Abstract
Background
Globally, the health workforce has long suffered from labour shortages. This has been exacerbated by the workload increase caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Major collapses in ...healthcare systems across the world during the peak of the pandemic led to calls for strategies to alleviate the increasing job attrition problem within the healthcare sector. This turnover may worsen given the overwhelming pressures experienced by the health workforce during the pandemic, and proactive measures should be taken to retain healthcare workers. This review aims to examine the factors affecting turnover intention among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
A mixed studies systematic review was conducted. The PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases were searched from January 2020 to March 2022. The Joanna Briggs Institute’s Critical Appraisal Tools and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool version 2018 were applied by two independent researchers to critically appraise the methodological quality. Findings were synthesised using a convergent integrated approach and categorised thematically.
Results
Forty-three studies, including 39 quantitative, two qualitative and two mixed methods studies were included in this review. Eighteen were conducted in the Middle East, ten in the Americas, nine in the Asia–Pacific region and six in Europe. Nurses (
n
= 35) were included in the majority of the studies, while physicians (
n
= 13), allied health workers (
n
= 11) and healthcare administrative or management staff (
n
= 7) were included in a smaller proportion. Five themes emerged from the data synthesis: (1) fear of COVID-19 exposure, (2) psychological responses to stress, (3) socio-demographic characteristics, (4) adverse working conditions, and (5) organisational support.
Conclusions
A wide range of factors influence healthcare workers’ turnover intention in times of pandemic. Future research should be more focused on specific factors, such as working conditions or burnout, and specific vulnerable groups, including migrant healthcare workers and healthcare profession minorities, to aid policymakers in adopting strategies to support and incentivise them to retain them in their healthcare jobs.
A conceptually new approach has been developed for the fabrication of magnetite (Fe3O4)‐decorated carbon nanotubes (M‐CNTs) for negative electrodes of electrochemical supercapacitors. M‐CNTs were ...prepared by an ultrasonic‐assisted chemical synthesis method, which involved dispersion of functionalized CNTs in water, Fe3O4 formation on the CNTs surface, and particle extraction through liquid‐liquid interface (PELLI). Palmitic acid was found to be an efficient new extractor for PELLI. The slurries produced after drying and redispersing M‐CNTs and slurries obtained using PELLI were used for electrode fabrication. The electrodes prepared using PELLI showed superior performance due to reduced particle agglomeration. Testing results provided an insight into the influence of Fe3O4/CNTs mass ratio on the capacitance and capacitance retention at high charge‐discharge rates. A capacitance of 5.82 F cm−2 (145.4 F g−1) was achieved in Na2SO4 electrolyte using electrodes with high active mass of 40 mg cm−2 and ratio of active mass to current collector mass of 0.6. Good electrochemical performance was achieved at low impedance. The capacitance of the negative M‐CNTs electrodes was comparable with capacitance of advanced positive MnO2‐CNTs electrodes, which was beneficial for the fabrication of asymmetric devices. The asymmetric device has been fabricated, which showed promising performance in a voltage window of 1.6 V.
New method is introduced for the fabrication of magnetite decorated carbon nanotubes for energy storage in negative electrodes of supercapacitors. The approach is based on aqueous synthesis and liquid‐liquid extraction. The electrodes show a capacitance of 5.82 F cm−2 (145.4 F g−1) in 0.5 M Na2SO4 electrolyte at active mass of 40 mg cm−2.
Online learning in nursing education has been demonstrated to exert positive effects on knowledge, skills, learning attitudes, and confidence in performance. However, a noteworthy caveat has been ...that such benefits could vary depending on the content of pedagogical materials.
To examine the impact of online-tutorials in place of face-to-face tutorials on knowledge level and understand the perspectives of learners who experience online-tutorials.
This study adopted a mixed method experiential design in which the perspectives of learners who experience online-tutorials are embedded within the trial. Two cohort of nursing students enrolled for the module on Psychology for Nurses were recruited to evaluate the impact of online-tutorials compared to face-to-face tutorials in terms of knowledge level. Apart from the dissimilar mode of delivery, both cohorts experienced the same teaching structure, content, and assessments. Examination results from these two cohorts were compared upon completion of the course. For the online group, additional one-to-one interviews were conducted to further understand the impacts exerted by online learning on the level of knowledge among them.
There was a significant difference between the knowledge level of the two cohorts. Responses elicited during the interviews revealed five themes: lack of motivation; limited teamwork; missed learning opportunities; decreased interactions; and differences between online and face-to-face learning.
Conclusion: Online-tutorials may be a feasible pedagogical approach but the motivation to learn, teamwork and quality of discussion may be compromised due to the lack of socialization and interactions between students and tutors.
•Socializing remains an important element in the learning process.•Teaching methods and lessons need to be re-design to enhance meaningful collaboration between students.•Group dynamics and students’ comfort level in technology-based communication should be considered when planning online lesson.
Herein, a metamaterial is introduced that achieves tunable stiffness properties according to uploaded instructions, which control the phase of low‐melting‐temperature metals embedded in elastomeric ...spherical shells at selected locations within the lattice's microarchitecture. A macroscale cubic lattice of gallium‐filled silicone rubber spheres is fabricated as a proof of concept. Nickel–chromium (nichrome) wires are threaded through the spheres within each row in the lattice so that current can be applied to specific rows to melt their gallium cores, thereby achieving a drop in the lattice's stiffness. Using this approach, the lattice can achieve a 3.7× increase in stiffness at 7% strain when the gallium cores are all solid compared with when they are all liquid. Larger increases in stiffness are possible for larger compression strains and with thinner silicone shells. Lattices with solid gallium cores experience buckling when compressed, but lattices with liquid gallium cores do not. Simulations demonstrate that cores can be liquified and resolidified much faster as they are scaled down in size, thus enabling rapid metamaterial stiffness control. Shape reconfiguration is also possible by liquifying select gallium cores at desired locations within the lattice, deforming it, and then resolidifying the cores to passively retain the lattice's shape.
A metamaterial that can actively change the phase of its constituents to achieve tunable stiffness and shape reconfiguration on demand at select locations within the lattice is introduced herein. A large‐scale version of the concept is demonstrated using silicone spheres filled with gallium that can be melted using electrically heated wires.
Cyrene was used for the first time as a solvent for the fabrication of supercapacitor electrodes. This bio-derived solvent allowed the fabrication of stable surfactant-free concentrated suspensions ...of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Cyrene was found to be a green alternative to the toxic solvents for the fabrication of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) binder solutions. The interaction of dissolved PMMA with Mn3O4 nanoparticles allowed for good particle dispersion and fabrication of stable suspensions in Cyrene. Advanced slurries, containing PMMA and co-dispersed MWCNT and Mn3O4 were used for the fabrication of Mn3O4-MWCNT cathodes with active mass of 36 mg cm−2. The electrodes showed high capacitance of 3.79 F cm−2 from cyclic voltammetry data and 4.15 F cm−2 from chronopotentiometry data and good cyclic stability. High capacitance was achieved at low electrode resistance. Cyrene offers advantages for the fabrication of electrodes for energy storage devices by colloidal methods.
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•Cyrene was used as a solvent for the fabrication of supercapacitor electrodes.•Cyrene allowed dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNT) at high concentrations.•Cyrene is a green solvent for polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) binder.•Mn3O4 nanoparticles were well dispersed in PMMA solutions in Cyrene.•Mn3O4-CNT cathodes showed high capacitance and low impedance.
Given nurses' increasing international mobility, Asian internationally educated nurses (IENs) represent a critical human resource highly sought after within the global healthcare workforce. Developed ...countries have grown excessively reliant on them, leading to heightened competition among these countries. Hence, this review aims to uncover factors underlying the retention of Asian IENs in host countries to facilitate the development of more effective staff retention strategies.
A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for mixed-method systematic review. A search was undertaken across the following electronic databases for studies published in English during 2013-2022: CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO. Two of the researchers critically appraised included articles independently using the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Tools and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (version 2018). A data-based convergent integrated approach was adopted for data synthesis.
Of the 27 included articles (19 qualitative and eight quantitative), five each were conducted in Asia (Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia), Australia and Europe (Italy, Norway and the United Kingdom); four each in the United States and the Middle East (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait); two in Canada; and one each in New Zealand and South Africa. Five themes emerged from the data synthesis: (1) desire for better career prospects, (2) occupational downward mobility, (3) inequality in career advancement, (4) acculturation and (5) support system.
This systematic review investigated the factors influencing AMN retention and identified several promising retention strategies: granting them permanent residency, ensuring transparency in credentialing assessment, providing equal opportunities for career advancement, instituting induction programmes for newly employed Asian IENs, enabling families to be with them and building workplace social support. Retention strategies that embrace the Asian IENs' perspectives and experiences are envisioned to ensure a sustainable nursing workforce.
This review describes new strategies for the non-covalent functionalization and dispersion of CNT using small molecules, such as commercial bile acid salts (BAS) and organic dyes. Efficient CNT ...dispersion was achieved due to the small size, charge and unique adsorption properties of BAS and dyes, which facilitated the bundle “unzipping” mechanism. The discovery of interesting electrochemical and film-forming properties of BAS and organic dyes allowed electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of CNT films by cathodic or anodic methods. Of particular importance is the efficiency of BAS dispersants in the sorting of CNT by diameter, chirality and length. These studies allowed for the efficient separation of SWCNT by electronic type and size, which addressed the urgent needs for many advanced applications. New dispersants allowed the fabrication of functional polymer coated CNT and development of advanced techniques for the fabrication of composites. Chelating dyes were used as co-dispersants for CNT and inorganic nanoparticles. The use of BAS and organic dyes for CNT dispersion has driven the development of advanced composites, films, aerogels for electrochemical, electronic, energy generation and storage, biomedical, sensor and other applications. Colloidal and interface chemistry of new dispersing agents is emerging as a new area of technological and scientific interest.
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An asymmetric spinel-spinel supercapacitor is fabricated with negative and positive electrodes respectively consisting of Fe3O4 and Mn3O4 nanoparticles, where carbon nanotubes (CNT) serve as ...conductive additives. High performance of the individual electrodes and devices is achieved at a high active mass (AM) loading of 40 mg cm−2 of the individual electrodes. We implement a conceptually new strategy using multifunctional Celestine blue (CB) dye, which is strongly adsorbed on the spinel phases and CNT, facilitates dispersion, acts as a capping agent and allows for the fabrication of spinel decorated CNT. CB is an efficient charge transfer mediator, which allows for significant improvement of capacitive behavior. The use of CB as a charge transfer mediator allows for good utilization of capacitive properties of spinels at high AM. Mechanisms of spinel-CB-CNT interactions and charge transfer mediation are discussed. The capacitive properties of electrodes with different spinel/CNT mass ratios are tested by cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and impedance spectroscopy. The areal capacitances of 6.17 and 5.15 F cm−2 are obtained for Fe3O4 and Mn3O4 based electrodes, respectively in 0.5 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. The high capacitances are achieved for the electrodes that have low resistance. Using these electrodes, an asymmetric device is fabricated that has a capacitance of 2.41 F cm−2 in a voltage window of 1.6 V.
MnO2-carbon nanotube electrodes with high active mass loadings for supercapacitors have been fabricated with the goal of achieving a high area normalized capacitance, low impedance and enhanced ...capacitance retention at high charge-discharge rates. Interface synthesis and liquid-liquid extraction of MnO2 particles produced non-agglomerated MnO2 particles which allowed the fabrication of electrodes with good dispersion of carbon nanotubes in the MnO2 matrix. This strategy was used to fabricate electrodes with active mass loadings in the range of 21-50 mg cm−2 and mass ratios of active material to the nickel foam current collector of 0.33-0.78. The comparison of the experimental data for different extractor molecules provided an insight into the influence of the molecular structure, adsorption mechanism and interface phenomena on particle size and electrode performance. The analysis of capacitance data at different charge-discharge rates and different mass loadings was utilized to optimize electrode performance. The highest capacitance of 7.52 F cm−2 was achieved at a scan rate of 2 mV s−1 and active mass loading of 47 mg cm−2. Electrodes with mass loading of 35 mg cm−2 showed improved capacitance retention at high scan rates and the highest capacitance of 2.63 F cm−2 at a scan rate of 100 mV s−1.
With the development of the Internet, Internet vigilantism (netilantism) has emerged as a new phenomenon in recent years. Although there are several qualitative studies explaining netilantism, there ...is little empirical research on public perceptions of netilantism. This article aims to outline Hong Kong university students’ general perception of netilantism and investigate the differences between different roles in netilantism. By using empowerment theory as the theoretical framework, we will investigate whether Internet vigilantes (netilantes) (a) perceive the criminal justice system as effective, (b) possess high levels of self-efficacy in the cyber world, and (c) tend to believe netilantism can achieve social justice. Findings support the proposition that human flesh search engine is an empowerment tool for the netilante enabling him or her to achieve his goal of social justice. Different roles in netilantism (i.e., bystander, netilante, victim, and none of the above roles) have different perceptions of netilantism and the criminal justice system. The results will be explained by studying two representative cases of netilantism—the “Government Official Molestation” case and the “Cat Abuse in Shun Tin Village” case from China and Hong Kong, respectively.
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