•A compact silicon-based manifold microchannel heat sink with SiNW coatings was designed.•Flow boiling characteristics of the manifold microchannel with DI water were investigated.•Improvement in ...heat transfer and reduction of pressure loss were found with the SiNWs device.•A heat flux of 431.3 W/cm2 was achieved under certain experimental conditions.•Wall temperature fluctuation and flow pattern results show the effective flow instability control.
An experimental study was carried out to investigate the heat transfer, pressure drop and flow instability characteristics associated with the flow pattern of deionized water during two-phase boiling in a silicon-based manifold microchannel heat sink coated with silicon nanowires (SiNWs) compared to a plain-wall device. The manifold microchannel device featured parallel transverse microchannels etched on a silicon substrate and longitudinal microchannels etched on a glass cover plate. Silicon nanowires were generated on the bottom and the sidewalls of the silicon microchannels. A closed-loop experimental system was constructed to demonstrate thermal and hydraulic performance. Experimental results were presented with mass fluxes ranging from 250 to 1250 kg/m2 s and subcooled inlet temperatures from 15 K to 65 K. Results for the SiNWs device showed an approximate 20% improvement in heat flux rejection compared to the plain-wall device under the same wall superheat conditions. A subcooled inlet temperature of 65 K associated with a mass flux of 1250 kg/m2 s is shown to be capable of dissipating an effective heat flux of 431.3 W/cm2 with a wall superheat of about 85 K. Overall, the SiNW coatings proved positive effects on enhancing the flow boiling heat transfer with slower pressure drop increase, meanwhile the three-dimensional manifold microchannel design is revealed to effectively mitigate flow instability during the entire single and two-phase flow regions. This indicates great potential in utilizing three-dimensional flows by integrating SiNWs surface structures in high heat flux cooling applications.
Aims
We examined the possible factors that contributed to or prevented developing depressive symptoms among psychiatric nurses who suffered from workplace violence under Hill's ABC‐X Model.
...Background
Workplace violence‐related depressive symptoms are some of the major causes leading to impaired quality of life of victims and a heavy burden on society.
Design
This is a cross‐sectional and correlational study.
Method
All participants were recruited from psychiatric wards of six hospitals in Taiwan. The data were collected through structured questionnaires from October 2013–March 2014 and a total of 278 psychiatric wards nurses participated in this study and completed all questionnaires. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationships among types and severity of violence, social support and depressive symptoms.
Results
Of assaulted psychiatric ward nurses, 75.9% had depressive symptoms and those with higher family support had significantly lower depressive symptoms.
Conclusions
Family support plays the most important role among assaulted psychiatric ward nurses as a protective factor against developing depressive symptoms in this study.
Aims and objectives
To explore the practice related to mobile instant messaging applications usage among home healthcare providers in Taiwan; and based on the unified theory of acceptance and usage ...of technology and perceived risk theory to examine the influencing factors.
Background
Previous work has indicated the potential for using mobile instant messaging applications in chronic disease, disasters and public health emergencies. However, few studies have conducted to understand how healthcare professionals use them.
Design
A cross‐sectional design was used in the study.
Methods
A wide‐ranging empirical investigation was conducted in Taiwan. A total of 102 home agencies participated in this study, and 331 valid data were collected. The ODS guideline was followed.
Results
69% of the participants had used mobile instant messaging applications, with high functionality and interesting value can integrate various messages and contribute to adoption. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence were significantly positively correlated with behavioral intention. The perceived risk had a significant negative correlation with performance expectancy and use behavior. Among the relevant influencing factors, different types of organization, job position, and institutional policy were related to significant differences in use behaviors.
Conclusions
Our research reported on mobile instant messaging applications usage and behavioral intention among home healthcare providers. This study also highlighted the need to establish regulations within the applications and improve safety and security guidelines. Further research may extend the understanding of the organizations’ influencing factors.
Relevance to clinical practice
This study may help programmers, managers and policymakers improve their strategies for expanding usage of mobile instant messaging applications.
The continuing attention to the educational value of digital games highlights the need for more focused literature reviews in order to identify critical gaps and opportunities in domain-specific ...areas. The current study thus set out to provide a scoping overview of empirical evidence on the use and impacts of digital games in language education from 2007 to 2016, as a means to advance the emerging research on digital game-based language learning (DGBLL). A total of 50 selected studies were systematically analyzed, revealing the following findings: (1) Most of the selected DGBLL studies adopted mixed methods to examine the educational use of digital games; (2) Immersive games, notably massively multiplayer online role-playing games, were the most common genre in the current DGBLL literature; (3) Most of the games for language learning were custom-built by DGBLL researchers; (4) Personal computers were the most common platforms for playing games to support language learning; (5) Most of the DGBLL studies adopted games to facilitate the learning of English as a second or foreign language; (6) Most of the research on DGBLL investigated learners with mixed levels of language proficiency; (7) University students were the most frequently selected samples in the existing DGBLL literature; and (8) The majority of DGBLL studies featured positive outcomes in regard to student learning, with the most frequently reported ones being related to affective or psychological states, closely followed by language acquisition. Taken as a whole, these findings reflect the diverse nature of this field and suggest the overall feasibility of using digital games for promoting the language and literacy learning of both native and non-native speakers in various aspects. Several promising but under-researched areas were also identified in this review, along with discussions on their implications for future investigations.
•A review of empirical studies on digital games for language learning was conducted.•A variety of game genres were identified, with immersive games being most popular.•Most of the studies adopted games to facilitate the teaching and learning of English.•The reviewed studies featured positive student learning outcomes in various aspects.•Several promising but under-researched areas were discussed with suggestions.
Purpose
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of current studies to determine whether exercise affects chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) symptoms in cancer patients.
Design
...The Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PubMed, and National Central Library databases, and the reference lists of the included studies were surveyed. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) extension checklist for non-pharmacologic treatment was used to evaluate the literature.
Setting and participants
Exercise interventions offered in hospitals or at home. A total of 178 participants from 5 studies were assessed in the meta-analysis, with their mean age ranging from 48.56 to 71.82 years.
Methods
The randomized control trials were summarized in a systematic review. The effects of the exercise interventions were compiled for meta-analysis. A forest plot was constructed using a fixed effect model to obtain a pooled mean difference.
Results
The pooled results indicated that exercise interventions significantly improved the CIPN symptoms of the participants (mean difference: 0.5319; 95% confidence interval: 0.2295 to 0.8344;
Z
= 3.45;
P
= 0.0006). A combination of exercise protocols including a nerve gliding exercise intervention was found to have improved CIPN symptoms. In addition, a sensorimotor-based exercise intervention was found to have reduced CIPN-induced loss of postural stability.
Conclusions and implications
The findings indicated that the effects of exercise could improve CIPN symptoms in cancer patients. Nevertheless, further investigations of different exercise protocols and intensity of intervention utilizing larger sample sizes and more specific outcome measures will further inform the best practices for cancer patients.
Aims
To evaluate the effect of earplugs and eye masks on the sleep quality of patients in intensive care unit (ICU).
Design
Systematic review and meta‐analysis.
Data Sources
Randomized controlled ...trial studies conducted before May 5, 2020 were searched for in Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and Index to Taiwan Periodical Literature System databases.
Review Methods
Analyses in this study were according to the PRISMA statement. The heterogeneity of the data was investigated through sub‐group analysis while a meta‐analysis was performed using the Review Manager 5.3 software.
Results
A total of 797 patients from 13 studies were included in this study. Without considering alone or combined use of earplugs and eye masks, the meta‐analysis supported that there was a significant effect on self‐reported sleep quality. The overall standardized mean difference of the effect size was 1.44 (95% confidence interval CI: 0.80, 2.09). Sub‐group analysis indicated that the use of earplugs alone had no significant effect on sleep quality (effect size: 0.07, 95% CI: −0.50, 0.64). The use of eye masks alone had a significant effect on sleep quality (effect size: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.05). The use of both earplugs and eye masks proved to have the largest effect size on sleep quality (effect size: 2.08, 95% CI: 0.95, 3.21).
Conclusion
The combined use of earplugs and eye masks or the standalone use of eye masks is a non‐invasive, economical and effective way to promote sleep quality in adult ICU patients.
Impact
Clinical nurses could use this meta‐analysis as it recommends that nurses provide adult ICU patients with either one or both earplugs and eye masks to improve the patients’ sleep quality.
Study Registration
The review protocol was registered a priori and published online in the PROSPERO database of systematic reviews (www.crd.York.ac.uk/Prospero with the registration number # CRD42021221185).
Aim and objectives
This correlation study examined the relationship among recently workplace violence, depressive tendency, social support, and resilience of victimised nurses, and we also tried to ...identify protective factors and potential targets for preventive interventions for these nurses.
Background
Workplace violence in hospitals negatively affects occupational health and safety of medical professionals, especially for emergency department nurses.
Design
A cross‐sectional, correlation research design was applied.
Methods
Hierarchical regression was used to examine data which were collected from June 2013 to December 2013 from emergency departments in Taiwan. One hundred and eighty nurses were recruited from two hospitals. Structured interviews and questionnaires were applied to collect data, including the Social Support Scale, the Resilience Scale and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression.
Results
A total of 159 (88·33%) nurses had suffered from physical or verbal violence by patients or their family. Resilience and peer support were significantly higher in the group without depressive tendency. Components of resilience of personal strength, social competence, structure style and religious beliefs were significant factors which accounted for 46·0% of variance in depressive tendency. Three of the five components of resilience: personal strength, social competence and structured style were found to have profounder effects against depressive tendency than peer support.
Conclusions
Hospital managers should establish a safer working environment for emergency department nurses and reinforce their resilience against depression when they encounter workplace violence.
Relevance to clinical practice
This study showed that three of the five components of resilience: personal strength, social competence and structured style are protective factors against depressive tendency in victimised nurses. Improving these three components with coping and problem‐solving skills by healthcare manager would be effective measures for enhancing their resilience in situations of workplace violence.
Aims and objectives
This study explored the physical and psychological effects of scar massage on burn patients.
Background
Hypertrophic scar development is highly prevalent following burn injuries. ...Scar massage may have physical and psychological effects, although evidence of its effectiveness for burn scar improvement remains inconsistent.
Design
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials and quasi‐experimental trials.
Methods
This study was conducted following the Centre of Reviews and Dissemination guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, EMBASE, and Chinese Electronic Periodical Services were searched for studies published between January 1990 and February 2022. Quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Appraisal Checklist. The final recommendation strength was assessed according to the JBI recommendation rating. A meta‐analysis was performed using Review Manager Version 5.4 software with a random‐effect model.
Results
Seven studies (420 participants) investigating scar massage for burn patients were included. The scar massage sessions lasted 5–30 min and were delivered by massage therapists 1–3 times a week for 12 weeks. Overall, scar massage decreased pain levels (standardised mean difference SMD: −2.39; 95% confidence interval CI: −3.96 to −0.83), improved scar thickness (mean difference: ‐0.05; 95% CI: −0.1 to −0.0), reduced pruritus (SMD: ‐1.89; 95% CI: −2.95 to −0.82) and reduced anxiety (SMD: ‐1.52; 95% CI: −2.73 to −0.32), but no significant effect on depression(SMD: ‐0.92; 95% CI:‐2.28 to 0.44).
Conclusions
The meta‐effects of scar massage among burn patients are significantly improved scar formation and reduced pruritus and anxiety. Providing scar massage is feasible and effective for burn patients. Future research should evaluate its long‐term effects.
Relevance to clinical practice
Scar massage is relatively convenient and effective in preventing and alleviating hypertrophic burn scarring. Further research can provide detailed suggestions for effective scar massage implementation.
A growing body of research supports dispositional mindfulness as important in influencing physical and mental health as well as physical activities in patients with chronic illnesses. Knee ...osteoarthritis (OA), which often causes health problems, is one of the most common chronic illnesses, but less is known about dispositional mindfulness in relation to this condition.
To explore possible associations between dispositional mindfulness and physical and mental health as well as physical activity in knee OA patients.
For this cross-sectional study, we recruited a purposive sample of orthopedic clinic patients in hospitals in Southern Taiwan. Instruments included the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Health-related characteristics were also measured. Demographic statistics, bivariate correlations, and multiple linear regression informed our exploration of potentially related factors for dispositional mindfulness.
Participants with knee OA (N = 250) were mostly elderly (88%), female (70.5%), and married (84%). Marital status, perceived health status, depression, and physical activity were associated with dispositional mindfulness. Better perceived health, lower depression, and greater physical activity were significantly associated with greater dispositional mindfulness. However, the severity of symptoms, fear of falling, and exercise self-efficacy did not reach statistical significance in relation to dispositional mindfulness.
Greater emphasis should be placed on the cultivation of mindfulness to enhance individuals' perceived health, decrease their depressive mood, and promote their engagement in physical activity, which could indirectly alleviate their experience of pain and improve their physical function, yielding better quality of life and well-being. Future research should focus on interventions to apply dispositional mindfulness in order to determine whether dispositional mindfulness can effectively improve physical and mental health as well as physical activity in those with knee OA.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Aim and objectives
This study aimed to determine the influence of work excitement, workplace violence and the violence prevention climate on professional commitment and turnover intention.
Background
...Workplace violence can easily cause the quality of nursing care to decline. Improvements in the working environment and working conditions can improve nurses’ professional commitment and satisfaction.
Design
A cross‐sectional multicentre study with convenience sampling was conducted. We have complied with the guidelines of STROBE Checklist in presenting this research.
Methods
Out of 900 questionnaires, 696 were deemed valid for analysis (77.33%). This study collected data on sociodemographic information, experiences of workplace violence, professional commitment, work excitement, violence prevention climate and turnover intention.
Results
The results show that professional commitment has a significant effect on turnover intention. Professional commitment positively influences work excitement, especially when the work is challenging and varied. It also indirectly influences turnover intention by generating work excitement. Workplace violence introduces an interactive moderating effect on the relationship between professional commitment and work excitement. A violence prevention climate changes the interactive moderating effect of workplace violence on professional commitment, which in turn influences turnover intention.
Conclusions
Positive work experience, institutional organisational policies and support systems are the mediating and moderating factors in the relationship between professional commitment and turnover intention. Nurses expect organisations to maintain good staff relations, provide a positive working environment and learning opportunities and strengthen communication channels, all of which affect nurse retention.
Relevance to clinical practice
Workplace violence is a serious crisis that can lead to turnover intention among hospital nurses. To enhance interpersonal relationships in the workplace and improve nurse retention, hospitals should schedule an adequate amount of staff and provide sufficient equipment and supplies to create a safe and positive work environment.
