The discriminant-analysis method has been applied to optimize the exotic-beam charge recognition in a projectile fragmentation experiment. The experiment was carried out at the GSI using the fragment ...separator (FRS) to produce and select the relativistic secondary beams, and the ALADIN setup to measure their fragmentation products following collisions with Sn target nuclei. The beams of neutron poor isotopes around 124La and 107Sn were selected to study the isospin dependence of the limiting temperature of heavy nuclei by comparing with results for stable 124Sn projectiles. A dedicated detector to measure the projectile charge upstream of the reaction target was not used, and alternative methods had to be developed. The presented method, based on the multivariate discriminant analysis, allowed to increase the efficacy of charge recognition up to about 90%, which was about 20% more than achieved with the simple scalar methods.
The exploration of the phase diagram of Quantum ChromoDynamics (QCD) is
carried out by studying ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions. The energy
range covered by the CERN SPS ($\sqrt{s_{\rm ...\scriptscriptstyle{NN}}} \sim$
6-17 GeV) is ideal for the investigation of the region of the phase diagram
corresponding to finite baryochemical potential ($\mu_{\rm B}$), and has been
little explored up to now. We propose in this document a new experiment, NA60+,
that would address several observables which are fundamental for the
understanding of the phase transition from hadronic matter towards a
Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) at SPS energies. In particular, we propose to study,
as a function of the collision energy, the production of thermal dimuons from
the created system, from which one would obtain a caloric curve of the QCD
phase diagram that is sensitive to the order of the phase transition. In
addition, the measurement of a $\rho$-a$_1$ mixing contribution would provide
conclusive insights into the restoration of the chiral symmetry of QCD. In
parallel, studies of heavy quark and quarkonium production would also be
carried out, addressing the measurement of transport properties of the QGP and
the investigation of the onset of the deconfinement transition. The document
also defines an experimental set-up which couples a vertex telescope based on
monolithic active pixel sensors (MAPS) to a muon spectrometer with tracking
(GEM) and triggering (RPC) detectors within a large acceptance toroidal magnet.
Results of physics performance studies for most observables accessible to NA60+
are discussed, showing that the results of the experiment would lead to a
significant advance of our understanding of strong interaction physics. The
document has been submitted as an input to the European Particle Physics
Strategy Update 2018-2020 (http://europeanstrategyupdate.web.cern.ch/).
The Spherical Theta Pinch, formerly also referred to as low-frequency inductively coupled plasma (LF ICP) was developed at the Institute for Applied Physics in Frankfurt around 2008. It consists of a ...massive spherical coil of up to 10 windings which is arranged around a glas sphere of several 1000ml of volume. A capacitor bank is discharged through the coil, igniting a plasma inside the gas in the discharge vessel. The peak currents reach several tens of kiloamperes, the capacitor voltages more than 10kV. Gas pressures lie in the region of 1-200Pa. Average electron densities of more than 5×10 22 m -3 have been measured. This paper is meant to act as a reference and to give an overview about the former, ongoing and upcoming spherical theta pinch experiments in Frankfurt. The different investigated applications as an ion source, a VUV-flash lamp and as a plasma stripper are examined regarding their special requirements followed by the approaches which were taken to live up to those needs. A short introduction into the switch development at the institute is given, to show the subsequent replacement of lifetime limited and, in the case of ignitrons, potentially hazardous gas discharge switches by long living thyristor stacks which also contributed to the advance of the spherical theta pinch devices built. Finally an outlook on parallel and future developments is presented.
The kinetic parameters of the destructive hydrogenation process of SmCo sub 5 type permanent magnet: activation energy and reaction order with respect to gaseous hydrogen are calculated. No hydride ...phases in the permanent magnet structure resulting from hydrogenation at the hydrogen pressure of ca. 0.3 MPa in the temperature range of 273-373K are found. The effect of hydrogen pressure and temperature of the environment on the permanent magnet exploitation period are determined.
The exploration of the phase diagram of Quantum ChromoDynamics (QCD) is carried out by studying ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions. The energy range covered by the CERN SPS (\(\sqrt{s_{\rm ...\scriptscriptstyle{NN}}} \sim\) 6-17 GeV) is ideal for the investigation of the region of the phase diagram corresponding to finite baryochemical potential (\(\mu_{\rm B}\)), and has been little explored up to now. We propose in this document a new experiment, NA60+, that would address several observables which are fundamental for the understanding of the phase transition from hadronic matter towards a Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) at SPS energies. In particular, we propose to study, as a function of the collision energy, the production of thermal dimuons from the created system, from which one would obtain a caloric curve of the QCD phase diagram that is sensitive to the order of the phase transition. In addition, the measurement of a \(\rho\)-a\(_1\) mixing contribution would provide conclusive insights into the restoration of the chiral symmetry of QCD. In parallel, studies of heavy quark and quarkonium production would also be carried out, addressing the measurement of transport properties of the QGP and the investigation of the onset of the deconfinement transition. The document also defines an experimental set-up which couples a vertex telescope based on monolithic active pixel sensors (MAPS) to a muon spectrometer with tracking (GEM) and triggering (RPC) detectors within a large acceptance toroidal magnet. Results of physics performance studies for most observables accessible to NA60+ are discussed, showing that the results of the experiment would lead to a significant advance of our understanding of strong interaction physics. The document has been submitted as an input to the European Particle Physics Strategy Update 2018-2020 (http://europeanstrategyupdate.web.cern.ch/).
Aims
The aim of this study was to describe the nurse–patient relationships and to study how caring behaviours were described. The review question was: What factors influence the caring relationship ...between a nurse and patient?
Background
There is a growing perception that nurses fail to provide compassionate and competent care. Policy documents prescribe compassion as an essential aspect of care; however, the evidence drawn on remains unclear and without clear applications to practice.
Design
Umbrella review methodology, informed by the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, was employed and adapted to enable the inclusion of systematic reviews that were of sufficient methodological quality.
Data sources
An extensive PsychInfo, Pubmed, CINAHL, Scopus, WoS and Embase search was conducted for literature published from January 2000 ‐ March 2014. Key words included ‘nurse’, ‘patient’ and ‘relationship’ in combination with index terms to find literature published from 2000 onward.
Review methods
Critical appraisal, data extraction and synthesis were carried out according to existing guidelines for undertaking umbrella reviews.
Results
Twelve reviews (representing over 290 studies) were included following critical appraisal. Forty‐seven findings were extracted, resulting in 14 categories and six synthesized findings; ‘Expectations of the relationships’ ‘Values’, ‘Knowledge and skills’, ‘Communication’, ‘Context and environment’ and ‘The impact of the relationship’.
Conclusions
A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that both patients and nurses have expectations about the nature and importance of the caring relationship. Nurses should be mindful that their behaviours and attitudes need to align with what patients value about the relationship. Context shapes the relationship in positive and negative ways.
Aims
The aim of this study was to measure the level of missed nursing care and determine its relationship with nurse staffing and patient safety outcomes in acute care settings in Ethiopia.
...Background
Missed nursing care in hospitals increases the likelihood of patient adverse events, complications, disability and death. However, little is known about the level of missed nursing care and its impact on patient outcomes in low‐income countries.
Methods
An observational study was conducted comprising of a survey of nurses at two time points (n = 74 and 80, respectively) and a medical record review of 517 patients in four units across two hospitals between September 2018 and March 2019.
Results
The level of missed nursing care in the study units was very high. The hospital type and hours nurses worked during the last week were significantly associated with missed nursing care. A unit increase in missed nursing care score increased the incidence of adverse patient outcomes by 10%.
Conclusion
There was a higher level of missed nursing care in the study units compared with similar studies from high‐income countries. Higher level of missed nursing care was significantly associated with higher incidence of adverse patient safety outcomes.
Summary statement
What is already known about this topic?
Literature shows nurses working in acute care miss important nursing care activities mainly due to lack of time to perform those nursing care activities.
What this paper adds?
The level of missed nursing care in the low‐income country acute care units of the study hospitals is very high compared with other settings.
Higher levels of missed nursing care were statistically associated with increase adverse patient safety outcomes, whereas lower levels of missed nursing care were statistically associated with improved patient outcomes.
The implication of this paper
Hospital administrators and nurse managers should work towards reducing missed nursing care through regular monitoring of nursing practice and improved staffing levels.
Mechanisms to improve staffing and resource are required to enable nurses enough time to perform all essential nursing care activities for patients.
The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach is accepted methodology to assess the certainty of the evidence included in systematic reviews and clinical ...practice guidelines. The GRADE approach is endorsed globally, in Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council advocated for the use of the GRADE approach in 2011. The purpose of this methodological review was to assess how GRADE has been adopted for Australian practice guidelines.
This methodological review searched of the National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Practice Guidelines Portal from 2011 to 2018, in an effort to retrieve all practice guidelines available via this medium.
240 guidelines were retrieved authored by 51 different organizations. 15 guidelines followed GRADE methodology. Application of GRADE methods varied between guidelines, some misreported and altered aspects of the GRADE process. Guidelines that closely adhered to the guidance from the GRADE Working Group scored higher in domain 3 (rigor of development) of the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II tool, indicating a positive linear relationship between GRADE adherence and rigor of development scores.
The results of our project suggest that the use of GRADE in Australian guidelines is increasing, however, strategies to increase uptake and reporting within the guideline community need to be explored.
•Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) use in Australia is increasing following the advocacy by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for the GRADE approach.•However, the guidelines that followed GRADE methods were still in the minority of all Australian clinical practice guidelines indexed in the NHMRC clinical guidelines portal.•This article compares guideline quality with adherence to the GRADE approach and suggests recommendations to improve the use of GRADE methods for future Australian clinical practice guidelines.
Patient safety is a major concern for health care systems in both high-income and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Nurses play a key role in ensuring patient safety. Existing research on ...nurses' perception of patient safety is limited to high-income countries and there is a relative scarcity of evidence on the perceptions of nurses from LMICs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore nurses' perceptions and experiences of the provision of patient care and its impact on patient safety, and nurses' own health and wellbeing.
An exploratory descriptive qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews was conducted in two hospitals' medical and surgical units in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. Purposeful sampling was used for the selection of participants. Thirteen nurses were interviewed. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 12.
Three major themes were identified: nurses are concerned about patient safety and quality of care provided; nurses' own health and wellbeing; and lack of support for nursing practice from hospital administration. Nurses reported that their working units were not suitable to ensure safe and quality patient care. Their level of concern differed from one unit to another. Inadequate nurse staffing and material resources, unfavourable work environment, and lack of appropriate leadership support for nursing practice were among the main challenges reported by nurses.
Nurses described that they were committed to providing high-quality nursing care. However, they did not feel that their work environment was conducive to facilitating this care. Ensuring a favourable work environment for nurses would help to improve the quality of patient care, and in the reduction of nurses' turnover.
•Nurses express their concern patients are exposed to unsafe patient care practices and they themselves are exposed to occupational injuries.•Inadequate nurse staffing and material resources, unfavourable work environment, and lack of appropriate leadership support for nursing practice were among the main challenges reported by nurses.•Inadequate managerial support for nursing practice created frustration among nursing staff and trigger their intention to leave their working institution and their profession.
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