebe Phd

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Through “Top Down theory of Implementation,” the study assessed the extent to which the implementation of NCAP 2013 has enhanced infrastructural transformation of airports in Nigeria. The paper discussed how the sector witnessed an accelerated infrastructural development, which situated the industry. With case study design and qualitative approach method, we found that the implementation of the policy was not discontinued. That facilitated ICAO certification of airports in Nigeria. The paper recommended the creation of Civil Airports Infrastructural Maintenance Standing Committee whose membership should be drawn from all the critical stakeholders in the industry with the responsibility of periodic turnaround maintenance.

A Scale Development Study For Evaluating The Competency Perception Of Air Traffic Controllers, Arif Tuncal, Ertan Çinar

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Ensuring the competencies that influence the performance of air traffic controllers is a key priority for the aviation sector in terms of flight safety. Notwithstanding the efforts of international organizations, the absence of a statistically valid and reliable scale in the academic literature for the measurement of air traffic controllers’ competency perceptions signifies a notable gap. The aim of the study was to develop a scale for measuring air traffic controller competency. The study sample comprised 482 air traffic controllers. Following semi-structured interviews and document analysis, an item pool was established, ensuring content validity through expert input, with a CVR …

Sofa-Surfing: The Cartographies Of Young People Utilising Host-Dependent Shelter., Kieran Green

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

In 2016, 35% of UK young people (16-25 years) reported having sofa-surfed in the past. Past research highlights that spaces where people sofa-surfing stay are often tenuous, short-lived and worsen over time, reducing mental health, educational attainment, and the ability to find work (McLoughlin, 2013; Albanese et al., 2018). However, a study has not elucidated how young people’s preferences, identities, experiences, and access to support create highly varied sofa-surfing geographies and outcomes. This study examined young people's different geographical experiences and outcomes of sofa-surfing. Specifically, I outline key sofa-surfing experiences centred on uses of space, mobility, and identity (cartographies) and …

Success Factors Facilitating Care During Escalation (The Suffice Study), Jody Ede

School of Nursing and Midwifery Theses

BACKGROUND: In the United Kingdom, there continues to be preventable National Health Service (NHS) patient deaths. Contributory factors include inadequate recognition of deterioration, poor monitoring, or delayed escalation to a higher level of care. Strategies to improve care escalation, such as vital sign scoring systems and specialist teams who manage deterioration events, have shown variable impact on patient mortality. The need for greater care improvements has consistently been identified in NHS care reviews as well as patient stories. Furthermore, current research informing escalation improvements predominantly comes from examining failure to rescue events, neglecting what can be learned from rescue or …

An Exploration Of Preconception Care For People With Health Conditions Using Realist Methodology: What Works, For Whom, And In What Circumstances?, Heather Hopper

School of Nursing and Midwifery Theses

Background: People living with pre-existing physical or mental health conditions are over-represented in audits and confidential enquiries regarding maternal morbidity and mortality and thus often advised to stabilise or optimise their health prior to becoming pregnant. Preconception care may include medication or behaviour change, which can be effective but not always accessed by those who need it, and there is a lack of evidence demonstrating how this can be achieved. The aim of this study was therefore to explore what form of preconception care for people living with health conditions works, for whom, how do these approaches work, and in …

Navigating A Complex Transition: From Qualifying As A Nurse To Becoming A Confident Practitioner., Rachel Pascoe

School of Nursing and Midwifery Theses

This thesis explores the complexities of transition to professional practice of newly qualified nurses following an undergraduate professional preparation programme. Transition to professional practice from student to qualified nurse and then to confident practitioner has been explored since the late 1960s and is recognised as a complex and multi-faceted issue for the newly qualified nurses. They can feel unprepared for clinical practice and for the organisational demands who require competent and confident personnel to join the workforce. Adopting a social constructionist approach, this study utilises a combination of diaries and interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and …

Development And Validation Of A Patient-Reported Experience Measure For Older Adults Attending The Emergency Department: The Prem-Ed 65 Study, Blair Graham

School of Nursing and Midwifery Theses

Emergency Department (ED) care traditionally focuses on resolving single-organ pathology, emphasising rapid patient flow. As such, ED care may fall short of addressing the holistic needs of older adults, where atypical and complex presentations exacerbated by frailty, comorbidity, polypharmacy, and sensory deficits are much more prevalent than in the general population. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the effects of ED crowding and prolonged length of ED stay and suffer increased in-hospital mortality as a result.Patient experience is a central determinant of quality of care and is positively associated with improved outcomes for acute conditions, including pneumonia, asthma, and acute …

Resilience Thinking And The Influence Of Street-Level Bureaucrats On The Implementation Of Eu Environmental Policies In Overseas Territories: Lessons From Gibraltar., Jaime Sanchez-Garcia

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

The policy implementation literature has provided important insights on how policy formulation processes affect the achievement of policy goals and how street-level bureaucrats (SLBs) involved in policy implementation utilise coping mechanisms to overcome shortages in resources, expertise and other local constraints. However, it has struggled to provide a systematic analysis of how contextual factors influence the work of SLBs or the implications of their coping mechanisms for the functioning of implementation systems, particularly in smaller countries and non-states territories, where mismatches between policy requirements and resources are more acute. This thesis addresses these knowledge gaps by examining the implementation of …

Andean Sediment Response To Natural And Anthropogenic Changes At The Catchment Scale, Jessica Kitch

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

Changing climate and population growth poses a challenge for the water, food and energy security nexus, particularly in glacier-fed mountainous catchments. Soil erosion, driven by both natural and anthropogenic activities, further exacerbates the challenge for resource security. Soil erosion is contributing to increased levels of sediment in river systems threatening crucial river functions, including crop irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectricity. Past studies in the Andes regarding soil erosion have indicated that human activities have accelerated soil erosion and rates often exceed natural soil production. To date, the majority of Andean studies have primarily focused on larger eastern catchments, with fewer …

Technology Impacts, Justice, Place, And Worldviews: An Integrated Framework For Understanding Perceptions Of And Attitudes Towards Shale-Gas Fracking In English Host Communities, Kechagia Magdalini

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Theses

Despite growing national opposition, local resistance, and moratoriums in Scotland and Wales, successive UK governments have supported the use of fracking to exploit oil and gas from shale formations in England in response to declining North Sea reserves and concerns about geopolitical instabilities affecting energy security. Although scholars have examined technological, justice, and socio-psychological drivers of social attitudes to fracking in order to challenge ‘Not-In-My-Back-Yard’ explanations of perceptions and attitudes, existing studies have rarely examined these factors in an integrated way. The aim of this research is to investigate whether and how an integrated approach, combining insights from the factors …

Association Of Pulmonary Artery Pressures With Mortality In Adults With Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction, Seshika Ratwatte, Simon Stewart, Geoff Strange, David Playford, David Celermajer

IHR Papers and Journal Articles

Background

The independent effect of pulmonary hypertension (PHT) severity on mortality in those with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is not well known.

Objectives

The authors aimed to examine the prognostic impact of increasingly elevated pulmonary pressures in a large clinical cohort of adults with reduced LVEF.

Methods

The authors analyzed data from the National Echocardiography Database of Australia, a large clinical registry linking routine echocardiographic investigations to mortality. In 23,675 adults with a recorded tricuspid regurgitation peak velocity (TRV) and reduced LVEF (<50%), the authors evaluated the relationship between conventional thresholds of increasing risk of PHT and mortality during median follow-up of 2.9 years (Q1-Q3: 1.0-5.4 years).

Results

Mean age was 70 ± 15 years, and 7,498 (31.7%) individuals were female. Overall, …

Considerations And Challenges In Support Of Science And Communication Of Fish Consumption Advisories For Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, Jonathan Michael Petali, Erin L. Pulster, Christopher Mccarthy, Heidi M. Pickard, Elsie M. Sunderland, Jacqueline Bangma, Courtney C. Carignan, Anna Robuck, Kathryn A. Crawford, Megan E. Romano, Rainer Lohmann, Katherine Von Stackelburg

Graduate School of Oceanography Faculty Publications

Federal, state, tribal, or local entities in the United States issue fish consumption advisories (FCAs) as guidance for safer consumption of locally caught fish containing contaminants. Fish consumption advisories have been developed for commonly detected compounds such as mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls. The existing national guidance does not specifically address the unique challenges associated with bioaccumulation and consumption risk related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). As a result, several states have derived their own PFAS-related consumption guidelines, many of which focus on one frequently detected PFAS, known as perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). However, there can be significant variation between …

The Green Rush – How Montana's Outdoor Economy Fuels Sustainable Tourism, Melissa Weddell

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

No abstract provided.

Electrophysiological Investigation Of Active-Assisted Vs Recumbent Cycling: A Pilot Study In Healthy Older Adults, Vanessa Harwood, Nicole E. Logan, Alisa Baron, Skye Richards, Raphael Dias, Alex Seng, Emily Jelfs, Christine Marie Clarkin, Christie L. Ward-Ritacco

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

There is a relationship between acute bouts of aerobic exercise and cognition in adults, yet the exact nature of this relationship remains unclear. The current pilot study aims to investigate how different modes of cycling (active-assisted cycling vs recumbent cycling) at different moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) intensity levels (prescribed 65–70% Heart Rate Max and self-selected 12–13 Rate of Perceived Exertion) modulate neurocognitive, and behavioral markers of cognition in healthy older adults. A sample of 10 adults (aged 50–74 years) participated in baseline (no exercise), active-assisted, and recumbent cycling interventions at different intensity levels. The P3 event-related potential (ERP), a neural …

Opportunities Out Of Challenges In Dental Education: Two Deans’ Perspectives, Clark M. Stanford Dds, Phd, Mha, David Johnsen Dds, Ms

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Addressing the challenges and creating opportunities in dental education requires a multifaceted approach involving curriculum innovation, technological integration, financial support, and mental health resources. Educational institutions must continue to work collaboratively with stakeholders, including government bodies, private sectors, and professional organizations, to develop sustainable solutions. We recognize this will take a multiprong approach. Dentists are great at problem-solving, and we are confident dental education will remain relevant, accessible, and of the highest quality, ultimately leading to a well-prepared dental workforce capable of meeting the rapidly evolving needs of our society.

Prioritizing Well-Being To Advance Dental Education, Sophia G. Saeed Dmd, Mba, Facd, Hubert K. Chan Dds, Facd, Carlos Smith, Romesh P. Nalliah Dds, Mhcm, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Picture this: robots restoring your teeth and placing implants, digitally created orthodontic treatment plans, 3D-printed dentures, nanohydroxyapatite remineralization of early carious lesions, artificial intelligence (AI) calculating bone loss and identifying potential caries on radiographs, wearable technology providing large amounts of health-related data. It is an exciting time for dentistry and dental education!

Now consider this: the greatest number of faculty vacancies ever in the modern history of dental education, fewer tenured positions than ever before, below-market salaries for dental educators, continually declining reimbursement rates from third-party payers, growing health inequities among the richest and poorest patients, and an increasingly medically …

Analysing M. Avium-Macrophage Interactions And Establishing A Long-Term Infection In A Novel And Realistic Model Of Lung Alveolar Macrophages, Max Planck Institute Cells, Sanduni Avishka Thantri Hewage Peiris

Other Faculty of Health Theses

Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) are species of the non-tuberculous branch of the Mycobacteria family that is responsible for the development of pulmonary lung disease in immunocompromised individuals. One of the first lines of defence from the host involve a specialised group of tissue macrophages that reside in the lung alveolar space called alveolar macrophages (AM). They have specialised functions that are suitable for recognition of foreign invaders and the ability to tackle these threats though means of a robust immune response. Alternatively, they also feature as key components in a fairly destructive uncontrolled inflammatory response which is the root cause …

Rhythmical And Balanced Education – A Matter Of Trust And Boundaries. – A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study About Pedagogic Practice In Swedish Waldorf-Steiner Schools, Helena Selsfors

Other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Theses

Helena Selsfors, School of Society and Culture, Faculty of Education, Plymouth University Title of the study: Rhythmical and Balanced Education – a Matter of Trust and Boundaries; a Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study about Pedagogic Practice in Swedish Waldorf-Steiner Schools. This study investigates pedagogic practice in Swedish Waldorf-Steiner schools by using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Focus is on lived experiences of rhythms and balance, interpersonal processes, interaction and trust between teachers and students – connected to the mechanisms of power and control. It also investigates the experience of being part of a strong pedagogic tradition. In this study, cognition and experience are …

Integrating Natural Light For Wellbeing, Performance, And Quality Care Delivery In Healthcare Environments, Ademola Adebayo Akinbami

Other Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business Theses

The global challenge of addressing human ill-health demands a re-evaluation of the multifaceted factors impacting health outcomes. Rising health issues in society impose significant burdens on healthcare professionals, affecting their comfort, overall well-being, and performance. While issues like inadequate funding and medical equipment shortages are frequently discussed, a growing recognition centres on the pivotal role that architecture and the built environment play in shaping health outcomes. Poorly designed healthcare facilities contribute to staff shortages and poor care outcomes. Consequently, architecture's transformative potential within the built environment becomes essential in advancing human health, well-being, and productivity. Interestingly, the impact of a …

Knowledge Construction And Multiple Realities: Global Health Collaborations, Development Practices, And Face Masks In The Context Of Covid-19, Linan Zhang

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

This thesis is inspired by a global health collaborative programme named GRASPIT and by my own desire to do something good which can benefit the people in need as well as reduce suffering. The GRASPIT collaboration intended to improve post-operative outcomes, but the programme failed to deliver the expected result. Preliminary analysis by the GRASPIT team identified issues with knowledge sharing as one of the contributory causes of its failure. This prompted the reflection in this thesis upon apparent asymmetries when knowledge is shared. Quite soon after the research began, the global pandemic COVID-19 revealed the issue of having inconsistent …

Bridging The Gap: Technological Mediation And The Development Of Humanistic Skills In Medical Simulation: Lessons From Covid-19 And The Impact Of Immersive Media And Minimal Viable Simulation (Mvs), Nicholas Peres

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

This thesis provides a chronological account of the integration of innovation and technology within medical simulation and training from 2014 to 2023 at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT). Responding to the backdrop of a constantly changing technological and clinical (epidemiological) landscape, it seeks to develop a methodology for assessing the role of technology in improving medical simulation and training. The research critically challenges the current trend towards high-fidelity simulations, driven by manufacturers' technology-centric marketing strategies that frequently impose cost constraints and limit perceived educational outcomes. Motivated by the Francis Report's (2013) findings, this practice-based study explores the …

#Instafood: A Speculative Design Exploration Of The Eating Experience, Perception, Fabrication, And Consumption., Jie Yan

School of Art, Design and Architecture Theses

The discussion of dietary nutrition and the pursuit of satisfaction in eating experience has consistently attracted significant attention. While advanced technologies have been dedicated to providing solutions in these fields, the challenge of increasingly complex and diverse dietary needs requires more innovative approaches. Grounded in speculative design, this study introduces InstaFood, an approach to personalized eating for well-being. It speculates a future possibility of influencing intake by manipulating food-related visual cues, through a combination of perceptual impacts, social media image-based investigations, and digital fabrication.Research on crossmodal perception in psychology establishes a theoretical framework that links visual characteristics to food perception, …