Quantum memories are critical for solid-state quantum computing devices and a good quantum memory requires both long storage time and fast read/write operations. A promising system is the ...nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond, where the NV electronic spin serves as the computing qubit and a nearby nuclear spin as the memory qubit. Previous works used remote, weakly coupled 13C nuclear spins, trading read/write speed for long storage time. Here we focus instead on the intrinsic strongly coupled 14N nuclear spin. We first quantitatively understand its decoherence mechanism, identifying as its source the electronic spin that acts as a quantum fluctuator. We then propose a scheme to protect the quantum memory from the fluctuating noise by applying dynamical decoupling on the environment itself. We demonstrate a factor of 3 enhancement of the storage time in a proof-of-principle experiment, showing the potential for a quantum memory that combines fast operation with long coherence time.
This study investigated the potential of Virtual Reality (VR), using 360-degree (360°) videos, as a tool to teach children about water-safety skills. Children (n = 182) aged 10–12 years were randomly ...assigned to learn about water safety using one of three instructional mediums: 360° VR videos, traditional video, or poster. The training was designed to address specific themes that contributed to drowning in coastal environments, allowing children to learn about dangers of rip currents in a relatively safe environment. Overall, 95% showed improved knowledge of water safety after participating in the water-safety workshop and retained their knowledge during the subsequent tests both one and eight weeks later. No difference was found in the learning outcomes obtained across the three mediums; however, participants in the 360° VR medium reported higher levels of interest and enjoyment than participants using the other two mediums (91% of students in the 360° VR video group found the activity engaging versus 61% for traditional video and 51% for the poster). Teacher feedback also indicated that 360° VR videos are a useful, engaging, and effective method of learning. Overall, we found support for the hypothesis that 360° VR videos are a useful tool to teach targeted skills, and that using 360° VR videos is more motivating and engaging than using traditional learning methods. We also found evidence to support the hypothesis that 360° VR videos are an effective tool for self-directed learning.
•A 360°virtual reality (VR) water-safety training program for children was evaluated.•Children learned from the program and retained this knowledge for up to 8 weeks.•Children were more engaged by the 360°VR program than traditional teaching methods.
We examined whether burnout, depression, anxiety, stress, lifetime suicidal ideation, self-efficacy in preventing suicide and demographic factors predicted the understanding of and willingness to ...help suicidal patients among hospital healthcare workers. A total of 368 healthcare workers from the major surgical and medical departments in a general hospital setting were recruited. Participants responded to the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, Self-efficacy in Suicide Prevention, and Understanding Suicide Attempt Patient Scale. Those from the psychiatric department, with higher suicide prevention self-efficacy, and lower personal accomplishment indicated more understanding and helpful attitudes; doctors, depressed and anxious healthcare workers reported less understanding and helpful attitudes. Suicide prevention efforts must be conducted in tandem with equipping and supporting the healthcare workers who manage suicidal patients.
This cross-sectional study, involving conveniently chosen respondents in the Klang Valley area, was designed to answer the question “Can EQ-5D be used as a QOL instrument in the National Health ...Morbidity Survey in Malaysia?”. The chosen versions (Malay, Tamil, and Mandarin) of the translated EQ-5D were tested for their reliability and validity. After a written consent was obtained from each respondent, a standardized questionnaire for self-completion was given. It took an average of 10–15 min to complete the questionnaire. Each respondent who returned the completed questionnaire was approached again with an identical copy of the questionnaire to assess the test-retest reliability after a 2-week interval. Reliability was assessed by analyzing the study instrument’s test-retest reliability, while a predictive validity was used to investigate the predictive strength of a composite index of the five factors of EQ-5D (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) on the overall perceived health (EQ VAS). An intraclass correlation (ICC), generated based on a single rate using the one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) model, was used to evaluate the test-retest reliability (Streiner and Norman
1995
), while spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to quantify the predictive strength of a composite index of the five factors of EQ-5D on the overall perceived health (EQ VAS) (Elmes et al.
2006
). It was surprising to note 1–2 folds increase in the reported cases for pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression, the same trend was observed across different versions of EQ-5D. The ICC values were found to be in the range of <0.01 to 0.92, while 0.61–0.86 were the range for the spearman rank correlation coefficient value. The findings in this study demonstrated the EQ-5D questionnaires translated by the EuroQOL Group had reasonable test-retest reliability and predictive validity results. With these results, it is hoped that these instruments will be incorporated into future National Health Morbidity Survey in Malaysia.
Abstract High-dose aspirin has been reported to aggravate coronary artery spasm (CAS). However, it is unknown whether low-dose aspirin (LDA; 100 mg) has deleterious impact on CAS. We assessed the ...impact of LDA on CAS induced by intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh) provocation test. A total of 2789 consecutive patients without significant coronary artery disease who underwent ACh test between November 2004 and March 2010 were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups: the aspirin group taking LDA before ACh test ( n = 221) and the no aspirin group not taking aspirin ( n = 2568). At baseline, the prevalence of old age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were higher in the aspirin group. During the ACh test, the incidence of significant CAS, ischemic chest pain, as well as severe and multivessel spasm was higher in the aspirin group. The response rate to lower ACh dose was higher in the aspirin group. Multivariate analysis showed that the previous use of LDA was an independent predictor of CAS (adjusted odds ratio, 1.6, 95% confidence interval, 1.0–2.3; p = 0.031). However, it is likely that the association of LDA and CAS that we have observed is not causal but may be hypothesis generating due to significant baseline differences. Further, male gender, old age, lipid-lowering drugs, baseline spasm, and myocardial bridge were independent predictors of CAS. LDA was more frequently associated with CAS and ischemic symptoms, as well as severe and multivessel spasm, suggesting the patients who have received LDA would require more intensive medical therapies and close follow up.
Objective
The coefficients for the Trauma and Injury Severity Score are derived from the Major Trauma Outcome Study (MTOS) in North America, so the applicability of the MTOS-Trauma and Injury ...Severity Score (TRISS) in different populations remains challenging. This study proposed an alternate TRISS model called National Trauma Database-TRISS, where the coefficients were derived from the National Trauma Database (NTrD) in Malaysia.
Methods
This study utilised data derived from the National Trauma Database in Malaysia with 70% of the cases being used to develop the NTrD-TRISS model, while model validation was conducted based on the remaining 30% of cases. Fractional polynomial method was applied to correct the non-linearity in the logit of Injury Severity Score (ISS) and New Injury Severity Score (NISS). The predictive validity of the NTrD-TRISS model was compared with the MTOS-TRISS model. The predictive validity of these models was further examined with ISS and NISS.
Results
A total of 5857 major trauma cases reported to 13 trauma centres located throughout Malaysia for patients aged 16 and above were included in the study. The outcome prediction in trauma from NTrD-TRISS model was found to be more accurate compared to the MTOS-TRISS model.
Conclusions
This study has ascertained the applicability of the MTOS-TRISS model in Malaysia. The outcome prediction in trauma from the NTrD-TRISS was found to outperform the MTOS-TRISS model. Given the complex computational nature of ISS, the MTOS-TRISS and NTrD-TRISS models with NISS were recommended for future practical usage.
Introduction: Older adults are at a greater risk of injury and death in a motor-vehicle accident. While the ability to drive safely can be challenging with aging, the concept of self-regulation and ...associated support system have attracted more attention in recent years, especially in developed countries. This review describes the mechanism and summarizes the potential factors that influenced self-regulation of driving amongst older adults to provide new insights into a broader framework for transportation and safe mobility. Methods: We systematically searched 12 online databases for qualitative studies exploring the experiences of older adults aged 60 years and above on their decision to self-regulate their driving. Thematic synthesis was performed to identify elements influencing driving reduction and cessation. The confidence profile of each findings from the meta-synthesis was appraised using the Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research (CERQual) tool. Results: A total of 17 studies representing views of 712 older adults from four countries were included. Three major themes were identified with each representing a transition phase that can either facilitate or hinder older drivers from ceasing completely or reducing their driving, when transitioning from pre-decision phase to post-cessation phase. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that there is a mismatch between the current traffic collation prevention measures, such as age-specific mandatory license renewal system and travel needs of older adults. As such, it is time for the authorities, researchers, and public from various fields and perspectives to collaborate, sustain, and improve safety and mobility in older adults. Practical applications: Adequate regulations and guidelines from the medical community and legal authorities are warranted to assist older adults and caregivers. Social support (e.g., feedback, assurance, or transportation support) from family members, friends, and healthcare professionals are crucial for a smooth transition. Provision of alternative transportations in rural areas are needed and future interventions should focus on engaging and educating older adults to consider alternative transportation modes for mobility. Age-specific mandatory license renewal procedure can be useful in screening for at-risk groups.
•Self-awareness, priority for driving, and availability of support system are important contributors to driving self-regulation.•Educational programs, support and policy changes are needed to encourage self-regulation•Regulations, alternative transportation, and age-specific license renewal system are needed in developing countries•Limited research on older adults’ transportation and safe mobility exists in developing countries
This study examined the prevalence of academic burnout and the relationship between academic burnout and eating disorder among Monash university students for a period of one year. One hundred and ...thirty-two participants were recruited for the study via advertisement. They were invited to complete three instruments, namely Demographic Questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory – Student Survey (MBI-SS) and Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-Revised 18-item (TFEQ-18). In addition, anthropometric measurements such as weight, height, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and waist circumference were taken. All data were collected at baseline and after 6–8weeks. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Kruskal–Wallis and Bonferroni pairwise comparison tests were performed using Stata version 13. The prevalence of academic burnout after 6–8weeks was revealed to be 17.4% and 73.5% respectively for moderate and high level of academic burnout respectively. Emotional eating (EEat) scores were significantly different over levels of academic burnout after 6–8weeks (p=0.0103) while no significant differences was observed in other subscales such as cognitive restraint (CR) and uncontrolled eating (UE). These findings evidenced partial associations between academic burnout and eating disorder.
•Prevalence of academic burnout after 6-8weeks was found to be 17.4% for moderate level of academic burnout.•Prevalence of academic burnout after 6-8weeks was found to be 73.5% for high level of academic burnout.•Emotional eating subscale scores were significantly different over academic burnout levels after 6-8weeks (p=0.0103).•These findings evidenced partial associations between academic burnout and eating disorder.
Introduction: The ability to remain safe behind the wheels can become arduous with aging, yet important for sustaining local travel needs. This review aimed to explore safe mobility issues involving ...older adults and gain a broad understanding of older drivers' self-regulatory driving practices and motivators behind such behavioral changes, including strategies adopted to reduce or cease driving while maintaining safe mobility. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed on 11 online databases for quantitative studies describing self-regulation of driving amongst older adults aged 60 years and above from database inception until December 2018. Data were described narratively and, where possible, data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Results: Of the 1556 studies identified, 54 studies met the inclusion criteria and 46 studies were included in the meta-analyses. All included studies examined car drivers only. Older adults who were single or female were found to be at higher odds of driving cessation. Physical fitness, mental health, social influence, and support systems received by older adults were important driving forces influencing mobility and adjustments made in their travel patterns. Conclusions: Driving self-regulation amongst older adults is a multifaceted decision, impacting mobility and mental health. Therefore, future interventions and support systems should not only create opportunities for retaining mobility for those who have ceased driving, but also promote better psychological and social well-being for regulators and for those who are transitioning from driving to non-driving status. Practical applications: (a) Engage and educate older adults about self-regulation, including strategies that can be adopted and non-car mobility options available. (b) Expand the research focus to explore potential interactions of factors facilitating or hindering the transition process to develop a more comprehensive framework of self-regulation. (c) Encourage ongoing research to formulate, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness of policies and interventions implemented. (d) Expand the research horizon to explore and understand the perspectives of older adults from developing countries.
•Older adults who were single or female were more likely to cease driving.•Aging can affect the feelings and perceptions of older adults, which were important precursors to adopt and practice self-regulation.•Gradual driving reduction was favored over abrupt driving cessation to ensure healthy aging amongst older adults.•A research gap in developing countries exists, where mixed travel modes are common and largely involved in road crashes.
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