Monitoring implementation in program evaluation with direct audio coding

This project explored the reliability and utility of transcription in coding qualitative data across two studies in a program evaluation context. The first study tested the method of direct audio coding, or coding audio files without transcripts, using qualitative data software. The presence and frequency of codes applied in direct audio coding and traditional transcription coding were compared and the two methods produced similar results. Direct audio coding was then employed in an evaluation study to monitor implementation and the method and to be reliable. Implications are discussed with considerations for both researchers and practitioners

Monitoring implementation in program evaluation with direct audio coding

This project explored the reliability and utility of transcription in coding qualitative data across two studies in a program evaluation context. The first study tested the method of direct audio coding, or coding audio files without transcripts, using qualitative data software. The presence and frequency of codes applied in direct audio coding and traditional transcription coding were compared and the two methods produced similar results. Direct audio coding was then employed in an evaluation study to monitor implementation and the method and to be reliable. Implications are discussed with considerations for both researchers and practitioners

Study protocol: Home-based physical rehabilitation for survivors of a critical illness [ACTRN12605000166673]

INTRODUCTION: Numerous primary studies and several review papers have highlighted delayed physical and psychological recovery for survivors of critical illness, often beyond 6 months after discharge. This randomized controlled trial with blinded assessment aims to test the effects of an 8-week, home-based, individually tailored physical rehabilitation programme on physical and psychological recovery for survivors of a critical illness after discharge from hospital. METHOD: Participants are survivors of a critical illness discharged from nine intensive care units (ICUs) in Australia, who are aged 18 years or older, in an ICU longer than 48 hours, discharged home to self-care or carer (non-institutional care), able to participate in physical rehabilitation, and within the hospitals' local geographical areas for home visits. The study is based in participants' home environments. Blinded assessments at weeks 1, 8 and 26 after hospital discharge examine physical functioning, exercise capacity, health-related quality of life and psychological well being. The intervention is graded, individualized endurance and strength training prescribed by a pulmonary rehabilitation physiotherapist over an 8-week period, with three home visits, five follow-up phone calls, and a printed exercise manual supporting the training. Initial focus is on lower limb exercises and walking, with warm-up stretches, and progresses to the addition of core stabilization and upper limb exercises. RESULTS: The burden of a critical illness is well documented. This novel study will determine whether a home-based physical rehabilitation programme improves the recovery trajectory for survivors of critical illness. The projected sample size of 200 patients aims to detect a clinically important 10% improvement in physical functioning. The study will also examine whether other important physical and psychological measures are improved. CONCLUSION: This multicentre, randomized controlled trial will examine outcomes that are meaningful to patients, their family and society, namely functional ability and well being. The study will also target a health problem that is likely to increase as the population ages. If the programme is effective, it will provide a model that can be easily adapted and adopted by existing primary care or community services to improve the recovery of individuals following critical illness

Reliability of self reported smoking status by pregnant women for estimating smoking prevalence: a retrospective, cross sectional study

Objective To determine what impact reliance on self reported smoking status during pregnancy has on both the accuracy of smoking prevalence figures and access to smoking cessation services for pregnant women in Scotland

Cu2ZnSiS4

Single crystals of Cu2ZnSiS4, dicopper(I) zinc silicon tetrasulfide, have been prepared via high-temperature solid-state synthesis. Cu2ZnSiS4 was found to have the wurtz-stannite structure type, like that of Li2CdGeS4, Li2CdSnS4, and Cu2CdSiS4. Each sulfur anion is tetra­hedrally coordinated by two Cu cations, one Si cation, and one Zn cation, forming a three-dimensional honeycomb structure. When viewed along the c axis, the atoms are aligned in rows in which each cation alternates with the sulfur anions

Bis[2,2′-(2-amino­ethyl­imino)­di(ethyl­ammonium)] di-μ-sulfido-bis[disulfido­stannate(IV)]

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, (C6H20N4)2[Sn2S6], comprises half of a [Sn2S6]4− anion and a diprotonated tris­(2-amino­eth­yl)amine cation. The anion lies on an inversion center, while the atoms of the cation occupy general positions. An intra­molecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bond is observed in the cation. In the crystal, strong N—H⋯S hydrogen bonding between the terminal sulfur atoms of the anion and the protonated amine N atoms of the cations result in a three-dimensional network

Preparation, Crystal Structure, Thermal Analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Optical Band-Gaps of Cu2GeTe4 and Cu2SnTe4 Alloys

Polycrystalline samples (weight ~ 1g) of Cu 2 GeTe 4 and Cu 2 SnTe 4 alloys were prepared by the usual melt and anneal method and the products characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Optical Diffuse Reflectance UV / VIS / NIR Spectroscopytechniques. It was found that: a) Cu 2 GeTe 4 and Cu 2 SnTe 4 crystallize in an orthorhombic structure (sg Imm2; N o44) with lattice parameters a = 5.9281 (4) Å, b = 4.2211 (6) Å, c = 12.645 (5) Å and a = 6.0375 (6) Å, b = 4.2706 (3) Å, c = 12.844 (1 ) Å, respectively; b) both alloys show two thermal transitions: 762 and 636K upon heating and; 700 and 578K upon cooling for Cu 2 GeTe 4 ; 702 and 636K upon heating and; 650 and 590K upon cooling for Cu 2 SnTe 4 ; c) both alloys present large deviations of stoichiometry for the cations Cu (~ 35%), Ge (7.2%) and Sn (26.4%) and minor deviation within the experimental error, for the anion Te; and, d) the measured optical band gaps were 0.63 and 0.53 eV for Cu 2 SnTe 4 and Cu 2 GeTe 4 , respectively.Polycrystalline samples (weight ~ 1 g) of the Cu 2 GeTe 4 and Cu 2 SnTe 4 alloys were prepared by the melting and annealing method and the products characterized by the techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermal Differential Analysis (ATD). ), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and UV / VIS / CIR diffuse optical reflectance spectroscopy. It was found that: a) Cu 2 GeTe 4 and Cu 2 SnTe 4 crystallize in an orthorhombic structure (ge Imm2; N o44) with network parameters a = 5.9281 (4) Å, b = 4.2211 (6) Å, c = 12.645 (5) Å and a = 6.0375 (6) Å, b = 4.2706 (3) Å, c = 12.844 (1) Å, respectively; b) both alloys show two thermal transitions: 762 and 636K when heating and; 700 and 578K after cooling for Cu 2 GeTe 4 ; 702 and 636K when heating and; 650 and 590K after cooling for Cu 2 SnTe 4 ; c) both alloys present important stoichiometric deviations in their cations: Cu (~ 35%), Ge (7.2%) and Sn (26.4%) and lower than the experimental error for the anion Te; and d) the optical energy gaps measured were 0.63 and 0.53 eV for Cu 2 SnTe 4 and Cu 2 GeTe 4, respectively

Building-Block Approach to the Discovery of Na8Mn2(Ge2Se6)2: A Polar Chalcogenide Exhibiting Promising Harmonic Generation Signals with a High Laser-Induced Damage Threshold

A new polar quaternary chalcogenide, Na8Mn2(Ge2Se6)2, has been synthesized using the building-block approach by reacting preformed Na6Ge2Se6 and MnCl2 at 750 °C. The structure consists of layers of [Na(1)Mn(Ge2Se6)]3– stacked perpendicular to the c-axis and sodium ions occupying the interlayer space. An indirect bandgap of 1.52 eV has been calculated using density functional theory, which is expectedly underestimated compared to the observed optical bandgap of 1.95 eV derived from diffuse reflectance spectroscopic measurements in the UV/Vis/NIR region. Magnetic measurements confirm the paramagnetic nature of Na8Mn2(Ge2Se6)2 with an experimental magnetic moment of 5.8 μB in good agreement with the theoretical spin only moment of 5.92 μB for high spin Mn2+. Na8Mn2(Ge2Se6)2 exhibits a potentially wide region of transparency in the measured range of 2.5–25 µm. Na8Mn2(Ge2Se6)2 shows a modest second-harmonic generation (SHG) response but with a high laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of ~9x AgGaSe2. Third harmonic generation (THG) measurements indicate that Na8Mn2(Ge2Se6)2 displays a high THG coefficient (1.9x AgGaSe2) at λ = 1800 nm

Experiences of learning through collaborative evaluation from a masters programme in professional education

This paper presents findings from a collaborative evaluation project within a masters programme in professional education. The project aimed to increase knowledge of research methodologies and methods through authentic learning where participants worked in partnership with the tutor to evaluate the module which they were studying. The project processes, areas of the course evaluated and the data collection methods are outlined. The findings focus on key themes from evaluating the effectiveness of using a collaborative evaluation approach, including: enhanced student engagement; creativity of the collaborative evaluation approach; equality between the tutor and students; and enhanced research skills. Discussion focuses on the outcomes and effectiveness of the project and tutor reflections on adopting a collaborative approach. This paper highlights lessons from the project relevant to those interested in staff-student partnership approaches and those facilitating postgraduate learning and teaching programmes and educational research courses

Crystal Structure, Electronic Structure, and Optical Properties of the Novel Li4cdge2s7, a Wide-Bandgap Quaternary Sulfide with a Polar Structure Derived from Lonsdaleite

The novel quaternary thiogermanate Li4CdGe2S7 (tetralithium cadmium digermanium heptasulfide) was discovered from a solid-state reaction at 750 °C. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data were collected and used to solve and refine the structure. Li4CdGe2S7 is a member of the small, but growing, class of I4-II-IV2-VI7 diamond-like materials. The compound adopts the Cu5Si2S7 structure type, which is a derivative of lonsdaleite. Crystallizing in the polar space group Cc, Li4CdGe2S7 contains 14 crystallographically unique ions, all residing on general positions. Like all diamond-like structures, the compound is built of corner-sharing tetrahedral units that create a relatively dense three-dimensional assembly. The title compound is the major phase of the reaction product, as evidenced by powder X-ray diffraction and optical diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. While the compound exhibits a second-harmonic generation (SHG) response comparable to that of the AgGaS2 (AGS) reference material in the IR region, its laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) is over an order of magnitude greater than AGS for λ = 1.064 μm and τ = 30 ps. Bond valence sums, global instability index, minimum bounding ellipsoid (MBE) analysis, and electronic structure calculations using density functional theory (DFT) were used to further evaluate the crystal structure and electronic structure of the compound and provide a comparison with the analogous I2-II-IV-VI4 diamond-like compound Li2CdGeS4. Li4CdGe2S7 appears to be a better IR nonlinear optical (NLO) candidate than Li2CdGeS4 and one of the most promising contenders to date. The exceptional LIDT is likely due, at least in part, to the wider optical bandgap of ∼3.6 eV